The Welsh government is providing an additional £5.4 million for the development of a national football museum in Wrexham.
The funding is part of an agreement between the Welsh government and Plaid Cymru. Wrexham, Wales’ newest city, is where the Football Association of Wales (FAW) was established in 1876.
The new museum will celebrate Wales’ football heritage. It will be located within the city’s existing museum, which is redeveloped and expanded.
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden made the announcement during a visit to Wrexham (via WalesOnline).
Celebrating Wales’ football heritage
She described as Wrexham as “the birthplace of Welsh football” and said it is “the ideal location to celebrate the sport’s heritage”.
“The new museum will become a key venue in the city as well as for north Wales’ tourist and visitor offer,” she added.
The announcement, said Bowden, is “a great example of the Welsh government’s commitment to Wrexham and north Wales”.
“Yma o Hyd fever spread across Wales and across the world last year with our national team reaching the World Cup,” added Plaid Cymru’s Siân Gwenllian.
“It showed the pride and joy football has brought us in recent years and how important it is to Wales.
“Birthplace of Welsh football”
“This redeveloped museum will celebrate our nation’s contribution to the game and the heritage and legacy it provides for us all.
“Wrexham, a city steeped in football history, is a fitting home for this exciting project and I am delighted we are working together to make it happen.”
The Welsh government said the museum should be completed by the end of the current Senedd term in 2026.
Wrexham AFC was bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February 2021.
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