“I think he’s probably learned more this season than any other he’s been in charge.”

The last time The Imps faced tomorrow night’s opponents in Rotherham United in the League was on Saturday 10th August 2019 at the New York Stadium in front of a crowd of 10,706, with City backed by 2,320 and Lee Swabey was the man in the middle.

The Imps won 2-0 that day. In the 42nd minute, Tyler Walker’s cross was turned into his own net by Shaun MacDonald and just 3 minutes into the second half Harry Anderson headed in a corner taken by Jorge Grant. The hosts certainly played well that day and deserved to come away from the match with at least a point, but they just couldn’t find the back of the net!

Time for the Q&A! Thank you to Rotherham United supporter Caz from Vital Rotherham for answering our questions!

How long have you supported Rotherham United?

My family have always been Millers so all my life. I started going with friends in the late 60’s getting my first season ticket in 1973/4.

Where did you finish last season?

We finished third from bottom in the Championship so were relegated.

What do you think of your Manager?

Warney is just Warney. What you see is what you get sort of thing. I think he’s probably learned more this season than any other he’s been in charge. He tends to get what he wants and that is a team of young players with just a couple of ‘old’ heads in there too. I’m still not so sure about some of his substitutions but it’s working so…

Who Are The League One Managers? No.18: Paul Warne (Rotherham United)

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?

At the beginning of the season, I’d have said ‘top six’ but I’m really looking at promotion now, hopefully without play-offs.

One(s) to watch?

We do play as a team so any of them to be honest.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six?

In no particular order: Rotherham United, Wycombe Wanderers, Peterborough United, Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and I think Doncaster Rovers have a good chance of getting in there too.

Sorry, but I think the Imps are just that too far away now.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?

Bolton Wanderers, Southend United and Tranmere Rovers.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

I actually thought you’d have been further up the table than you are.

What do you think the score will be?

I think it will be close, either a draw or just one goal in it.

Random fact about your Club?

We were in the first-ever League Cup Final in 1961 v Aston Villa. It was over two legs and we won the first one, at Millmoor, two-nil. The second leg, at Villa Park, went to extra time with Villa winning.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Being a young lad I think Tyreece John-Jules might fit into our squad.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Rotherham United Supporter?

Our Wembley wins have to be among the proudest. The majority of the 2016/17 season the worst. I don’t say embarrassing as I’m never embarrassed to admit I’m a Miller.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

I would have said Dan Barlaser (on loan from Newcastle) but people are starting to sit up and take note of him now.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

We have RUSCT which is the Community Sports Trust who run courses, have workshops and get people active throughout the town including the young and disabled and adults with problems. One of their specialities is providing post 16 education in sport from a Level one in sport to a BA (Hons) in Community Coaching and Development.

Which was your favourite match involving Rotherham United?

Any that we beat our rivals from the next city in.

Which was your least favourite match involving Rotherham United?

Any that we lose to our rivals from the next city.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Rotherham United?

Not exactly but former Miller John Breckin, who is the Club Consultant, does a great job of getting former players in on match days.

What’s the best thing about Rotherham?

In all honesty, I’d say the football club. Like many places, our High Street is about non-existent now though our town park (Clifton Park) is still a good place to go.

Which player, in your opinion, is Rotherham’s ultimate cult hero?

I suppose it depends on what era you started watching the Millers. Dave Watson is always associated with Rotherham but most of my age will say, Tony Towner. Younger ones will go for Alan Lee or Adam Le Fondre.

How come nothing’s been done redeveloping your old ground?

It’s complicated! The rumour has it that there is some sort of covenant on the ground that says it has to be used as a sports ground. The Booth family, who own Millmoor, have been rumoured (but it is only rumoured) to have asked the council if they could make it into a greyhound track or a speedway track but were turned down. The rugby team, the Rotherham Titans, were thought to be moving in a few years ago but that fell through.

Why “The Millers”?

There was a flour mill close to where Millmoor was.

Do you think Rotherham are punching above your weight?

In League One, no.

Your stadium is probably one of the best of the smaller modern stadiums in the EFL. What are its important features and how has it helped to galvanise and retain support for RUFC? The foundations are already in, but do you ever see the capacity being increased from 12,000 to 16,000, or even 20,000?

It’s most important feature is that it’s owned by the Chairman, Tony Stewart. When it was first built it helped the town and probably will again if we go into a higher league so get more visiting fans. To be honest, I can’t see the capacity being upped in the near future.

How has the standard at League 1 compared to being in the Championship? Is it better to win more games in a lower division than suffer at the wrong end of a higher one?

It’s always good to win games. I think it took us a while to get going this season, but I hope we’ve got a foothold now. I do look at the teams that were promoted last season and they don’t seem to be pulling up any trees, do they?

Any memories of Lincoln legend Dave Smith?

Played left-midfield for us I think, though I didn’t go so much in those days due to family commitments.

Do you think Steve Evans was punching above his weight?

I would never ask him to his face!

Behind the goal at your ground is a hoarding advertising Rotherham’s most famous sons: Howard Webb. William Hague, David Seaman, The Chuckle Brothers. Are that lot a good advertisement for the town or not?

Do you know, I didn’t know that! Are they a good advertisement? Well, I don’t think any of them live in Rotherham anymore, though Paul Chuckle might. The actor Dean Andrews is also from Rotherham and Olympic athlete Peter Elliott. To be fair Rotherham needs all the help it can get at the moment.

"I think he's probably learned more this season than any other he's been in charge."https://t.co/xIbqy0zGxZ#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #RUFC

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 6, 2020

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