Thursday, May 2, 2013

News: Rotherham celebrates promotion

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Rotherham fans painted the town red yesterday, with an open top bus parade and civic reception to celebrate Rotherham United's promotion to League 1.

Hundreds lined the streets and packed into All Saints' Square to see the players, manager, chairman and staff that have worked hard for their success over the season and brought pride to the town.

The season, which saw the Millers finish second and gain automatic promotion, was the first with the club returning home following four seasons of playing homes games at the soon to be demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield.

Led by proud Millers chairman, Tony Stewart, the completion of the £20m New York Stadium, on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes Foundry, close to Rotherham town centre, has been a major catalyst for the team and the town, helping to regenerate the area and boost footfall.

The average attendance for home games is just short of 8,000, the club's highest since 1982/1983, and 11,300 packed into the New York Stadium to see the team beat Aldershot on Saturday to send them into League 1.

Speaking to the club's official website, Steve Evans, manager of Rotherham United, said: "Thank you to the Millers fans, thank you to the chairman for giving us a magnificent stadium, thanks to the town.

"It'll be a good summer for the fans and for the town. The town needed it and thankfully we've been able to deliver it.

"Let's look forward to League 1 next year."

The outgoing Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Dave Pickering, was "absolutely delighted". He said it was an amazing afternoon at the New York Stadium on Saturday, adding: "Rotherham had a well-deserved victory as the whole team played well.

"It was a really tremendous atmosphere and has really brought a brilliant end to my year as Mayor.

"I wish the club all the best for next season in League 1."

The council has had a big helping hand in the club returning home, helping with the search for the site, purchasing and leasing some of the land and providing a £5m loan.

Martin Kimber, chief executive of the council, said: "All our congratulations go to the team and the club. The result is tremendous for the club, the supporters and the town as a whole. Our best wishes go with them into the next season."

Leader of the council, Cllr Roger Stone, said he was proud to be present at such a fantastic occasion. He added: "We can now look forward to watching League 1 football being played in the new stadium.

"The club has done the town proud and given us all a lift. I am also really pleased for Tony Stewart - this is a great reward for all his hard work in bringing the club back to Rotherham."

Rotherham United website

Images: Rotherham Council

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