Collection Stories

“It will be an emotional reunion when we return to the museum”

With the museum gearing-up for reopening, one set of visitors will be looking forward to returning more than most.

Object of the Week: Paul Gascoigne Spitting Image puppet

His World Cup heroics in 1990 made him a global football superstar, while his semi-final tears made him a puppet on the small screen. Collections Manager Wiebke Cullen takes a closer look at this latex legend….

When the Reds and Blues shared their matchday programme

Premiership football is back and the Merseyside derby takes top billing this weekend. Curator Belinda Scarlett looks at a bygone era when Liverpool and Everton shared more than just the same city.

Object of the Week: Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt

It was worn by the then greatest player on the planet. Millions watched as he scored the most infamous goal of his career in this blue shirt. Argentina’s Diego Maradona broke English hearts in June 1986 with his ‘hand of God’ goal in a World Cup quarter-final.

Museum collecting during a crisis

How do you collect items related to football when there’s no football taking place?

Collections manager Wiebke Cullen explains the National Football Museum is interested in stories about how football has reacted to the coronavirus pandemic.

“While women’s football is rapidly developing, it still suffers a chronic lack of infrastructure and investment”

We speak to Matthew Barrett, Founder of Goal Click – a global project that encourages people to capture football through the lens of a disposable camera.

Object of the Week: Faye White’s face mask

It looks like a prop from Phantom of the Opera – but is in fact, a symbol of resilience of one of England’s top female players.

“I’ve loved every minute of volunteering. You meet people from all around the world” – Stephen Brammer

Stephen Brammer from Prestwich has been volunteering at the museum for a year. We chat to Stephen about his role at the museum.

“LGBTQ people have always been part of the history of football and should be part of the stories museums tell” – LOIS STONE

As we enter Pride month 2020 we speak to museum interpreter Lois Stone about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in museums.

Object of The Week: Lily Parr statue

She was the first superstar of women’s football – yet her story is not widely known. Lily Parr was a trailblazer for women across the world. This statue went on display at the museum in 2019 and was the first statue to a female footballer in the UK.

Object of the Week: Canal Street Blues T-shirt

This week’s Object of the Week is a Canal Street Blues supporters’ club T-shirt worn at Pride 2018. Curator of Women’s Football Belinda Scarlett explains its importance.

Object of the Week: George Best’s Mini Cooper

Arguably the world’s first true football superstar, Northern Ireland’s George Best had the looks and personality to ensure his popularity went beyond the beautiful game. Collections Manager Wiebke Cullen looks at a rather unusual item from his life which is on display in the museum.