“What’s not to love about Warney? He’s Rotherham United through and through.”


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!

And now for the answers provided by Steve:

How long have you supported Rotherham United?

I am 42 years old and my Dad supports the Millers as did my Grandad. You could say I was indoctrinated from birth.

Where did you finish last season?

We finished 22nd and got relegated. However, we went down with a fight. We made mistakes and didn’t sign enough players. It was an exciting season that ended with disappointment.

What do you think of your Manager?

Paul Warne is a fantastic Manager and not just a “Fitness coach”. I love his philosophy that you have to be a good person to play for the club. He clearly cares and is very respectful to the fans. Tony Stewart obviously believes in him. I questioned his tactics a few times last season. However, you do what you need to do to survive. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Not many managers who get relegated get a standing ovation.

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

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

I don’t want to get carried away, a lot of people say we will do well. However, there are some great clubs in this league. Rotherham fans appreciate good football and effort. If we go out every week and give it our all, I will be happy. Automatic or play off place would be amazing!

One(s) to watch?

We have signed some good players, the new keeper Iverson looked amazing vs his home club Leicester. Freddie Ladapo looks good and got us a win on Saturday. Dan Barlaser delivery looks quality. My personal favourite is Matt Olosunde, he looks like an exciting prospect who joined from Man Utd.

Who do you think will finish in the top six?

Rotherham United, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Peterborough United, Lincoln City and Ipswich Town. Not sure in which order?

Who do you think will finish in the bottom four?

Bolton Wanderers, Bury, AFC Wimbledon and Southend United.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

A good club with a good history. I think you will do well this season. I just hope you finish below The Mighty Millers.

What do you think the score will be?

2-1 to Rotherham.

Random fact about your Club?

We have never been in the Premier League/Division One. We finished third in the old Second Division in 1954-55, narrowly missing out on promotion to the old Division One.

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

Lee Frecklington of course.

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

Proudest: Alex Revell against Leyton Orient at Wembley! One of the greatest strikes at Wembley.

Embarrassing: Was losing our old ground Millmoor and having to play at Don Valley in Sheffield. We went through hard times financially as a club.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

At present Matt Olosunde, he signed from New York Red bulls and is an American international. He has impressed in pre-season and hopefully continues it in the league.

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

Yes, and they do some great things. I read that they have got Summer Camps on at the moment and that Richard Wood and Michael Ihiekwe ran penalty shoot outs and a q and a for the kids last week. I imagine that Paul Warne instils this type of behaviour in his players.

Which was your favourite match involving Rotherham United?

It would be easy to pick the recent Wembley appearances. However, I would say the FA Cup match vs Scunthorpe in the 90’s when we were involved and won the first FA Cup Penalty shoot out. It was nice to be a small part of FA Cup history.

Which was your least favourite match involving Rotherham United?

I could virtually choose a season in the 16/17 campaign. Three managers in one Season and relegated in April. The best thing about that season was Warne being made permanent. If I had to pick a recent match it would be Wednesday at our place last season. We were 2-1 up and the ref gave 8 mins additional time. How Wednesday managed to score in the 10th minute of that, I will never know!

Do you have a Former Players Association at Rotherham United?

Not that I am aware of but there might be. We have lots of old players come and talk at half time.

What’s the best thing about Rotherham?

New York Stadium!

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 think we knew that Vaulks and Semi would leave. The new recruiters Rob Scott and Chris Trotter seem to have done a great job. Matt Olosunde looks very sharp, Ladapo whose our record signing looks exciting and Macdonald looks to be an experienced head. We have some good people on loan Iversen the goalkeeper from Leicester looked amazing vs his old club. Morrison is returning for his second stint at the club and Barlaser looks quality. After last seasons lack of signings, we are apparently spoilt for choice.

Is promotion the ultimate end game or would you be happy with a season of consolidation?

I would love to be in the position where we were in contention for promotion. We generally don’t do consolidation, it’s either highs or lows with Rotherham.

Is Paul Warne the right man to lead you back to the Championship?

Definitely, I think Warney is a class act. A lot of people were unsure when he first took over. However, I think he has proved a lot of the doubters wrong. He has instilled a strong team ethic and in my view is the absolute right man for the job.

How surprised are you to hear that former Miller Lee Frecklington is injured?

Well, he was injured in his last season with us. However, can’t say a bad word about him as he scored some important goals for us.

Are you a Football Heaven listener? If so what do you make to the regular Rotherham fans who call in, like Brian and Lee?

I’m not a listener.

Steve Evans: hero or villain?

I personally liked him and he guided us to promotion a few times. Although I am aware that he was not every fan’s cup of tea. I will always remember him running up the touchline when we scored at Wembley!

When you saw Lincoln had been promoted were you rubbing your hands thinking 6 points?

No, definitely not, you have to be wary of any team that comes up as champions. I hope you have a good season, just not against us.

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 ala Sincil Bank?

New York Stadium is great and the facilities are one hundred times better than Millmoor. However, as your ground is to you, Millmoor was our home. I don’t think anybody was happy to leave the ground and the years at Don Valley were not good. Tony Stewart bringing Rotherham home was a great achievement and something Rotherham fans will always thank him for.

Page One: The answers provided by Caz!

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