The National Football Museum Hall of Fame aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to the national game.
Established in 2002, to date 190 players, managers and teams have been inducted into England’s football Hall of Fame in recognition of the impact they have made on the game and its ongoing development.
The Hall of Fame relaunched in 2019 with a commitment to achieve 50% female representation of women in the game. Recent inductees include Carol Thomas, Kerry Davis, Jack Leslie, and Vincent Kompany.
Visitors to the Museum can explore the Hall of Fame through objects and items in our galleries and displays. You can read the personal stories of the National Football Museum Hall of Fame through our online library below.
Frank Soo
The first player of Chinese origin to play in the Football League and to represent an England team.
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Mary Phillip
A hugely successful centre-half who was the first Black woman to captain England.
Steph Houghton
A dependable defender and resolute leader for club and country.
Jack Greenwell
From a mining town in County Durham to Barcelona’s longest-serving manager.
Brendon Batson
West Bromwich Albion’s pioneering right-back.
Jill Scott
Lionesses centurion, Manchester City midfielder and national icon.
Vincent Kompany
Manchester City skipper and an all-time Premier League great.
Jack Leslie
Plymouth Argyle sensation and the first Black player to receive an England call-up.
Kerry Davis
A versatile forward for club and country, and one of the Lionesses’ first prominent (and prolific) Black players.
Carol Thomas
An influential right-back who became the first woman to win 50 England caps.
Walter Tull
The British Army’s first officer of mixed-race heritage and one of the country’s first black professionals.
Paul Ince
Man Utd’s box-to-box engine, and the first black player to captain England.
Terry Butcher
Ipswich Town and England’s famously resolute skipper and centre-half.
Karen Carney
A successful winger at domestic level and one of England’s most capped players of all time.
Nominations
Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination for the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. There are three application windows per year, and nominees must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered.
Please ensure you have read the Hall of Fame eligibility criteria before submitting your nomination.
Nominees must meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Be a retired Coach, Manager, Player, Referee and/or Support Personnel;
- Have coached, managed, played and/or refereed football in England at elite level for a minimum of 5-years;
- Have a profile, persona and values which are aligned to the values, brand and ethos of the National Football Museum.
- Have made a tangible and evidence-based outstanding contribution towards English football based on any of the following 3 principles:
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- Achieved significant success with a Club, League and/or the English national programme – including considerable competitive achievements in elite English football as a Coach, Manager, Player, Referee and/or Support Personnel; or
- Changed the game for the greater good – significantly contributed to the ongoing development of English football, acting with integrity to enhance the diversity, inclusivity and positive impact of the game; or
- Pioneered or championed inclusion and/or diversity (directly or indirectly) – actively advocated for football to be diverse, inclusive and accessible for all.
You can download the full eligibility police by clicking here.
2024/25: 2 September – 30 November 2024 and 6 January – 31 March 2025.
2025/26: To be announced.
Please use our online form to make your nomination.
Eligible nominees are shortlisted by the Main Panel using the Hall of Fame scorecard, with the 10 highest scoring nominees progressing to the next stage. In the event of a tie for 10th place, the Chair’s decision is final.
The Executive Panel then score the shortlist and convene to review the outcome. A maximum of three of the highest scoring nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame. In the event of a tie for a 3rd place, the Chair’s decision is final.
The Selection Panels and members provide fair and just representation from across the football sector within England. They may include historians, media, industry leaders and existing Hall of Fame Inductees who are highly knowledgeable about football, its history, its coaches, managers, players, referees, support personnel and personalities.
Can I make a nomination for the Hall of Fame?
Yes, anyone is welcome to make a nomination if they meet the eligibility criteria.
How many times can I nominate?
You can nominate multiple individuals – however we can only accept one form per nomination. The number of Nomination Forms we receive does NOT affect the shortlisting or selection process.
For example, if a supporters club want to nominate a player, please submit one form on behalf of the group, not individually.
My nomination wasn’t successful. Can I reapply?
Yes, you are welcome to apply again in future application window. Maximum of one re-submission.
How many individuals do you induct into the Hall of Fame?
A maximum of nine individuals can be inducted into the Hall of Fame per year.