Latest Inductee

Steph Houghton

A dependable defender and resolute leader for club and country.

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Nominations

Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination for the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. There are three application windows per year, and nominees must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered.

Please ensure you have read the Hall of Fame eligibility criteria before submitting your nomination.

Nominees must meet the following eligibility criteria. 

  • Be a retired Coach, Manager, Player, Referee and/or Support Personnel; 
  • Have coached, managed, played and/or refereed football in England at elite level for a minimum of 5-years; 
  • Have a profile, persona and values which are aligned to the values, brand and ethos of the National Football Museum. 
  • Have made a tangible and evidence-based outstanding contribution towards English football based on any of the following 3 principles: 
    1. Achieved significant success with a Club, League and/or the English national programme – including considerable competitive achievements in elite English football as a Coach, Manager, Player, Referee and/or Support Personnel; or
    2. Changed the game for the greater good – significantly contributed to the ongoing development of English football, acting with integrity to enhance the diversity, inclusivity and positive impact of the game; or
    3. Pioneered or championed inclusion and/or diversity (directly or indirectly) – actively advocated for football to be diverse, inclusive and accessible for all. 

You can download the full eligibility police by clicking here.

2024/25: 2 September – 30 November 2024 and 6 January – 31 March 2025. 

2025/26: To be announced. 

Please use our online form to make your nomination. 

Alternatively, you can download it by clicking here.

Eligible nominees are shortlisted by the Main Panel using the Hall of Fame scorecard, with the 10 highest scoring nominees progressing to the next stage. In the event of a tie for 10th place, the Chair’s decision is final. 

The Executive Panel then score the shortlist and convene to review the outcome. A maximum of three of the highest scoring nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame. In the event of a tie for a 3rd place, the Chair’s decision is final.

The Selection Panels and members provide fair and just representation from across the football sector within England. They may include historians, media, industry leaders and existing Hall of Fame Inductees who are highly knowledgeable about football, its history, its coaches, managers, players, referees, support personnel and personalities.

Can I make a nomination for the Hall of Fame? 

Yes, anyone is welcome to make a nomination if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

How many times can I nominate? 

You can nominate multiple individuals – however we can only accept one form per nomination. The number of Nomination Forms we receive does NOT affect the shortlisting or selection process. 

For example, if a supporters club want to nominate a player, please submit one form on behalf of the group, not individually. 

My nomination wasn’t successful. Can I reapply? 

Yes, you are welcome to apply again in future application window. Maximum of one re-submission. 

How many individuals do you induct into the Hall of Fame? 

A maximum of nine individuals can be inducted into the Hall of Fame per year.