Football legend slams football museum move

Paul Britton

October 01, 2009

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FURIOUS football legend Sir Tom Finney will take back all his personal memorabilia from the National Football Museum if it moves to Manchester from Preston.

Sir Tom loaned the museum his medals, an FA Cup Final shirt, his Footballer of the Year trophy and his CBE and knighthood medals.

Now he has penned a letter to the Mayor of Preston, warning that he will reclaim all the items if the museum moves to Urbis.

'Keep soccer museum in Preston' - Sir Bobby

He said in the letter: "There seems no logical reason why thousands and thousands of football treasures should be transferred at enormous cost to a sterile building in Manchester when this money could be used support the National Football Museum.

"I have already informed the people concerned that my personal memorabilia currently on display in the museum will not be allowed to leave Preston."

The M.E.N. revealed in September that Manchester is set to become the museum's new home early next year due to a lack of funding for the site in Preston.

Under the plans, the museum's collections would stay in Preston but front-of-house exhibitions are set to be transferred to Urbis.

Sir Tom, 87, made 472 appearances for Preston North End and has 76 caps for England.

Bosses at the museum said Sir Tom's wishes would be respected.

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Henrys Dog (01/10/2009 at 13:13)

Baby!

What better place for the museum than the worlds greatest footballing city.

MPs gravy train, UK (01/10/2009 at 13:38)

Respect his wishes and return them. I am sure there are many other greats that would lend their items.

Sir Tom has been lucky to have enjoyed many free nights of hospitality and has enjoyed the accolades at events held at the museum. I was there at one lavish dinner and he lapped it all up - for free of course. He should remember that. Stop the bitterness.

The museum at Urbis would be a good coup for the city and ensure that the North West retains this prized asset. More people will visit it in Manchester than ever did in Preston.

MBLUED, UK (01/10/2009 at 13:39)

massive ego ton finney so the football museum will basically be renamed the ton finny museual based in Preston ...why didnt u just say u wanted your own Museum Finny old boy

Mark, South Manchester (01/10/2009 at 13:40)

If the museum is experiencing financial difficulties, then the whole football community of England should be "working together" to make this museum succeed - in its HOME CITY, PRESTON.

But for Manchester to "greedily try to poach it away" makes you ashamed to be a Mancunian. Richard Leese should resign now!!

lebist, blackley (01/10/2009 at 13:44)

One of my heroes spitting his dummy out and taking his ball back?Come on Sir Tom,you'll get respect wherever you go.

curiousyellow, Rusholme (01/10/2009 at 13:44)

isn't this a case of...wait for it!...Taking your ball in? hahahaha!
Grow up Tom.

Free Red, Manchester (01/10/2009 at 13:45)

"Under the plans, the museum's collections would stay in Preston but front-of-house exhibitions are set to be transferred to Urbis."

Then why not display at both PNE & URBIS and make the exhibits more accessible to fans. In fact why not have a front-of-house in other major cities as well and rotate the stuff around the Country. It's what art galleries already do.

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (01/10/2009 at 13:55)

WHAT HAS THIS STORY GOT TO DO WITH FREE RED?

bubbob, manchester (01/10/2009 at 15:14)

The taking back of one persons items, in a museum that charters so many other footballers stories, will have little effect-stop moaning Tommy, most of those who go have never even seen you play (and some wont have even heard of you) anyway, so wont even know who you are.

Bendroflumethiazide, manchester (01/10/2009 at 17:25)

It's about the bottom line again init - money money money. It's obvious there arn't enough punters through the the doors there at Preston. Like the previous emailers have said - we potentially could have 5 or 6 museums 'round the country to satisfy everyone's love of the beautiful game.

adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (01/10/2009 at 19:47)

I`m very surprised that a true legend of football, Sir Tom Finney, is treating this move in such a parochial manner. Nothing wrong with Preston but Manchester is not a million miles away and gets more visitors, so more people would have the chance to see memories of an all-time great player (and a great man, too). I was lucky enough to see Sir Tom before he retired and to me, he had everything, pace, guts, skill and a lethal finishing touch. If only he`d had his career when all the big wages were available.
Preston can rightly be proud of this man.

Acid, Chadderton (02/10/2009 at 10:26)

If they're having financial difficulties with the museum being in Preston, surely it's common sense to move it to a city where it will receive more support and be more accessible to the country's fans.

Matt Nelson (02/10/2009 at 18:57)

"What better place for the museum than the worlds greatest footballing city."

My thoughts exactly.... so keep it where it is!

Matt Nelson (02/10/2009 at 18:58)

"What better place for the museum than the worlds greatest footballing city."

Lets hope it stays in PRESTON then ;-) ...

Chris (03/10/2009 at 06:33)

I visited this museum shortly after it opened when I went to Preston with a pal of mine who supported Watford.

There was hardly anybody in it and whilst I thought it was fantastic that it was situated in Preston (Fantastic for Preston that is) it should have been in a bigger centre and more available to travelling supporters. But there again would any of the Arsenal supporters at Eastlands have been allowed by their stewards and our boys in blue to pop into a museum after the game.

I think that I have just convinced myself that the museum should be left where it is. Maybe occasional tours round the country would be a good idea.

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