Stories
History
Some would say history is just one damned thing after the other, that it should be put to rest in the past and that bygones should be bygones.
These people are not necessarily wrong, but in an ever-complex world of globalised societies and rising exclusivist identity-politics, the stories we tell ourselves about the past help us define ourselves in the present and orient toward an unpredictable future.
Football
Some would say football is nothing more than 22 people chasing a ball around a pitch for 90 minutes.
Also those people are not necessarily wrong, but history is made up of whatever people have come to value, and certainly football – a game played and watched by billions for over 100 years – seems highly valued.
Our Latest Stories
The rise of female referees in professional men’s football
Although there have only been ten female referees in the top leagues of men’s football in Europe over the last 30 years, seven of them are currently active.
The rise of female referees in professional men’s football
Although there have only been ten female referees in the top leagues of men’s football in Europe over the last 30 years, seven of them are currently active.
March in Football
What moments in football history have we highlighted in the last month? How do they provide us with historical mirrors to the present?
1. Deutscher Damenfußballclub 2 – 1 Dick, Kerr Ladies
On this day in 1981 a game that never happened took place. Or: How can counterfactual history help us shift perspectives?
A game for equality
Today in 1895, a football game was played as women were claiming equality in a patriarchal society.
Do you wanna know more?
GET IN TOUCH
Trending Stories
Refugees
In the wake of the 2015 migration peak, activists and volunteers across Europe have been involved in supporting refugees, sometimes with the simple act of offering space and friendship to participate in football through grassroots clubs to help newcomers integrate.
Fergus Suter: Working-Class Professional
Fergus Sutter was one of the first (semi)professional footballers, playing against aristocratic players. A story of origins.
More Football Stories
A transfer in football heritage practices
Football clubs and fan groups can (re)tell the migration stories of players for education. Here is one transferable practice!
FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS Read more
March in Football
What moments in football history have we highlighted in the last month? How do they provide us with historical mirrors to the present?
...
February in Football
What moments in football history have we highlighted in the last month? How do they provide us with historical mirrors to the present?
...
December in Football
Waiting for UEFA2020, we provided you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts. Here is what you enjoyed reading in December!
...
November in Football
Waiting for UEFA2020, we provided you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts. Here is what you enjoyed reading in November!
...
October in Football
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, we provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
...
September in Football
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, we provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
...
August in Football
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, the team of Football Makes History will provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
...
July in football history
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, the team of Football Makes History will provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
...
Waiting for EURO2020? Play Football History!
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, the team of Football Makes History will provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
...
Football Makes HERstory
March is women’s history month. Join us in celebrating Herstory in Football history.
Blood on the goalpost
“Action Argentina”, or when a Dutch cabaret group protested the participation of the Dutch team in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
February in Football
What moments in football history have we highlighted in the last month? How do they provide us with historical mirrors to the present?
When football went viral
On this day in 2020, Atalanta Bergamo hosted Valencia in a final-16 Champions League match. It was a superspreading event of the Covid-19 pandemic.
World War 1 in one life
A story of a professional footballer who died at the battle of the Somme in 1916.
Remembering the Holocaust through Football
Today, 27 January, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Educators can use the life stories of footballers to explore this painful past with the students.
December in Football
Waiting for UEFA2020, we provided you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts. Here is what you enjoyed reading in December!
Parr: A Life of Football
The story of Lily Parr sketches out the earlier days of female football in England and beyond.
What you think you know about football is wrong
Enter a journey along known, and less well-known stories in football history. Dr. Kevin Moore’s work will be good with students too!
Simply the best?
The most prestigious football prize is awarded annually. What does looking at its history tell us?
Global Game! Green Game?
Today in 2015, the Paris Climate Accords were agreed. This article reminds us of football’s industrial origins and provides some perspective to the future.
Archive
One man, One vote
Today in 2011 Brazilian footballer Sócrates passed away. This is a story about the role he and his team played in restoring democracy to Brazil.
November in Football
Waiting for UEFA2020, we provided you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts. Here is what you enjoyed reading in November!
United in sorrow
The story of Chapecoense and how disasters involving football teams unite the world in sorrow.
Referee in the Resistance
Dutch football referee Leo Horn, born in 1916, was a resistance fighter during the Second World War, all the while hiding his Jewish identity.
Basque in the USSR
A story of a Spanish footballer turned Communist leader, where football and history intertwine across borders.
Seen from the Valley
Football in India arose from the presence of British troops, but the game that could unite, was later eclipsed by cricket. A local story from India.
Ballon d’Or at the presidential palace
On this day, 11th October, in 2005, football star George Weah ran for the office of president of Liberia.
Learning history in 100 football life stories
Over 100 life stories have been collected. Together they present a story of the people of Europe in the last 150 years. Time to connect the dots.
October in Football
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, we provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
The Incredible Life of a French Footballer
Today, 29 September, is the day on which French female football pioneer Carmen Pomiès was born in 1900 and passed away in 1982.
Playing the game for peace
On this day, 21 September, we look at how playing a game of football can contribute to peace by looking at the work of the NGO Childrens Football Alliance.
September in Football
As the UEFA 2020 European Championships got pushed ahead one year, we provide you with a 365-day #onthisday series of posts to help all fans out there to go back in time, think, and reflect.
