Football Museum for Wales

Last updated

Football Museum (for) Wales
Amgueddfa Bêl-droed i Gymru
Wrexham Museum and Archives (2).JPG
The proposed building to house the museum from Regent Street.
Football Museum for Wales
Established2026 (expected)
Location Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough, Wales
Coordinates 53°02′49″N2°59′54″W / 53.0470°N 2.9982°W / 53.0470; -2.9982
Type Association football museum
CuratorNick Jones
Architect Thomas Penson (pre-existing building)
Purcell (re-development)
Owner Wrexham County Borough Council & Welsh Government (project funding)
Public transit access British Rail - Flame Red logo.svg Wrexham Central (230 m (750 ft); south)
British Rail - Flame Red logo.svg Wrexham General (500 m (1,600 ft); west)
Wrexham bus station Aiga bus.svg (200 m (660 ft); north)
Nearest car parkThree accessible parking spaces and a multistorey car park (pay and display) at rear
Website www.wrexhamheritage.wales/footballmuseumwales/ (project page)

A national football museum dedicated to Welsh association football in Wrexham has been proposed by various politicians in both the Welsh Government and local councils, with Wrexham County Borough Council being the leading contender for a museum due to Wrexham's football heritage. The museum is currently in the planning stages and under current proposals, the museum is set to be within the pre-existing County Buildings on Regent Street, in Wrexham's city centre, alongside the Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archives.

Contents

History

In 2016, negotiations were underway between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour government over a draft 2017–2018 Welsh Government budget, in which the two parties formed a majority of members in the Welsh Assembly. The draft budget included an additional £3 million in culture funding, which was awarded to the Arts Council of Wales, National Museum Wales, National Library of Wales and the Welsh Books Council, but also towards "feasibility studies for a national art gallery and a football museum in North Wales". By October 2017, for the 2018–2019 draft budget, £5 million was allocated towards the two feasibility studies. [1]

In 2017, it was proposed that a National Football Museum be set up, with Wrexham claimed as the "spiritual home" of Welsh Football, and the leading contender for the museum. [2] [3] [4]

Apart from the bid from Wrexham, the only other bid for the museum came from Powys County Council, which agreed to move forward with its bid in October 2017 to set up the museum in Newtown, Powys. The council stated they had a strong claim to the proposed museum, as they have available land for the project and Newtown A.F.C. was a founding member of the FAW, as well as the town being in the centre of Wales. [5] [6]

In November 2018, a Welsh Government feasibility study recommended a national football museum for Wales be set up in Wrexham, alongside other Welsh proposals of a national gallery of contemporary art. The estimated cost for the football museum was £4.4 million, which also involves redeveloping Wrexham Museum, with an annual running cost of £144,500 paid by the Welsh Government. [7] [8] Welsh footballer, Neville Southall, supported Wrexham as the museum's location. [7] [8]

Wrexham was chosen as the main contender for the football museum due to Wrexham's football heritage as the site of the founding of the Football Association of Wales in the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wales' oldest football club Wrexham A.F.C. founded in 1864 and its home in the oldest international stadium still in use, the Racecourse Ground. Wrexham Museum is already the custodian for the official Welsh Football Collection since 2000, [9] the largest collection of Welsh football memorabilia with 2,000 items. [10] To compare, there are 1,400 artefacts in the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in Cardiff. [7] [8] Another reason stated by supporters of the proposal for Wrexham to host the museum was that the north-east of Wales does not host any "national museum" of Wales, with the others based in north-west, south-west and south-east Wales, specifically in Cardiff, Swansea, Torfaen, Gwynedd, Newport and Carmarthenshire. [11] With Mid Wales having the national library based in Aberystwyth. The National Football Development Centre at Colliers Park, in Gresford near Wrexham was opened in 2019. [12]

By May 2019, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism in the Welsh Government announced Wrexham was the preferred option. [13] [14]

In July 2019, there were discussions over where the museum should be located in Wrexham. Wrexham council's Independent–Conservative executive board approved plans for the museum to be located within the same building as the existing County Borough Museum. Opposition councillors from Plaid Cymru and Labour proposed the museum should be housed in a re-developed Kop End stand of Wrexham A.F.C's Racecourse Ground. The council responded stating that an independent report by a consultancy firm recommended the museum be housed in the Wrexham Museum building, a recommendation backed by the government. Wrexham A.F.C. also said that they would prefer the museum not be housed in Kop End, so more parts of the redevelopment can go towards money raising facilities. [15]

In December 2020, the plans were clarified to be "advancing" following initial stalling of the project, related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. [16] The council launched a formal tender process in the same month to select a designer of the project. [17]

On 3 June 2021, Nick Jones was appointed as Football Museum officer, who previously worked at England's National Football Museum. [18]

On 28 June 2021, a design team for the project was appointed with Haley Sharp Design, which includes Purcell as the architects and MDA Consulting as quantity surveyors. The team would collaborate with the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council to develop designs for the museum. [19] [20] [21]

In July 2021, a football cap dating to 1899 was donated to the to be set up museum. [22]

In November 2021, a public survey was opened for a limited time to local residents to receive local views on the proposals. [23]

In June 2022, the project was awarded £45,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. [24] [25] [26]

In February 2024, the project received £5.4 million from the Welsh Government, towards the "Museum of Two Halves" project where the football museum and history museum would be based side-by-side. The funding was provided following the 2021 Welsh Labour–Plaid Cymru agreement. [27]

Project details

The project is funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and the Welsh Government and is currently underway to design and eventually open a national football museum in Wrexham. [10] The project has been allocated £5 million in development funding by the government. [28]

The museum is set to be based within the same building as Wrexham Museum, on Wrexham city centre's Regent Street. To accommodate the football museum, the building is set to undergo some "major refurbishment work", which would make use of the building's entire upper floor which is currently partly vacant. [10] [28] [29]

The project is collaborating with staff from England's National Football Museum and the Scottish Football Museum. [10] Wales, unlike Scotland and England, has not yet had a national football museum. The project forecasts there would be an increase of 80,000 in Wrexham city centre's annual footfall following the completion of the football museum. [30] It was projected to open in 2024, with construction starting in 2022. [20] [29] However, the opening date was pushed back to 2026, at the end of the current Senedd term. [27]

Related Research Articles

Plaid Cymru is a centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senedd</span> Devolved parliament of Wales

The Senedd, officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English and Senedd Cymru in Welsh, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, it makes laws for Wales, agrees to certain taxes, and scrutinises the Welsh Government. It is a bilingual institution, with both Welsh and English being the official languages of its business. From its creation in May 1999 until May 2020, the Senedd was officially known as the National Assembly for Wales and often simply called the Welsh Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Price</span> Welsh politician and former Plaid Cymru leader

Adam Robert Price is a Welsh politician who served as Leader of Plaid Cymru from September 2018 to May 2023. He has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr since 2016, having previously been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the same Westminster constituency from 2001 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newtown, Powys</span> Town in Mid Wales

Newtown is a town in Powys, Wales. It lies on the River Severn in the community of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire. It was designated a new town in 1967 and saw population growth as firms settled, changing its market town character. Its 2001 population of 10,780 rose to 11,357 in the 2011 census, and rose again to 11,362 in the 2021 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrexham County Borough</span> County borough in Wales

Wrexham County Borough is a county borough, with city status, in the north-east of Wales. It borders the English ceremonial counties of Cheshire and Shropshire to the east and south-east respectively, Powys to the south-west, Denbighshire to the west and Flintshire to the north-west. The city of Wrexham is the administrative centre. The county borough is part of the preserved county of Clwyd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhodri Glyn Thomas</span> Welsh politician

Rhodri Glyn Thomas is a Welsh politician. He was the Plaid Cymru National Assembly for Wales Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr from 1999 to 2016, when he did not re-stand for election. Following his retirement from the Assembly he was appointed President of the National Library of Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alun Ffred Jones</span> Welsh politician (born 1949)

Alun Ffred Jones is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru and former television producer, writer and director. Jones was the National Assembly for Wales Member for Caernarfon 2003–07 and for the newly created Arfon constituency from 2007 until he stood down in 2016. He served as Minister for Heritage between 2008 and 2011 as part of the One Wales Government. In 2008 he made history by being the first UK representative to speak in the Welsh language at a meeting of the European Union. He was Chairman of Plaid Cymru from October 2019 until he resigned in July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welsh independence</span> Welsh political philosophy

Welsh independence is the political movement advocating for Wales to become a sovereign state, independent from the United Kingdom.

House prices increased in Wales during the Housing market crisis in the United Kingdom (2008). There has been political debate that this has contributed to a decline in the number of speakers of the Welsh language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Propel (political party)</span> Welsh political party

Propel is a sovereignist and Welsh nationalist political party in Wales which advocates Welsh independence from the United Kingdom. The party was formed in early 2020 by its current leader Neil McEvoy. Propel currently has one county councillor in Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North East Wales</span> Area of Wales

North East Wales is an area or region of Wales, commonly defined as a grouping of the principal areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Wrexham County Borough in the north-east of the country. These principal areas comprise most of the former administrative county of Clwyd. It is bordered by Conwy, and Gwynedd, in North West Wales to the west, Powys, in Mid Wales to the south, the English counties of Cheshire, and Shropshire to the east, and the Irish Sea, and Dee estuary to the north. It is the more urban, densely populated, and industrial part of the north Wales geographic region, centred on the city of Wrexham and the towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn, and the conurbation of Deeside. The region's close links with North West England in general and Merseyside in particular are crucial to the region's economy. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is located in the region. Other attractions include historical buildings such as Chirk Castle, and Erddig in Wrexham, valley towns such as Corwen and Llangollen, and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

The North Wales Metro is a rail and bus transport improvement programme in north Wales. Styled as a "Metro", it is conceptually a multi-modal system with a combination of bus, heavy rail, and light rail services. It was initially focused on linking major settlements and employment areas of the north-east of Wales with the North West of England, with its hubs located in Wrexham, Chester and Deeside, although the programme has since expanded, with proposals extending to Anglesey in the north-west of Wales. The existing Borderlands line forms a core rail component of the network, where projects to increase connections, integrated access, and service frequency between Wrexham, Deeside and Liverpool are centred upon. The proposals were put forward in 2016 as is part of Welsh Labour's plan for north Wales. Labour has pledged to open the system by 2035. The proposals were included in the 2018 Wales & Borders franchise contest. It is the second of the three regional metros proposed by the Welsh Government to go ahead, after the South Wales Metro, and before the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro. The project is described to be in its initial phases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambition North Wales</span> Economic partnership in Wales

Ambition North Wales is a joint committee and decision-making body overseeing the North Wales Growth Deal, a regional economic growth deal covering the North Wales region. It is a partnership between the six local authorities of Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, and Wrexham County Borough, and other local partners in the region, including Bangor University, Wrexham University, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Coleg Cambria, and various private sector representatives.

Wrexham North is a proposed railway station on the Shrewsbury–Chester line, situated between Rossett and Wrexham, in Wrexham County Borough, Wales. As of January 2022, there is no definitive site for the proposed station, with proposals including: the former Rossett railway station or a station near Pandy, Wrexham and Gresford. Unless construction of the station south of Rossett coincides with the full or partial dualling of the currently single track railway line towards Stansty, Wrexham North may be a single platform station or if situated at Rossett Junction be linked by a single track southwards to Wrexham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election</span> Election to Wrexham County Borough Council

The 2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2022 to elect 56 members to Wrexham County Borough Council, the principal council of Wrexham County Borough, Wales. On the same day, elections were held to the other 21 local authorities, and community councils in Wales as part of the 2022 Welsh local elections. The previous Wrexham County Borough all-council election took place in May 2017 and future elections will take place every five years, with the next scheduled for 2027.

Wrexham South is a proposed railway station on the Shrewsbury–Chester line, situated between Chirk and Wrexham, in Wrexham County Borough, Wales. As of January 2022, there is no definitive site for the proposed station, with proposals for the station to be located either near Johnstown or at Rhosymedre on the former Rhosymedre Halt railway station. If the latter location is decided, Ruabon would be the station closest to the south of Wrexham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrexham County Borough Museum</span> Museum in Wrexham, Wales

Wrexham County Borough Museum is a local history museum in Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It is located within County Buildings, alongside the Wrexham Archives and a proposed Football Museum for Wales. The building is located on Regent Street, in the city centre. The museum is managed by the Wrexham Heritage & Archives Service, which in turn, is operated by Wrexham County Borough Council as part of its Housing & Economy Department.

A North–South Wales railway, also known as Traws Link Cymru is a proposed rail service line that would link North and South Wales via a western rail line from Swansea to Bangor. This includes re-opening the Carmarthen–Aberystwyth and the Bangor–Afon Wen line.

A national park has been proposed to replace the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB in the north-east of Wales. Proposals for the then Clwydian Range AONB, established in 1985, to become a national park were first raised in 2010. In the 2021 Senedd election, Welsh Labour committed to establishing Wales' fourth national park in the north-east. Following Labour forming the next Welsh Government, the government commissioned Natural Resources Wales to develop proposals for the new national park.

The National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales is a proposed branded network of art galleries distributing Wales' existing contemporary art collection. It is being developed by a partnership of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government and the National Library of Wales. The gallery is also proposed to have a main site, alongside a network of existing venues, although due to budget constraints having a main site is being reconsidered or to be delayed.

References

  1. ↑ "Assembly to debate proposals for a contemporary art gallery and National Football Museum". research.senedd.wales. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  2. ↑ Morris, Lydia (9 October 2017). "Why a Welsh National Football Museum must find a home in North Wales". North Wales Live. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "Bringing football home: Why Wales needs a national football museum in Wrexham". Nation.Cymru. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  4. ↑ Mosalski, Ruth (2 July 2017). "A plan for a national football museum for Wales is being drawn up". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Newtown to bid for national football museum". County Times. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Drury, Jonny (7 October 2017). "Newtown bidding to be home of National Football Museum of Wales". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Wrexham 'spiritual home' for Wales football museum". BBC News. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Wrexham is 'spiritual home' for Wales football museum". The Leader. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Collections". Wrexham Heritage. August 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Football Museum for Wales". Wrexham Heritage. June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Devine, Darren (6 February 2016). "'Why Wales deserves a new national football museum in Wrexham'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "National Football Centre completes in Wrexham". Place North West. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Berry, Iwan (10 May 2019). "Welsh football Museum Could Come to Wrexham Museum - news.wrexham.gov.uk" . Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Written Statement: Future priorities relating to the Feasibility Studies on a Sport Museum and Contemporary Art Gallery (10 May 2019)". GOV.WALES. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Row over best location for new Welsh football museum in Wrexham". The Leader. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Welsh Government "pressing ahead" with plans for National Football Museum in Wrexham". The Leader. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Wrexham seeks designer for football museum". Place North West. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Colville, Craig (3 June 2021). "⚽ Museum Officer appointed for Welsh football museum ⚽ - news.wrexham.gov.uk" . Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "Creation of new Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham takes step forward after new design team appointed". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  20. 1 2 Thomas, Gareth (25 June 2021). "A Football Museum for Wales - Design Team Announced - news.wrexham.gov.uk" . Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  21. ↑ "Purcell to design Wrexham football museum". Place North West. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "Football: Wales' oldest cap record broken within a week". BBC News. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  23. ↑ "Residents views sought over Football Museum plans for Wrexham". The Leader. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "£45,000 awarded to help drive Welsh Football Museum forward". The National Wales. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Wrexham Council nets grant for football museum". Museums Association. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  26. ↑ ""Fantastic news" as £45,000 awarded by National Lottery Heritage Fund for development of Football Museum in Wrexham". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  27. 1 2 "Wrexham: £5m plan for Welsh national football museum". BBC News. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  28. 1 2 "Game on for Wrexham's national football museum". Museums Association. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  29. 1 2 "Appeal for contributions to Wales Football Museum". The National Wales. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  30. ↑ "Plans for Wrexham to host Welsh football museum set to take a step forward". The Leader. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.