The National Football Museum

[Pesam]

Anyone been yet?

It opened in Manchester a couple of months ago, having been moved from Preston. I know the good people of Preston were not happy about the move but IMO the museum had to be in either Liverpool or Manchester.

The building itself is great, it was built about 12 years ago and was supposedly a "museum of modern living" but in truth never really seemed to have an identity worthy of the building itself or it's great location (in the city centre across the road from The Printworks).

I went with a friend the weekend before the footie season started and was impressed. It's very well layed out over 3 floors, some of the exhibits are very good (although one or two were odd). It was packed, a very good atmosphere and a good mix of ages, sexes, nationalities and footie allegiances.

I was relieved that there was no obvious signs of a Manchester bias in the exhibits.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend a trip to Manchester to solely visit the museum but if you're in manchester it's well worth a visit. Free in although they hint at a donation.

 

[Portly]

I went to the National Football Museum when it was at Deepdale and enjoyed the visit very much. It wasn't just about football - it was just as much about our social history as reflected in the game.

 

[Woland]

I went a couple of weeks ago, my mate was doing a talk about creating a football in a lab out of stem cells.

I'm not sure about the building. It looks nice but made me go all woblong. The permanent exhibition is a bit meh.

 

[gkmacca]

Typical of Preston to lose it. They only care about the Pot Fair.

 

[Pesam]

I went to the National Football Museum when it was at Deepdale and enjoyed the visit very much. It wasn't just about football - it was just as much about our social history as reflected in the game.

There is an element of that about it still Portly especially the exhibition of photo's from games in the 70's & 80's. Many of the other exhibitions also reflected life in general through the eyes of a football fan through the generations. I particualrly liked the London Underground leaflets that were produced every weekend showing people how to get to the various London grounds for the matches.

I would imagine the Manchester Museum is more "commercialised" than the Preston but as a lover of the game i have to say it ticked a lot of boxes for me as to how I would like it to be.

The major letdown is actually by the front door.......They have 2 boards which is sort of a hall-of-fame type thing, one fro managers and one for players. The managers one is fine and all the names you'd expect to be there are. The players one has one glaring ommission...........Steven Gerrard!

Most of the players listed are long since retired and there are very few names on the list who are still playing BUT they have Scholes & Giggs on the list which IMO should automatically ensure SG gets on too. He may have won a lot fewer medals/trophies but his impact on the game in this country is comparible.

 

[jon545660]

I keep meaning to visit as I pass through Manchester a lot. Mind you, I lived in Preston for years and never got round to it. Which just reminds me how lazy I am.

Thanks for the reminder Pesam. I will visit soon.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

I keep meaning to go if I finish work early, then forgetting about it.

 

[Spionkop69]

I keep meaning to go if I finish work early, then forgetting about it.

More like a pub waylays you from your task!

 

[SaintGeorge67]

More like a pub waylays you from your task!

Well there is that...

It's very close my former favourite pub actually. The Crown & Cushion, RIP 🙁