After years of preparation, the Museum of Scottish Football at Hampden Park in Glasgow will open its doors to the public on 24 May 2001. This date has been chosen to coincide with another major donation from the Scottish Football Association – the Scottish Cup Trophy itself. Dating back to season 1873 – 74, the trophy is the oldest national trophy in the world and will take pride of place in the Museum’s exhibitions on the origins of football in this country.
‘From our perspective, it is very important the trophy is kept in a secure environment. To say that it is priceless is a huge understatement. It’s the oldest national trophy in the world, and without question the most important football object in existance. No insurance policy could ever replace it.’ Ged O’Brien – Director
The Museum itself will now be open to visitors from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am – 5pm on Sundays. Visitors will be able to see an incredible range of football memorabilia, from the ball used when the Wembley Wizards defeated the English, to Archie MacPherson’s sheepskin coat! Football fans can also experience the history of Hampden at first hand, by visiting the original home dressing room and the famous Hampden Press Box, which have both been carefully reconstructed within the Museum.
The Home of Football:
The Scottish Football Museum is situated in the South Stand of Hampden Park, the spiritual home of Scottish Football since 1903.
Scotland has played a unique part in the development of football across the world. The world’s first football international was played in Glasgow on November 30, 1872. Scotland has the second oldest national association, formed in 1873, and was a founder member of the International Football Association Board in 1886.
The centre for early football was Glasgow, which continues to be adriving force in the game and is the only city in Europe to house three five star football stadia – Hampden Park, Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium.
The opening of the Scottish Football Museum continues this tradition. It will be the first national football museum in the world, with exhibitions which will seek to explain, in an interesting and informative way, the reasons behind football’s popularity in Scotland and across the globe.
The Story of Football:
Under the supervision of Project Director Ged O’Brien, the staff of the Museum have spent the last 11 years investigating the stories behind Scottish football.
Research staff have interviewed hundreds of people who are touched by the game in some way – from referees to photographers, from star players to ballboys. The museum will represent the diversity of the game in Scotland, with special attention devoted to areas like the media, women’s football and tactics.
The museum has acquired the collections of the SFA and Scotland’s oldest club, Queen’s Park FC, as well as items donated from across the world.
Some of the items on display include:
. The oldest football ticket in the world
. The ‘Wembley Wizards’ ball from 1928
. Jimmy McGrory’s football boots
. The Home Nations Trophy
. Patsy Gallacher’s collection
. Bill Struth’s Silk Rangers scarf
. Kenny Dalglish’s 100th cap
Football Today… and Tomorrow:
The opening of the museum is only the beginning of the project. The Scottish Football Museum will continue to grow with the opening of a Library and Archive, Lecture Theatre and the Museum’s own Hall of Fame which will recognise the contribution which Scots have made to football across the world. In addition to this, there are plans for a ‘Virtual Museum’ on the web, which will allow football fans around the world to learn about the history of the game.
For further information please contact:
Annie McGuire, Media Relations
Scottish Football Museum
Hampden Park
Glasgow
G42 9BA
Tel: 0141 616 6106
Fax: 0141 616 6101