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Virgin Trains takes '66 Ball to Lords
Virgin Trains generously agreed to transport the 1966 World Cup Final Ball from Preston to an important event at Lords Cricket Ground supporting the build up to the London 2012 Olympics. The Ball travelled first class with Museum staff from Preston to Euston.
With the recent completion of the West Coast Main Line travel from Preston to London on Virgin Pendolino trains has never been quicker and easier.
Virgin Train Manager, Caroline Atkinson, holds the 1966 World Cup Final Ball alongside National Football Museum General Manager, David Pearson
David Pearson, National Football Museum General Manager, said: "We are so grateful to Virgin Trains and their staff for their support for this event and in the past. Train travel to and from Preston is now so much quicker and easier. This will be a real boost to our visitor numbers."
The 1966 World Cup Final Ball, that is usually on display at the National Football Museum, was the star exhibit at an event at Lords Cricket Ground on 17 March 2009 to promote a new initiative, Our Sporting Life (OSL), being lead by a consortium of all the UK's sports museums. OSL aims to gather together the public's memories of great sporting moments to display alongside treasures of football memorabilia in London and at regional venues in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics. See www.oursportinglife.co.uk. The event was supported by a variety of sports stars, including England goalkeeper head coach, Ray Clemence, 1966 hero, George Cohen and England bowler, Gladstone Small.
The 1966 World Cup Final Ball is owned jointly by Virgin Group, Mirror Group and Eurostar.