Sheffield Eagles Heritage Game 2023
The Sheffield Eagles home game against the London Broncos on 3rd September was designated the first ever Heritage Game.
The Heritage Project worked with the Club to make the home game on 3rd September the first ever Sheffield Eagles Heritage Game - the game closest to the anniversary of the first ever Sheffield Eagles game on 2nd September 1984. In the future the home game closest to the 2nd September will become Heritage Game that year.
The Programme
The Club produced a special, commemorative programme that reflected the design of the first ever programme in 1984. Each copy was individually numbered with “Number 1” being signed by all the Sheffield Eagles players at the game. Below are the first ever programme, the commemorative programme, the signed copy and images of the 40 years of programmes that were brought together for the Heritage Game programme.
Postcards
The Heritage Project produced a series of five postcards showing players from the 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. These postcards were available free at the match and proved both incredibly popular but also provided a starting point for many discussions and recollections.
Share Your Memories
Linked to the free postcards was a further postcard asking fans to share their memories and post them in the Heritage Project postbox. You can find a selection of the comments below.
Been watching since 88, there’s been so many memories to choose from but my favourite is Wembley 2019
Winning back to back championships was amazing and I’ll never forget it
Mark Aston saved the Club
Being Freddy the Eagleman at the launch of Super League in St Helens. The mascot race was fixed – Ronnie the Rhino was the academy winger
A very wet and cold trip to the Watersheddings in Oldham. Daryl Powell scored a drop goal for the win. Snowed all the way home and only just made it over Woodhead Pass.
Winning the Challenge Cup against Wigan was amazing, being able to “look after” the Challenge Cup in our house was legendary
Two of my abiding memories are the coach breaking down on the way back from Salford and having to wait in Hyde Road bus garage. The other is the first trip to Paris – very contrasting times
The first ever Eagles shirt I bought and wore, then my 4 year old daughter started coming to the matches so I cut it down to fit her and now her teddy is the proud owner of it
The Eagles have given me some of the best days of my life. The Challenge Cup and the 1895 victories being the obvious standouts. It’s definitely more than just a sports team to me
Hitting the target for money raised to save the Club – absolutely priceless
Banners
Using the same images from the postcards banners were produced and placed around the ground showing people the rich history of the Club. These stayed up for the rest of the 2023 season and will be used again in 2024 for the 40th anniversary.
Retro Shirts and Selfie Frames
Fans were encouraged to wear their favourite old Sheffield Eagles shirt, with the ground full of different designs dating back to 1984. Selfie fames were also produced for fans to be able to show off their shirts.
Further Photos
Further photos from the 2023 Heritage Game by Jake Borrill.
