A new installation honouring Sheffield’s footballing heritage could soon take pride of place in the city – if a crowdfunding appeal is successful.
Campaigners at Sheffield Home of Football are crowdfunding for the installation of the artwork named Heads or Tails which remembers a historic match.
The two-metre tall stainless steel installation features three Victorian pennies, designed by Sheffield-based artist David Westby in honour of his late brother Martin Westby. Mr Westby wrote extensively about Sheffield’s football history but died in 2020.
John Clarke, Secretary of Sheffield Home of Football, said: “It makes you smile. It shines. It’s aimed towards the sun.”
The statue will commemorate a tie between the Shropshire Wanderers and Sheffield FC on the 30th of October, 1873.
Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, played the Shropshire Wanderers twice that year in the FA Challenge Cup and drew both times.
Both teams enjoyed a meal together at the Raven Hotel after and tossed a coin to decide which team would progress in the league. Former Sheffield FC captain Harry Chambers won, and the Shropshire Wanderers became the only team in the competition to be eliminated by the toss of a coin.
The artwork has been in progress for over four years, with £45,000 raised through private and public donations.
The charity is now aiming to raise an additional £8,500 for installation and licensing costs.
“It’s a long job, and it’s a long job that takes people to come together to do,” said Mr Clarke.
The charity wants it to be installed near the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield city centre.
Sheffield Home of Football started offering guided history walking tours in 2026, and hopes Heads or Tails will be the start of a new art trail honouring Sheffield as the home of football.
Mr Clarke said: “It’s not often that you get a private bit of artwork, funded by individuals, that can be placed on the golden route, and in the city.”
The hope is for the trail to feature a statue of the Brazilian Football star Pelé, commemorating his return to the city in 2007 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC, where he famously said: “Without Sheffield FC, there wouldn’t be me.”
If you would like to support this cause, where to donate can be found here.
