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When football was football: The photography of Sefton Samuels, 1960s-1980s

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The exhibition, When Football Was Football: The Photography of Sefton Samuels, 1960s-1980s, is currently on display at Manchester’s National Football Museum. 

George Best: Sefton Samuels
Manchester United footballer George Best signs autographs for young fans outside his Edwardia fashion boutique in Sale, 1968. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
George Best: Sefton Samuels
Best leans against the doorway of his fashion boutique, Edwardia which he co owned with Manchester City footballer Mike Summerbee, 1968. Copyright: Sefton Samuels

Sefton Samuels’ photos at Manchester’s National Football Museum chart the game from the 1960s to the 1980s and capture the innocent, gritty and revealing face of football before gentrification hit.

A slice of social history, Sefton Samuels’ photographs capture the much bigger story of the post-industrial decline, north/south divide and working class alienation.

Featuring a combination of portrait shots of iconic players and managers alongside shots of teams, fans, stadiums, ball games on Manchester streets and fabulous haircuts.

For more information about the exhibition and future events please visit www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/sefton-samuels/

George Best: Sefton Samuels
Effortlessly talented on the pitch, effortlessly cool off it. George and Mike opened the store in 1987 which offered the best of British fashion. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Manchester City: Sefton Samuels
One of Samuels’ first photos, taken from the crowd at a Manchester City game in 1947, shows City keeper Frank Swift making a save, Maine Road, Moss Side, Manchester. Copyright Sefton Samuels
Stretford End. Sefton Samuels
Stretford End lads, Old Trafford, Manchester United. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Manchester United: Sefton Samuels
Manchester United fans pack into The Stretford End, Old Trafford. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Matt Busby: Sefton Samuels
Sir Matt Busby pictured in his office in 1969, the year he retired as Manchester United manager. Samuels often photographed his subjects away from the pitch. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Lowry, Failsworth School: Sefton Samuels
Children play football during breaktime at Failsworth School, Manchester, 1973, inspired by L.S Lowry’s Children playing, Failsworth painting. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Manchester City: Sefton Samuels
Manchester City fan after the 1955 FA Cup Final defeat against Newcastle United. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Manchester City: Sefton Samuels
Manchester City fans make their way to Wembley for the 1955 FA Cup Final. Copyright: Sefton Samuels
Leeds United. Elland Road: Sefton Samuels
Leeds United player’s sports cars parked in the reserved area outside Elland Road. Copyright: Sefton Samuels

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