Millmoor, the former home of Rotherham United based in South Yorkshire and now currently in use by Wickersley Youth JFC!
It’s been abandoned since May 2008 when Rotherham United played their last game there against Barnet and winning thanks a to a goal from Jamie Green. Rotherham went on to move to the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield up until 2012 when they moved to the New York Stadium leaving Millmoor just standing there…
There have been stories of Sunday League and Junior Teams during these last 16 years using the ground but nothing really coming to fruition. It is still well like amongst the Rotherham faithful especially the Merry Miller! Normally grounds like this are demolished after they’re no longer used but not this one. Just what is it that makes this particular abandoned ground stay alive? Have Rotherham really played their last game here perhaps?
There have been many a Sunday where me and the Merry Miller have walked across the bridge and looked over to Millmoor and thought “One Day we’re gonna walk across here and see someone playing!”
A few weeks ago, that exactly happened! Mr & Mrs Merry Miller were doing just that and in they went and the groundhopper group chat exploded! And I was straight on the phone to him! He told me that Wickersley Youth JFC were using the ground and are planning to until the end of the season for now with a possible view of extending into next season.
Thanks to the Merry Miller’s discovery, me and other hoppers have now been presented with a guilt edge chance to see Millmoor once and for all! Some hoppers have already done so, but today I am! It’s Wickersley Youth JFC U16 vs Junior Fox U16!
A short drive this time and I am here with about 15 minutes to kick off. They have a food stand up! Free Entry here! Of course! I am watching along with other hoppers and parents from the old Tivoli end and I have to say the seats are in good condition! Have they been painted and cleaned? It certainly appears so! The players are ready! I have missed junior football from my days at Wisewood JFC! Let’s go!
Kick Off! An early break for Junior Fox’ number 7… But the Wickersley defender gets there first and the keeper collects the loose ball.
5 minutes now and Wickersley number 4 wins it back on the edge of the Junior Fox box, he shoots inside the area to the right… It’s straight at the keeper.
16th minute now and Wickersley play a long ball forward and number 5 is in, he shoots… Keeper gets a hand to it… But it’s rolled in! Wickersley have the lead! 1-0!
5 minutes later and Wickersley have a corner, in it comes… It’s flicked on at the near post… It’s off the line! It falls for a Wickersley man on the volley… It’s deflected wide for another corner, in it comes… Cleared by Junior Fox.
30th minute and Junior Fox hit it forward and number 9 might reach this… He does… But it’s saved! Wickersley don’t clear it… But the keeper claims the loose ball.
36 minutes now and Junior Fox play a long ball and number 9 will get there to shoot… BRILLIANT CHALLENGE! The keeper can’t keep it in play and it’s a corner, in it comes… It comes to nothing and it’s a goal kick. At half time the score remains 1-0.
Second half, 45th minute and Wickersley play into the box on the left, number 23 shoots… The keeper saves and it’s a corner, in it comes… It comes to number 5 on the edge of the box and he shoots… BANG! Eat that! Brilliant strike! 2-0!
3 minutes later and it’s another corner for Wickersley, in it comes again… Number 8 with the header… The defender misses it and the keeper misjudges it… And it’s 3! Wickersley running away with it now! 3-0!
54th minute and another corner for Wickersley, in it comes again… It’s loose in the box… It falls for number 17 who shoots… And it’s trickled in!! The crowd loved that one! 4-0!
61 minutes gone and Wickersley are away again, number 11 is through down the right, he goes for goal… He’s put it over.
1 minute later and Junior Fox have a free kick on the right, it’s played in and it falls for a Junior Fox man for the shot… Deflected… And it’s in… But it’s Offside! No goal!
73rd minute and Junior Fox hit it forward, number 11 battles with the defender, he gets the better of him and pokes it past the keeper and it’s rolling… ALL THE WAY IN! The defender can’t keep it out and they’ve got 1! 4-1!
2 minutes later and Wickersley play forward again, it’s played through to number 6 running into the box on the left, he shoots… Good finish! 5-1! Wickersley continue to press but it stays 5-1!
Great to see Mark here today and to meet Stuart for a guided tour and history of the ground a pitch side level! Great to meet the man behind Around the Grounds and another long term Rotherham fan! The future is looking bright for Millmoor once again!
FT: Wickersley Youth U16 5-1 Junior Fox U16
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – No partisan parents sadly…
- The Ground: 8/10 – Love it! I still think it’s Football League standard with a little TLC but it has bags of character, really close to the pitch and it’s a dying breed of ground! Wooden seats and safe standing here too! I really hope that this becomes a long term project from Stuart and Ken Booth Jr to bring back football to Millmoor whoever it may be from!
- Expense: 10/10 – FREEBIE!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – The tour, game, meeting everyone here and just ticking off Millmoor was enough for me today!!
29/40