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Michel Platini and Liverpool '78 stars to be honoured at
National Football Museum European Hall of Fame 2008 awards in Liverpool
The National Football Museum is delighted to announce that UEFA President and legendary French footballer, Michel Platini, will be attending the prestigious ceremony at ACC Liverpool on 8 October as guest of honour. The Selection Panel has decided to induct Michel Platini into the Hall of Fame on the 25th anniversary of being awarded European Footballer of the Year, the first of three unprecedented awards in successive years. This will be the first time that a player outside the English game as been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Michel Platini said to the Museum: “I feel particularly touched by your decision to induct me into the Hall of Fame, which represents a great honour for me. I remain a true fan of the English game, and look forward to meeting some of the players with whom I shared the pitch during my career.”
Platini will join the legends of European football from the English game already set to be honoured at the event:
George Best, John Charles, Sir Bobby Charlton , Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Sir Matt Busby, Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson , Bob Paisley and Sir Bobby Robson.
It can now be also announced that the Hall of Fame will also present awards to three of the greatest teams in English football history:
• The Manchester United ‘Busby Babes'
• The Manchester United 1968 European Cup winning side, the first English team to win the competition
• The Liverpool 1977 and 78 teams, the first English side to win the European Cup twice at the start of a domination of the competition through to 1984
It is appropriate that their achievements will be remembered on the 50th anniversary year of the Munich tragedy and the 4Oth and 30th anniversary of great European Cup triumphs.
This is a major honour, as the only other team so far inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame is Sheffield FC as the oldest football club in the world.
Great players from all three teams are expected to attend the event. In particular, given that the event forms part of Liverpool European Capital of Culture 08, it is expected that some great names from the Liverpool 1978 triumph will be there, including:
Kenny Dalglish, David Fairclough, Joey Jones, Terry McDermott, Phil Neal, Graeme Souness and Phil Thompson.
The European Hall of Fame event and the exhibition Only a Game ?, in partnership with UEFA, the North West Regional Development and National Museums Liverpool, opening to the public on 10 October, form the National Football Museum's contribution to Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008.
There will also be awards for the Liverpool People's Choice for best Liverpool and Everton players in European competitions as decided by Liverpool Echo readers.
David Pearson, General Manager for the National Football Museum said: “We think that our European Hall of Fame awards this year promises to be one of the greatest celebrations of football history ever held. A truly not-to-be-missed occasion and a fitting tribute to the great football heritage of the city of Liverpool .”
The National Football Museum Hall of Fame is generously supported by:
Professional Footballers Association
North West Regional Development Agency and
The New Football Pools