News: Rotherham's pitch battle continues

Another season, another dispute. Rotherham Titans and Rotherham Town Cricket Club are again at odds over the use of the Clifton Lane ground.

Rothbiz reported in 2015 that the Titans, the borough's rugby union club, had won a court case following action taken by its landlords in a long running dispute.

Each year the rugby and cricket playing seasons overlap. The Titans had previously been required to play on Herringthorpe Playing Fields, and in Sheffield, and move fixtures to Sundays. The cricket club have also had to cancel and rearrange fixtures when the TV gantry was not removed in time by the rugby club.

An uneasy coexistence has followed but relations unraveled this week with both sides set to play home fixtures this Saturday.

The cricket club, whose first team is fighting to stave off relegation, say that they have looked to try and accommodate the rugby club by allowing fixtures to take place on Friday and Sunday. They added in a statement earlier this week that the Titans and their fans would in effect be trespassing on Saturday. The tenure of the cricket Club expires on the September 9.

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A statement from the rugby club points to a written agreement following the court case which states that: "The changeover dates remain but Rotherham Town Cricket Club acknowledges that Rotherham Titans may need to use the ground at the start and end of the Rugby Playing season for League fixtures and play-off games and that Rotherham Town Cricket Club will accommodate this."

The statement adds: "Despite our agreement we have made all efforts to avoid a "Fixture Clash" with Rotherham Town Cricket Club who also have a home fixture on the 1st September 2018.

"This year our League Requirements are that fixtures must be played on the Saturday of each week with kick off between 2pm and 3pm.

"We have made all efforts to re arrange our home fixture of the 01st September 2018 including reversing the fixture to the home ground of our opponents and also seeking other alternative suitable other venues.

"Regretfully this has not been possible and we are left with no alternative but to rely upon the agreement made with the Rotherham Town Cricket Club on the 2nd December 2015.

"We therefore confirm that our Fixture against Old Elthamians will be hosted on Clifton Lane with a kick off time of 2pm."

In response, the cricket club accused the Titans of using "bullying tactics" and debunks claims that National Leaugue One games must be played on a Saturday. League counterparts, Caldy Rugby Club, who incidentally shares a ground with a cricket club, has two home fixtures on Sunday afternoons during September.

A statement from the cricket club yesterday said: "The agreement the Titans mentioned is for situations such as this where we're only too happy to allow the Titans to play matches during our tenure (at the risk of damaging the outfield and square) but at a date that doesn't interfere with our already scheduled fixtures.

"The Titans mention 4th September 2016 and 3rd September 2017 in their statement where we accommodated their games during the cricket tenure. Both of these dates are of course Sundays. Again, we would be happy to allow the Titans to play at a time that didn’t disrupt our already arranged fixtures.

"Our fixtures were set while Titans were still playing their previous season, so they have had the best part of half a year to arrange with their fixtures secretaries a solution to their problem.

"Sadly the Titans management have had no intention of working with us for some time as can be seen from their bullying tactics at the start of our season when they refused to remove their advertising hoardings, which led to the first game of our season being cancelled."

Clifton Lane has long been a sporting venue in Rotherham, having been the original home to Rotherham Town Football Club in 1882. It was sold to the newly formed Rotherham Athletic Company in 1905.

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News: Keepmoat and Titans kick off new health and wellbeing programme

Local construction businesses Keepmoat Regeneration and Keepmoat Homes have teamed up with the Titans Community Foundation to offer children healthy eating advice and sports and fitness coaching.

Earlier this year, ENGIE, a leading energy and services provider, completed the acquisition of Keepmoat's Regeneration division which includes a significant operation in Rotherham.

Working with the charitable arm of Rotherham Titans Rugby, the companies recently launched the programme at Denaby Main Primary Academy in Doncaster where staff from both organisations spoke to the children about the importance of eating healthily and regular exercise and gave out free fruit for them to enjoy.

The Titans Community Foundation also held rugby taster sessions to teach the youngsters how to work as part of a team while keeping active.

The programme will last a year and will include regular visits from the Titans Community Foundation, Keepmoat Regeneration and Keepmoat Homes to carry out exercise activities, construction-related workshops and reading sessions. The children will also get the chance to visit live construction sites and learn about job roles in the industry.

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Neil Baxter, new business director at Keepmoat Regeneration, said: "As a local business, it's important for us to invest in the communities in which we work.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Titans Community Foundation and hope this programme will have a very positive impact on the schoolchildren."

Victoria Gorton, principal at Denaby Main Primary Academy, said: "Here at Denaby Main our strategic plan was to build in more opportunities for outdoor learning options for the children, so we were thrilled when the Titans Community Foundation, Keepmoat Regeneration and Keepmoat Homes approached us to take part in this project.

"Not only will the children have access to top level athletes who are role models when it comes to perseverance, hard work, dedication and commitment, but we will also benefit from a strong partnership with Keepmoat Regeneration and Keepmoat Homes to give the children opportunities to learn about the construction industry."

John Lewis, chief executive at the Titans Community Foundation, said: "The Titans Community Foundation has been delivering "education through rugby" since 2004. The players will engage with children, staff and parents and support the school's values of "safe, respect, and ready."

"It is a privilege to work with Keepmoat Regeneration, Keepmoat Homes, Denaby Main Academy and the Astrea Trust in helping the school improve the fitness, attainment and well-being of everyone at Denaby Main."

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News: Titans look sharp with Scimitar kit deal

Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, has signed a multi-year kit deal with Scimitar, the sublimation sportswear specialists.

As official kit supplier to the Greene King IPA Championship side, Scimitar will be outfitting the professional team in playing kit, training wear & leisurewear. There will also be a brand new online shop, where fans will be able to purchase a wide range of official merchandise.

The kits see a return to the traditional Rotehrham mitre logo.

Adam Church-Millward, marketing manager for Scimitar, said: "We're delighted to partner with Rotherham Titans as the official kit supplier. We take real pride in developing elite sportswear, tailored to the specific needs of individual sports. It's a real showcase for our brand to be developing elite rugby kit for one of the top 20 teams in the UK.

"We're also proud to release a comprehensive merchandise range to the fans of Rotherham Titans for the first time in years. As well as replica kit, supporters will be able to shop from a range of t-shirts, hoodies and accessories, including scarves and hats."

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Martin Jenkinson, Director of Rugby at Rotherham Titans, added: "We are delighted to be working with Scimitar Sports; our ambition is to create a successful, long-term partnership with one of the UK's leading sportswear manufacturers.

"Scimitar is the UK's bespoke sportswear and promotional items specialists, who are presently manufacturing over two million items per year. They are the go-to brand for custom sportswear and sublimated shirts."

Stephen Lloyd, regional manager for Scimitar, said: "The contract with Titans is a big step forward in Scimitar’s teamwear offering. It allows the development of a long term partnership that will be beneficial to both of us.

"On a personal note, I played against the Titans a few times whilst at Worcester. It will be good to see some old friends and enjoy the special atmosphere."

Businesses are being encouraged to get involved with the Titans in an exciting new type of sponsorship deal that will see logos featured on the new shirts. "Brand for a Grand" offers a sponsorship package with advertising hoardings and tickets with the added incentive of supporters and businesses entered into a prize draw for the back of shirt sponsorship for either the home shirt or the away shirt.

The board of directors of the club, which finished a disappointing season at the foot of the Championship in April, are set to meet fans at the regular Titan Tuesday club night next week (July 18).

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Scimitar website

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News: Industry titan signs on at Clifton Lane

Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, has appointed a new board member – former Rugby League President John Whaling.

The former Wath Grammar School pupil initially served his rugby apprenticeship as an union front row forward with his local Wath club and then at Dinnington, where he went on to become skipper while representing South Yorkshire before a back injury halted his playing days and then becoming involved with the Sheffield Eagles.

Whaling started out as a rookie helper at the rugby league outfit and ended up as the troubled club's chief executive officer while also serving as the RFL President in 2011/12. He spent nearly three decades with the former Don Valley club, now exiled at Wakefield, before calling it a day at the end of last season.

John studied at Sheffield City Polytechnic and went on to join local company, Sheffield Insulations Limited (which later became SIG plc) in 1979 as a trainee computer programmer. He had a number of promotions over the coming years and was appointed to the board of directors in April 1989 where he served for 22 years seeing the turnover of the business rise from £100m to a peak of £3 billion.

Other roles include being the technical consultant on the construction of Rotherham United's New York Stadium, being a trustee at Rotherham Hospice and holding directorships at local companies whom he mentors. He joins the Clifton Lane board with the brief of developing the commercial side.

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It was around this time in 2015 when it was announced that Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson wanted to take to step back from their custodianship of the club. The successful Rotherham businessmen were part of a consortium that saved the club in 2004 after the previous owner withdrew their financial backing.

New CEO and investor, Richard Lamb was unveiled in 2016 alongside a three year plan of forging closer links to the community and engendering a passion for the team - which is hoped to become a competitive Championship side again.

The Titans recently finished bottom of the Greene King IPA Championship and were only saved from relegation following London Welsh's expulsion.

John Whaling, board member at Rotherham Titans, said: "I think I can add something and I'm looking forward to working here and getting the club back on the right track.

"We all think it'll be a good fit. I like Martin and Nick and that's important, so from that point of view it'll be an easy settling-in process and let's see if we can get the club back up that table."

Nick Cragg, Chairman of the Titans, added: "We're very fortunate to have a man like John joining us. He's a very accomplished man in sport and in the business world and he will be helping us to rebuild and he'll bring something back to the club.

"We need to rebuild and have the right quality and the right values. John does what he says and we're very lucky to have someone of his calibre joining us.

"He will mainly work on the commercial side but he will also have involvement on many fronts."

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News: Yorkshire Windows ceases trading

Rotherham-based manufacturer and installer, Yorkshire Windows, has ceased trading according to reports.

The Hellaby firm, which had a turnover of £9.5m, said that it had been hit by late payments in the commercial sector and that all 84 employees had been served notice of redundancy.


Established in 1980 by Mike Yarlett the company became established as the region's leading home improvements company. It manufactures and installs market-leading double glazed windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries, roofline products, garage doors and composite doors.

A spokesperson told The Star: "The company's high standards have been recognised through the joint awards of the Which? Trusted Trade and Secured By Design certifications, which independently validate the integrity of the company as a reputable business.

"In recent years, however, as well as being an extremely well known and respected name in the retail sector, Yorkshire Windows has also expanded its work in the commercial sector and it has been the pressure of late and even non-payment of debt from clients in that area of the business that has forced the company to cease trading."

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The company has showrooms in Wickersley and Sheffield.

As well as providing the domestic sector, Yorkshire Windows, supplied house builders and local authorities. It enjoyed strong sales in Sheffield and Rotherham thanks to the Government's Decent Homes revamp scheme. Its products were fitted in 20,000 homes in Sheffield and 50% of Rotherham council houses.

A decision to invest over £2m in a new production line at its Hellaby factory coincided with the economic downturn and the company was hit by significantly reduced margins.

Turnover at YWC Group and subsidiaries had halved from £22m a few years earlier to £11m in 2014. The loss of sales volume, managing change and charges associated with new finance arrangements led to losses of £700,000 for 2014.

For the year ending 2015, YWC Group's turnover had reduced to £9.5m with profits posted of £65,000 as the company covered its overheads by being more selective about contracts for the supply of manufactured products and installation.

Yorkshire Windows founder Mike Yarlett is synonymous with the rise of the borough's rugby team, Rotherham Titans, playing his part on the pitch and as a benefactor.

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News: Rotherham Titans chief exec on resurrecting Bradford Bulls

Richard Lamb, chief executive of Rotherham Titans is again showing interested in taking on the challenge of resurrecting the Bradford Bulls rugby league team.

Last year, the borough's rugby union club appointed a new CEO with a three-year plan. CEO and investor, Richard Lamb owns the Lucid Group, a London-based group which includes a digital and print design agency and whose hospitality arm works with the sports governing body, the RFU, and was official hospitality partner of Rugby League World Cup 2013.

A former student at the University of Sheffield, Lamb has previously come close to taking ownership of London Welsh and the Bradford Bulls.

With the former four-time Super League champions placed in liquidation this week, after going into administration for the third time in November, Lamb has indicated that he is interested in heading up a rescue bid for the Bulls.

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Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Richard Lamb, said: "We've got to very quickly build a team around myself and a couple of others who have got experience in rugby league, which we are doing.

"Then hopefully we put together a compelling view to the RFL that we are fit people to take over the club going forward."

The RFL, the national governing body for rugby league in the UK, has already offered a place in the Kingstone Press Championship to any new club in Bradford and that such a club start the 2017 season on minus twelve points.

Lamb added: "I think you can compete in the Championship. It's going to be tough - 12 points is effectively six games so you are going to have to look at winning over half the games and there's a lot of good teams.

"It will be tough but you can pull a squad together that can compete. I wouldn't lie to anyone and say it's going to be easy."

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News: Titans aiming to get more people onside

Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, has a new CEO and a three-year plan aimed at creating a new identity, forging closer links to the community and engendering a passion for the team - which is hoped to become a competitive Championship side again.

It was this time last year when it was announced that Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson wanted to take to step back from their custodianship of the club. The successful Rotherham businessmen were part of a consortium that saved the club in 2004 after the previous owner withdrew their financial backing.

New CEO and investor, Richard Lamb was in town last week to outline his vision for the club. The businessman owns the Lucid Group, a London-based group which includes a digital and print design agency and whose hospitality arm works with the sports governing body, the RFU, and was official hospitality partner of Rugby League World Cup 2013.

A former student at the University of Sheffield, Lamb came close to taking ownership of London Welsh and Rugby League's Bradford Bulls.

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Richard Lamb, CEO at the Titans, told The RugbyPaper: "If you look at what Rugby League have done very well, in a very tight footprint of places like Wake­field, Castle­ford, Leeds and Brad­ford, it's created identities that the people in those areas feel passionate about.

"I think we've spent too much time here in the past hoping that the fans will follow if you simply produce the goods on the pitch. There are too many other distractions in the leisure industry to rely on that model."

The club ended the season in the playoffs to reach English Rugby's Premiership again in 2015 but fell to a lowly 15th last season.

A re-branding sees the introduction of a modern logo with the word "Rotherham" and Thomas Rotherham's mitre replaced by a Marvel superhero style Titan.

The first effort to raise the club's profile is the announcement of a partnership with Prostate Cancer UK - the national charity that fights to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.

From the start of the 2016/17 season the progressive club will raise money, promote awareness of the charity and its work across all of its communication and commercial mediums. As part of the partnership, Titans will carry the Prostate Cancer UK "Men United" livery across their shirts.

Lamb added: "Last year the opportunity to become more involved presented itself, and I have spent time with the team to better understand the challenges of running a Championship club.

"We've put in place some exciting plans and initiatives for next season, putting Ti­tans rugby firmly on the national rugby landscape.

"This is year one of a three-year plan, designed to take us to the top of this highly competitive league and enable us to have a solid financial footing, based on community support and strong commercial partnerships."

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News: Titans win court case

Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, has won a court case following action taken by its landlords in a long running dispute over the Clifton Lane ground.

The Championship club, who ended the season in the playoffs to reach English Rugby's Premiership again last year, have encountered difficulties with the landlords of their Clifton Lane ground, the Rotherham Athletic Company, and ground sharing Rotherham Town cricket club.

Each year the rugby and cricket playing seasons overlap, meaning the Titans cannot use the Clifton Lane ground for the opening and closing matches of the season. The Titans played their opening 2015/16 Championship fixture on local playing fields as a "one-off" arrangement with the Council.

The legal battle went to Sheffield Crown Court yesterday.

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In a statement, the rugby club said: "The action, described by the judge as premature and a procedural shambles, concerned a strip of grass on which our camera gantry stands.

"Whilst the judge found in our favour we have constantly stated that the action should never have been taken and this issue should have been resolved through discussion and negotiation.

"One result of the judge finding in our favour was that the Athletic Company and Cricket club not only have to pay their own costs but ours as well. These are monies which could have been better spent looking after the interests of the two sports.

"We fervently hope that if there are any future issues relating to the ground these can be resolved through discussions between all parties."

Clifton Lane has long been a sporting venue in Rotherham, having been the original home to Rotherham Town Football Club in 1882. Ironically, difficulties with the tenancy agreement from the cricket club meant that Town had to move in 1891.

When Clifton Lane was sold to the newly formed Rotherham Athletic Company in 1905, three of the vendors were cricket representatives, hence why the lease seems to favour the cricket team. A lease for rugby at Clifton Lane was due to expire this year.

In the longer term, options being discussed as potential new sites for the Titans include the Phoenix Sports club at Brinsworth, the former OutoKumpu site acquired by Rotherham United for training facilities, the Legacy Park at Don Valley, which will be home to the Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club in 2016, as well as greenfield sites in the borough.

In May, Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson announced that they would like to step back from their custodianship of rugby club and invited interested parties and individuals to come forward and take Titans to the next level.

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News: Council backs Titans in search for new home

Rotherham Council is trying to help Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, find a new home as they are forced to play their opening Championship fixture on local playing fields.

The club, who ended last season in the playoffs to reach English Rugby's Premiership again, have encountered difficulties with the landlords of their Clifton Lane ground, the Rotherham Athletic Company, and ground sharing Rotherham Town cricket club. Each year the rugby and cricket playing seasons overlap, meaning the Titans cannot use the Clifton Lane ground for the opening and closing matches of the season.

In previous years the team has been able to play their first match away from home. That has not been allowed by the governing body this year because of the demand for pitches created by the Rugby World Cup in London.

Rotherham Council has agreed that the Titans can use the Rotherham Phoenix Rugby Club site at nearby Herringthorpe playing fields for the season's opening game on Sunday September 6.

Rotherham Phoenix secured a lease of around seven acres of the council-owned fields which enabled them to construct a two metre high boundary fence around rugby pitches. Planning permission for floodlights was obtained in October 2012.

This week, the venue hosted the prestigious Webb Ellis Trophy that will be presented to the winners of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham in October.

Karl Battersby, strategic director for Environment and Development Services for Rotherham Council, emphasised that this will be a "one-off" arrangement. He added: "We appreciate the concerns of local residents, but the Titans have only been given permission to play this one individual match because of the difficult situation the Titans find themselves in at their Clifton Lane ground.

"This will be a one-off event and is not for free as the Titans are leasing the pitch at a commercial rate. The decision has been made in the spirit of supporting our local successful professional rugby team, balanced against significant concerns by local residents.

"The authority is trying to do its best for Rotherham as a whole and is also trying to help Titans find a new home, which will give them more stability and a long-term future in the town."

Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson announced in May that they would like to step back from their custodianship of Rotherham Titans, and are inviting interested parties and individuals to come forward and take them to the next level.

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News: Titans to be taken forward by new owners

Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson have announced that they would like to step back from their custodianship of Rotherham Titans, the borough's rugby union club, and are inviting interested parties and individuals to come forward and take Titans to the next level.

The successful Rotherham businessmen were part of a consortium that saved the club in 2004 after the previous owner withdrew their financial backing.

Nick Cragg established Stafforce Recruitment in 1977 and with a head office on Percy Street in Rotherham town centre and a UK-wide network of 28 sites, Stafforce offers a range of services to clients through its Stafforce Recruitment and Nicholas Associates brands.

Martin Jenkinson founded Jenkinson Insurance, a large, owner-managed commercial insurance brokerage, in 1988. It recently had plans approved to move its operations to Hellaby due to expansion.

The pair, who both played for the club, said in a statement that the Titans are now searching for "the right calibre of new ownership that can accelerate the club's objectives and who will provide both leadership and support benefiting the interests of the club, the players and the supporters."

The Championship club, who ended the season in the playoffs to reach English Rugby's Premiership again this year, have encountered difficulties with the landlords of their Clifton Lane ground, the Rotherham Athletic Company, and ground sharing Rotherham Town cricket club.

The statement continued: "Cragg and Jenkinson are passionate about the club's prospects and firmly believe the Titans represent an exciting opportunity for new owners with vision, passion and funding to take the club to the next level. Without any doubt, the prospective new owners can capitalise on the club's solid foundations and drive the Titans toward promotion to the Premiership."

Nick Cragg, chairman of Rotherham Titans, said: "We are immensely proud of our achievements in taking the Titans to a top four Championship club over the last ten years. The club's journey doesn't end here; with the anticipation of the Rugby World Cup in England in September, plus the announcement of additional financial support from the Rugby Football Union for the forthcoming season, there has never been a better time for the next generation to come forward and take the reins.

"It appears that many professional clubs, both Premiership and Championship, are striving to find a model which is sustainable and we are no different. It could be that this proposition rests on the shoulders of the many rather than the shoulders of the few. Now is the time for Titans to take that exciting step into the future."

Martin Jenkinson, director at Rotherham Titans, added: "Running a Championship level club in Rotherham has required commitment and hard work; this is neither an affluent nor a traditional rugby area. Over the last ten years we have built solid and lasting relationships with the business community, the local authority and the amateur club overcoming many of the challenges we faced upon taking ownership. We now need fresh ideas and support if the club is to continue to produce the level of rugby that we all love to see."

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News: Titans knock on Oakwell's door

If Rotherham Titans, the town's successful rugby club, can make it into the top flight of English rugby next season then its home matches are set to be played at Oakwell in Barnsley.

Following another excellent Championship season, the Titans secured a playoff position for the Rugby Premiership and are locked in battle with table-topping Bristol. Rotherham almost caused a mighty shock in the first leg of the Championship semi final, before hosts Bristol rallied late on to take the tie 32-20.

The return "home" leg on May 10 is set to be played at Abbeydale Sports Club in Sheffield in a similar situation to the finale of last season. Rotherham's Clifton Lane ground is owned by Rotherham Athletic Company with the 1905 lease stating that the cricketers of Rotherham Town CC use the field from mid-April.

Rotherham Rugby Club had put in a request to ground sharing Rotherham Town to play the final home league fixture against London Scottish at Clifton Lane. However, the negative response from the cricket club meant the Titans had to find an alternative venue to host the game. That fixture, which the Titans won 19-3, and any playoff games, are being played at Abbeydale.

Were the club to gain promotion back into the Premiership, its ground would need to meet strict criteria set by the RFU, the governing body for the sport in England. The Titans' current home at Clifton Lane does not, and development would be difficult. It has been reported that the Rotherham Athletic Company has served notice to rugby club officials that unless a new lease is signed by the end of this September, they they will have to find a new base.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) recently announced that the Rotherham Titans has put forward Oakwell Stadium, home of Barnsley Football Club, as its prospective home venue so that it can be assessed as part of its eligibility for promotion. The 23,287 capacity stadium was also put forward this time last year and following an independent audit report, the ground has satisfied the Minimum Standards Criteria for entry into the Aviva Premiership in 2015/16.

The use of Rotherham United's former home, Millmoor, to stage home matches for the Rotherham Titans looks unlikely after "a commercially viable solution could not be found." Talks took place in 2011 between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and ground owners, CF Booth Ltd. Having relocated to the now demolished Don Valley stadium, the football club moved into a new £20m stadium on the edge of the town centre in 2012.

In the longer term, options being discussed as potential new homes for the Titans include the Phoenix Sports club at Brinsworth, the former OutoKumpu site acquired by Rotherham United for training facilities, the Legacy Park at Don Valley, which will be home to the Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club in 2016, as well as greenfield sites in the borough.

Clifton Lane has long been a sporting venue in Rotherham, having been the original home to Rotherham Town Football Club in 1882. Ironically, difficulties with the tenancy agreement from the cricket club meant that Town had to move in 1891.

When Clifton Lane was sold to the newly formed Rotherham Athletic Company in 1905, three of the vendors were cricket representatives, hence why the lease seems to favour the cricket team.

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News: Cricketers set boundaries for ground discussions

The "terms and conditions, financial and otherwise" required by Rotherham Town Cricket Club, in order for Rotherham Titans to play its remaining home games at Clifton Lane included a £2,500 donation, a request to ensure that the ground is fit and prepared for play, further negotiations with Sky TV over the playoff fixture and a deadline of March 31 to conclude the negotiations.

Rotherham Titans, the town's rugby club, stated last week that the terms required by cricket club, the other team who play home games at the site on the edge of Rotherham town centre, has made it impossible to stage the remaining games at Clifton Lane.

The match with rivals Leeds Carnegie on April 19 and hopefully a play-off fixture on the weekend of May 10/11 are set to be played at Abbeydale in Sheffield.

Clifton Lane is owned by Rotherham Athletic Company with the 1905 lease stating that the cricketers use the field from mid-April. Jim Dixon, honorary secretary of Rotherham Town Cricket Club has confirmed that its fixtures had been rearranged to accommodate the Leeds game on April 19 but the insistence of Sky TV and the RFU for the playoff game to be filmed would have meant that there would be insufficient time to repair the outfield to a safe condition for cricket to be played.

The cricket club were prepared to change its fixtures again if Sky TV and its cameras would not be at the playoff fixture in May.

In a statement from the cricket club, Dixon also confirmed that the club had asked for a £2,500 donation which it considered to be "of little more value than their previous donations of some years ago" which was subsequently agreed to by the rugby club. It also stressed that the rugby club must meet their obligations under the terms of its tenancy to ensure that the ground is fit and prepared for the playing of the other club's sport at the start of their taking over the ground.

With negotiations continuing from January, a deadline of March 31 was set but at a meeting at the Town Hall last week, the Titans confirmed that it would play its remaining "home" fixtures in Sheffield.

Having played at Clifton Lane since 1846, the cricket club has considered relocating to an alternative site in the borough for the longer term but without financial support from the council or the sport's governing bodies, no location can be found that offers them the legal status that they currently get at Clifton Lane.

In the statement Dixon said that "relationships between the two clubs on a day to day basis have never been better" and that "we are more than happy to try and work with the rugby club to resolve our difficulties.

"We acknowledge that there are some entrenched individuals on both sides who think they have old scores to settle or who have their own hidden agendas and are not prepared to move forward. If we are prepared to put the past and old scores behind us we can move forward.

"A simple solution to our problems, in the short term would be for the RFU to consider the plight of clubs in our position and take account of the overlapping seasons when they arrange their fixtures."

Were the Titans to gain promotion back into the premiership, its ground would need to meet strict criteria set by the RFU, the governing body for the sport in England. Clifton Lane does not, and development would be difficult so Oakwell in Barnsley has been put forward as an alternative.

Rotherham Town Cricket Club website
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News: Titans turfed out

Rotherham Titans, the town's rugby club, has played its last home game in the borough this season.

Following an excellent Championship season so far, the Titans currently sit comfortably in the playoff positions for the Rugby Premiership. Were the club to gain promotion back into the premiership, its ground would need to meet strict criteria set by the RFU, the governing body for the sport in England. The Titan's current home at Clifton Lane (pictured) does not, and development would be difficult.

Now, the club has said that the "terms and conditions, financial and otherwise" required by Rotherham Town Cricket Club, the other team who play home games at the site on the edge of Rotherham town centre, has made it impossible to stage the remaining games at Clifton Lane.

With the cricket season due to start soon, the Titans have a crunch match with rivals Leeds Carnegie on April 19 and hopefully a play-off fixture on the weekend of May 10/11.

Nick Cragg, chairman of Rotherham Titans, said: "We are very sad that our final home fixture of the current season and the Play-Off fixtures in May will not take place in Rotherham.

"With the success of the boys on the park comes significant interest in our fortunes and our game will be televised live on Sky. Reluctantly we have been obliged to move the game to Sheffield Rugby Club where they have graciously agreed to stage both the April 19 and May 10 fixtures."

The situation echoes that of Rotherham United, the town's football club, who played home matches at the now demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield after leaving Millmoor in 2008.

Earlier in the season, Mansfield Town Football Club confirmed that it was in "the negotiations stage" over the possibility of Rotherham Titans playing their home matches at its One Call Stadium next season.

The use of Rotherham United's former home, Millmoor, to stage home matches for the Rotherham Titans looks unlikely after "a commercially viable solution could not be found." Talks took place in 2011 between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and ground owners, CF Booth Ltd.

Rotherham United moved into a new £20m stadium on the edge of the town centre in 2012.

The remaining Titans fixtures for this season are now set to be played at Abbeydale in Sheffield with question marks remaining over a home venue for next season. Oakwell in Barnsley is being put forward as an alternative.

Clifton Lane has long been a sporting venue in Rotherham, having been the original home to Rotherham Town Football Club in 1882. Ironically, difficulties with the tenancy agreement from the cricket club meant that Town had to move in 1891.

When Clifton Lane was sold to the newly formed Rotherham Athletic Company in 1905, three of the vendors were cricket representatives, hence why the lease seems to favour the cricket team.

Whilst Rotherham Town Cricket Club has made no official comment, a post on its Facebook page this morning said: "Two sides to every story, or in the case of Clifton Lane, three - Town, Titans and our landlords, Rotherham Athletic Company. Maybe we'll find someone to fight our corner against the "big" bullies across the field."

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News: Mansfield confirm Titans talks

As one rugby club sets out plans to take over Yorkshire, another is putting together plans that could see them play home games outside the county.

Mansfield Town Football Club has confirmed that it is in "the negotiations stage" over the possibility of Rotherham Titans Rugby Club playing their home matches at its One Call Stadium next season.

The talks follow an excellent Championship season so far for the Titans which sees the club in the playoff positions for the Rugby Premiership.

Were the club to gain promotion back into the premiership, its ground would need to meet strict criteria set by the RFU, the governing body for the sport in England. The Titan's current home at Clifton Lane does not and development would be difficult.

Paul Broughton, stadium director at Mansfield, said: "We're currently at the negotiations stage with Rotherham Titans and if discussions go well then their sharing of the stadium will provide the club with another income stream.

"We are set for discussions with the Safety Advisory Group, our structural engineer, and our communications director Andy Sutton will also advise us on whether it is feasible.

"Requirements to stage rugby matches at the level which Rotherham Titans play at require grounds to be at a minimum of 10,000 capacity and so we are looking to increase capacity at One Call Stadium by a further 800 to ensure the criteria is met.

"Hopefully a mutual agreement will be reached soon which will benefit both Mansfield Town Football Club and Rotherham Titans.

"We will look at ways to enhance the pitch in the summer to ensure the playing surface is not totally affected by an increase in matches being played on it."

The use of Rotherham United's former home, Millmoor, to stage home matches for the Rotherham Titans looks unlikely after "a commercially viable solution could not be found." Talks took place in 2011 between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and ground owners, CF Booth Ltd.

Rotherham United moved into a new £20m stadium on the edge of the town centre in 2012.

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News: Titans becoming a fixture at local companies

Players and staff at Rotherham Titans, the town's rugby team, have taken time out to visit the premises of local companies that have supported them over the season.

Following on from a visit to AESSEAL's global headquarters in Templeborough, to show their support of National Apprentice Week, Titans representatives recently visited the KP Nuts factory at Eastwood.

The main purpose of the visit was to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the No.1 KP Nuts peanut brand. During the visit, players met with production staff responsible for producing around 140 million packs of nuts each year.

The team moved on to award-winning security experts, Pyronix at Hellaby who have been a supporter of the Titans for many years. Pyronix manufactures an extensive range of electronic security equipment for intruder alarms, exporting more than 50% of its annual turnover to 96 countries around the world.

The Rotherham branch of Willmott Dixon then hosted the Titans at its Templeborough site. Willmott Dixon has been the Titans major sponsor for the last two years, both in terms of the Rugby Club and the Titans Community Foundation. The firm repairs and maintains 12,000 homes in Rotherham.

John Lewis, chief executive of Rotherham Titans, said: "Willmott Dixon have been fantastic supporters for the last two years with the Titans Community Foundation and the Rugby Club. We and Willmott Dixon share the same important values of Inspiration, Respect and Success, which I believe is what makes our partnership such a valued and successful one and one we hope will continue as we move forward."

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News: Titans' town centre offer

Rotherham Titans, the town's rugby union team, is hoping to attract new supporters to Clifton Lane with a new promotion that also rewards the employees of the town centre and surrounding area with a cheap after work rugby experience.

The "perks of the job" promotion is being introduced for the Championship clash with the Cornish Pirates this Wednesday. The match has been rearranged for April 10 following earlier postponements due to the weather and the 5.15pm kick-off means that it is perfect for supporters to come straight from work.

John Lewis, chief executive of Rotherham Titans, said: "As the home of rugby in Rotherham, the club hopes the offer it has made to local businesses will see a number of their employees finish work on Wednesday and come along to Clifton Lane to watch some great rugby and have something to eat and drink with their colleagues, as they enjoy a Titans match day experience."

Offers include adult tickets for £10 and family passes (two adults and two under 16's) for £25.

The move follows a promotion announced during National Apprenticeship Week to offer all apprentices in the Yorkshire region entry to home matches at Clifton Lane for the remainder of the season, for just £7, which is half the usual price.

Local businesses are encouraged to contact either tony@rotherhamrugby.co.uk or john@rotherhamrugby.co.uk to secure the special offer for their employees.

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News: Titans line up at AESSEAL

Rotherham Titans visited AESSEAL's global headquarters in Templeborough, to show their support of National Apprentice Week.

Award-winning AESSEAL manufactures mechanical seals, which are environmental containment products used on all types of rotating equipment in process industries. They are one of the Titans' shirt sponsors.

Both teams came together to show support for AESSEAL's Modern Apprenticeships Programme, as the Titans and the company employ a large number of young apprentices and train them in departments across their respective operations. AESSEAL last year committed £1.25m to expand its own apprenticeships programme, with plans to take on 30 young men and women over five years.

The company started with a handful of employees and now has 1,500 in 230 locations worldwide, including 300-plus in Rotherham.

During the Titans' visit, both companies shared their goals and ambitions with one another, and found strong similarities between their work ethics, both relying on teamwork, trust and honesty.

James Selka, production personnel director at AESSEAL, said: "It's a great occasion for two successful Rotherham teams to come together and inspire our young apprentices."

John Lewis, chief executive of Rotherham Titans, added: "To win, our guys put their bodies on the line every week. It was great to see the apprentices at AESSEAL showing the same commitment as part of their winning team."

To show further support of National Apprentice Week, Rotherham Titans are offering all apprentices in the Yorkshire region entry to their home matches at Clifton Lane for the remainder of the season, for just £7, which is half the usual price.

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News: GCI Com sign sponsorship deal with Rotherham Titans

Rotherham Titans, the town's rugby club, has announced GCI Com as new corporate sponsors and welcomed back a former player to Clifton Lane.

Canadian, Jonathan Ashley played for the club in the 1997-98 season. A tight head prop, he arrived at Rotherham with fellow Canadian Mike Schmid. While Schmid spent the next eight years at Rotherham and is still involved in the game, Ashley chose another route and entered the business world.

Currently Jonathan is part of business development at GCI Com, who have recently linked up with Rotherham Titans as new corporate sponsors.

Jonathan Ashley of GCI Com, said: "GCI Com is pleased to have partnered with the Titans both on and off the field. The Titans are true professionals in their search for excellence. A testament to this is the number of players working with children of all walks of life every time I visit the club.

"This professionalism struck a chord with us and we felt we needed to bring our services to the club to bolster both the network infrastructure and the telephone communications coming into the club. Rotherham is a town and community that are making great strides in this challenging economic time.

"It's particularly satisfying for me to link back up with Rotherham Titans as I enjoyed my time as a player here very much and I still have many fond memories of Clifton Lane."

With the head office based in Lincoln, GCI Com is a supplier of business to business data and telecommunications solutions. The group was formed in 2005 and has since grown through a number of acquisitions. They enjoy a turnover of over £45m and over 130 staff across six UK offices.

Rob Hannon, chief executive at Rotherham Titans, said: "We are thrilled to have such a prestigious company as GCI Com join the Rotherham Titans family. We are looking forward to forging a long and successful partnership with both Jonathan Ashley and GCI Com."

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News: Titans' Millmoor deal is kicked into touch

The use of the Millmoor ground to stage home matches for the Rotherham Titans looks unlikely after "a commercially viable solution could not be found."


Talks between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and ground owners, CF Booth Ltd have been ongoing for several months.

In June, the council's cabinet agreed that officers should negotiate leases of Millmoor, the former home of Rotherham United, that would enable Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club to take an underlease of the stadium.

The club have now admitted that the prospects of the Titans moving to Millmoor are now looking unlikely.

Rob Hannon, chief executive of Rotherham Rugby Club, said: "All concerned have worked tirelessly to try and make this project happen, but regrettably a commercially viable solution could not be found.

"I know the Directors would like to thank Ken & James Booth as well as Roger Stone and Martin Kimber of the council for all their help and endeavours.

"I know both they and ourselves are disappointed that we could not find a way forward. However we have all had to weigh up the commercial aspects, which of course are made more difficult in this current economic environment."

The Titans ambitious plan was to develop the ground as a leading stand-alone rugby venue including refurbishing the Tivoli suite and the removal of seats from the Millmoor Lane side of the ground to eventually complete the new main stand.

Were the club to gain promotion back into the premiership, their ground would need to meet strict criteria set by the RFU, the governing body for the sport in England. The Titan's current home at Clifton Lane does not and development would be difficult. The club stated that they have been in discussions with other grounds and those negotiations are still ongoing.

Rob Hannon added: "We know many of the fans will also be disappointed with this news but I'm sure they will understand that the future financial security of the club is our prime concern.

"We have made great progress these past six months and we still have a lot of work to do. The ground is just one aspect of the business and there is still plenty to do on the day to day operations and development of the club."

The former tenants of Millmoor, Rotherham United are expected to announce the name of their new £17.3m stadium at a press conference on Monday.

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News: Rotherham Titans sign Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon is continuing to invest in Rotherham by sponsoring the Rotherham Titans and the Titans Community Foundation.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships is working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver a repairs service to 12,000 council-owned properties in the areas of Wentworth South, Wentworth Valley, Rother Valley West and Rother Valley South.

Mick Williamson, managing director at Willmott Dixon Partnerships said: "When we started our repairs service last October, we said we would actively invest in community growth through training, work experience and employment opportunities, plus helping local causes. So far, we have taken on six new apprentices, provided numerous work placements through our "Open Doors" initiative and our volunteers have delivered much needed projects at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary, Wickersley Housing Trust and Herringthorpe Junior School.

"We want to use our role with the borough council to make a positive impact in the community and linking up with the Titans is absolutely the right fit. It enables us to support the Titans Community Foundation and initiatives like the "Tackling Programme" that works to improve the lives and prospects of young and disadvantaged people in Rotherham."

By backing the Titans over the forthcoming season, Willmott Dixon will play a key role on its "Tackling Programme" concerning anti-social behaviour, which will see engineers work with the Titans team in taking the important message of respect and considerate behaviour to parts of the community blighted by the anti-social actions of a few.

The company and the club are hopeful that the investment will fulfil the ambition of getting the team back into the top tier of English rugby again.

Mick continued: "Overall, we are impressed by the vision and ambition of the club alongside its strong community values. By sponsoring them, we are giving the team an even better chance of success and it will be fantastic for our team and the town to support them on their journey to the Premiership."

Nick Cragg, chair of Rotherham Rugby Club and the Titans Community Foundation added: "We are delighted Willmott Dixon has committed to support us. They are one of the Top 50 private companies in the UK and more importantly they share our values and our ambition. It will be fantastic to share a journey together."

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