Some of football’s greatest-ever players have been immortalised on the first Football Walk of Fame, compiled with help from sports historians from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Academics from the university’s International Centre for Sports History and Culture (ICSHC) worked on the shortlist with the National Football Museum in Manchester before it was opened up to the public to vote online for their favourites.
This weekend the Walk of Fame was launched to coincide with a new exhibition marking 50 years since England won the World Cup.
The Football Walk of Fame’s 25 players includes the 11 English heroes from the ’66 team, plus legends of today’s game such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Two of the names on the list, Lily Parr and Marta, pay tribute to the early stars of women’s football which DMU’s Professor Jean Williams has worked hard to bring to public attention.
Prof Williams is an expert on the lives and experiences of players in the women’s game and has advocated for more recognition for football’s female stars.
She said: “Historians of women’s football identified several international key stars and then the nominations were put to a public vote via the Mail Online. So the process of engaging a wider public in selecting Lily Parr and Marta is part of the promotion of recognition both for individual players and the women’s game as a whole.
“What was particularly rewarding was that Lily Parr played in the 1920s, so we have evidence that people are interested in the more historical figures, as well as the contemporary stars. Marta was named FIFA World Player of the Year five consecutive times between 2006 and 2010. That’s a huge achievement and gives her a unique place in history.”
Dr Kevin Moore, Director of the National Football Museum said: “We’re delighted to introduce the Football Walk of Fame in Manchester to the world. This is an excellent way for us to honour and celebrate some of the greatest international names in the game.”
The Football Walk of Fame was launched by Sir Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt this weekend. Memorabilia including the Jules Rimet Trophy and Pele's training kit are on display at the 1966 exhibition along with boots worn by hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and West Germany’s Franz Beckbenbauer.
Curator Andy Pearce said: "We have really uncovered some fascinating stories."
The players on the Walk of Fame are: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Roger Hunt; George Best, Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruff, Sir Tom Finney, Marta, Lily Parr, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pele, Sir Alf Ramsey.
The Football Walk of Fame is a collaboration between the museum, artist Paul Trevillion and founder of the UK Walk of Fame, David Courtney. It is sponsored by YouAretheRef.com and backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Football Association.
Professor Williams and Professor Dilwyn Porter of ICSHC are acknowledged in the museum’s exhibition having helped with shortlisting players and the lottery funding application.
Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2016