A befitting legacy...?

Since I heard the terrible news, it's been rattling round in my mind what a fitting legacy might be. For a man that saved a club and protected it for the fans but never courted limelight.

I've two trains of thought (the other i'll leave for later).

Thought one... a physical legacy. It would be easy to name a stand, or the ground, or a statue, or something of that ilk. Yet I don't think its something he would have wanted or expected or coveted. A name can be looked at on a stand, or on a ticket or in print. But a stand is just a bit of metal that only when occupied does it have meaning and purpose.

Yet I think something tangible, something physical would be fitting for what he did for the fans. Not something that could be iconic just for him, but perhaps something that could inspire, could inform, could share and could be structured to reminisce for fans new and old.

So my thought.... the creation of a Barnsley FC archive, hall of fame, museum, accessible to fans or maybe a small payment or donation (maybe even name it after Patrick). Something where we can remember all of our heroes as well as the man that saved the club from extinction. All our iconic moments. Video footage, images, little tokens, comments, interviews, quotes, artefacts and memorabilia that could inspire the next generation and tell us of our history.

I can't think of a more befitting physical reminder. For the fans, for the future and something that we could look at when we seek greater connection with our heroes.

Whether it be Rimmington or Tufnell. Cryne or Redfearn. Preedy or Hammill. I can't think of a better moment to capture our memories and have a place to capture the future as we enter new ownership and say our thank you's to our forever remembered custodian.

 

This is a great idea. There was once moves to start a museum, I wonder what happened?

I know that Patrick had quite a lot of the 1912 FA Cup Final medals so perhaps these could be loaned to it and displayed in his memory.

 

I think it's up to his family as to what (if anything) they want. And as such I would imagine the powers that be will liaise with James and his family all in good time and at their comfort and convenience.

At the end of the day a family has lost a Dad, Husband etc, and everything else is secondary.

 

Something should be done, but all in good time. A museum is a good idea and would obviously entail a complete new build. There is no possibility of having it inside the ground (like the Yorkshire museum at Headingley) because of access problems so it would need to be built onto the outside of the ground. Behind the Ponty End is probably the only likely place unless it goes behind the East Stand, taking up some of the walkway there.

It should be something accessible to all, both home and away fans and free admission with a donations box for those who want to pay. Alternatively we could even emulate Yorkshire by selling a team sheet for a pound (they sell score cards) although these would obviously not be there until closer to kick off time.

I know there are logistical/practical difficulties with all of that but it must be worth considering.

 

I seem to recall that some items have been loaned to Experience Barnsley and to The National Football Museum.

 

Old Grove street school would have been ideal! But now its gone.

 

A great idea. Right up his street I reckon.

 

If this happened I would like to put a shirt that Ashley Ward sent us when I took my Dad to visit him when he had cancer. I've had it framed and frame is double sided so you can see front and back. This is a great idea

 

There was but it was knocked on the head. I may be wrong but l think it was the supporters group that were pursuing it. Wasn't it to do with where it would be or something to do with the council? I think it was a similar situation to Redfearns.

Once they (Lee/Conway) buy the ground we could possibly build one, it would be brilliant for local schools to come and visit and to get the community more involved.

 

As far as I understand it Arthur Bower was always the club historian / collector. I saw him outside the ground about a year ago & he didn't look in great health. Not sure who would get the ball rolling on this.

 

That site of the old school would be ideal for several things;
Museum
Bar/Restaurant
Hotel

 

Eest stand for Rimmo and East for Pat