Doncaster Rovers Virtual Museum

[Silkscarf]

Dear Fellow Rovers Fans

How do we build a Doncaster Rovers football museum?

As you may know, volunteers at In Rovers We Trust have started the process by developing a pilot heritage project using Instagram. We’re collecting DRFC content there from fans, the club, Doncaster council and any other sources we find:

https://www.instagram.com/doncasterroversvirtualmuseum/

To develop this into a fully-fledged virtual museum website we need more volunteers to help with our plans. If you’re interested in helping in any way please get in touch.

We are working on 3 aims:

1. Pilot version via Instagram with almost zero funding. This began in November 2024. Continue developing the Instagram account with more photos of memorabilia sent in by fans or acquired by our heritage team, alongside content held by DRFC and Heritage Doncaster (the council museums and archives service). Promote the work via upcoming community events including small exhibitions, forge links with community groups, football heritage projects and other experts, train our volunteers in the skills needed.

2. Properly-funded web-based virtual museum. Obtain funding, via Heritage Fund (National Lottery) and other sources to build a free and inclusive virtual museum website which safeguards DRFC heritage for future generations wherever they are, is accessible to all fans, and is a valuable resource for sharing Rovers memories and helping our club grow and increase fan engagement. We have already submitted the initial outline and are working on the full application now. Gavin Baldwin and Shaun Lockwood at the club have assured us they are fully behind this aim and can support our efforts in various ways.

3. Physical museum ideas. Begin to consider how we might one day develop a larger, more permanent exhibition - a ‘real’ or physical museum in a room or building. Although this is merely a longer term aspiration beyond the scope of current plans, it makes sense to think about it now. We are already dealing with the practicalities of real, physical things - issues like storage, staging exhibitions, ownership, acquisitions, managing donations and loans.

As we approach the club’s 150th anniversary this is the time to do this and it’s happening. But we need more help and we want to make it a fun and creative activity.

We know there are many knowledgeable and skilled Rovers people who will want to help deliver this project. We also know some contributors can only take part remotely because of where they live or other limitations. Some people will have very limited time to participate but still want to help. We want to make it clear that everyone who cares about Rovers should know they can be involved in some way large or small. However you can help, we need your expertise and enthusiasm if we are to succeed.

The club feels like it’s on an upward trajectory once again. We believe delivering a properly-funded and inclusive Doncaster Rovers Virtual Museum should be part of our plans as we head towards our 150th anniversary.

If you would like to be involved in any way, please contact us.

Either:

- Direct message on VSC forum to Rich (‘Silkscarf’ on here) or Colin (‘GlennKirkwoodFanclub’)

- Email: donnyrovers@hotmail.com

Many thanks

Colin Harker & Rich Stevens

In Rovers We Trust CIC

Non-profit community interest company for DRFC heritage and fan engagement activity

https://www.instagram.com/doncasterroversvirtualmuseum/

[Highland Rover]

  PM sent

[CottyRover]

Unfortunately. I'm not in a position to help, but I've been following the Instagram stuff and wanted to say you have a brilliant collection together. Hope you get the help you need