Football museum on track
HISTORIC LANDMARK SET FOR CHANGE OF USE
A RAILWAY museum which has run out of steam could become a shrine to football instead.
Sunderland’s Monkwearmouth Station Museum is housed in a grade-II* listed 1840s station building commissioned by entrepreneur George Hudson, who was known as the ‘Railway King’.
It was once the Victorian gateway to Sunderland but visitor numbers have declined and it has suffered budget cuts.
But it may now become the new home of a 30-year collection of football memorabilia built up by Sunderland fan Michael Ganley.
His Fans Museum collection has toured various venues and charity events across the North East over the last three years, attracting more than 100,000 visitors. Now, following a search
t o find a permanent home for his growing collection, Michael is interested in leasing Monkwearmouth Station Museum from Sunderland City Council.
The council confirmed last year that it was looking at alternative options, with £250m taken out of its budget since 2010. John Kelly, council portfolio holder for
public health, well- ness and culture, said: “We’ve spent the last year working with partners to look at all the options for preserving and maintaining the building. We’re delighted to be talking to Michael about the potential for it becoming a football museum. JOHN KELLY, SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL