The magic of the FA Cup comes to Ironbridge

One of the oldest and most iconic football trophies in the world will be paying a rare visit to Enginuity, one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire on Saturday, 30th April between 10am and 5pm.

Visitors will have the privileged opportunity to get up close to the FA Cup Trophy for free at the entrance to the museum just a fortnight before the FA Cup Final takes place at Wembley. 

The FA Cup was first held in 1871-72 and is the oldest association football competition in the world.   Its appearance at Ironbridge forms an exciting complement to the Museum’s ongoing Science, Sport, Life programme, part of the 2012 celebrations and is courtesy of EON, sponsors of the FA Cup.

Visitors will be able to stand with the FA Cup and for a fee have a professional photograph taken. They will also be invited to share their FA Cup memories and view the Our Sporting Life: Sporting Heroes exhibition in the nearby Coalbrookdale Gallery where they can learn more about Shropshire’s greatest sporting heroes including England and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ legend, Billy Wright.

Steve Miller, Chief Executive of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for sports fans everywhere to see the most famous footballing trophy in the world when it visits the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.  We are grateful to the Football Association and to sponsors EON for making this possible.”

Pleased to be able to support the event David Bryson of EON added, “We hope that our local communities will enjoy this rare opportunity to see the FA Cup Trophy, as well as visit the fascinating Our Sporting Life exhibitions on offer at Coalbrookdale”.

All profits from the fee for the professional photographs will help support the charitable work of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust including conservation and education projects in the World Heritage Site. Please note that private photography is not permitted.

The free entry Our Sporting Life: Sporting Heroes exhibition is normally open Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm at the Coalbrookdale Gallery alongside Enginuity.  Our Sporting Life: Science of Sport is open daily 10am - 5pm at the Enginuity design and technology centre; admission to the exhibition is included in the normal entry price into the Museum.

The museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. For more information, visit: ironbridge.org.uk