Jon McClure, the frontman of Reverend and the Makers, has taken on a new role at Sheffield FC with a clear sense of purpose. The Sheffield-born musician, who describes himself as a Wednesday fan by nature, has become chair of the ninth-tier club as part of a new minority ownership group.
For McClure, the appeal is both personal and local. Sheffield FC is recognised as the world’s oldest football club, and he sees its place in the city as something worth protecting. His involvement, he has suggested, is about more than football results. It is also about helping a club with deep historical and civic significance find a stronger future.
A club with history, and room for renewal
McClure said he had wanted to link up with Sheffield FC eight years ago, but felt he was not ready at the time to take on the responsibility. He said he was not “in a mature enough position in my life to look after what’s essentially a kind of cultural and civic institution in the country and in Sheffield”.
That hesitation is now behind him. Since last month, McClure has been in the boardroom at Sheffield FC, working alongside David Bianchi, the co-founder of Various Artists Management, as part of the club’s new minority ownership group. Their arrival is being seen as an opportunity to review the club’s position and look for ways to improve it.
While Sheffield FC may be a long way from the glamour of the professional game’s top divisions, McClure’s enthusiasm suggests he is embracing the challenge. He knows a thing or two about generating attention, and he appears ready to bring that energy to a club that could use more of it.
Noise, pies and young supporters
McClure has already begun making his presence felt with supporters. Speaking to young fans, he said: “I told them if they bring a drum, I will buy them a pie.” The comment captures both the tone of his approach and the kind of connection he wants to build around the club: friendly, local and willing to encourage a bit of atmosphere.
It also reflects the wider task he faces. For a club such as Sheffield FC, a stronger sense of community can matter as much as anything on the pitch. McClure’s background in music and performance gives him a public profile that could help draw more attention to the club and its place in Sheffield’s sporting identity.
He is, after all, no outsider arriving cold. Born and raised in the Steel City, McClure has spoken with pride about his hometown’s history. That connection may be central to why Sheffield FC appealed to him in the first place. The club is not simply another non-league side; it is part of the city’s story.
Looking ahead
Becoming heavyweight champions of the world may be beyond the reach of a ninth-tier club, but McClure’s ambitions appear to be more practical and immediate. The goal is to help Sheffield FC move forward, strengthen its standing and bring more of the city with it.
In that sense, his arrival marks an effort to combine heritage with momentum. Sheffield FC carries a unique legacy, and McClure and his fellow investors now have the task of ensuring that history is matched by progress.
For a club built on being first, the challenge is to make sure it is not left behind.
