INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL INSTITUTE
As a national museum, the National Football Museum makes an important contribution to research and scholarship, regarding our understanding of football’s role in society. In addition, the interpretations offered by the Museum, in order to be publicly accessible and appealing, must be informed by a high level of curatorial scholarship and expertise.
In partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (uclan), the Museum has established the International Football Institute (IFI). The International Football Institute seeks to advance research on all aspects of football, and to make this research available to the widest possible audience, nationally and internationally. IFI is headed by Professor John Hughson.
A number of major IFI research projects have been completed and many others are underway, including four PhDs. IFI has held two major international academic conferences, one in partnership with UEFA. IFI has produced over fifty major publications to date.
The Museum also engages with the other leading centres for football research in the UK, including the FIFA-approved International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University. In addition, the Museum links closely with other leading academics at universities around the world, through the Academic Supporters Scheme.
A number of the leading academics on the history and cultural study of football have been recruited from the Academic Supporters Scheme to form an Academic Advisory Board. Headed by Professor John Hughson, this Academic Advisory Board will provide guidance to the development of the research strategy of the National Football Museum.
Link: International Football Institute
Objects of the Week: Coventry City
25 May 2023
Ahead of the Championship play-off final between Luton Town and Coventry City, we take a look at some of the Sky Blues-related objects at the National Football Museum and within our Football Heritage Collection.
Objects of the Week: Luton Town
25 May 2023
Ahead of the Championship play-off final between Luton Town and Coventry City, we take a look at some of the Hatters-related objects at the National Football Museum and within our Football Heritage Collection.
Object of the Week: Chelsea WFC v MUFC Women programme, 1996
12 May 2023
With Chelsea Women looking to defend their WFA Cup Final title against Manchester United Women this weekend, we have delved into the archive to look at an earlier game between these two sides.
“Say it with Pottery”: The Coronation Loving Cup, 1937
4 May 2023
With the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III, we look at a special piece of memorabilia produced for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.
Wembley 100: “We’re going to Wembley!”
28 April 2023
As part of Wembley 100, Uma Ghelani takes a look at how public transport was advertised to travelling football fans in the twenties and thirties, specifically ahead of FA Cup Finals...
Wembley 100: The White Horse Final
27 April 2023
Callum Lane looks at the first ever game to be played at the old Wembley Stadium: the 1923 FA Cup Final - later known as the White Horse Final.
Wembley 100: Empire and royalty
27 April 2023
With the 100th anniversary of the original Wembley Stadium and King Charles III’s coronation falling within weeks of one another, we explore the links between Wembley, empire and royalty.
Wembley 100: Objects on display
24 April 2023
As part of Wembley 100, the National Football Museum takes a look at a century of the stadium's history - via objects you can see every day on our galleries.
Object of the Week: Sylvia Gore’s cap
12 April 2023
Maisie Joel looks at one of the earliest women's football caps from our collection, awarded to the Lionesses' first official goalscorer.
IWM: Preston Ladies v Bolton Ladies match ball
10 March 2023
As part of our International Women's Month series, curator Dr Alex Jackson showcases a signed ball used in a fixture between Preston Ladies and Bolton Ladies, which took place in 1939: just two months after war broke out in Europe.
