National Football Museum opens in Manchester

Visitors can take penalties against a virtual goalkeeper in goalposts taken from Wembley

The National Football Museum has opened at its new Manchester location.

On show are 2,500 items of football memorabilia including the 1966 World Cup final ball and Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' football shirt.

Organisers hope to attract over 350,000 visitors per year to the former Urbis building.

The museum started life at Deepdale, home of Preston North End, in 2001 before a move to Manchester was decided in 2009.

'Impressive collection'

As well as three floors of memorabilia, there will be games and challenges such as a penalty shoot-out and the chance to try your hand at Match of the Day commentary.

National Football Museum Director Kevin Moore said: "By experiencing interactive objects, games and displays, kids can learn about the national game but most importantly have fun.

"Our new museum will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the most impressive collection of football exhibits ever assembled."

Also on display is the neck brace worn by Manchester City's goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who played on after breaking his neck during the 1956 FA Cup final.

There are also displays detailing the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death on overcrowded terraces and the 1985 Valley Parade fire in Bradford which cost the lives of 56 supporters.

The museum, set up at a cost of £8.5m, will receive £2m per year from Manchester City Council and is free to enter.

Its Preston site continues to operate as the collection storage and research facility.