NML's board of trustees turned down a merger request from the museum last year, but Mark Bushell, the spokesman for the National Football Museum, confirmed that the football museum was still considering the possibility. 'There have been discussions, but nothing more so far,' he said.
The museum is keen to become part of NML to avoid the VAT liability that resulted from the introduction of free admission in 2003, and effectively use NML as a funding conduit.
The minutes of NML's board meeting of 18 January 2004 indicate that the request was turned down because of 'potential liabilities on the part of National Museums Liverpool' coupled with a desire by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to continue direct funding. The minutes leave the opportunity open for 'reconsideration in the longer term'.
Bushell denied that the museum needed to move under NML's banner to survive, but admitted that it faced 'issues managing budgets and costs'.
Simon Taylor, the spokesman for the museum's biggest backer, the Football Foundation, said: 'We are unaware of talks taking place, but anything that encourages more people to visit the museum can only be a good thing.'
A report presented to Preston City Council on 30 June by Steven Jones, the director of regeneration, community and leisure services, described the museum's financial position as 'fragile'.
Each year, the museum receives £100,000 from DCMS, £300,000 from the Football Foundation, £25,000 from Preston City Council, £25,000 from Lancashire County Council, and in 2003/4, received £123,683 from private donors and other sources.
Last month, the city council pledged £25,000 a year to the museum, with a review in 2008. The money will come out of the council's reserves this year, but will be built into the budget from next year.
The museum's staff structure is currently under review. 'There is a possibility that there will be redundancies,' said Bushell. 'But we owe it to the organisation to work as efficiently as possible.'
The museum is also looking to supplement its income by developing its conference facilities. Despite financial difficulties, the museum's visitor figures have continued to exceed targets.
It received 82,000 visitors in 2003 against a target of 60,000, 106,000 in 2004 against 80,000 and hopes to exceed this year's target of 100,000.
David Fleming, the director of NML and a former trustee of the National Football Museum, declined to comment on the possible link with NML.
Patrick Steel
The museum is keen to become part of NML to avoid the VAT liability that resulted from the introduction of free admission in 2003, and effectively use NML as a funding conduit.
The minutes of NML's board meeting of 18 January 2004 indicate that the request was turned down because of 'potential liabilities on the part of National Museums Liverpool' coupled with a desire by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to continue direct funding. The minutes leave the opportunity open for 'reconsideration in the longer term'.
Bushell denied that the museum needed to move under NML's banner to survive, but admitted that it faced 'issues managing budgets and costs'.
Simon Taylor, the spokesman for the museum's biggest backer, the Football Foundation, said: 'We are unaware of talks taking place, but anything that encourages more people to visit the museum can only be a good thing.'
A report presented to Preston City Council on 30 June by Steven Jones, the director of regeneration, community and leisure services, described the museum's financial position as 'fragile'.
Each year, the museum receives £100,000 from DCMS, £300,000 from the Football Foundation, £25,000 from Preston City Council, £25,000 from Lancashire County Council, and in 2003/4, received £123,683 from private donors and other sources.
Last month, the city council pledged £25,000 a year to the museum, with a review in 2008. The money will come out of the council's reserves this year, but will be built into the budget from next year.
The museum's staff structure is currently under review. 'There is a possibility that there will be redundancies,' said Bushell. 'But we owe it to the organisation to work as efficiently as possible.'
The museum is also looking to supplement its income by developing its conference facilities. Despite financial difficulties, the museum's visitor figures have continued to exceed targets.
It received 82,000 visitors in 2003 against a target of 60,000, 106,000 in 2004 against 80,000 and hopes to exceed this year's target of 100,000.
David Fleming, the director of NML and a former trustee of the National Football Museum, declined to comment on the possible link with NML.
Patrick Steel
