Doncaster Rovers Community Foundation are thrilled to announce an exciting new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
We are going to look back at club, local and national history to give a unique insight into the club and town for everyone in the local community.
Using archives from the Stadium, desk research, discussions with local historians, player interviews, staff interviews and fan forums, we are creating a “Walk In Museum” right here at the Keepmoat Stadium. The end result will be a fantastic museum and timeline that will adorn every wall in the concourses. The timeline will focus on key events within Doncaster Rovers History from 1879 to the present day. It will also showcase other significant historical periods such as the miners’ strike, the evolution of football and media, The World Wars etc., to show Rovers history in context to other events.
The concourse will be the main focus of the project and every fan visiting the ground will be able to see the finished timelines also use interactive displays and watch media videos.
Tony Bluff, Doncaster Rovers Historian said “When I was approached by the Foundation about this project, I was excited to see what was going to happen and how we were going to achieve it. I have long said that we need a museum showcasing DRFC history and I am happy to be part of the project that will see this turned into a reality. Barry Watson, Steve Uttley and myself have built a great archive of items and photographs that deserves to be seen by fans.”
Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and The Humber, said: “This project will stir memories and emotions for fans, former players and families who have been involved with the Rovers over the years. It will record a history that shows the impact of the club on the community that has lived with and supported it.”
We are now at the research stage of the project and the Foundation and Club, with Tony Bluff, the internet and football history resources we are gathering the information/imagery that will go onto the timeline.
After Christmas we are planning to conduct player, staff and fan interviews, so we are urging any avid Doncaster Rovers fans of new and old to be a part of it. If you would like to be interviewed, or feel you have any interesting stories about anything Doncaster Rovers, we would like to get in touch with you! Please call 01302 764663 or email Nicola Moran, Community Officer on nicola.moran@doncasterroversfoundation.co.uk. Or if you have any memorabilia that you would like to donate, please get in touch and be a part of the history!