The Story of Football in 100 Objects: Shortlisted for the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards 2026

The captivating story of football told through 100 amazing objects collected from its rich history – a must-read for any football fan

What do a Paul Gascoigne puppet, the 1895 British Ladies’ kit, John Motson’s coat, an inflatable unicorn or the 1966 World Cup Final ball tell us about the beautiful game?

Carefully selected from the unique archive of Manchester’s National Football Museum, these and many other artefacts give an amazing account of football itself, but also of the clubs, players and fans at all levels. They take us inside moments of high drama, crushing heartbreak and euphoric success, and together reflect a diverse, inclusive and surprising vision of the world’s favourite sport.

Perfect for fans of all ages, this compendium of cup glories and bittersweet away-days will appeal to anyone with a love of the game.