Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to an interview with FA Cup enthusiast Colin Stainton
The exhibition is on until April 11
Despite many people nowadays claiming that the FA Cup has lost a lot of its significance there is a special display on at Tullie House with some wonderful reminders of the competition’s history.
Littered with a fascinating array of items close to the heart of the trophy, the exhibition has been a real coup for the town of Carlisle as highlighted by 47-year-old Colin Stainton, a lawyer from North Shields who came over to enjoy the exhibition.
“A lot of people will tell you that the FA Cup doesn’t mean anything anymore but as far as I am concerned there is still a lot of magic left in it,” said Stainton.
Items in the exhibition include the shirt worn by Stanley Matthews in the cup final of 1953 when Matthews produced the performance of his life to inspire his Blackpool side to come back from 3-1 down and win 4-3 against Bolton Wanderers.
A shirt worn by George Best can also be seen along with the oldest existing trophy which is on display as soon as you enter the room.
“The first final I can really remember is the 1971 final where Charlie George scored the winner against Liverpool,” said Stainton.
Large images of the cup’s most memorable finals are on the walls and there is an opportunity to watch the goals from the most memorable finals on the interactive television screens.
Stainton, who regularly comes over from the north east to see the exhibitions at Tullie House lavished praise on the museum for its displays.
“It is a really good place and has some displays on which you would expect to be at a larger museum in a bigger city so its a really good thing,” he said.