Philippa Kaur

THE world’s oldest football stadium isn’t home to one of the nation’s biggest clubs, but rather a side playing in the ninth tier of the English game.Hallam FC, officially the second oldest football club in the world, have been playing their home games at the same ground since 1860!Sandygate Road is the oldest football ground in the worldCredit: AlamyThe ground has been home to Hallam FC since 1860Credit: AlamyHallam are the second oldest club in the worldCredit: AlamyThe ground is still fitted with wood trimmings and a plaque to show the history of the stadiumCredit: AlamyA sign on the exit of the ground reminds fans of the history tooCredit: AlamyTheir home, Sandygate Road, boasts the title of the oldest football stadium around.Located in Sheffield, the first game played at the ground was on Boxing Day 1860.The clash pitted Hallam against neighbours Sheffield FC – the oldest club in the world.It’s believed that that match was the first inter-club football game ever played.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile the stadium itself was actually built another 56 years before that match took place – in 1804.It remains in use with Hallam currently using the pitch to play out their Northern Counties East League Premier Division games.The stadium can hold 1,300 fans on a matchday, with seating available for just 250 of those fans.But those keen on heading to watch the second oldest club play in the oldest stadium won’t have to fork out Premier League prices, with a matchday ticket at Hallam costing just £6 for an adult.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFans visiting the ground now will find it looking pretty similar to how it did back in the day, but with an abundance of historic plaques and signs showing the historical significance of the stadium.While there has also been the sad demolition of The Plough Inn pub from across the way.Premier League stadium looks unrecognisable in incredible new plans to redevelop main stand The old pub was thought to be the location where the modern rules of football were agreed back in the 1800s. However, despite much campaigning from locals, the pub was torn down in 2023.Hallam FC are currently seventh in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.But still harbour hopes of climbing up the divisions to reach the level that would better represent the history behind the club and their ground.For now, they proudly keep a replica of the Youdan Cup – a competition pre-dating the FA Cup – that they won in 1867 inside their trophy cabinet to remind them of the club’s roots. Hallam keep a replica of the Youdan Cup trophy won they in 1867Credit: AlamySeats allow for 250 fans in the stadiumCredit: AlamyAround 1,300 spectators can watch at the groundCredit: AlamyThe ground is believed to have been built in 1804, 56 years before Hallam was foundedCredit: AlamyThe clubhouse looks no different to other clubs in the ninth tier of footballCredit: AlamyA view from 1991 shows how the round has changed in 33 yearsCredit: AlamyThe Plough Inn, which used to sit across from Sandygate, is thought to be where the modern rules of football were agreedCredit: Crosthwaite Commercial More

ENZO Fernandez’s former fiancee Valentina Cervantes has revealed she will jet to London with their two children to see in the New Year together with her ex.The Blues midfielder stunned everyone – including the pretty brunette – by telling her earlier this year he wanted to end their six-year relationship.Enzo Fernandez’s ex-fiance is jetting into London for New YearCredit: Instagram @valucervantesThe pair split unexpectedly in October and share two children togetherCredit: Instagram / @valucervantesValentina jetted back to Argentina but will return to the capital for December 31Credit: Instagram / @valucervantesThe 24-year-old beauty moved back to their native Argentina with Olivia, four, and Benjamin, one, after confirming the split at the end of October.But on Friday she confirmed they would be jetting to the UK in the coming hours for a family reunion.Former law student Valentina, Enzo’s childhood sweetheart, also used an interview to reveal she had asked the footballer about rumours he was dating Argentinian rapper Nicki Nicole and had been assured the reports were untrue.The stunning influencer told Argentine newspaper La Nacion: “Enzo asked me to go to London for Christmas,READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”But I told him I preferred to spend it here in Argentina because the kids have more cousins and it makes the moment of opening gifts and everything else more special.”But for the 31st, we’ll travel there and spend it together.”She joked: “I’m not going to go to Big Ben with a cider alone. We talked about it, and he has no problem with it, and neither do I, in that I know how to separate things.”We are going to do everything possible to make the children happy.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I’m going to stay a few days because I have to finish some things there that I left behind, then I’ll come back here and they’ll stay with him a bit longer.”Valentina also admitted she and Enzo lived and slept together for another 10 days after he left her shell-shocked by telling her “from one day to the next” he didn’t want to be with her anymore.Enzo Maresca’s brutal warning to Chelsea stars after Madueke dropped for Fulham defeat and summer signing axed entirely Asked whether they made love, she added: “Yes, some days, as a goodbye.”Addressing the split, Valentina continued: “I think it was a combination of things on his part. He made the decision and I respected it. We have two children together.”To this day, we try to have a good relationship, we try to share, so that the kids can continue living together.”If you ask me what happened, I have nothing specific to tell you.”I just think that he decided to focus 100 percent on his career, on performing, on finding himself.”He might not have been at his best as a player and tried to find it. “Today, fortunately, things are going well for him. That’s why I’m also happy.”The 24-year-old beauty has wished Fernandez well and insists there is no animosityCredit: Instagram / @valucervantesAfter their split rumours began circulating Fernandez was dating 24-year-old Nicole, whose real name is Nicole Cucco and was born and raised in Lionel Messi’s home city of Rosario.But Valentina said: “I asked him. Obviously, I don’t get involved in those things and I would respect the woman he has from now on because it’s his life.”But I wanted to know because I think as the mother of the children I have to know and he told me they weren’t together.”Olivia listens to Nicki Nicole’s songs, I was thrilled – I think they met once. Not alone, in a group.”She added: “We’ve talked about the fact that if either of us starts a new relationship in the future, we will inform each other out of respect and because we share two children together.”Valentina announced the end of their relationship at the end of October by writing on Instagram: “With Enzo, today we decided to put space between us.Chelsea ratings vs Everton as Enzo continues to shine but Jackson costs Blues chance to winCHELSEA extended their unbeaten run to nine Premier League games with a performance that will quickly be forgotten.Chances on goal were few and far between but Nicolas Jackson had two opportunities to put the Blues ahead in the first half.SunSport’s Kealan Hughes provides his ratings of the Chelsea squad…Robert Sanchez – 7Smart stop down to his right to deny Orel Mangala shortly before the break.Pulled off an even better save when Jack Harrison looked certain to score in the second half.Axel Disasi – 6Dealt with the tricky Iliman Ndiaye reasonably well. Lacked an attacking threat which hindered Blues going forward.Tosin Adarabioyo – 8Made a brilliant block 15 minutes from time to stop Ndiaye finding the net with Sanchez beaten.He also looked assured on the ball and comfortable doing the nitty-gritty every time he plays. Deserves more game time.Levi Colwill – 7An accomplished display as he limited Everton’s chances on goal, worked well with Adarabioyo.Malo Gusto – 5Was caught out a few times by Harrison, who should have scored when he got in behind the left-back.Almost opened the scoring in the first half but Pickford charged down his shot well.Moises Caicedo – 7Protected the defence well and cut out a lot of loose balls to prevent Everton getting near the Chelsea box.Enzo Fernandez – 8Perhaps Chelsea’s best player. Saw a lot of the ball and kept possession nicely.Had one shooting opportunity he aimed straight at the keeper.Cole Palmer – 5Squared well for Jackson’s chance. Failed to influence the match in his usual manner, which is a credit to the Everton defence.Pedro Neto – 5Plenty of effort and endeavour but not really his day. Every time he did threaten he was quickly fouled.Jadon Sancho – 5Some nice touches and passes but rarely posed a threat.Nicolas Jackson – 4Spurned a big chance first half as Pickford was equal to a close range effort.He then missed an even easier opportunity minutes later as he directed his header onto the post with the goal gaping.SubsChristopher Nkunku (for Jackson, 76mins) – 5Noni Madueke (for Neto, 76mins) – 5″But we will always be family and we will support each other in everything because there are two children in the middle who need a lot of our love for them.”I know the person and the excellent father that Enzo is, and the heart he has and with that, I’m satisfied.”Don’t try to create wars where there are none.”Fernandez, who cost Chelsea £106million, struggled to live up to his hefty price tag following his arrival at the club in January last year from Benfica.Valentina has rubbished rumours of Fernandez dating Nicki NicoleCredit: Instagram / @valucervantesHe endured a difficult first full campaign at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, struggling with a hernia issue which required surgery and meant he missed 10 games.But his performances this season have improved following a spell on the bench.Addressing the difficulties of his first 18 months at Chelsea in a recent interview, the 23-year-old said: “When I arrived it was very difficult, the first year and a half here, change of coaches, the club wasn’t doing well, personal injuries.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I was not satisfied with what I had been showing, then I got injured, many adverse things happened.”I tried to move forward but today I feel very good, as does the team and we hope to continue on this path.” More