National Football Museum

The First Half (part 1) -- The First Half (part 2) -- The Gallery -- The Second Half

 

The First Half (cont.)

This is where you reach the 'half way' point of the first half (if that makes any sense!). You are currently at the very first origins of football, and on display are some items that were collected by Harry Langton. Harry played an influential part in establishing the museum and contributed a great deal to it. Sadly, he died in 2000 just before the museum opened.

Continuing just a few steps on, you come to the point where football is being established. There's mention of the FA Cup and the first teams of course, and then it explains in detail how the League became formed.
This provides an excellent way on how you can find out about the very first and oldest league in the world.

Continuing further on, you notice how it begins going further in time. It carries on with the start of the league and the very first winners, Preston North End.

How the information and facts are displayed is very well done - none of the usual plain black text on a boring white background. In fact the background complements each 'snippet' well and comprises of an appropriate picture. This is shown in the picture on the left - a snippet about Arthur Wharton with a picture of him displayed above.

The 'second part' of the first half shows much more detail and this is where the many different and fascinating items (football related of course!) are on display. Each display compliments the snippets on the nearby 'walls' very well, so everything is in place, as such.

The range of items is very diverse. You'll find such things as shields (as shown on the right), trophies, shirts and even old football games.

As you carry on through this part you still carry on through time, but this time you're heading back towards the present day.

On your journey you 'encounter' some of the most famous people who have contributed greatly to the game of football and have a lasting legacy. There's Brian Clough, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Sir Tom Finney, Bily Wright, Sir Stanley Matthews.... and that's only naming a few! While it provides older fans with fantastic memories, it provides younger fans with the knowledge and lets them know who the greats are and just why they are legendary.

Also on display, and certainly not to be missed, is the Jules Rimet trophy (the World Cup). While this is only a replica, it was actually the one lifted by Bobby Moore after England's finest moment in 1966. This was only used as the original one had been stolen and then later famously found by the dog, Pickles. It was later swapped back.