03 October 2008
Only A Game? UEFA football exhibition to open at World Museum
Liverpool
A ground breaking new exhibition exploring Europe’s love affair
with the beautiful game is to open at World Museum Liverpool on
Saturday 11 October.
Running from 11 October 2008 till 1 March 2009, Only a Game? is
an interactive exhibition for the whole family, inviting visitors
to plunge into the emotions of football inspired by a selection of
prestigious artefacts, trophies and memorabilia from over 50 years
of European football.
In collaboration with the NWDA, National Football Museum and
National Museums Liverpool, the UEFA exhibition is making its only
UK appearance in Liverpool; European Capital of Culture and
arguably one of Europe’s great capitals of football.
All four of UEFA’s most prestigious trophies will be on display
during the opening month of the exhibition representing a very rare
occasion when the UEFA European Championship (EURO) and UEFA
Champions League trophies will appear alongside the UEFA Cup and
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the same place at the same time.
Memorabilia from the National Football Museum will be featured
in the exhibition, including shirts, medals and trophies from great
European players such as George Best, Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby
Moore and Petr Cech, and visitors can also discover the city’s own
dramatic role in European football with special items on display
from the Everton Collection and the Liverpool FC Museum.
Michel Platini, President of UEFA and three times European
Footballer of the Year, said: “I am delighted that UEFA is bringing
this exciting exhibition to Liverpool during its Capital of Culture
celebrations, a city that loves its football and plays such a big
role in Europe’s fascination with the game.”
Only a Game? ends with a question mark, encouraging the visitor
to reflect on the social and cultural aspects of modern football
and ask themselves questions concerning aspects such as the
solidarity, success, participation, celebration, racism and
integration associated with the game, and the emotions it
triggers.
Lilian Thuram, official patron of the exhibition and winner of
both the World Cup and European Championship with France, said:
“Football brings people together across Europe. It speaks a simple
language that everyone understands. Only a Game? shines a
light on all the actors that play a role: fans, school kids,
amateurs, as well as the professional players.”
Liverpool player Steven Gerrard said: "There is no city in
Europe where football means more than it does to the people of
Liverpool. So I think it is great that we are having a European
football exhibition as part of Liverpool 08."
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA), said: "The city of Liverpool and the
Northwest region are known across the world for outstanding
professional football so it is only right this exciting exhibition
should come here.
"In the Northwest we are passionate about football and culture and
both make a major contribution to the regional economy. I am
delighted we have been able to work with our partners to bring Only
A Game? to Liverpool."
Bryan Gray, Chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, added:
“Sport is part of Liverpool’s heritage and football has helped to
shape this city of culture, so it should be no surprise to see it
feature so prominently in the Capital of Culture programme. We are
delighted to welcome Only a Game? to the European Capital of
Culture; I can think of nowhere more fitting for this thought
provoking exhibition.”
Notes for Editors
- Only a Game? is a collaborative project between UEFA, the
National Football Museum, North West Development Agency and
National Museums Liverpool and is UEFA’s contribution to Liverpool
08
- Only a Game? was designed and produced by Album, www.insidealbum.com
- Only a Game? will link with the National Football Museum’s
European Hall of Fame awards night at ACC Liverpool on 8
October
World Museum Liverpool William Brown Street,
Liverpool Admission FREE
Open 10am-5pm every day Information 0151 478 4393
Website www.onlyagame.info