The Kimmy Family

During the first weeks of studying Sports Journalism at University, you learn not to write in the first person… well for this article I’m going to break that rule. It’s worth it thought as this article is about something special.

Based at the Kimberworth Park pub, the Kimmy Park away day family group run away day coaches across the country, following the Millers, and raise money for the local Hospice on very journey.

As a newbie at away days for the 2019/20 season, I was nervous about joining an established group. I couldn’t travel with my family to away matches, my dad is a Sheffield United fan and works away most Saturdays, and my mum is looking after the new puppy in the house. So, as a sufferer of social anxiety, I made a hard choice to travel on my own. I met with David Scrivens at the pub and he sold it immediately as a friendly, family unit of Millers fans. The away day to Wimbledon was booked soon after.

I was welcomed straight away and started making friends and meeting new people, as well as catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a while. The ‘back seat gang’ instantly friendly and welcoming of the new kid on the coach. I was still nineteen at the time, and being accepted by older and younger Millers, who have travelled together on many trips, is a special feeling.

I recognised a couple faces straight away from my College days at Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. Other faces have become close friends and will be remembered for a long time. On every journey we rally round the Millers, have a few drinks at the all important pub stop, as well as near to and in the enemies ground. It’s an incredible experience being in an away day group. The welcoming atmosphere made it very easy for me to feel like I belonged.

A special mention to Matt Sherratt, Craig and Michelle Rockett, YouTube stars James and Charlie, Connor ‘Tiny’ Gennard, Sean, Derby fan Nina, Jenson and his family. So many names to mention, we could be here all day! Thank you to everyone at Kimmy Park for welcoming me into your group. I even made it on the back seat!

Kimmy isn’t just a bus service to away matches for Millers fans. They raise money on every journey for Rotherham Hospice via footie cards, as well as organising special events outside of football, such as Santa dash and a raffle in the post season.

On what proved to be the last game before Covid-19 ended the season, I spoke to Matt Sherratt and Craig Rockett about how ‘Kimmy’ help the community and support Rotherham Hospice.

Here’s what Craig had to say; “We try and raise as much money as possible for the Hospice. I’m Kimmy Park born and bred and for the last three seasons we’ve been travelling with Kimmy Park after using another away day group for a long time. Since then we’ve done Santa dashes and I’ve personally done a Skydive! A couple members have lost family after having great end of life care in the hospice and we raise money to give back to the amazing charity.

Matt added; “Anyone is welcome at Kimmy Park, no membership required. Myself and David suffered loss over the last couple years, so we do anything we can. We raised Two Thousand Five Hundred Pounds in our first year, everything we do is for the Hospice. We also donated towards the Rotherham United Disabled Supporters pot for this year to help them as much as we can. Kimmy Park started travelling for the 2018 Wembley visit against Shrewsbury and we took a few coaches. The main founder is Dave Scrivens, but myself, John Nixon, Pete Rhodes, and Jenson Lambley all cane together to form the group and kept it running.”

The family unit that has emerged from KPAD’s formation is a staple of football fans coming together for a common cause, the club, but it takes a special group to welcome you from your first step on the coach.

To the next season, to the Millers, to the Kimmy Family