Iconic World Cup win of 1966 on display at Portland Basin

Football fans can now enjoy a new display launching at Portland Basin Museum, marking 60 years since England’s iconic 1966 World Cup victory.

The special exhibition will celebrate one of the nation’s most memorable sporting moments, bringing history to life for visitors of all ages.

Bringing together a range of items, the display showcases both rare objects from a private collector and also items from the museum’s own collection. The diverse selection of collector's items captures the excitement, pride and cultural impact of England’s victory.

Among the standout pieces are signed photographs of the World Cup-winning England squad, original match tickets, and official programmes from key fixtures during the 1966 tournament. A special highlight is a replica England shirt signed by Ashton-born Sir Geoff Hurst, who famously scored a hat-trick in England’s 4–2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley.

The exhibition also features an array of nostalgic items from the tournament, including ‘World Cup Willie’ souvenirs, fan memorabilia, posters, magazines and even a flag that flew at Wembley Stadium during the competition.

The display also looks at the 1966 victory within its wider cultural context, highlighting aspects of everyday life during the decade. A selection of fashions, toys, music and technology, including Beatles souvenirs and classic toy cars, offers a snapshot of the era in which England made its mark on popular culture as well as football.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson, said: “This display is a fantastic tribute to the legendary World Cup win on its 60th anniversary. We hope residents enjoy this exciting showcase from our sporting history, as we gear up for this year’s World Cup. Thank you to the teams involved for bringing it to life.”

Visit Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA, from 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Sunday.