THE Royal visit gave a stamp of approval to what has been a multi-year project to build the new town centre bridge.
Designs for the bridge were originally drawn up in 2018, with multiple delays blighting the project prior to its opening earlier this year.
The council proceeded to offer locals the chance to name the new town centre landmark - which was originally known as Market Gate Bridge - with more than 1,200 suggestions being sent in, though the title Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge won in the end.
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, has now helped etch this name in history, as his visit to the town celebrates all that Barnsley has to offer, including the developing high street health options being offered through the Community Diagnostic Centre.
While he admitted at the occasion that ‘the unveiling of a plaque is not necessarily the most exciting thing’, he built up the crowd who cheered as the red curtain was finally removed from its name plinth.
But, for Steven Kossowicz - Tommy’s 73-year-old nephew - the visit proved to be much more personal.
He told the Chronicle: “I just feel immensely proud.
“My uncle Tom’s name will live on now.
“As long as there’s a bridge there his name will be there and so will his memory.
“So that’s a great honour and if he had been alive he’d have absolutely loved it.
“He was always proud of Barnsley, just as I am proud - I’ve been out of Barnsley now for about 50 years but I’m always proud to say where I come from and I think it’s a great town.”
Born in Smithies, Tommy made a name for himself at Oakwell, netting 28 goals in 46 games for the Reds and drawing the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
He was snapped up by the First Division club for £29,999 in 1953 and quickly established himself as one of the finest strikers of his generation, netting 112 times in 166 games for United and 16 times in an England shirt from just 19 outings.
Tragically, what could have continued to be an amazing career was cut short, as he - along with fellow ‘Busby Babe’ and Wombwell-born defender Mark Jones - perished in the Munich air disaster of 1958.
Fellow Manchester United legend Alex Stepney - who served as the club’s goalkeeper between 1966 and 1978 - added: “Life has changed so much and you’re going on 66 years since Tommy died.
“But look how many people turned up and the amount of interest it still got.
“It’s just incredible what one player has done in his hometown.
“It’s fantastic and those players who sadly passed away that day deserve to be here - the same thing should happen in their own town and I hope it’s picked up around the world after today.”
Leader of Barnsley Council, Sir Steve Houghton, said: “As a lifelong Barnsley fan I’ve known the tragic story of the loss of Tommy, Mark and the many others killed in this tragedy.
“This beautiful landmark bridge links our town centre with Oakwell, where Tommy made his name, and so it’s the perfect place to honour his name.
“I’m delighted that Tommy’s legacy in Barnsley is now secured forever.”
