Coal to goal project to breathe life into history

Coal to Goal focuses on Rotherham United in the 1940s and 1950s and is based on first-hand interviews with players and fans who followed the club in the years after the Second World War.

The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund but was led by staff from the club, who also asked young people to get involved as part of schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Co-ordinator James Rawlinson said: “Young people in schools across the country learn about history, but they rarely get the chance to be inspired and enthused by history that was made in their own town.

“This project aims to bring local history to life. We have been overwhelmed by the support of people who wanted to give or lend us their precious and priceless Millers memorabilia.

“We have attended meetings and open days at Maltby, Kilnhurst and the Central Library. The Millers Nostalgia Society also allowed us to introduce the project to them where we were given support and encouragement.

“We held a successful heritage event at Silverwood Miners Welfare, where many of the interviewees were able to meet and discuss the project and members of the public donated their treasures and allowed us to take pictures of old contracts and photographs.”

An invitation-only launch event will take place today which will be attended by the Mayor of Rotherham Rose McNeely and players of the 1940s and 1950s who were interviewed by project workers.

The work will then go on display to the public in the Garden Suite at Rotherham Town Hall tomorrow.

An education pack will also be produced which the club hopes will be used in schools across the borough for projects in history lessons.