Two councillors, Geoff Driver of Lancashire County Council and Ken Hudson of Preston City Council have had a letter published in the Times (8th Oct) defending the location of the National Football Museum in Preston. This was after Matt Dickinson the Times Chief Sports Correspondent had written the museum should be at Wembley (6thOct).
Matt said he liked the museum but it’s one drawback was it is in Preston. Well he would say that as it’s a typical London reaction to anything they have to travel to even though Preston is surrounded by Premier and Football League clubs. Last time I went to London we passed Wembley at 100 mph and it was quite a journey to Euston. On my previous trip from central London to Wembley I got a headache from the long slow claustrophobic journey, we don’t have such horror journey’s in our area. Would anyone make such a such a journey to go to the museum when there is so much else to see in London? At Preston you slip off the motorway and in under 10 minutes you are in the museum having parked free and suffered little traffic.
Another advantage of Preston is that the club is fairly neutral. I’ve met people in Liverpool who won’t go to Manchester or even say the word.
There is a previous post setting these points out more clearly so I leave that topic.
Changing the subject a bit, I hope Rupert Murdoch won’t be upset that I’ve referenced one of his news products without paying an on-line news fee, ref todays Times. Then again I have paid £1.80 for the two copies of the Times and I think that’s excessive even though the main paper is a good read. Can I have a cheaper option without the unwanted supplements. If a charge for internet news comes in one of them will go. Although I would imagine that a fee for viewing a package of publications could be arranged as I can’t see anyone paying to read a single news source on line. I think I’d agree that a moderate fee for viewing a range of news sources might be acceptable although I’d have to consider my whole internet / newspaper / TV package as I don’t believe in giving a monopoly or tying myself in to any one provider.
A reply to the councillors letter was published in the Times from a Dr Gary Armstrong of Brunel University, School of Sport and Education. He says that the longest occupied ground still in use, since 1860, is Sandygate, home of amateur Sheffield Hallam FC. He also states that Bramall Lane has been in use since 1860 although before 1889 Sheffield United were known by another name which isn’t mentioned. He adds the museum should have these facts in it. I wonder if it has?
He says Prestons claim of longevity stands for the original Football League 12 only and then makes another Sheffield claim for the first professional club. Although from memory Preston were censured for their professionalism.
When someone writes a long letter lauding one place it creates a suspicion that they might have an interest in that place. Football somehow puts blinkers on the most even minded of people. Although it is an interesting and worthy letter, not giving any support to where the museum should be located except to put doubt in Prestons claim. Surely Dr Armstrong isn’t a Sheffield supporter wanting the museum in Sheffield.
Went to the museum today and I’ve found it better each time I go. Quite a few people in as well.
It does mention the Sheffield Association started in 1867 after the London one.