A new exhibition shining a light on the history of women’s football is opening in Manchester
Manchester City Council is teaming up with the National Football Museum to uncover more of the hidden history of the game first played professionally 141 years ago.
A brand-new exhibition that’s shining a light on and charting the history of women’s football is coming to Manchester city centre.
To help kick off a summer-long celebration of the beautiful game as Manchester prepares to play its part as one of nine host cities for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament matches, Manchester City Council is teaming up with the National Football Museum to uncover more of the hidden history of women’s football in what will take a closer look at the game – which was first played professionally 141 years ago – and its players, and communities.
As well as recording more of the stories of the pioneering women and girls involved, and tracing the roots of the women’s game from its early nineteenth century beginnings, through to the 21st century, a unique “contemporary collecting” project is also planned.
The ‘Football Heritage Collection’ project will see volunteers go out into local communities to speak with people and collect their memories and stories about the game and the women involved, along with any artefacts relating to the game or the women who played it.
The project will work directly with community and grassroots partners, and will be accompanied by interactive sessions and resource packs about the history and importance of the women’s game, as well as family activities in the fan-zones.
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A selection of the objects, oral histories, and stories that are collected will be showcased on the National Football Museum website.
Manchester City Council is teaming up with the National Football Museum to uncover more of the hidden history of women’s football / Credit: Flickr (David Lisburn)
Manchester City Council and the National Football Museum hope this project will help reveal even more insights into the long tradition of women’s football in Manchester – which dates from humble origins, through to the great Manchester Corinthians’ ground-breaking international tours in the 1950s, and right up to the present-day era, led by Manchester City Women and a growing number of female clubs, teams, and coaches.
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The National Football Museum says it has been improving its representation of women’s football across its collections and exhibitions over the past few years, and this brand-new large-scale exhibition will add to that.
Aiming to celebrate and document the history of the women’s game, the exhibition will go on display at the museum from June – December, as the city prepares to welcome the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament.
It will be supported by an exciting range of activities and events to celebrate and capture the tournament.
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The exhibition will take a closer look at the game, its players, and the communities / Credit: National Football Museum
Speaking ahead of the exhibition’s opening next month, Belinda Scarlett – Women’s Football Curator at the National Football Museum – said: “From the Manchester Corinthians’ ground-breaking international tours in the 1950s, to being home to two WSL teams and grassroots teams like Manchester Laces, Manchester has played an important role in the history and development of the women’s game.
“The National Football Museum has been improving its representation of women’s football across its collections and exhibitions over the past few years, culminating in our exhibition to celebrate the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with our UEFA Women’s EURO Host City partners and The National Lottery Heritage Fund on this unique programme,” said Baroness Sue Campbell – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Board Member and Director of Women’s Football.
“Together we will bring to the fore incredible stories of the pioneers of women’s football who have helped shape the women’s game we have today.
“The programme will also capture and tell, for generations to come, the profiles and stories of current and future England players, ensuring fans are better informed than ever before [and] with the UEFA Women’s EURO coming to England this summer, this really is the time to celebrate our past and look forward to a very exciting future.”
Featured Image – National Football Museum
What's On
Giant inflatable monsters descend on Manchester again next month for their BIGGEST celebration to date
Emily Sergeant
Halloween in the City returns next month with its biggest celebration ever to mark a decade of monster mayhem.
Organised by Manchester BID and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City will be back in Manchester city centre next month once the spooky season arrives – bringing a free weekend of family-friendly fun and spectacular street entertainment.
To mark a decade of monster mayhem, the two-day celebration will bring the city to life with walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, spooky storytelling, and a spectacular roaming procession.
There’s also set to be brand-new birthday bake off this year to celebrate the big 10, and everyone is invited to join the party
But, of course, at the heart of the celebrations will be giant inflatable monsters.
The MCR Monsters are back next month / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade now, and this year, they’re going all out across the city’s iconic buildings and landmarks.
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, and brought to life by Designs in Air, the giant inflatable creatures will make their way into the city for their longest trail to date, celebrating eight days of monster mischief over October half term from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October.
Visitors can expect a city-wide monster invasion at locations – including Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, Printworks, Science and Industry Museum, The Royal Exchange Manchester, Treehouse Hotel Manchester, AO Arena, KAMPUS, Mayfield Park, and Medlock Square.
It’s set to be the biggest celebrations to date to mark a decade of monster mayhem / Credit: Supplied
Then, the big Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Saturday 24 October from 10am-6pm and Sunday 25 October from 10am-5pm.
Some of the activities on the Weekender lineup this year include a live storytelling performance by Z-Arts in Manchester Arndale, a big Monsters Disco over in Exchange Square, a Rave Yard with resident evil DJs in St Ann’s Square, the Swizzels Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street – which is new for 2026 – and then the main event, The Monsters Party Procession.
Designed and created by Walk the Plank, The Monsters Party Procession will ‘bash, boogie, and stomp’ its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, so expect dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers, and a six-piece brass band suitably spooky soundtrack.
And, of course, no monster birthday would be complete without a Halloween dress-up, which everyone is encouraged to join in with.
Halloween in the City returns from Saturday 24 October, and you can find out everything happening over the eight-day period online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th January 2022 
