Sheffield United vs Rotherham United

UTB 39
the problem when something of such
importance belongs, in essence, to a third
party. All I ever hoped was that, if and
when such a time came to pass, that we
would be in a better place and able to at
least attempt to keep some of it together
in the collection. My heart sunk when, as
myself and the missus were on the way
up to Northumberland last year for our
wedding anniversary, the dreaded call
came that he felt it was time to let go.
One of the best parts of the journey with
Don is that he has become a much-valued
friend, and that in itself, along with his
desire for it to stay where it was, at least
gave hope. I honestly thought that when
I approached Stephen Bettis about the
idea it would get laughed out of S2. Not
this time. The board asked me to appraise
the significance of Don’s hoard and also
to justify item by item the importance
of everything to Sheffield United, its
supporters and, of course, football history
on the whole. No easy task, even for a
born salesman like me, or at least that’s
what I thought.
“AS WE LOOK TO MOVE THE MUSEUM
INTO NEW PREMISES, THE LEGACY
THAT HAS NOW BEEN PRESERVED BY
PRINCE ABDULLAH AND THE BOARD,
ENSURES THE STORY OF UNITED CAN
BE TOLD TO ALL THOSE WHO WANT
TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT BUILT THE
BLADES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME”
It was only when I got into talking about
each piece, I realised what had been
created and what it meant to us. Our
lives before any of us were here let alone
supporting the club, the foundations of all
we are today, and that really is something
very special. To the board it wasn’t about
the money, it was about doing the right
thing and preserving that culture and
▲ Chris Morgan helps with the opening of the museum in 2006
tradition. I was a tad emotional when the
green light was given to get all parties
around the table to agree how it could
happen, and that was some day.
Now I am delighted to tell all that its
ours, and that’s something special. As
we look to move the museum into new
premises, the legacy that has now been
preserved by Prince Abdullah and the
board, ensures the story of United can be
told to all those who want to learn about
what built the Blades for generations
to come.
None of this would have been possible
without Don Dickinson having the passion
and love for the club and thankfully the
wherewithal to be able to back what
amounted to my advice and believe in
me, and it means that as a result of that
kindness and support, the owners have
been able to make it their gift to the fans
of Sheffield United by preserving our
heritage.
It’s something that, after all the years
I have spent building the collection, I will
never forget.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs ROTHERHAM UNITED