RUFC - Nostalgia Society

I asked a friend and member of the Nostalgia Society how and when the Society was born.

Rotherham United Nostalgia Society was the brain child of Chas Robinson and Graham Barnes. It started it's life as the collectors club on 11th November 1999 in the upstairs room at the Millmoor Hotel and it's first guests were RONNIE MOORE and JOHN BRECKIN. It's fair to say that at first not many people attended the meetings - which are held on the second Thursday in each month.

After discussions with all who attended, it was thought that the name may be putting people off, i.e. people thought it was just about collecting. So a change of name was agreed and after various names were put forward the Rotherham United Nostalgia Society was considered the most appropriate, as that is what we do, revive memories of the past i.e. nostalgia.

Each month an ex-Rotherham United player, from various decades attend as a guest speaker, we ask him various questions and he also has the chance to tell us stories and memories of his playing career.

Often we have players who attract other players just to see their old team mates again or to see how things have changed.

The meetings are now held at the Prince of Wales Masborough in the cellar bar,every second Thursday in the month,from 8pm onwards and every year that we have been going we have produced a different collectors pin badge.

From January to November we have a guest and there is normally a question and answer session with the guest from about 9.15pm.


At the December meeting we invite all our ex speakers from the eight years we have been going - its our chance to say 'thank for the memories that you have given us'. This is normally held in the Rotherham United Suite, although we don't know where it will be this year.

We put on a buffet and have a raffle to cover the costs of the food. Anyone who wishes to donate a raffle prize is very welcome to do so, we try to do it as a Rotherham United / football theme.

Chas Robinson has now stepped down from such an active roll in the membership, as he is now concentrating more on his role with his and Grahams programmes etc shop, Get7 which, until recently was situated on the forecourt at Millmoor.

Barrie Dolby has stepped forward to help run it with Graham, but it is hoped that it wont be too long before Chas is able to once again join in the running of the society.

I will close by telling you my favourite memory so far of Rotherham United Nostalgia Society nights, at a December meeting Frank Casper (of Rotherham United and Burnley fame from the 60's and 70's), turned up after I had made contact with him via a telephone conversation (during this conversation the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end I was that elated when he told me he would attend).
When I introduced myself to Frank it was a dream come true to meet one of my childhood heroes.

Frank told me that he had heard Ray Lancaster (of Rotherham United and Grimsby Town fame from the 60's) was coming, as I had just finished speaking with Ray, I took Frank across to meet him.
I had the utmost pleasure to re-introduce them as they had not met for over 40 years. They hugged each other, they laughed, they cried tears of joy and vowed never to loose contact again. They then agreed to be speakers at our February meeting the following year but only if they could come as a double act,which we most gratefully agreed too.

You cannot buy the pleasure I got that night.
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Please come along and give us a try,you might also enjoy the memories.

Anyone is welcome you do not need to be invited.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me, Danny either by phone 01709 511581 or e mail db014r0894@blueyonder.co.uk