Thomas Youdan
Thomas Youdan was a theatre proprietor in Sheffield, England, known for sponsoring the Youdan Cup, the first ever multi-club tournament in the history of football.
Youdan was born in Streetthorpe near Doncaster. Coming to Sheffield at the age of 18, he was employed as a labourer, and subsequently as a silver stamper. He then ran a public house, and later built the Surrey Theatre on the site of a former pawn shop. The Surrey Theatre contained a ballroom, theatre, concert-hall, and even a menagerie.
In 1858, Youdan was elected to Sheffield City Council. He served as a councillor for six years.
The Surrey Theatre burned down in 1865, which caused Youdan to lose nearly £30,000. He then converted a storage building into the Alexandra Opera House, before retiring in 1874, and returning to the countryside. He died on 28 November 1876 at his residence of Flotmanly House, near Filey, at the age of approximately 60 years.
Youdan was a prolific philanthropist. In addition to endowing the Youdan Cup, he made generous donations to charities of all kinds.
