Collection: National Football Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Social History Collection

  The museum holds a substantial collection of objects representing the history of English Association Football in a worldwide context. There are several distinct collections, each of major historical significance, totalling over 25,000 objects. The FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) Museum Collection is considered the finest and most significant collection of football history worldwide in the public domain and forms the core part of the museum’s collection. It was developed by Harry Langton and contains over 2,000 items including pictures, books, printed ephemera, toys and games, ceramics, playing equipment and metalwork such as sculptures. The collection is particularly representative of the period from 1880-1918 but covers the brood history of football evolution from the ball games of early civilisations around the world to the development of the modern game. The material is worldwide in origin but around 85% relates to English football. Key items include historic literature such as ‘Memorie del Calcio Fiorentino (1688), toys and games including one made in Preston in 1884 and considered the worlds’ oldest example. Other FIFA-owned material currently at the museum includes another 2,000 items ranging from famous trophies to souvenirs and a collection of 1,5000 books dating from 1839 to 1995. The Harry Langton Collection comprises 2,000 objects relating to the general development and history of football and is of the same quality and importance as the FIFA collection. The museum is essentially based around the collections of this collector, who developed a significant collection of football memorabilia, amassing the more unusual objects such as ceramics, toys, equipment and fine art, in addition to caps, medals, photographs, playing kit and ephemera. The collection came to international recognition in 1990 when Rome hosted an exhibition as part of the World Cup. A further exhibition in the USA in 1994 brought the collection to the attention of FIFA, the world football organisation that acquired part of the collection (the key collection now held by the museum). Harry Langton continued to acquire further material for his own collection and this was eventually purchased by the museum. Key items include ‘Discorso Sopra Il Giuoco Del Calcio’ published in 1580 in Florence and considered the world’s oldest book on football, Arnold Kirke Smith’s jersey and cap from the world’s first official international football match in 1872 (England v Scotland) and several historically important fine art works. The People’s Collection comprises over 4,000 miscellaneous items acquired through individual donations, loans and contemporary collecting. The collection relates to all aspects of the game and is well representative of the 1940-1980 period, but includes objects dating throughout the 20th century and up to the present day. Material includes playing kit and equipment, formal dress, supports’ effects, medals, trophies, pennants, international caps and gifts, archival material, books, booklets and brochures, scrapbooks, newspapers, magazines, photographs, programmes, trade items, other printed ephemera, toys and games, video and audio recordings and other commemorative items. The museum also recently purchased 67 items comprising the Sir Stanley Matthews Collection. Key items in the collection include international caps and other items relating to both Sir Stanley Matthews and Sir Tom Finney and an 1889 FA Cup Final Winner’s Medal. The Preston North End Football Club Collection contains over 2,000 donated items of archive and memorabilia related to various clubs, football in general but most specifically to the Preston club, one of the earliest and most historically significant professional football clubs in the world and the first winners of the football league. Items include club awards and commemorative gifts including trophies, medals and pennants, assorted archive material such as minute books, photographs, stadium fixtures such as seating and signage, artwork including paintings and stained glass, books, newspapers, magazines, programmes, tickets and other printed ephemera and video and audio recordings. Key items include an 1884 gatebook, framed lithograph of the 1888/9 Preston North End Team and Football League and FA archive material from the early 20th century. The Football Association Collection provides a valuable record of the history of the world’s oldest football association and its key activities and responsibilities such as the England national team and FA Cup competition. The museum owns over 300 items and holds a further 2,000 items on loan, comprising international gifts, original artwork (paintings and sculptures), photographs, archives and commemorative awards relating to international matches and events. Key item include a bronze figure of a goalkeeper – a centenary gift of presented to the FA by UEFA in 1963, photographs of the 1923 ‘White Horse’ FA Cup, minute books of 1903-1975, 1881 presentation scroll to Charles Alcock (a founder of the FA) for 18 years of service, gifts sent from many countries to congratulate the FA on the 1996 World Cup victory, a lithographic print, ‘Snow at Stamford Bridge’ from the 1953 exhibition organised by the FA and Arts Council. The Football League Collection is a major loan comprising over 1,500 items ranging from trophies to photographs, books, archives and other objects. The collection is an important record of the oldest football league in the world and covers the history of the competition, match records and other related subjects. Key items include Championship trophies and shields and player appearance records for Football League matches. The Wembley Stadium Collection is a large and varied loan collection of over 1,000 items representing the 77-year history of the Empire Stadium, Wembley. Objects include trophies, stadium fixtures, promotional and commemorative items, artwork, photographs, glass negatives, books, programmes and various printed ephemera. The collection also features material relating to the role of the stadium for other sporting and music events. Key items include the crossbar from the 1996 World Cup final, a replica of the Jules Rimmet trophy, original 1923 seating and turnstile from the grounds and the stadium foundation stone.

  Archives Collection

  In addition to the museum collections, there is a developing collection of supporting research material held in the museum’s Research Centre. This comprises books, fanzines, newsletters, promotional literature, listings, reports, magazines, newspapers and cuttings.

  Subjects

  Archives

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC