TrustSTFC Board Member, Paul Hedges, provides us with an update on the latest development regarding the museum project…
Considerable work has gone on behind the scenes to list and record artefacts the Club and Museum already had. An archive of all programmes from the early 1960’s has been created with a duplicate copy of most which will allow one to be displayed and one preserved. We are actively seeking the few missing away programmes from that period and appeals will be made to try to locate those. The display cabinets within the Arkells stand have been sorted chronologically and printed descriptions of every item have been added.
Work has started on two major projects which include the 1969 League Cup and all the Playoffs.
The 1969 project will include a video documentary emphasising the wider social and community aspects and how it impacted the town and local area. This will include player and supporter interviews along with extensive memorabilia and printed material from the period. Hopefully, this will coincide with the unveiling of the Don Rogers Statue in March 2024.
The Play Off project will cover all eight the club has been involved in and large displays are planned around the stadium in addition to website inclusion. It is hoped that player interviews and extensive material can be obtained. It is envisaged that the first of several large display boards around the ground will depict the first two playoffs and be in the Don Rogers stand.
Recently the Museum Curator and historian, Dick Mattick, conducted two stadium tours. He was accompanied by club legend and Museum Honorary President John Trollope MBE for both, and past player Keith Morgan also joined the first. They contributed immeasurably to the enjoyment of the events and the information offered.
Thirty people attended the first tour, and the feedback was excellent although it was thought that thirty was too many given the restricted space in some areas. The second was limited to fifteen people (sixteen in the end) which was a better number to ensure all enjoyed the full benefit of the tour.
Each of the two tours saw us visit the changing rooms, gym, stewards’ room, hospitality areas and the first walk around the outside of the pitch. Because of poor weather for the second, the walk around the pitch was omitted and a visit to the Board Room was added.
Subject to the necessary arrangements, the Trustee aims to have at least one tour each month in 2024.
For more information on the STFC Museum project, please visit their website at https://stfcmuseum.org/about-us/