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
Parr: A Life of Football
The story of Lily Parr sketches out the earlier days of female football in England and beyond.
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.
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Trending Stories
Michel Platini: Icon who fell from Grace
Michel Platini as a player he was one the greatest but as president of FIFA his career got mired in controversy and scandals. His story is one about politics, globalisation and corruption.
Diego Maradona: The Neapolitan
Migration from shanty town to global fame and struggle.
More Football Stories
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.
FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS Read more
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!
...
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.
...
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.
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.
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.
Football speaking out in perspective
Football represents a large cultural space in society. It is not isolated from political developments. How have football players used this space to achieve their social goals?
Archive
Book review: 50 Most Important Moments
Two history teachers in Wales work as “The Football History Boys” wrote a book about the “50 most important moments”. We reviewed it.
When the ball can be heard
On this day in 1946 Hans Laurenzen and Sett Randlem pioneered Goalball. But football for the visually impaired has older historical roots.
When the ball can be heard
On this day in 1946 Hans Laurenzen and Sett Randlem pioneered Goalball. But football for the visually impaired has older historical roots.
The last defectors
Today 30 years ago in 1989 three players of the East German football club Wismut Aue were getting ready to escape from the DDR.
Four decades of UEFA Women’s Championships “come home”
Today Wembley would have a Euro 2020 semi-final. Also the UEFA 2021 Women’s Championship is pushed to 2022. A chance to look forwards and backwards.
Saga of a small nation in a bigger Europe
On this day in 2016, Iceland’s football men lost to France at the European Championship. It ended an amazing run for the team which had not yet reached such heights. This is a story of a small nation in a bigger Europe.
Football without frontiers for a Europe without borders
On this day in the year 2000, the final of the first European Championship co-hosted by two countries was played. The idea to host such an event together is an example of the 1990s momentum in European cooperation. Euro2020, now postponed till 2021, is co-hosted by 12 European cities. This is the story of crossing borders.
Local football history closest to school teaching
A conversation with Football Makes History developer Geir Ove Halvorsen, a teacher at a secondary school in Norway, about his experience using football history, connecting local and global perspectives in his lessons.
When fans sing together for joy
On this day in 2016, Northern Irish and Irish fans received a medal for exemplar behaviour. An important moment for the countries, as well as in the history of the European Nations Cup. This is the story of the remarkable fans of Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is a story about football innovation and bridging countries.
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.
Puskás: a political refugee in Europe
On this day, the Puskás stadium would have hosted a Euro2020 match. Being postponed for one year, we have a chance to go into the history of the European Nations Cup, which is full of remarkable stories and people. This is the story of a star player and a European political refugee.
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.
