Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterBranded as the biggest Sunday League game ever in the history of football, over 300,000 people watched a fictional football match on Easter Sunday.The game was held at Sheffield FC, the worlds oldest football club, as Royal Oak FC faced off against their rivals Nags Head.The quarter-final of the Sheffield Imperial Cup took place at The Home of Football Stadium, however, neither of the two teams were real. You may like JULES BREACH: Macclesfield's FA Cup win over Crystal Palace was a magic moment that reignited why we love football 'I was drinking an awful lot. One crazy night my pal said, "Have you seen there's a football club on Rightmove?"' Inside story behind Macclesfield FC owner's incredible FA Cup run and the two games funding the club for a year What is Non-League Day? English lower leagues take spotlight during international break What is Royal Oak FC?Around 2,500 people paid to see the football game, selling out Sheffield FCs stadium with its largest ever audience in attendance.Royal Oak FC is a fictional football team managed by Paul Sampson, real name Jon McClure, and his brother Chris McClure, known to Royal Oak fans as the iconic Steve Bracknall.A post shared by Arctic Monkeys Mania (@arcticmonkeysmania)A photo posted by on The TikTok account @stevebracknall has nearly 750,000 followers and has received over 27 million likes across its many videos depicting the footballing antics of Royal Oak FC.The club, described as being in the fifth tier of the Sheffield Sunday Imperial League, is a fictional team that has captured the imagination of grassroot football fans across the globe... according to its also fictional website.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Other hilarious descriptions of the team on its website include the club's promise of free sausages, chips and ale to its players, courtesy of landlord and landlady owners Terry and June, which has since been revoked due to the cost-of-living crisis.Lifelong fans include Carpet Dave, MOT Mick and Firestick Dean, who often partake in the filling of a minibus en-route to Royal Oaks away games.The character of Steve Bracknall was created by Sheffield comedian Chris McClure, who is also famous for being the face of the Arctic Monkeys debut album Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not. What to read next I enjoyed Macclesfields FA Cup win over Crystal Palace like you wouldnt believe Id rather remember it for that than any bitterness over money Non-league club's assistant Francis Jeffers gives verdict on governing bodys controversial decision Wrexham are in the hunt for a fourth consecutive promotion but the FA Cup is a chance to add a new angle to a predictable Hollywood story 'When I first got to Newcastle, I thought they were speaking German!' The incredible inside story of cult football film 'Goal!' told by Santiago Muez himself Similarly, Royal Oak FC manager Paul Sampson is the lead singer and frontman of Sheffield rock band Reverend and the Makers, best known for their hit song Heavyweight Champion of the World.Now a viral hit, Bracknalls Games Gone podcast was picked up by BBC Sounds in 2025, but the comedian rarely talks to the camera or media out of character.On one of the rare occasions that he has spoken as himself, McClure said in a 2022 YouTube video that people see something in [Bracknall] that they love whether its familiarity, or warmth, or charm, theres millions of Steves across the country.Nags Head, arch-rivals of Royal Oak FC, are also a fictional football team created for the purpose of the match.The side went on to secure a 2-1 victory over Royal Oak FC in a game filled with drama, and fans of these fictional teams will surely be waiting for the next clash involving either side.Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
