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!

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...

Plenty of the children did join in though -  and a few of the adults!

And I got a great photo of my eldest!

Before you even seem to enter the museum the exhibits are everywhere....

 

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

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

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 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. 

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

I had a Derby County season ticket for many years - great to see Rammy!

 

The main museum is really nicely laid out with loads of space and hands-on activitities interspersed with exhibits. 

 

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

There is the most amazing trophy display, with an immense amount of silverware to ogle over.

 

 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. 

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....

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....

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. 

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.

And Eric Cantona....

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 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....

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