The Welsh Government is making a further grant of £5.46m available to Wrexham County Borough Council to continue the development of the new Football Museum for Wales.
The funding, still subject to conditions and approval of a full business case, is earmarked for the community and pan-Wales engagement on the project, developing the content, collections and exhibitions through to construction and opening.
Wales’ Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said the funding comes as “interest in Welsh football and in Wrexham AFC itself are at an all-time high.”
In 2021, celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham AFC, an investment covered in the 2022 TV documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
Bowden continued: ”Creating a museum in Wales to celebrate our football heritage will help build a legacy from our nation’s involvement in the men’s FIFA World Cup 2022, ensuring its history is valued and stories are recorded for future generations of players, supporters, and fans.”
Design team announced for new Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham
The development of the new Football Museum is part of a wider project that will see the current Wrexham Museum building on Regent Street fully refurbished and transformed into what is being called a ‘museum of two halves’.
The Football Museum half of the building will celebrate Welsh football past and present, and will highlight Wrexham’s historic achievements in the sport.
In the same building, new galleries will be created to display the Wrexham Museum collections, exploring the story of Wrexham and Wales’ oldest football club.
Bowden continued: “Focussing on showcasing themes such as Wrexham as the birthplace of Welsh football, the history of club football in Wales, dramatic and emotive events in international football, the spirit and diversity of the Welsh football community including Welsh language communities, fan culture, women’s football, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ experiences, it will become a key venue in North Wales’ tourist and visitor offer.”
Since 2020, more than £800,000 in Welsh Government funding has been invested in the project, and has seen the appointment of a dedicated Football Curator and Engagement Officers, the progression of designs to RIBA stage 3, and pan-Wales public engagement and community consultation to develop proposed plans and content.
A commitment to provide funding for the project initially formed part of a Budget agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. The Welsh Government has agreed this new investment as part of the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.
