Sporting fans to scatter ashes at Keepmoat Stadium

Published by Claire Tinston for IPB Communications in Housing and also in Communities

Work began today on a memorial garden which will give life-long Doncaster Rovers and Dons fans the opportunity to have their ashes scattered at Keepmoat Stadium.

The Keepmoat Memorial Garden, which is being built at the entrance to the football stadium by community regeneration specialist Keepmoat, will provide a peaceful retreat to allow friends and family to remember their loved ones.

Mourners will be able to scatter their relatives’ ashes on a grassed area of the garden surrounded by flower beds using a special urn.

There will also be an opportunity to have loved ones’ names engraved on a plaque and placed on a commemorative wall in the garden - which emulates the bricks used at the football stadium.

Keepmoat stadium has already drawn up a list of people hoping to use the garden as their final resting place and hundreds more are expected to follow suit in the months to come.

Keepmoat CEO David Blunt said: “We are very proud to be able to contribute to the community in a way which will bring a lot of joy to life-long Doncaster Rovers fans – not forgetting fans of Doncaster Rugby League Club, the Athletic Club and Doncaster Rovers Belles.

“We have worked very hard to create a memorial garden which provides a tranquil environment for loved ones while emulating key features of the football club and stadium that sports fans have been loyal to throughout their lives.”

Julie Nichol, the Keepmoat Stadium Manager, said: “In the past we’ve had a lot of people asking us if they can have their ashes scattered on the football pitch but due to health and safety legislation we haven’t been able to fulfil their wishes.

“The memorial garden is the perfect compromise and it has been built as close to the stadium entrance as possible to make it a poignant resting place.

“We’ve been planning the memorial garden for 18 months and positive comments have been received from both the Dons and Doncaster Rovers regarding a suitable and tranquil resting place for dedicated fans of both teams.”