The Club was pleased to collaborate with the National Football Museum in Manchester recently, helping with a very special celebration.
Both organisations are deeply committed to using the power of football to improve wellbeing and enable young people to express themselves through creativity.
To signify this, the Club and Community Trust brought some of their community school pupils on to the pitch, with the word 'Markers' painted onto the Bloomfield Road pitch in front of the North Stand.
'Markers' - an exhibition currently showing at National Football Museum - brings together nine commissioned pieces of artwork from leading street and digital artists, who have each selected a hero from the footballing world to honour. It explores each hero’s journey and the steps taken to complete a mission, explore their call to action, skills they equip themselves with and their learnings.
Students from Blackpool FC Community Trust’s School were among the first to visit the exhibition when it launched in May – and today this collaboration has taken a step further as students celebrated the launch of summer and a range of activities at National Football Museum – all designed to encourage young people to take part in, and be inspired by, creativity in football.
Heroes included in 'Markers,' which explores themes of LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, women’s football and ethnic minorities, include Eric Cantona, Raheem Sterling, Ji Sung Park, Mary Phillips, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Pete The Badge, Justin Fashanu and Lucy Clark, the first openly transgender referee in the world.
Tim Desmond, CEO at National Football Museum, said: “Having 'Markers' represented on the pitch at Blackpool FC was a very special moment.
“We really hope this inspires young people to ‘make your mark’ this summer and experience all the amazing benefits of being creative.
“At National Football Museum, we believe football is important as a game, yes, but also in its role in society. Football creates impact, for the better. It represents positivity, when there’s so much negativity. It disrupts, when change is needed.
“Our message highlights that football isn’t just about spectating, it’s about being involved, getting creative and coming together, no matter who you are or why you love it.”
Markers will run until January 2025. The National Football Museum is open from 10am-5pm every day.
You can find out more information on MARKERS, the summer programme of activities and the museum here: https://nationalfootballmuseum.com