National Football Museum Acquires Leeds’ ESL Protest Tee

Protest placard also tells story of fan reaction to controversial plans.

A warm-up T-shirt worn by a Leeds United star as the controversial European Super League plan rocked football, has been acquired by the National Football Museum.

Curators have been busy collecting objects in response to the ESL crisis. Leeds donned the “Earn It / Football Is For the Fans” tees ahead of their match against Liverpool which was televised around the globe.

The museum also secured a placard from fan protests which took place ahead of last week’s Chelsea V Brighton game. The “Football Belongs To Us, Not You” placard made by a Norwich fan was seen in media around the world.

Laura Crossley, National Football Museum Head of Content, said: “We were delighted to get a T-shirt worn by a Leeds player and the fan protest placard.

“We have a dynamic contemporary collecting programme and proactively acquire objects that record football history as it happens.

“News of the ESL provoked a strong reaction in fans and players across the country and we were keen to collect objects that will enable us to preserve and tell the story of this huge moment in football.”

The National Football Museum is set to open on 27 May with new exhibitions and displays.

Visitors will be able to see:

The Laws of the Game

(object on display from 27 May 2021)

The 1863 Minute Book features the 13 original Laws of association football, written by Ebenezer Morley, the first secretary of The Football Association.

English Football Hall of Fame

(new exhibition opens 27 May 2021)

This is the first time the museum has put on a full-scale exhibition showcasing some of those who’ve made an outstanding contribution to football, both on and off the pitch. Hall of Fame inductees include Lily Parr, Bobby Charlton, Faye White, Patrick Viera, Rachel Yankey, Ian Wright, Kenny Dalglish and Hope Powell. This exhibition is supported by funding received as part of the Culture Recovery Fund administered by the Arts Council.

The Euros

(new exhibition opens 11 June 2021)

This new photographic exhibition coincides with the rescheduled UEFA EURO 2020 which is being held across the continent for the first time in the competition’s 60-year history. This exhibition will focus on Euro 96 which took place in England as football came home.

New Lily Parr gallery

(new gallery open from late July 2021)

The museum celebrates Lily Parr – England’s first international women’s footballer – by creating a gallery to the player. The new gallery will feature new objects and previously unseen photographs of Lily and her teammates. The new gallery has been made possible thanks to a £55,440.00 grant from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Biffa Award History Makers.

For updates on planned opening hours, tickets and safety measures please visit www.nationalfootballmuseum.com. To receive prior notification of ticket sales, sign-up to the museum’s newsletter.