News: £9.5m vision shows Millmoor reborn

Plans have been revealed for an ambitious £9.5m vision for transforming the site of Rotherham United's former home into a new 2,000-capacity stadium, national women's football centre of excellence and community sports village.

Rothbiz reported first earlier this week that early stage discussions had taken place over the future use of Millmoor, the historic stadium that is currently being demolished.

Now Rotherham United Women FC has revealed its initial vision for the famous site following discussions with owners the Ron Hull Group and meetings with representatives of Rotherham Council.

The proposals would see football return to Millmoor, which was home to Rotherham United for more than a century before the men's team departed in 2008.

At the heart of the plans is a national centre of excellence dedicated to girls' and women's football, with facilities designed to attract players, coaches and sporting organisations from across the UK and potentially further afield.

The club believes the site could become a major destination for women's football development, offering opportunities from grassroots participation through to elite performance, alongside facilities that the entire community can enjoy.

The initial £9.5m vision includes a 2,000-capacity football stadium – a new home for Rotherham United Women, featuring a 3G playing surface, spectator facilities, hospitality and potential for future expansion.

A national centre of excellence for girls' and women's football – specialist coaching, player development, sports science, fitness and education, with ambitions to attract talent from across the country.

Other facilities could include padel courts, a health and fitness hub, community and multi-sport facilities and a tribute to Millmoor's heritage.

The club said that the aim is to create a destination that is busy seven days a week, bringing together elite sport, grassroots participation, education, recreation and community activity as well as acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration in Masbrough.

Phil Smith, co-owner of Rotherham United Women FC, said: "We see an opportunity to create something genuinely significant here, not just for Rotherham but for women's football nationally.

"The ambition isn't simply to build a new stadium. It's to explore a dedicated centre of excellence that could attract players, coaches and sporting organisations from across the country, while creating facilities that schools, families and the wider community can benefit from.

"Millmoor has an incredible history, and there's an opportunity to give it a new purpose for generations to come.

"We've had constructive initial discussions with the Ron Hull Group and representatives of the Council. There's a considerable amount of work ahead, but we believe the potential deserves to be explored properly."

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Rotherham United Women will launch a two-week public consultation on Monday October 26, asking residents, supporters, schools, sporting organisations, charities and businesses what they want from the site.

The consultation will explore demand for the proposed facilities, identify what the community feels is missing and invite ideas that have not yet been considered.

Scott Thorpe, co-owner of Rotherham United Women FC, said: "For nearly 20 years we've talked about what Rotherham lost when football left Millmoor. Maybe it's time we started talking about what Rotherham could gain.

"Imagine a new stadium, kids training on the pitches, families playing padel and young footballers travelling from all over the country because Rotherham has become somewhere they aspire to play.

"Why shouldn't we have something like that here?

"But this can't just be about what Phil and I think. We've got our ideas, and now we want to hear everyone else's.

"If you're a parent, a teacher, a local business, a sports club or someone who simply wants to see Rotherham thrive, we want you involved.

"We're not pretending this is a done deal. There are plenty of hurdles to overcome, but you've got to have ambition."

Rotherham United Women website

Images: RUWFC

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News: Millmoor talks held over "centre of excellence" idea

Early stage discussions have taken place over the future use of Millmoor, the historic home of Rotherham United that is currently being demolished.

Rothbiz reported first in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish Millmoor with plans explaining the poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user" of the stadium that last hosted league football almost 20 years ago.

The new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration. Plans said that "the client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Now, just months on from saving Rotherham United Women Football Club, the new owners there have started discussions regarding big plans for utilising Millmoor in the future.

Local business leaders Phil Smith and Scott Thorpe acquired the club in July when it was just days away from closure following a period of financial uncertainty.

Smith, the founder and former group CEO of Embark Group, and Thorpe of TMG Financial Services, have set out a bold vision to achieve back to back promotions and reach the Barclays Women’s Super League within five years.

With the plans approved for the demolition of Millmoor, talks have taken place about the club creating a sports village at the Masbrough site.

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Scott Thorpe, co-owner of Rotherham United Women Football Club, said: "We've had some really positive discussions with the council about the possibility of bringing one of Rotherham's most historic sporting sites back to life as a sports village and centre of excellence.

"And I don't want us to think small.

"Why shouldn't Rotherham become a genuine centre of excellence for girls' and women's football, with facilities that also support schools, other sports and the wider community?

"Imagine a place where a young girl can start playing football, develop through a proper pathway and potentially go all the way, without having to leave the town to find opportunities.

"And imagine bringing a historic sporting site back to life in a way that benefits thousands of people, not just those who turn up to watch 90 minutes of football.

"That's the sort of ambition I think we should have for Rotherham.

"We're at the beginning of those conversations, and there's a huge amount to work through, including funding, feasibility and listening to what the town actually wants.

"But everything starts with an idea and people willing to put the work in."

Rotherham United Women currently play home games at the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium at Parkgate. Doncaster Rovers Belles were the last team to play at Millmoor in 2025.

With regard to the future of the site, the CF Booth scrap yard was allocated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's 2018 local plan. The stadium and surrounding area was allocated as a Mixed Use Area appropriate for "business use (excluding offices), housing, residential and non residential institutions and assembly and leisure uses."

Rotherham United Women Football Club website
TMG website

Images: RUFC / RUWFC

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News: Rotherham Hospice appoints new ambassadors

Four leading local figures have joined Rotherham Hospice as ambassadors.

Phil Smith, Scott Thorpe, Jamie Sharp and Allie Dransfield are helping the hospice on Broom Road raise awareness, inspire fundraising and keep hospice care firmly in the heart of our community.

As an independent charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on community support to continue providing personalised, compassionate end of life care. It costs £10.2m each year to run our services. Just 37% of that is funded, meaning it must raise £6.6m every year to continue supporting local people.

Rotherham-born and raised, Phil Smith has built an internationally successful career in banking, investment management and technology. Recently appointed Independent Non-Executive Director at Rotherham United, Phil has long been a passionate supporter of both the football club and the town it represents.

His connection to the hospice, however, is deeply personal.

“I’ve had three family members come through the hospice over the last 20 years,” Phil said. “Every single time, they did something for the family that was quite important.

“I think treating people in palliative care is probably the most important thing you can do in society. It’s not just about the person in care, it’s about the family around them who are feeling the grief and loss. There’s nothing else that could beat it.”

Scott Thorpe, CEO of TMG Mortgage Network, has already demonstrated his commitment to the hospice through transformative partnerships — including gifting the naming rights of Parkgate FC’s ground to create the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium.

A proud Rotherham lad, Scott sees the role as a natural extension of his community work.

“It’s about giving back,” he said. “We’ve had staff who’ve been through the hospice experience. It means everything to the town. We’ve all got to look after the families and people around us.”

Beyond fundraising, Scott hopes to use his business expertise to support the hospice’s long-term sustainability. “Raise loads of money, but ultimately awareness — and how we in business can help guide the way the hospice raises money.”

Jamie Sharp, Business Manager at MTL Advanced, has supported Rotherham Hospice for many years through corporate partnerships and hands-on community projects.

Most recently, MTL Advanced apprentices manufactured hundreds of steel feathers for the hospice’s Feather Appeal at Wentworth Woodhouse — demonstrating the power of skills, craftsmanship and compassion working together.

“I was fortunate not to have a personal connection through loss at first — it was through business,” Jamie explained. “But once you understand what the hospice is about and how it supports families, you just carry on helping.”

For Jamie, the ambassador role is also about education and legacy. “It’s been great getting younger apprentices involved and helping them understand what a hospice is and does. Through the company, we want to continue generating revenue and media exposure to support the hospice.”

Allie is head of agency at Chapter II – a leading PR, marketing, design and videography agency based in Sheffield.

Born and raised in Rotherham, Allie’s connection to the hospice runs deep. From fundraising as a young dancer in annual shows organised by her dance teacher, Miss Wendy Hewitt, to supporting the hospice lottery through her family, the charity has always been part of her life.

Allie said: “I am truly honoured to become an ambassador. As someone born and raised in the town, and a long-standing supporter of the hospice, this charity means a great deal to me personally.

"Having seen first-hand the incredible difference the hospice makes within our community, I am proud to use my voice to help raise awareness, champion its fundraising efforts, and ensure it can continue delivering its vital work across Rotherham for generations to come.”

Rotherham Hospice website

Images: Rotherham Hospice

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News: Community united at stadium to launch "Rotherham Day"

A new annual celebration designed to showcase the very best of Rotherham is gathering momentum, with businesses, schools, charities and community leaders recently coming together at the AESSEAL New York Stadium to launch the town’s first official Rotherham Day.

Planned for Friday September 18, the initiative aims to bring the town together in a celebration of civic pride while recognising the people, organisations and businesses that help make Rotherham what it is today.

The idea is being spearheaded by local figure John Breckin, widely known as “Mr Rotherham”, alongside local businessman Scott Thorpe, founder of TMG Mortgage Network, and David Walker, Rotherham's School Games Organiser, with added support from a growing coalition of business and community groups and organisations across the borough.

Organisers say the day will focus on celebrating the town’s achievements, inspiring the next generation and strengthening the sense of pride among residents.

Events planned for the day include schools across the borough wearing red to show their support for the town, the continuation of the hugely successful Children’s Capital of Culture baton relay, a run to help support all local charities, which will then look to become a half marathon and full marathon to put the town on the map, and community events highlighting local charities, volunteers and businesses.

There are also plans for creative projects in schools, including a poetry initiative led by Year 9 students celebrating what Rotherham means to them with a book to published.

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Organisers say the ambition is for Rotherham Day to become a long-term tradition that grows year on year.

Scott Thorpe said the goal was simple: “Rotherham has incredible people, successful businesses and a strong community spirit. This day is about bringing that together and putting the town firmly on the map, with blue chip companies now on board, we are convinced we can now put Rotherham Firmly on the map.

“We want people to celebrate where they’re from, recognise the achievements around them and create something that future generations can be proud of.”

John Breckin added: “There’s already fantastic work happening across Rotherham every day. Rotherham Day is about connecting all of that and creating a moment where the whole town comes together.

“If we can inspire young people, celebrate our volunteers and remind everyone what makes this place special, then we’ve achieved something important.”

Organisers hope the initiative will grow into a major annual event for the town, attracting widespread participation from schools, businesses and community groups.

Phil Smith, Non-Executive Director at Rotherham United, was at the launch event and talked about his start in life in Rotherham and his journey to the upper echelons in the global financial sector. He is convinced that the local community working together to talk up the town will encourage investors to take a closer look.

Rotherham Day could be the start, as Thorpe adds: "This isn’t just a celebration, it’s a statement: Rotherham is proud, ambitious and ready to put itself back on the map."

Anyone interested in supporting or getting involved with Rotherham Day can contact the organisers to find out more about upcoming plans and opportunities to take part.

Rotherham Day Linktree

Images: Rotherham Day

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