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FIFA President visits the Museum to open the FIFA Centenary Exhibition
Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, visited the Museum on 11th September 2004 to open the FIFA Centenary Exhibition. The exhibition highlights the central role of FIFA in the development of international football since its foundation in 1904.
Mr Blatter also unveiled the FIFA Museum Collection at the Museum. The National Football Museum is the permanent home of the FIFA Museum Collection, which is the world's finest collection of football artifacts.
The FIFA President was highly impressed by the Museum. He wrote in the Museum's visitor book that:
“The National Football Museum merits my admiration as a footballer and as the President of FIFA – it is a superb realisation, a real jewel!”
Regarding the FIFA Museum Collection, Mr Blatter wrote,
“This outstanding collection is finally at the right place: The National Football Museum in Preston”.
Other guests included: Geoff Thompson, Chairman of the Football Association; David Davies, Executive Director of the FA and acting Chief Executive; David Will, Vice President, FIFA; Bryan Gray, Chairman, Northwest Regional Development Agency; and Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Mark Bushell Museum Spokesman, said:
“It was a tremendous honour to welcome the FIFA President to the Museum for the unveiling of the FIFA Centenary Exhibition. The centenary of FIFA is a major landmark in the history of world football. Thanks to funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency, we have been able to create a major exhibition to mark FIFA's centenary”.
“Mr Blatter performed the groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate the building of the Museum in September 1998. We are delighted that during FIFA's centenary year he has found time in his busy schedule to honour the Museum with a visit”.