Local MP Unveils Commemorative Gate at Penistone Church FC

A new gate celebrating Penistone’s links to football history was unveiled at Penistone Church FC’s grounds, in an event attended by the Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Marie Tidball.

The gate was created by people living and working in Penistone. It was designed by John Smith, at CreativeSmith in Penistone, made by Nick Hoyland of Penistone Engineering, with signs produced by Andy Turbitt of Simply Signs. The gate’s unveiling was coordinated by the Penistone Archive and Heritage Group.

Locals Kevin Neill and Richard Galliford have been central to this story and the design of the gate, in collaboration with local businesses. Drawing on Kevin’s work researching and recording the modern game of association football in Penistone across two decades, Kevin and Richard drove the idea of ensuring local football history, as well as that of the club, was commemorated. That culminated in the design and fitting of the gate.

John Marsh and John Charles Shaw are memorialised on the gate. John Charles Shaw was the first captain of Sheffield FC in 1857, which is recognised as the oldest football club in the world. He was also the founder of Hallam FC, the second recognised oldest football club in the world. John Marsh, meanwhile, was the second captain of Sheffield FC and one of the founders, the first secretary, and the captain of The Wednesday Club (later to become Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC)). Both men attended Penistone Grammar School, Marie Tidball’s old school.

The two oldest adult knockout trophies in the football world after are the Youdan Cup and Cromwell Cup. Both were and lifted for the first time by two Penistone Grammar School men. The Youdan Cup is now kept at Sheffield United Football Club and the Cromwell Cup kept at SWFC.

Marie spoke to Penistone FM after the unveiling, further celebrating Penistone as the “cradle of modern association football” through key figures in Penistone’s past, including John Charles Shaw and John Marsh.

Marie Tidball MP said:

“It was an honour to attend the gate’s unveiling at Penistone Church FC. The club is a local institution, important not only for all the people that play there today, but also for its contributions to the game of Modern Association Football.

“I’ve worked closely with the Penistone Archive and Heritage Group, and its two predecessor groups, since I was elected as the local Member of Parliament, supporting them with their pop-up project at Penistone Arts Week 2025 and banging the drum for the importance of Penistone to football today.

“I’d like to thank all the local people that brought the gate to life, from its design, to fundraising, and to building it – it’s absolutely stunning. It’s amazing that we have such incredible local skills in our community.

“Hundreds of thousands of people, from all across the country, will see this gate when they visit the grounds for football matches for many, many years to come. I’m so proud that everyone will be able to celebrate our history with us!”

Richard Galliford, member of Penistone Archive and Heritage Group, said:

“The new club entrance gate to Penistone Church FC is a gateway to the past and future of the game of football enjoyed by millions today.

“It recognises the early stalwarts of the game, such as John Marsh and John Charles Shaw, both from Penistone, who made significant contributions to the great game we now call modern association football. It also commemorates the 120-year existence of PCFC and its stewardship, which has seen the club grow into a community club comprising around 35 teams of all ages and genders.

“The gate, two years in the making, is the result of the combined efforts and commitment of local businesses to create something special and unique. It was funded by a descendant of John Marsh and, since it was officially opened by Marie, it has been well received and greatly appreciated.

“We hope the gate will remind those who see it of the great history of the club and the early game played in our area, which eventually spread to Sheffield, the home of football, and from there became the game we watch and play today.”