Videos
Football as a cultural force
When faced with insurmountable challenges, individuals past and present can use football as a cultural force to foster positive change in society. We honour these individuals and tell their ‘untold’ stories in short videos.
Football might be one of the most televised activities in our society. Millions of hours of footage are recorded, watched and rewatched. In addition to the game itself, and the obvious stories of sport, let’s look in more detail into the people behind the game.
Our original videos are developed as part of a European project and combine individual portraits with archival narrations. As our platform will continue to develop, we wish to engage with more stories, past and present.
Latest video
Videos Backstage
The Right to Play
We made this documentary about the Milan-based football club St Ambreous. This is the story of why we wanted to retell this story, and how we did it.
Why Teach Football History?
We asked author David Goldblatt about the Football Makes History project. He notes how the cultural phenomenon of football offers educators highly relevant topics and themes.
Football: A People’s History of Europe?
In cooperation with the festival “Forum on European Culture”, we spoke with author David Goldblatt about the value of football for Europe, taking historical perspectives.
The football signpost to WWII
Football certainly has produced numerous incredible matches. Matches remembered forever because of mighty performances by the greatest players of all time or because of a heroic performance by an underdog.
The Climb to Equality
Football Makes History spoke with Laura Youngson, co-founder of Equal Playing Field and co-owner of the world record for highest altitude official football match ever played. This is the story of why we wanted to retell this story, and how we did it.
The Mad Grandma: Botafogo’s 83-year-old superfan
When Botafogo plays at Estádio Nilton Santos, they have a guaranteed presence: Luzia Moraes, Vó da Loucos, or the Grandmother of the Mad. Her passion for Botafogo goes back over 80 years.
Archive
FC Union Berlin: A rebellious football club in a rebellious city
BBC Sport’s Football Focus visits Bundesliga side FC Union Berlin, a “rebellious” football club from East Berlin with a special set of fans, playing their first season in Germany’s top flight 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Most Dangerous Game of Football: Calcio Storico
Calcio Storico is football like you’ve never seen before! Dating back to the 15th century, this early form of the game is brutal. But behind the blood and punches lie a story of tradition, pride and honour. A sport as unique and loved in Florence as ACF Fiorentina.
The amazing story of Sierra Leone’s Amputee Team: football for a new tomorrow
The film supports the incredible athletes from the Sierra Leonean football team Flying Star Amputees, comprised of players who are all victims of civil war amputations.
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Let’s talk football history
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.
Stories
Browse our collection of stories about football history and inclusion. With the history of football being made up of millions of stories, of individuals and communities, of movements and processes, we offer stories that can inspire our cultural conversations today.
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.
Educational Resources
Explore our innovative educational resources that use football’s history, heritage and legacy to engage young people. The resources include ready-made lesson plans and historical source collections for school history education as well as toolkit with activities for non-formal settings.
Discover women’s football then and now a game of quartet
Where are the women’s football quartet cards?
Football and Hooliganism
Teaching students about the causes of football hooliganism through the analysis of case studies and development of potential solutions.
