Braintree District Museum

20/10/2026

20/10/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

Crittall F.C. supporters being accused of being a noisy lot!

In an article Buddy found of 1948 it was claimed that complaints had been made that whenever Crittall supporters were at away games they “made a continuous din”.

However, the writer of the article defends the Crittall supporters in saying that there is nothing peculiar about Braintree’s behaviour and that every supporter wants to see their team win and when that happens there is sounds of jubilation and rattles.

Buddy loves the enthusiasm for the game!

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

17/10/2026

For the October Object of the Month we have chosen a pair of brown boots from the mid-1800s

This style of boot was often called ‘gaiter boots.’

Most shoes in this period were made by a local shoe cobbler on the high street.

These were popular and fashionable every-day shoes for women.

The thin soles would have made walking on some uneven surfaces very uncomfortable and impractical in certain weather conditions.

15/10/2026

Buddy’s Braintree Football Facts

One of the weird and wonderful stories that has come from Buddy’s digging around Braintree’s footballing history has to be this one!

In 1937 when the circus came to town a silver cup was up for grabs for anyone that would play football against an Elephant in the ring and win. 🐘

Mr Valentine took on the challenge as an old player of the Braintree Gordon team and won!

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

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.