The Welsh Government is providing a further £5.45million for the new Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham.
The funding is part of an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru and will celebrate Wales’ football heritage with the aim of building a legacy from the nation’s involvement in the men’s FIFA World Cup 2022. Deputy minister for arts and sport Dawn Bowden made the announcement on a visit to Wrexham, which became a city last year.
The museum, which will be within Wrexham Museum and see a substantial redevelopment of the building, has been chosen for this location as Wrexham was "the birthplace of Welsh football" making it "the ideal location to celebrate the sport’s heritage," according to Ms Bowden.
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According to the Welsh Government, many themes will be showcased at the Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham including Welsh language communities, fan culture, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ experiences. Since 2020, the Welsh Government has spent more than £800,000 on the appointment of a dedicated football curator and engagement officers, the progression of designs, and a "pan-Wales public engagement" and community consultation to develop proposed plans and content.
Ms Bowden added: "We have seen many successes, especially in recent years, in men’s and women’s football, and ensuring the dramatic and emotive events on the international stage, the history and development of club football in Wales and the spirit and diversity of the Welsh football community is told in one place will be vital for present and future generations.
“The new museum will become a key venue in the city as well as for north Wales’ tourist and visitor offer. It also comes at an exciting time for Wrexham AFC as they aim to get back into the Football League. Today’s announcement is a great example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to Wrexham and north Wales, especially following the recent disappointing news from the UK Government about the failed levelling-up fund bid.”
Protecting and promoting Wales’ culture and heritage forms part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. Plaid MS Siân Gwenllian said: "Yma o Hyd fever spread across Wales and across the world last year with our national team reaching the World Cup. It showed the pride and joy football has brought us in recent years and how important it is to Wales.
“This redeveloped museum will celebrate our nation’s contribution to the game and the heritage and legacy it provides for us all. Wrexham, a city steeped in football history, is a fitting home for this exciting project and I am delighted we are working together to make it happen.”
Councillor Paul Roberts, lead member for partnerships and community safety at Wrexham council, said: “I’d like to thank the Welsh Government for their continued support for Wrexham, the spiritual home of football, to continue to develop the Football Museum for Wales. This is a really exciting project as football plays such a large part in our culture and identity and the people of Wrexham and across Wales can now be assured that the Welsh Football Collection will be preserved for present and future generations in Wales. This will be developed alongside a new museum for Wrexham which is currently home to a large and interesting collection of historical objects which shows the unique cultural heritage of Wrexham.”
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