Museum of Science and Industry

A top Manchester City footballer from the 1920s will be reborn this weekend at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) as part of a programme of events during National Storytelling Week.

Max Woosnam, who played for Manchester City Football club between 1920 and 1923 and was an Olympic Gold winner, will be brought to life by MOSI presenter Lee Wolstenholme, and will reveal the different lifestyle of footballers from the past. Costumed shows performed during 31 January and 1 February also include the story of a 19^th century child millworker, and aviation pioneer Lady Sophie Heath.

Max Woosnam was born in Liverpool in 1892 and in 1919 came to Manchester to work at the Crossley Brothers engineering plant. He worked five and a half days a week as an engineer, leaving himself just enough time to get to City's old Hyde Road ground for home games. His fellow Crossley Brothers workers once threatened to go on strike if the company management didn't give him time off to travel to away games.

Woosnam also won silver and gold medals for tennis at the Olympics in Antwerp in 1920 and became the men’s doubles champion at Wimbledon in 1921. He once played table tennis with Charlie Chaplin!

MOSI costumed character Lee Wolstenholme said: “Max Woosnam was a fascinating character from football and engineering history. Not only was Woosnam a talented engineer at Crossley, but he was an international football and tennis star. His story shows the reality of life for footballers in the past, and their dedication despite the lack of financial reward.

“Woosnam is one of several costumed characters who will perform their stories throughout this weekend as part of National Storytelling Weekend. Costumed characters are a regular feature at MOSI, so please do come along to find out more!”

Max Woosnam’s career as a footballer was short-lived as he broke his leg after three seasons. He later became a director of ICI. He died in 1965.

Tell Me a Story is held on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, 10am-4pm. For more details call MOSI on Tel: 0161 832 2244. www.mosi.org.uk

National Storytelling Week runs from 31 January to 7 February for more information look up: www.sfs.org.uk.

For media information or photos of costumed characters please call Sarah Roe, Press and Publicity Officer Tel: 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647.

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