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.
“I’ve loved every minute of volunteering. You meet people from all around the world” – Stephen Brammer
4 June 2020
Stephen Brammer from Prestwich has been volunteering at the museum for a year. We chat to Stephen about his role at the museum.
“LGBTQ people have always been part of the history of football and should be part of the stories museums tell” – LOIS STONE
4 June 2020
As we enter Pride month 2020 we speak to museum interpreter Lois Stone about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in museums.
Object of The Week: Lily Parr statue
4 June 2020
She was the first superstar of women's football - yet her story is not widely known. Lily Parr was a trailblazer for women across the world. This statue went on display at the museum in 2019 and was the first statue to a female footballer in the UK.
Object of the Week: Canal Street Blues T-shirt
22 May 2020
This week’s Object of the Week is a Canal Street Blues supporters' club T-shirt worn at Pride 2018. Curator of Women's Football Belinda Scarlett explains its importance.
Object of the Week: George Best’s Mini Cooper
19 May 2020
Arguably the world’s first true football superstar, Northern Ireland’s George Best had the looks and personality to ensure his popularity went beyond the beautiful game. Collections Manager Wiebke Cullen looks at a rather unusual item from his life which is on display in the museum.
Object of the Week: The oldest surviving FA Cup trophy
12 May 2020
Collections Manager Wiebke Cullen discusses northern invasions, brazen thefts, glamour and glory as she looks at the oldest surviving FA Cup.
Object of the Week: Women’s Subbuteo
4 May 2020
On what would've been Women's FA Cup Final week, curator Belinda Scarlett looks at this unique Subbuteo set. This version of the famous table football game was produced in very limited numbers in 2018 to mark the final between Arsenal and Chelsea which was won by the Blues.
Object of the Week: Picasso’s ‘Footballeur’
30 April 2020
Proving that football is art - and the museum is not just about shirts and silverware - Collections Manager Wiebke Cullen pores over our perfect Picasso in a new weekly series, Object of the Week.
Hidden history of women’s football: England v Scotland
17 July 2017
We delve into our women's football archives to discover programmes, trophies and memorabilia from a previous meeting between two old rivals.
National Football Museum to unlock the hidden history of women’s football
22 May 2017
The National Football Museum's Collections team is working to reveal the hidden history of women in football by exploring our women's football collection.
