He loves killing pigs

Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham Utd, Sat November 8th 2014, Att 26,986

I awoke on the morning of the long anticipated trip to Hillsborough and thought, 'I don't want to go. What if we lose, it will be unbearable.' Our last two results had put me in a negative frame of mind, instead of a top half finish I was suddenly looking below to the relegation zone. The last team I wanted to play at the moment were the old enemy, the dee dahs, the pigs, Sheffield Wednesday. Our recent record had been so good today could only be a let down. I have a vivid memory of standing on Leppins Lane on Tues 28th Dec 1982 and watching a shot by Joe McBride hit a divot and loop over Bob Bolders foot and into the net resulting in a 1-0 win and a famous song.  An even vivider one is sitting in the seats above the Leppins Lane end on Friday 23rd August 2002, right behind a 93rd minute shot by Darren Garner. In my memory he's on the halfway line but records say he was 30 yards out when the ball left his foot and flew into the net. Rotherham won 2-1.

Then there was February 23rd 2002. A 90th minute Richie Barker header gave the Millers yet another 2-1 victory.

And finally there was the Carling Cup game of 12th August 2009, when a late Reuben Reid equaliser saw the game go to penalties, in which the Millers triumphed yet again. So all in all we have a brilliant recent record at Hillsborough. 

Early morning saw Ian watching Bad Dogs, a reality TV show where the 'Bad Dogs' in question were actually a cat, a monkey, and a tortoise that cornered a cat and took a lump out of its fur. Some of these programmes are real eye openers. He then got a disturbing text from Wooly who had had a dream where Ian's car got smashed up by weds fans while parked outside their ground. Ian declared we would go in little red. Wooly also informed us he would be wearing his lucky underpants. I started feeling a little better. I went down to the station to collect Vicky, the town was swarming with police, there appeared to be another march going on in the town centre. Ian, meanwhile, had walked the dog down to Tesco and saw the team bus outside the Carlton Park. Let's hope they were eating not drinking. 

The drive to the ground was worrisome due to traffic, especially around Meadowhall where the whole nation had decided to Xmas shop. 'I told you we should drive through the town centre', Ian proclaimed when we were stuck yet again on the ring road. Close to the ground it was even worse, but we managed to find a gym that was charging £3 to park in its car park. Much better than Derby but not as good as Bournemouth. From there it was only a ten minute walk and we arrived at the away end in plenty of time.

We were in the upper stand, and by a quirk of fate, in almost the exact same spot where I was sat when Darren Garner unleashed his 30 yarder. We were also at the very back among the yobs. One of the hazards of buying tickets first. 

Because of Remembrance Sunday a minutes silence was held during which a bugler played the last post causing a few hairs to be raised on arms. Then we were off.

You may recall Mr Miller, a genial friendly referee from earlier in the season. Today's ref was Mr Miller, his not at all genial or friendly twin brother. A Weds player fell over, free kick, Alex Revell was assaulted, play on. Weds started the better, but we gradually came into the game and finished the half strongly. At half time a kind of 'it's a knockout' situation evolved, with 4000 people trying to squeeze through three narrow gangways into the concourse. Vicky and I managed to prevail and joined the back of the queue to the ladies. (See below). We then reversed the procedure and arrived back at our seats just as the second half kicked off. 

Once again we were the better side, and once again Mr Miller thwarted all our efforts. Frecklington had the ball in the net only to have it, rightly, ruled out for offside. Steve was giving the fourth official hell on the touch line. Just before the final whistle a Weds player burst into the area, slipped over, and screamed for a penalty. Mr Miller finally got something right and waved away the protests, then brought the game to an end. 0-0 and a moral victory to the Millers. I was able to release the breath I had been holding all day. Thank god for yet another blooming international break, time to get my breath back. Next up Birmingham at home in two weeks time. 

Men of the match

Ian - Alex Revell

Jackie - Richie Smallwood

Vicky - Ben 'He loves killing pigs' Pringle

Ian's award

Pringle getting manhandled just outside the area, no foul according to Mr Miller.

Funniest moment 

The giant blow up pig floating around the away end.

Millers fans poke at Stevie May, a player who almost signed for us but decided at the last minute to go to Hillsborough

'We got Clarke-Harris, you got a Scottish Gypo'

Toilet watch

Only four toilets, floor swimming with who knows what, no paper or paper towels. Very poor. 3/10