Blyth Spartans are expected to be part of a perminent exhibition in the FA Cup section at the National Football Museum. The Supporters Club were contacted by NFM ‘collector’ Peter Holme whose job it is to collect items to go on display with particular focus on the FA Cup.
Spartans were chosen as they had recent giant killing experiences and Peter is currently bringing the displays up to date.
Peter told the Supporters Club, ‘It’s the fact that Spartans are famous for their giant killing and the fact that the name and club crest is unique in football in this country that makes the club interesting’.
Although he is pleased we are helping him by sending him various items including programmes from the games with Shrewsbury, Bournemouth (both home and away) and Blackburn as well as historic literature like ‘Two wins from Wembley’, ‘100 years of Croft Park ‘ and ‘Crofters’ he admits our Cup run of 2008/09 did cause him a little personal upset. Peter continues ‘Although I am now based in Preston I am originally from Buxton and went over to see my home town team play Blyth. Obviously Blyth won that cup tie and went on to make it to the Third Round’.
The NFM is currently in the process of moving from it’s original home of Deepdale the home of Preston North End where football archives are still to be stored, to a new home in the Urbis Building in central Manchester which will be opened early in 2012.
Peter says entry to the museum will continue to be free although there may be some charge for some interactive exhibits. For further information you can visit www.nationalfootballmuseum.com.
Obviously it is great news that Spartans Cup exploits will get to be shown to visitors who love the beautiful game from all over the world.