Wednesday 6 August 2014

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Review

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to the National Football Museum at Urbis in Manchester by Mu Cheese. I'd never been before, and my little boys can't really fail to be interested in football living where we do, so I knew it was going to be a good day. My oldest son wasn't working until later in the day and so he came with us on a very rare day out!

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester  The Urbis building from outside

Urbis is an amazing building, designed by North Manchester native Ian Simpson as part of the regeneration of Manchester since the 1996 bomb. The National Football Museum moved here permanently from Preston in 2012.

We all assembled in the entrance where Mu Cheese and George Sampson treated us to a short class in dance moves. In 2008 George won Britain's Got Talent aged just 14. He was pretty good, although my boys were less than keen to join in - tsk...

Gif of George Sampson dancing with children

Plenty of the children did join in though -  and a few of the adults!
And I got a great photo of my eldest!

George Sampson meeting my sons with Mu Cheese

Before you even seem to enter the museum the exhibits are everywhere....
 
The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester entrance. England team cap

 And the main large foyer has a few brilliant photo opportunities!

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Pringles football boot

We didn't pay the extra to get our photo taken with these though....

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester World Cup Premier League Trophy

My 5 year old has heard all about footballs in the 'olden days', and was anxious to see one. He didn't have to wait long. We found a football from 1894 almost immediately! 

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester memorabilia England Lion 1966

The Museum has a selection of really old and precious memorabilia in the Introductory Gallery, at the top of the staircase before you enter the main Museum spaces. 

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Picasso Footballeur

Including the Picasso sculpture 'Footballeur' - on loan to the museum.

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester memorabilia

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Sheffield Football Club

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Mascot game for kids Rammy
I had a Derby County season ticket for many years - great to see Rammy!

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester projected football on floor
 
The main museum is really nicely laid out with loads of space and hands-on activitities interspersed with exhibits. 

 The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Football boots how they've changed through the years

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Kit how it's changed

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Dressing Room Lockers from 1890's and 2010's

You wouldn't find hobnail boots in a locker these days! 

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Lockers from 1890's Hobnail boots image

There is the most amazing trophy display, with an immense amount of silverware to ogle over.
 
The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester trophy cabinet collection

 And a couple of floors upstairs there are several fantastic activities which you can try yourself. Some need Football+ Credits, which you can buy in the foyer downstairs. Activities score points and you can earn certificates. We were given some credits to try the games. 

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester pass master game

Pass Master was great fun - my 4 year old scored 30, we thought that was hilarious until my 20 year old only scored 3!! He did much better at Penalties though....honest....

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester projected football game

My youngest clearly has a real love of football. He was better than grown ups at the virtual football too! 
The National Football Museum clearly appreciates that not every member of your family will be happy to wait while you take penalties etc. so they have provided a fabulous room for under 5's to play, and parents to have a moment's rest on a comfy seat with cushions....

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester under 5's room for relaxing and playing

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester under 5's room for relaxing and playing games on wall

Upstairs again and we move into the more modern 60's. George Best's car is there at the moment, along with lots of other fan collectibles of the time. 

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester George Best 1960's Manchester United player memorabilia and car

As we left we noted the amazing football art. An entire wall of portraits of some of the greatest players ever to have lived - a true Wall Of Fame.

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester wall of fame footballer portraits

And Eric Cantona....

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Eric Cantona painting

We had an excellent time. The 3 of my children who came with me really enjoyed themselves and found plenty to interest them for easily 2 hours. I'll leave you with a quote from Arsene Wenger, which seems incredibly fitting...

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester Arsene Wenger quote Football was created here

The National Football Museum is FREE to enter for everyone. 

Football Plus credits start at £2.50 each and most activities are suitable for people aged around 7+ and require 1 credit.Buying credits helps support the museum. 

Hopefully your children will go home as worn out as mine....

The National Football Museum at Urbis, Manchester fast asleep on the tram


We were treated to our day out and given a selection of Mu Cheese to take home,
in return for this post. 

6 comments:

  1. That was such a fun day and the football museum look great! I would love to bring my son to the museum!

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    1. I bet he'd love it Eileen. It's incredibly easy to find when you're nextin Manchester - bang smack in the centre! :)

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  2. This sounds like a really fun place to visit. Think Z would love it as he's really in to his football just now.

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    1. I bet he would then! To be honest I didn't think mine were very much into it - apparently I was wrong :D

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  3. This looks fun and great for any football fan!!

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  4. We've been to the NFM a few times now and it's a fab day out. Manchester is the perfect home for it too and I love the Urbis building. Thanks for linking up to #WHWH

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