Collection Stories

Object of the Week: Shirley Baker photographs

She was the photographer who stumbled onto football on the streets…

Object of the Week: Gemma Bonner boots

We’re working to put women’s football right at the heart of the English football story. This means moving towards increasing our representation of women in football to 50% across our collections and exhibitions. Curator of Women’s Football Belinda Scarlett talks about this exciting challenge and some new items collected in recent months…

Object of the Week: Match ball from 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup

USA beat China 21-years-ago to claim their second Women’s World Cup on home soil. This official match ball is signed by the victorious American team.

“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.