There are over 2,500 exhibits on display at the new National Football Museum, which opened in Manchester today (plus a staggering 140,000 in the museum archive). From artwork to hundreds of shirts worn by famous players and an interactive penalty shoot-out zone, it claims to hold "the world's finest collection of football artefacts and archives". Here's a taster of some of the highlights
The highlight of the museum's collection is probably this now rather scruffy Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona in the quarter-final of the 1986 Mexico World Cup against England. His infamous "hand of God" goal broke the nation's heart.Photograph: PopperfotoThe Art of The Game, a painting of Eric Cantona by Michael Browne. The renaissance style painting illustrates the resurrection of Cantona's career following his kung fu kick on a spectator in the stands during a match.Photograph: Christopher ThomondA replica of the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy is one of the museum's star items. This is the version that was presented to England in 1966. Months before the tournament the trophy was stolen from an exhibition in London. It was found by Pickles the dog in Norwood, south London, but the FA didn't want to risk losing it again and the Queen presented the replica to the winners. This is the only surviving version as the original was stolen again, this time from the Brazilian football association's headquarters, and never found. Photograph: Rolls Press/PopperfotoThe ball from the 1966 final is another big draw. Here's England's Geoff Hurst smashing it home for the fourth goal in England's 4-2 win over West Germany, probably the most replayed in English football history. The accompanying BBC commentary by Kenneth Wolstenholme – "They think it's all over" – has entered the language.Photograph: PopperfotoPaul Gascoigne's Spitting Image puppet was often seen in floods of tears, a parody of this moment after England's defeat in the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup … against West Germany … on penalties, of course.Photograph: Getty ImagesGoing To the Match. The painting by LS Lowry (1953) depicts supporters going to watch Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park.Photograph: Paul Cooper/Rex FeaturesFor the 1970 World Cup England wore ventilated Airtex shirts to help counter the sweltering heat of Mexico. After losing their group game 1-0 to Brazil, captain Bobby Moore swapeed his with Pelé. Photograph: Action Images/MSIA 19th-century watercolour of Kemari, a Japanese ceremonial football game derived from an ancient Chinese game.Photograph: PRBlackpool shirt won by Sir Stanley Matthews, and chaired by team-mates after winning the famous 1953 FA Cup Final at Wembley against Bolton Wanderers. Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty ImagesThe Urbis Centre in central Manchester, home of the museumPhotograph: PR
