THE Fans Museum in Sunderland will be able to press ahead with plans to digitise its unique collection of memorabilia thanks to a major cash boost.

The museum - partners of We Are Sunderland, the Northern Echo's sister site - has been awarded a grant of £99,080 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The money will enable the museum to create two full-time technology and commercial posts, which will allow the collection to be digitised. Commercial offerings will also be expanded that will help to secure the museum's financial future.

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Michael Ganley, founder of The Fans Museum, said: “We are thrilled to have received this FANStastic support from The National Heritage Fund that will have a huge impact on the development and sustainability of the Museum and the impact it will have on the communities in which we operate.

"I’d like to extend my thanks to all National Lottery players – we are truly blessed to have received their support." 

The museum's collection is unique and vast and will now be catalogued and recorded digitally.

Michael says the grant will allow the museum to "expand our commercial activities which will create income streams to ensure our sustainable future".

A digital hub will be created, where volunteers, social groups and schools will be able to take part in the project through digital first and training events.

Helen Featherstone, director north at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted that thanks to National Lottery players, this award will support the digitisation of The Fans Museum’s incredible sporting heritage collection. It is exciting to know that the collection will be widely accessible online and engage more audiences with the history of football.”

The Fans Museum will soon be advertising the new opportunities here: https://fansmuseum.org/opportunities/