Hall Of Fame Gallery
The National Football Museum will open a new Hall of Fame Gallery to celebrate icons, pioneers and legends who have defined English football.
The new gallery, which is free to view for all National Football Museum ticket holders, opens to the public on Friday 19 June and includes rare and unseen objects from a host of Hall of Fame inductees, including Stanley Matthews, Jill Scott and David Beckham.
Established in 2002, the Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the English game. More than 200 players, managers and teams have been inducted, each leaving a lasting mark on the history, identity and future of football in England.
The Hall of Fame Gallery brings these stories to life through iconic objects, rare memorabilia, and the moments that made them unforgettable. From title-winning players and managers to trailblazers who broke down barriers and changed the game forever, this is where English football’s biggest names take their place.
Featuring sixteen specially curated displays, the Hall of Fame explores the stories of successes from Ballon d’Or winners, European Cup winners and World Cup glory, alongside groundbreaking and pioneering stories of referees, players and other key figures who have strived to improve the beautiful game.
Some of the objects on display include Stanley Matthews’ Ballon D’Or award and England cap and objects from pioneering women footballers and managers like Kerry Davis and Emma Hayes. The gallery also includes memorabilia and stories behind modern icons like Ashley Cole and England’s World Cup-winning Lionesses squad.
Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum, said: “Our Hall of Fame celebrates the people who have made football the game we know and love today. This new gallery allows us to tell those stories in a way that is immersive, brought to life with unique objects from our Football Heritage Collection and has kindly been supported by The Players Foundation.
“Inspiring and reflective of the diversity and richness of English football’s history, whether visitors are lifelong supporters or discovering the game for the first time, the gallery offers a powerful reminder of the individuals whose achievements have shaped generations.”
The National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame gallery has been created in partnership with The Players Foundation: a charity dedicated to supporting current and former professional footballers. The Foundation also owns a unique array of football memorabilia, which consists of more than 500 items, which is housed and exhibited by the museum.
David Harrison, CEO of The Players Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Hall of Fame gallery which champions many of the legends of the English game. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 now underway, this is the perfect moment to celebrate the achievements of such great names, including the current Chairman of the Foundation, Brendon Batson OBE. I look forward to joining the thousands of football fans who’ll be visiting the new gallery.”
For more information about the National Football Museum Hall of Fame and to view all previous inductees, visit: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com.