Some of the major players in the region's economy go on display when Only A Game? kicks off this Saturday.

Memorabilia from Liverpool FC Museum and the Everton Collection will be on show at the expo at Museum Liverpool until March 1st 2009.

They will be alongside items from the National Football Museum, including shirts, cups and medals from players like Bobby Moore and George Best.

It is also a rare occasion that all four major Uefa trophies - the European Championship, Champions League, Uefa Cup and Cup Winners' Cup - will be on display together.

Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has supported the scheme, which highlights some of the economic heavyweights in the region.

Football Clubs like Manchester City have recently started mentoring projects enabling schoolchildren to learn that a club is about more than just football.

NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: "In the northwest we are passionate about football and culture and both make a major contribution to the regional economy."