On the afternoon of Wednesday 26th April the JRF Team were delighted to host a special invite-only Pitch side View event at Wembley Stadium to showcase their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project uncovered the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent. The impressive Heritage Exhibition situated at the Olympic Terrace at Wembley Stadium features 15 panels over 6 feet in height with graphically designed illustrations of former professional footballers including Eartha Pond, Jerome Thomas, Rachel Yankey, Paul Merson, Dave Regis and the late Cyrille Regis, celebrates the rich sporting heritage that has gone before.
The event was hosted by the Cultural Media Centre’s Michael Adams with BBC Radio and TV personality Adrian Chiles fielding interviews with the former professional footballers in attendance, including Jamal Campbell Ryce, Richard Langley, Dave Beasant, Mark Stein, Brian Stein, and Ricky Hill.
Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt and Dave Palmer and Riz Rehman from the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), spoke about the importance of player engagement and legacy. Colin Barnes, Head of Recruitment at Crystal Palace Football Club, a Brent man himself, spoke about inspiring future opportunities for young boys and girls to play football.
The event came in the week when Wembley celebrated 100 years at the iconic stadium with many of the heritage players present have tasted major success and remembering special moments at the National Stadium.
Amongst the guests were teachers and students from Lyon Park Primary and Salvatorian College who were both involved in the Inspire to Achieve Heritage project, as well as local organisation Track Academy and Forest United.
All joined the interactive discussion and suggested ideas around a lasting legacy from the former players and the unanimous hope that these striking panels will become a permanent Exhibition at Wembley Stadium.
Watch an overview of the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project here https://vimeo.com/821643785?share=copy
Photo Credits @AmandaRosePhotography
