FOOTBALL fans can step back into one of England’s greatest sporting summers as a new exhibition celebrating the 1966 World Cup has officially opened at Portland Basin Museum.
The special display marks 60 years since England’s historic triumph on home soil and features a wide collection of memorabilia charting the tournament, the players and the culture of the decade that surrounded it.
Among the standout exhibits are signed photographs of England’s World Cup-winning squad, original match tickets and official programmes from the tournament, alongside a replica England shirt signed by Ashton-born football legend Geoff Hurst.
Hurst famously scored a hat-trick in England’s dramatic 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley – still the only men’s World Cup final hat-trick ever scored.
Visitors can also see a range of nostalgic memorabilia linked to the tournament, including “World Cup Willie” souvenirs, vintage posters, magazines and a flag that once flew at Wembley Stadium during the competition.
But the exhibition goes beyond football itself, exploring life in Britain during the swinging sixties through displays of fashion, music, toys and technology from the era. Beatles memorabilia and classic toy cars help paint a picture of the decade in which England conquered the football world.
The exhibition – which opened on Saturday, May 23 – combines rare items from a private collector with pieces from the museum’s own archives, bringing together a snapshot of a moment that remains deeply woven into the nation’s sporting identity.
Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson, said: “This display is a fantastic tribute to the legendary World Cup win on its 60th anniversary. We hope residents enjoy this exciting showcase from our sporting history, as we gear up for this year’s World Cup. Thank you to the teams involved for bringing it to life.”
The exhibition is now open at Portland Basin Museum in Ashton-under-Lyne from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday.