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.
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.
150 years of the FA Cup
11 May 2022
Ahead of the 150th anniversary of the first FA Cup final, we take a look at three iconic objects from our collection.
Object of the Week: Jack Charlton’s tracksuit
6 May 2022
Charlotte Micklethwaite looks at one of our favourite objects from the 1972 FA Cup Final: the pre-match tracksuit worn by Jackie Charlton.
Object of the Week: Pauline Cope’s cap
7 April 2022
Tobin O'Connor looks at the career of a Lionesses legend, goalkeeper Pauline Cope, and considers her contribution to the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Sheila Parker’s England cap, 1972
29 March 2022
One of the first ever official caps handed out to an England Women side. This one belonged to the national side's first ever official captain...
In Conversation with Hannah Kumari
2 March 2022
ENG-ER-LAND playwright and actor Hannah Kumari In Conversation with Anwar Uddin, former professional footballer, FA Council Member and Campaign Manager for The Football Supporters Association’s (FSA) Fans For Diversity, a campaign Uddin set up six years ago which works to promote inclusivity in football.