help us break a world record!
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A Sheffield theatre group is rallying football fans to donate team scarves for an ambitious record attempt during this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Stand & Be Counted Theatre will attempt to smash the world record for the longest chain of multi-club football scarves as part of Around The World in June. This new digital art-meets-football initiative will take a yellow school bus on tour around Sheffield communities and schools.
There, participants will explore the beautiful game and create their own themed art works to be displayed on board and then projected onto the bus in the Peace Gardens as part of a spectacular finale.
The finale will also include a symbolic parade where a chain of scarves representing football clubs all over the world will be carried from The Sanctuary on Chapel Walk to the Peace Gardens.
John Tomlinson, joint CEO of Stand & Be Counted Theatre, said: “There is a really important message we want to convey with this chain of football scarves.
“It’s not about the glory of a world record attempt. Around the World will be made with people from all over the globe who now call Sheffield home. “We want to bring people together through football and creativity and display that unity for everyone to see, all during the World Cup.”
Arts charity Stand & Be Counted Theatre is now appealing for people in Sheffield to donate football scarves.
To beat the current world record for the longest chain of multi-club sports scarves, the team needs to create a chain more than 100 metres long. Over 70 clubs were represented when the previous record-breaking scarf was created to mark the launch of Kellogg’s Football Camps in 2024.Stand & Be Counted is the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary and has previously created a football song, also called Around The World, with Sheffield FC.
Children in its Youth Theatre also created a football scarf and chant to go on display at The Crucible as part of activity celebrating The Ladies Football Club production.
John added: “Football is a huge part of the lives of our members.“We are excited to return to the theme as a force for creative expression and community - while potentially breaking a world record in the process.”
Around The World will tour Sheffield between Thursday June 11-Tuesday June 16.It will culminate in a dazzling day of football and arts activity - including the world record attempt - at the Peace Gardens on Wednesday June 17 before England take on Croatia.
If you can help, scarves can be donated at The U-Mix Centre, Lowfield and The Sanctuary, Chapel Walk or email info@sbctheatre.co.uk to find out more.
The project is being organised in collaboration with Football Unites Racism Divides, Sheffield Home of Football and Yellow Bus Events. It is supported by Counterpoints Arts and Sheffield’s Migration Matters Festival.
Resources Photography by Smart Jervas Banda. For more information, interviews or photographs please contact Ellen Beardmore ellen@editsheffield.co.uk.
