Supporters as Heritage: Engaging Fans to Tell the Whole Story

Abstract

This experience report provides an overview of the Manchester United Museum’s size and scope, as well as a more in-depth look at how the museum’s collections are managed. Visitor demographics and their interactions with collections are examined, as are the ways in which they form emotional connections with museum objects; recognising that visitors see themselves as standing within the club’s history rather than outside it. The report takes into account best practice at other UK museums as well as guidelines and reports produced by the UK’s Museums Association. These contextualise the ways in which the Manchester United Museum has worked to better engage with visitors, through public participation and community projects. The way oral history interviews are now being employed to gather stories about the club is also discussed, as well as the challenges faced when trying to find and record underrepresented demographics. Finally, the report briefly looks at how the museum is following the lead of other departments in the club moving towards achieving a greater online presence, in order to continue to engage with global fans in the face of an unprecedented pandemic.