The Imps travel to the New York Stadium for what will be their first league visit, having played there in the League Cup in August 2017. The Millers won 2-1 that night, in front of a crowd of 5,489, with The Imps being backed by 1,706. Jamie Proctor gave Rotherham the lead in the 36th minute and that is how it remained until the 64th minute when Billy Knott scored to make it 1-1. The winning goal came in the 78th minute when Anthony Forde got the final touch on a Joe Mattock cross.
The Imps last league visit to Rotherham was on 7th August 2010 at the Don Valley Stadium in front of a crowd of 3,772. The hosts won 2-1, with Adam Le Fondre opening the scoring in the 9th minute. Mustapha Carayol made it 1-1 in the 52 minute but Rotherham secured all three points when Ryan Cresswell scored on his debut with just 2 minutes of normal time remaining.
I’m not even going to go into the last time The Imps hosted Rotherham in a league match. The less said about it, the better.
Time for the Q&As. Thank you to Rotherham United supporters Caz and Steve for answering our questions. The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, just click HERE!
First up, the answers provided by Caz:
How long have you supported Rotherham United?
Both my parents were Millers so I suppose it’s all my life. I started going with friends in the late 60’s getting my first season ticket in 1973/4.
But to this question, I usually answer ‘long enough not to be surprised by what happens any more!’
Where did you finish last season?
The team were relegated being third from bottom of the Championship – I finished in the nearest pub!
What do you think of your Manager?
What’s not to love about Warney? He’s Rotherham United through and through, honest, friendly and is a great speaker at any event he goes to and he treats his players like family. Yes, he’s still learning in this management game and is going to make mistakes but he always believes what he’s doing is best for the Football Club.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.18: Paul Warne (Rotherham United)
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?
I hope to finish high enough to go up without having to go through the play-offs. I expect to finish in the top six. But football, as a well-known punter once said, is a funny game.
One(s) to watch?
We are more or less a completely new team this year – fourteen left in the summer. If I’m picking out one player to focus on it would be Freddie Ladapo but really in a couple of games I’ve already seen it has been very much a team effort.
Who do you think will finish in the top six?
Of course, Rotherham!
I would expect Sunderland to be up there but I don’t actually think there’s a lot between most of the teams this season in League One. Perhaps Portsmouth and Peterborough United and it wouldn’t surprise me if Danny Cowley doesn’t take you into the play-offs while Fleetwood Town could finish well.
Who do you think will finish in the bottom four?
Bury (if they actually survive) and Bolton Wanderers. Maybe Wimbledon and perhaps Southend.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
I always think of Lincoln as being a family club with loyal supporters.
What do you think the score will be?
Oh, I always go for a draw!
Random fact about your Club?
Arthur Wharton, who is considered to be the first black professional footballer, played for Rotherham when we were known as Rotherham Town.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
We’d probably want Frecklington back – he was a great favourite at Rotherham, but probably with his injury problems, we’d have him as backroom staff. I’d have Michael O’Connor back too.
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?
As I said earlier we are practically a new team so it’s a bit difficult to answer that question. Though Ben Wiles, who broke into the first team last season, probably doesn’t get as much credit for his off the ball runs as he might.
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?
So many over the years it’s hard to pinpoint just one I’m afraid.
Which was your least favourite match involving Rotherham United?
Any that we lose to our S6 neighbours.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Rotherham United?
Not exactly but former Miller John Breckin, who is the Club Consultant, (I think that means he does anything he’s asked!) 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.
Rotherham seem to have done some good business this summer so are you happy with the new arrivals and have the departees been adequately replaced?
I am very happy with our summer recruitment. I still think we need another capable defender in and I think we are going to miss Will Vaulks’ long throws.
Is promotion the ultimate end game or would you be happy with a season of consolidation?
We’ve got to go for promotion. But, I really don’t think it’s going to be as easy as some of my fellow fans seem to think it is. I’d really expect us to be in the top six but would I be happy with starting next season in League One again? My head says ‘yes’.
Is Paul Warne the right man to lead you back to the Championship?
I don’t see why not.
How surprised are you to hear that former Miller Lee Frecklington is injured?
Well, he is getting on a bit now, isn’t he!!! I actually think we had the best out of Frecks.
Are you a Football Heaven listener? If so what do you make to the regular Rotherham fans who call in, like Brian and Lee?
LOL. I listen to it a couple of times a week often shaking my head but with a smile on my face at these two. I notice you didn’t ask me about ‘Paul’? I just shake my head when he’s on!
Steve Evans: hero or villain?
You can’t deny big Steve did great for the Millers – gave us some laughs (particularly his running down the line at Wembley and having to stop to pull his trousers up). Would I welcome him back? As an opposition manager yes I’ll stand and give him a clap. In our dugout – no probably not.
When you saw Lincoln had been promoted were you rubbing your hands thinking 6 points?
Not at all!
As an away fan your new stadium looks as good as any of the new ones built. What’s your opinion of it and what do you prefer, new build or old and traditional aka Sincil Bank?
I love the New York Stadium – but Millmoor will always be my spiritual home.
Page Two: The answers provided by Steve!
"What's not to love about Warney? He's Rotherham United through and through.":https://t.co/VxNnTUi1Mv#RUFC #Rotherham #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 9, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2342344935801738
