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
When Football was mobilised
Football’s history can be traced along troops stations and frontlines.
When Football was mobilised
Football’s history can be traced along troops stations and frontlines.
When God was Bulgarian
Today in 1993, one football match connected a rooster, Bulgaria and God.
FC United serves as a mirror
FC United is a documentary about racism in Belgium and gives much needed voice to the affected.
A plea for inclusion
From the example of Goalball, we look at some broader issues with inclusion and equality in sport.
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Trending Stories
Football Lockdowns: The Spanish Flu of 1918
Dutch sports historian Jurryt van de Vooren wrote for us about other times when Football was stopped like it currently is. Spanish flu of 1918 is the first story.
Black and white in the orange
On this day at the Euro2020, an inclusive Dutch team would have played in Amsterdam. Something of a contrast with the Dutch team who lost to France 24 years ago on this date during the Euro1996. An opportunity to use football as a lens into changes in Dutch society, the role of footballers and a look ahead.
More Football Stories
Social layers in a Netflix drama ‘Club de Cuervos’
Review of a drama show to help students discuss societal issues.
FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS Read more
May 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?
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April 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?
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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?
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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?
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
...
Giovinette, a forgotten story
A review of a recent novel which may open a window on the early days of women’s football in Italy.
Football as a post-disaster charity
Today in 1964, a football match was organised between Yugoslavia and a UEFA team “Rest of Europe”.
Only girl on the field
This article is the result of a webinar series from EuroClio which tackled football and social issues to explore how football history and society intertwine.
Researching Football’s “Us and Them”
The online racism following the European Championship finals, after a year of unprecedented activism against it, shows how much work remains.
Unleash the potential of football museums
This article is the result of a webinar series from EuroClio which tackled football and social issues to explore how football history and society intertwine.
Is Football a “Power Play”?
Interview with researchers Valerio Mancini, Narcís Pallarès-Domènech and Alessio Postiglione on football and Geopolitics.
What’s in a name
Palmeiras is now one of the most victorious teams of Brazil and South America. Its “immigrant” name gives us a window in the past.
What’s in a name
Palmeiras is now one of the most victorious teams of Brazil and South America. Its “immigrant” name gives us a window in the past.
US Soccer in Scandinavia
Today in 1916, the US Soccer team played their first international football match. In the Olympic Stadium of Stockholm they beat their Swedish hosts 3 – 2.
Saga of a Death Match
Today in 1942, one of the most infamous matches in football history took place, in Nazi occupied Kiev.
Unpacking women’s football history one picture at a time
There is a lot to be discovered about women’s football history despite the limited evidence available.
Archive
Football at the Concentration Camp
Interview with researcher Bas Kortholt of Camp Westerbork Memorial Centre on football’s unique potential.
Birth of nations
On this day in 1930, the first ever World Cup got underway in Uruguay. It marked a special period in the development of nationalism.
Birth of nations
On this day in 1930, the first ever World Cup got underway in Uruguay. It marked a special period in the development of nationalism.
Blue (and gold) blood: la Raulito’s love story with Boca Juniors
Love’s the only engine of survival: the story of La Raulito’s passion for Boca Juniors
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.
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 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.
