English Football Hall of Fame
{{Short description|Hall of Fame in Manchester, England}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
The English Football Hall of Fame is housed at the National Football Museum in Manchester, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of the all-time top English footballing talents, as well as non-English players and managers who have become significant figures in the history of the English game. New members are added each year, with an induction ceremony held in the autumn, formerly at varying locations, but exclusively at the Museum itself following its move to Manchester's Urbis building in 2012.
The Hall is on permanent display at the Museum. An accompanying book, The Football Hall of Fame: The Official Guide to the Greatest Footballing Legends of All Time, was first published in October 2005 by Robson Books. Authored by football historian Rob Galvin and the Museum's founding curator Mark Bushell, it is updated every year with the newest inductees, containing an in-depth profile about the career and reputation of each one, along with a select exhibit from the Museum which relates to their achievements.
Selection panel
Members of the Hall of Fame are chosen by a panel. Initially, this consisted of ex-players Jimmy Armfield, Sir Trevor Brooking, Jimmy Hill, Mark Lawrenson and Gordon Taylor, all of whom had become professional pundits and/or senior figures in football after retiring.
In subsequent years, former England national team manager Graham Taylor and former England international Steve Hodge have also served stints on the panel, though it is now chiefly a grouping of eminent football historians. The current panel features Neil Carter, Tony Collins, Jeffrey Hill, Peter Holme, Dick Holt, John Hughson, Simon Inglis, Alexander Jackson, Gary James, Graham Kelly, Tony Mason, Kevin Moore, Martin Polley, Dil Porter, Dave Russell, Matthew Taylor, Jean Williams and John Williams.
All surviving inductees to the Hall are granted an additional place on the panel. Two players have been inducted as the 'Fans' Choice', following polls on the BBC Sport and Sky Sports websites.
History
Initially, there were three main categories of induction; a mass of 'Players' and 'Managers' from the men's game, together with one figure from the women's game (Sir Alf Ramsey is noted as the only figure to date honoured in both of the main male categories). To be considered for induction, players must be either retired or at least 30 years of age. All inductees must also have played/managed for at least five years in England.
In 2007, two other regular categories were established. Chiefly, this was in recognition of football's central role in English culture, extending Hall of Fame honours to those who have contributed greatly to the English game outside the more obvious fields of play. The Community Champion category – sponsored by the Football Foundation – honours professional players who have donated their spare time and money to the grassroots level of the sport, while the Football for All Award – sponsored by The Football Association – is presented to pioneers of the various forms of football played by disabled people.
Since 2009, the Museum has also commemorated great teams from history alongside its awarding of individual players and coaches. The criteria for a team's induction is that they must have played at least a quarter of a century prior. 2013 saw the first induction of a referee (Jack Taylor),{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/about-us/latest-news/2013/05/hall-of-fame-inductees-announced/ |title=Hall of Fame Inductees Announced |access-date=3 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624141447/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/about-us/latest-news/2013/05/hall-of-fame-inductees-announced/ |archive-date=24 June 2013}} while 2017 saw the first induction of a figure from the football media.
On occasional circumstances there will also be a presentation of a 'special award', usually to mark significant anniversaries. Jimmy Hill is to date the sole recipient of an honour styled as a Lifetime Achievement Award, in celebration of his unusual polymathic career in the game.
On 27 February 2020 the Premier League announced plans to officially launch its Hall of Fame, with plans to induct its first two players on 19 March 2020. For one to be inducted in the Premier League Hall of Fame,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51661041|title=Premier League Hall of Fame to announce first inductees in March|date=27 February 2020|via=www.bbc.com}} it is a requirement that the player must be a retiree of the Premier League and only the player's Premier League career will be used for consideration for their candidacy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/news/1624710|title=Premier League to launch Hall of Fame|website=premierleague.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11944257/premier-league-to-launch-hall-of-fame|title=Premier League to launch Hall of Fame|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}
Inductees
=Men=
File:George Best (1976).jpg, inducted in 2002]]
File:Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton.jpg and Bobby Charlton, both inducted in 2002]]
File:Stanley Matthews 1962 (crop).jpg, inducted in 2002]]
File:Arthur Wharton c1896.jpg, inducted in 2003]]
File:Alan Shearer 1998.jpg, inducted in 2004]]
File:Dennis Bergkamp Euro '96.jpg, inducted in 2007]]
File:Thierry Henry Arsenal U19s Vs Olympiacos (21650432628).jpg, inducted in 2008]]
File:P Scholes.jpg, inducted in 2008]]
File:Gary Speed 2011.jpg, inducted in 2017]]
=Women=
File:Arsenal LFC v Kelly Smith All-Stars XI (076) (cropped).jpg, inducted in 2003.]]
File:Arsenal LFC v Kelly Smith All-Stars XI (038) (cropped).jpg, inducted in 2017.]]
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center" |
scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Name ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|Caps|English national appearances}} ! scope="col" | Goals ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|Pos.|Primary Position}} ! scope="col" style="width: 60px;" | {{abbreviation|Years|Year of first and last English league appearance}} ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Clubs ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbreviation|Not.|Notes}} ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbreviation|Ref.|References}} |
---|
2002
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Lily|Parr}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | FW | 1919–1951 | style="text-align:left;" | Dick, Kerr Ladies | {{efn|Also scored over 900 goals in her club career}} |
2003
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Hope|Powell}} | 66 | 35 | MF | 1978–1998 | style="text-align:left;" | Millwall Lionesses, Friends of Fulham, Bromley Borough | |
2004
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Sue|Lopez}} | 22 | 0 | DF | 1966–1985 | style="text-align:left;" | Southampton | |
2005
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Debbie|Bampton}} | 95 | 7 | MF | 1978–1997 | style="text-align:left;" | Lowestoft, Howbury Grange, Millwall Lionesses, Wimbledon, Arsenal Ladies, Croydon, Doncaster Rovers Belles | |
2006
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Gillian|Coultard}} | 119 | 30 | MF | 1976–2001 | style="text-align:left;" | Doncaster Rovers Belles | |
rowspan="2"| 2007
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Karen|Walker|Karen Walker (footballer)}} | 83 | 40 | FW | 1985–2006 | style="text-align:left;" | Doncaster Rovers Belles, Leeds United Ladies | |
scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Joan|Whalley|Joan Whalley (footballer)}}
| 1 | 0 | MF | 1937–1956 | style="text-align:left;" | Dick, Kerr Ladies | |
2008
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Pauline|Cope}} | 60 | 0 | GK | 1982–2006 | style="text-align:left;" | Millwall Lionesses, Arsenal Ladies, Charlton Athletic | |
2009
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Marieanne|Spacey}} | 91 | 28 | FW | 1984–1996 | style="text-align:left;" | Friends of Fulham, Arsenal Ladies | |
2010
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Brenda|Sempare}} | 8 | 0 | MF | 1984–1997 | style="text-align:left;" | Friends of Fulham, Croydon Ladies | |
2013
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Sheila|Parker}} | 33 | 0 | DF | 1961–1980 | style="text-align:left;" | Preston, Fodens, St. Helens, Chorley | |
2014
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Sylvia|Gore}} | 2 | 1 | MF | 1956–1980 | style="text-align:left;" | Manchester Corinthians, Fodens | |
2015
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Faye|White}} | 90 | 12 | DF | 1996–2013 | style="text-align:left;" | Arsenal Ladies | |
rowspan="2"| 2016
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Rachel|Brown-Finnis|Rachel Brown-Finnis}} | 82 | 0 | GK | 1995–2014 | style="text-align:left;" | Liverpool, Everton Ladies, Arsenal Ladies | |
scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Rachel|Unitt}}
| 102 | 8 | DF | 1998–2017 | style="text-align:left;" | Wolves Women, Everton Ladies, Fulham Ladies, Leeds City Vixens, Birmingham City, Notts County, Solihull Moors, London Bees | |
rowspan="2"| 2017
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Kelly|Smith}} | 117 | 46 | FW | 1994–2017 | style="text-align:left;" | Wembley Ladies, Arsenal Ladies | |
scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Rachel|Yankey}}
| 129 | 19 | MF | 1996–2016 | style="text-align:left;" | Arsenal Ladies, Fulham Ladies, Birmingham Ladies, Notts County Ladies | |
2019
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Alex|Scott|Alex Scott (footballer, born 1984)}} | 140 | 12 | DF | 2002–2018 | style="text-align:left;" | Arsenal Ladies, Birmingham City | |
rowspan="2"| 2021
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Karen|Carney}} | 144 | 32 | MF | 2001–2019 | style="text-align:left;" | Birmingham City, Arsenal Ladies, Chelsea Women | |
scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Carol|Thomas}}
| 56 | 0 | DF | 1966–2009 | style="text-align:left;" | BOCM, Reckitts, Hull Brewery, Tottenham Hotspur, Preston Rangers, CP Doncaster, Rowntrees, AFC Preston, Brandesburton | | {{cite news |title=Carol Thomas inducted into our Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/news/carol-thomas-inducted/ |access-date=27 November 2021 |publisher=National Football Museum |date=23 November 2021}} |
2022
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Kerry|Davis}} | 82 | 44 | FW | 1982–1998 | style="text-align:left;" | Crewe Alexandra, ROI Lazio, Trani 80, Napoli, Liverpool, Croydon | |
2023
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jill|Scott|Jill Scott (footballer)}} | 161 | 26 | MF | 2004–2022 | style="text-align:left;" | Sunderland Women, Everton Ladies, Manchester City Women, Aston Villa Women | |
rowspan="2"| 2024
! scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Steph|Houghton}} | 121 | 13 | DF | 2002–2024 | style="text-align:left;" | Sunderland Women, Leeds Carnegie, Arsenal Ladies, Manchester City Women | |
scope="row" | {{fbwicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Mary|Phillip}}
| 65 | 0 | DF | 1992–2008 | style="text-align:left;" | Millwall Lionesses, Fulham Ladies, Arsenal Ladies, Chelsea Ladies | |
=Managers=
File:Alf Ramsey 1966.jpg, inducted as a manager in 2002, and later as a player in 2010. He is the only person to be honoured as such.]]
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center" |
scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Name ! scope="col" style="width: 60px;" | {{abbreviation|Years|Year of first and last English league game managed}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|G|Games managed in England}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|W|Games won in England}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|D|Games drawn in England}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|L|Games lost in England}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|W%|Winning percentage in England}} ! scope="col" | {{abbreviation|Clubs|English clubs managed}} ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbreviation|Not.|Notes}} ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbreviation|Ref.|References}} |
---|
rowspan="6"|2002
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Matt|Busby}} | 1945–1971 | 1,141 | 576 | 263 | 292 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:576/1141}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Manchester United | {{efn|Also managed Great Britain and Scotland.}} |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Brian|Clough}}
| 1965–1993 | 1,453 | 675 | 368 | 410 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:675/1453}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Hartlepools United, Derby County, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Alex|Ferguson}}
| 1986–2013 | 2,155 | 1,253 | 490 | 412 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:1253/2155}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Manchester United | {{efn|Also honoured with Vice-Presidency of the Museum.}}{{efn|Also managed East Stirlingshire, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Scotland.}} |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Bob|Paisley}}
| 1974–1983 | 535 | 308 | 131 | 96 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:308/535}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Liverpool | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Alf|Ramsey}}
| 1955–1978 | 510 | 256 | 106 | 148 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:256/510}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Ipswich Town, England, Birmingham City | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Bill|Shankly}}
| 1949–1974 | 1,190 | 586 | 305 | 299 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:586/1190}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, Workington, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool | |
rowspan="4"|2003
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Herbert|Chapman}} | 1907–1934 | 617 | 303 | 156 | 158 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:303/617}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Northampton Town, Leeds City, Huddersfield Town, Arsenal | | {{cite web |title=Herbert Chapman |url=https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/herbert-chapman/ |website=Hall of Fame}}{{cite web |title=Herbert Chapman |url=https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/herbert-chapman/ |website=Manager Stats}} |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Stan|Cullis}}
| 1948–1970 | 961 | 440 | 221 | 300 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:440/961}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City | | {{cite web |title=Stan Cullis |url=https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/stan-cullis/ |website=Manager Stats}} |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Bill|Nicholson|Bill Nicholson (footballer)}}
| 1958–1974 | 823 | 401 | 197 | 225 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:401/823}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Tottenham Hotspur | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Bobby|Robson}}
| 1968–2004 | 1,095 | 488 | 276 | 331 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:488/1095}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Fulham, Ipswich Town, England, Newcastle United | {{efn|Also managed PSV Eindhoven, Sporting CP, Porto and Barcelona.}} |
rowspan="2"| 2004
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Dario|Gradi}} | 1977–2011 | 1,557 | 574 | 375 | 608 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:574/1557}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Crewe Alexandra | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Don|Revie}}
| 1961–1977 | 728 | 379 | 198 | 151 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:379/728}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Leeds United, England | |
rowspan="2"|2005
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Howard|Kendall}} | 1979–1998 | 764 | 345 | 210 | 209 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:345/764}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Manchester City, Notts County, Sheffield United | {{efn|Also managed Athletic Bilbao.}} | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Walter|Winterbottom}}
| 1946–1962 | 139 | 78 | 33 | 28 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:78/139}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | England | |
rowspan="2"|2006
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ron|Greenwood}} | 1961–1982 | 713 | 269 | 186 | 258 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:269/713}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | West Ham United, England | |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|FRA}} {{sortname|Arsène|Wenger}}
| 1996–2018 | 1,235 | 707 | 280 | 248 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:707/1235}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Arsenal | {{efn|Also managed Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight.}} | |
2007
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Terry|Venables}} | 1976–2003 | 678 | 279 | 195 | 204 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:279/678}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, England, Middlesbrough, Leeds United |
2008
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Bertie|Mee}} | 1966–1976 | 540 | 241 | 148 | 151 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:241/540}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Arsenal | | {{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/bertie-mee/|title=BERTIE MEE|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=30 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Bertie Mee |url=https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/bertie-mee/ |website=Manager Stats}} |
rowspan="2"| 2009
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Malcolm|Allison}} | 1964–1993 | 395 | 108 | 121 | 166 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:108/395}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Plymouth Argyle, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Yeovil Town, Middlesbrough, Bristol Rovers | {{efn|Also managed Toronto City, Galatasaray, Sporting CP, Willington, Kuwait, Vitória de Setúbal, SC Farense and Fisher Athletic.}} |
scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Joe|Mercer}}
| 1955–1974 | 827 | 340 | 205 | 282 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:340/827}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Coventry City, England | |
2010
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Harry|Catterick}} | 1951–1977 | 1,146 | 514 | 281 | 351 | {{Decimals|{{#expr:514/1146}}|3}} | style="text-align:left;" | Crewe Alexandra, Rochdale, Sheffield Wednesday, Everton, Preston North End | | {{cite web |title=Harry Catterick |url=https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/harry-catterick/ |website=Manager Stats}} |
2024
! scope="row" | {{fbicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Jack|Greenwell}} | 1913–1942 | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | style="text-align:left;" | | {{efn|Solely coached abroad, mainly in Spain, as well as in Peru and in Colombia. He managed Barcelona, UE Sants, CD Castellón, Español, Real Sociedad Alfonso XIII, Valencia, Sporting de Gijón, Universitario de Deportes, Peru and Independiente Santa Fe.}} |
Other awards
In 2004, Sepp Blatter, then president of FIFA, was inducted to mark the world federation's centenary. He became the first figure outside the English game to be honoured by the Museum.
In 2007, the Football Foundation Community Champion award was created, with its inaugural holder being Niall Quinn. The following winners were Peter Beardsley (2008), Robbie Earle (2009){{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/robbie-earle/|title=ROBBIE EARLE|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=30 October 2018}} and Graham Taylor (2010).{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/graham-taylor/|title=GRAHAM TAYLOR|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=30 October 2018}} The award has been inactive since then.
Also in 2007, the Football for All Award was created, with its inaugural holder being Stephen Daley, a Northern Irish-born English footballer whose professional career was ended by loss of vision at 18, and later became the captain of the partially sighted England national team. In 2008, Steve Johnson, a regular member of the England squad for amputee football and the leader of Everton's charity venture, Everton in the Community, won the award.{{cite web|url=https://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/sport/football/news/southport-footballer-everton-fc-coach-6626612|title=Southport footballer and Everton FC coach Steve Johnson has been inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame|work=Southport Visiter|date=26 September 2008|access-date=7 November 2018}} In 2009, Ronnie Watson, a footballer who has learning disabilities, won the award. He had been training with Oldham Athletic, in preparation for the 2008 European Learning Disability Championship, where he would captain the England LD side.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2008/03/02/the-england-team-that-can-win-15550/|title=The England team that can win|work=Metro|date=2 March 2008|access-date=4 November 2018}} In 2010, George Ferguson won the award. Ferguson is a long-time member of Everton's blind football team and secretary of the Visually Impaired Football League. 2013 saw David Clarke, captain of Great Britain blind football team, win the award. From 2014 to 2017, members of the England cerebral palsy team were honoured, with Matt Dimbylow, Gary Davies, Martin Sinclair and Alistair Patrick-Heselton winning.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/alistair-patrick-heselton/|title=ALISTAIR PATRICK-HESELTON|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=30 October 2018}}
The presentation of a special award would happen sporadically over the years. In 2007, Sheffield, the world's oldest football club was commemorated for reaching its 150th anniversary. In 2008, Michel Platini, then president of UEFA, became the second figure outside the English game to be honoured by the Museum in a one-off European Hall of Fame ceremony. Two years later, Jimmy Hill was honoured with a special lifetime achievement award.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22268587|title=Jimmy Hill: Match of the Day host who changed football|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Bevan|date=19 December 2015}} In 2013, the special award was used three times. Firstly, to Civil Service, the only surviving club of those represented at the official formation of the Football Association in 1863. Secondly, to Ebenezer Cobb Morley, the first secretary of the Football Association and often considered to be its founding father, inducted to mark the governing body's 150th anniversary. Thirdly, to William McGregor, the founder of the Football League was inducted to commemorate the organisation's 125th anniversary. In 2014, the Football Battalion, a group of professional footballers and fans who fought in the Battle of the Somme, were honoured. In 2015, Sun Jihai, the first Chinese player in the English game, was made "Anglo-Chinese Football Ambassador". His surprise induction was announced as part of the state visit to the United Kingdom by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The decision caused controversy on social media with Labour's shadow minister for sport Clive Efford suggesting that the award had been bought by the office of Prime Minister David Cameron. A spokesman for the museum explained that Sun had been recognised for his "ambassadorial role in enhancing the profile and popularity of English football to a Chinese audience".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/23/ex-man-city-chinese-players-hall-of-fame-honour-a-grubby-little-fix?CMP=share_btn_tw |title=Ex-Man City Chinese player's hall of fame honour 'a grubby little fix' |first1=Helen |last1=Pidd |first2=Frances |last2=Perraudin |work=The Guardian |date=23 October 2015 |access-date=23 October 2015}} In 2016, two clubs were honoured: Cambridge University, for their unofficial claim to be the world's oldest club; some documents in their archive suggest a foundation year of 1856, the year before Sheffield began,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-37701939|title=Cambridge University FA rules football hall of fame honour|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 October 2016}} and Notts County for their status as the world's oldest club currently playing at a professional level; founded in 1862.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-37862511|title=Nottingham Forest and Notts County inducted into football hall of fame|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 November 2016}}
Team awards were introduced in 2008, as part of a one-off European Hall of Fame ceremony. Manchester United and Liverpool's European Cup winning sides of 1968 and 1978 were the first teams inducted. In 2009, Manchester United's Busby Babes squad of the 1950s and Manchester City's cup-winning squad of the late 1960s and early 1970s were inducted.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hughes-wants-to-copy-the-city-golden-929666|title=Hughes wants to copy the City golden years|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Stuart|last=Brennan|date=11 September 2009}} In 2010, the World Cup winning England squad was inducted. In 2011, Aston Villa's European Cup winning side of 1982 was inducted in a special ceremony. In 2014, Preston North End's "Invincibles" team was inducted. In 2016, Nottingham Forest's European Cup winning squad of 1979 and 1980 was inducted.
In 2013, a referee section was created, with Jack Taylor the inaugural holder.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/jack-taylor/|title=JACK TAYLOR|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=30 October 2018}} Taylor remained the only inductee until 2024, when Rebecca Welch, who became the first woman to referee a Premier League fixture, was inducted in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68511062|title=Rebecca Welch: Premier League's first female referee to be inducted into National Football Museum Hall of Fame|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 March 2024|access-date=8 March 2024}} In 2017, a journalism section was created with Hugh McIlvanney the inaugural holder.
Notes
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/ The National Football Museum – Hall of Fame] official website
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
{{English football awards}}
Category:Association football museums and halls of fame
Category:Museums in Manchester
Category:Lists of English sportspeople
Category:Halls of fame in England
Category:2002 establishments in England
Category:2002 in British sport
Category:2002 in association football
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