Braintree District Museum

08/10/2026

06/10/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

Buddy has found one of the earliest recordings of a football match played at Braintree.
This match was between men of Braintree and men of Bocking.

There were no real rules at this time and the match was goalless and lasted two hours! Buddy wonders if there were any hydration breaks?

Buddy’s favourite fact is the name Braintreeites and Bockingites for the teams. A new name for the Irons maybe? 😉

Learn more about the origins of football in Braintree in the exhibition Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game on till 24th December.

30/09/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

After quite a bit of digging around Buddy has found a really old article about football.

This little advertisement in the Ipswich Journal is nearly 300 years old!

It mentions foot-ball playing at Bury St. Edmunds for lovers of manly exercise.

How different this match must have been with none of the rules we have in today’s football.
Buddy wonders whether the men would have played wearing their top hats!?

Learn more about the this fascinating part of football history and see the exhibition Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game on till 24th December.

25/09/2026

Join us on a perfect Halloween walk!

Saturday 31 October - 10.30am

A unique tour of Braintree Town Centre exploring its odd and outlandish histories!
Sharing newly uncovered fables, folk tales and bizarre stories.

Exploring the historic buildings, locations and heritage discussing the weird and wonderful goings on in the town.

Walk will start at 10.30am from and finish in the Braintree Museum Garden
Our walks take approximately 90 minutes and range from 1 – 2 miles
We do stop at locations but can’t guarantee any seating along the way
Walks will be rescheduled in cases of bad weather
Dogs welcome

To book https://www.ticketsource.com/braintree-museum/braintree-history-town-tours-odd-and-outlandish-braintree/e-kkbqpg or call 01376 328868

22/09/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

Buddy has found a fascinating insight into the industrial heritage of Braintree and football.

In 1888 there was a new football association launched in Braintree, one that would support and represent the companies and factories in the town.

The Braintree and District Trades Football Association represented the Weaver, Bootmakers, Brushmakers, Iron Worker and others in the town.

Mr. Crittall and Mr Elliot would have represented the Iron Workers, Mr Fuller the Bootmakers, Mr West the Brushmakers. Mr West also offered the field behind his factory for matches.

Learn more about the this fascinating part of football history and see the exhibition Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game on till 24th December.

15/09/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

Buddy has found another football boot related article.

This time from 1925. Buddy wonders what the boots and the window display at Townrow’s may have looked like?

Come and explore more about the local history of football and see the exhibition Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game on till 24th December.

13/09/2026

Last opportunity to book onto our FREE guided Football Town Tour!

Part of Heritage Open Days
This tour will complement the current exhibition: Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game and go around Braintree town centre exploring the footballing history of the town.

Saturday 19 September
The tour starts at 10.30am from Braintree Museum and will finish at the White Hart
Duration is about 1 hour.

Tickets can be booked here https://www.ticketsource.com/braintree-museum/braintree-history-town-tours-football/e-evykvaor or by calling 01376 328868

12/09/2026

It is Object of the Month time again!

Come to the Museum and learn more about the Billy & Charley Pilgrim Tokens from around 1850.

Pilgrim Tokens are typically souvenirs and tokens from holy shrines, worn after a completed journey or as a protective amulet.

These tokens, however, are forgeries! They were part of an infamous scandal in Victorian London also known as the Shadwell Shams.

Billy Smith and Charley Eaton were mudlarks, searching the Thames’ shore for saleable items. There was high demand for historic artefacts amongst London antique dealers.

Did they get caught? Come and find out at the museum.

08/09/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

A footballer’s wedding is something Buddy wants to share this week.
In 1936 the church bells chimed at St Michael’s Church for well-known player A.W. Hardy. He married Miss P. Cooper.

Come and explore more about the local history of football and see the exhibition Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game on till 24th December.

05/09/2026

Don't miss out on our FREE guided Football Town Tour!

Part of Heritage Open Days
This tour will complement the current exhibition: Football! A Local History of the Beautiful Game.

Saturday 19 September
The tour starts at 10.30am and finish at Braintree Museum and will go around Braintree town centre and last about 1 hour.
Limited spaces

Tickets can be booked here https://www.ticketsource.com/braintree-museum/braintree-history-town-tours-football/e-evykvaor by calling 01376 328868