April 12 could see the reopening of non-essential businesses under the Government’s road map out of lockdown – including the National Football Museum in Manchester.
The museum is one place where football fanatics can come and see all things to do with the beautiful game.
Pre-pandemic visitors would be able to take photos with some of the trophies and listen to classic commentary.
As well, they could see football memorabilia and exhibits while enjoying the interactive activities that the museum has to offer.
Speaking to Dickie Felton, from the National Football Museum in an interview, he said the museum will be ready when it is safe to do so.
How has the museum grown since it opened?
“The museum was originally situated at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End. We then moved to the Urbis building in Manchester in 2012.
“This year we’ll celebrate our 20th birthday. The museum is the national museum for the game of football which attracts visitors from across the North West, UK and from around the globe.
What are your thoughts that you could reopen soon if all goes well?
“The museum demonstrated late last summer how we can reopen safely and give visitors a fantastic time.
“We now have the experience of managing the attraction during a pandemic, implementing safety measures to protect visitors.
“Although we don’t have a definite date yet, we will reopen as soon as we are allowed to according to the latest government advice.
What can we expect when the museum reopens?
“We can’t wait to reopen when we are allowed too, in line with government guidance.
“The museum has only been able to open three out of the last 12 months so we are very excited to welcome our visitors again.
“Visitors will be reassured to find a one-way system, plenty of hand sanitiser stations and social distancing measures all in place.
“The museum’s friendly staff are also trained and on hand to help.”
And what exhibits will be on display? Is there going to be anything new?
“In terms of what’s on offer we are planning new exciting exhibitions and displays including a new gallery dedicated to footballing icon Lilly Parr who played for Dick Kerr Ladies in the 1920s and defied a Football Association ban on women’s football.
“There’s also objects in which have taken on new poignancy with the death of icons of the game. For instance we have the Maradona “Hand of God” shirt and a selection of medals won by Manchester City legend Colin Bell.
What will happen with the interactive pieces at the museum when reopened?
“Man of our interactive areas such as penalty shootout will remain open.
“We’ve a strict cleaning regime in place. When the museum reopened in late summer we had really good feedback from visitors about how safe they felt in the museum.
And finally, what has the previous year meant for the museum both financially and for the employees?
“It’s been a difficult year for museums, galleries and visitor attractions across the country. Fortunately we were awarded funding as part of the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.
“Although we have been closed for nine of the last twelve months the museum moved a lot of its activity online.
“We’ve run Football Writing Festivals online – for children and adults, developed a podcast and website for our ‘Strip!! How Football Got Shirty‘ exhibition and kept working with the media to talk about football and the museum.
“There was a lot of interest in the museum when Diego Maradona died as we have his shirt from the infamous 1986 ‘hand of god’ game.
“All the staff are very much looking forward to the moment we can open our turnstiles again and welcome visitors”.
Click here to see more from the National Football Museum.
