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
10 Years in Manchester: Tim Desmond
19 January 2023
Tim Desmond, Chief Executive Officer at the National Football Museum, reflects on his time in Manchester.
10 Years in Manchester: Allan Maull
12 December 2022
Allan Maull, the National Football Museum’s first and longest-serving volunteer, looks back at his time with the museum.
Object of the Week: US pennant from Nike Victory Tour 1997 – USA v England
7 October 2022
As England face the USA in a record-selling Wembley friendly, Uma Ghelani looks at an object from a game between the two teams in 1997.
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.