Collections Stories
Looking to learn more of the stories behind the objects?
Delve into the fascinating history of our extensive collection. Below you will find blogs, articles, Q&As and features on our favourite objects, unlocking the stories within each item and exploring what makes football the game of our lives. This is also where we will be revealing our Object of the Week, showcasing some of the fascinating items from our ever-growing collection. Check here every Thursday for the latest insight and opinion from our museum curators and experts.
Do you have a story to share with us about your own prized football possessions? We’re collecting memories as part of our #GameOfOurLives campaign. Click here to contribute to our growing digital collection of stories.
Objects of the Week: the formation of the Premier League
15 August 2022
Uma Ghelani travels back 30 years, looking at the controversial and tumultuous beginnings of the Premier League.
Object of the Week: Carol Thomas’ 1984 Women’s Euro medal
21 July 2022
Kate Wells on the 1984 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship runner-up medal awarded to England Women captain Carol Thomas.
Object of the Week: Liz Deighan’s cap, 1974
20 July 2022
Eloise Douglas takes a closer look at the cap and career of former Lionesses midfielder Liz Deighan.
Object of the Week: England Women shirt, 1991
15 July 2022
Eloise Douglas admires a unique England Women shirt from 1991, created and worn during the WFA era.
Object of the Week: Xochitl
1 July 2022
Uma Ghelani looks at the legacy of Xochitl, the mascot for the unofficial 1971 Women's World Cup in Mexico.
Object of the Week: Hope Powell’s medal
24 June 2022
Uma Ghelani looks at the last medal won by England at a Women's European Championship: Hope Powell's runner-up silverware from 2009.
Football, trains and the rise of the travelling fan
21 June 2022
Dr Alex Jackson talks about how railways have influenced the popularity of football and how big games brought Northern fans ‘down South’ for the first time.
Recording the Women’s EURO tournament anthem with the Hallé Community Choir
6 June 2022
As part of our celebrations of the Women’s EURO 2022, we invited members of Manchester’s Hallé Ancoats Community Choir to represent our city in recording the tournament anthem with choirs from the other host cities and communities.
Objects of the Week: Huddersfield and Forest
27 May 2022
Charlotte Mickelthwaite warms up for the Championship play-off final with a look at objects from its two participants: Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest.
Object of the Week: A Barbie Girl in a Barbie World…Cup?
25 May 2022
Uma Ghelani takes a look at the quartet of dolls lining up for Mattel ahead of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
