We are staying up, part 2

Rotherham v Reading, New York stadium, Tues 28th April 2015, Att 11,123

The maths were simple. Win and we would remain a championship club for another season, anything else and our trip to Leeds on Saturday would not be the meaningless fixture we were hoping for. Steve had been given a helping hand before the game from an unlikely source, Millwall striker Lee Gregory. He had tweeted that he hoped we would bottle it and they could win to stay up. A perfectly reasonable statement, but one which Steve twisted to read he thought we had no bottle and pinned up on the dressing room wall for inspiration. 

We hear you Lee

Another point in our favour was that Reading had nothing to play for, hadn't won for eight games, and hadn't scored for more than 400 minutes. Still, I was very nervous all day, I really didn't want to have to get a result at Leeds. 

Vicky arrived back from Nottingham mid afternoon and Chris gave us a lift  down a bit earlier than usual due to Ian's leg. We entered via turnstyle 10, no help from the stewards tonight despite the crutches, and took our place next to OMOTE. Vicky had had a long conversation with him at the Norwich game during which she learned that he had also renewed his season ticket. Another season in which to get to know him better then. Not wanting things to develop too quickly I just gave him the usual nod, the rest we'll save for August. Due to their small numbers, around 200, the Reading fans had just been given a sliver of the South stand with all the rest being filled with Millers. The ground was rocking, trying to be the 12th man that Steve had asked for. We had seen the team before we left on Sky Sports News, unchanged, scrolling along the bottom in yellow in the breaking news section. That had to be a first, they don't usually care who is playing for us. They also had a man at the ground, all be it an unknown man. The ref, too, was an unknown man. In fact there was a good chance that he had been chosen from the crowd he was so poor. There was a minutes silence before the game for the Rotherham fan who had a heart attack on Don Street before the fateful Sheff Wed game and died a couple of weeks later. Then Frank played, we kicked for the final time this season, and we were off. The first half was very edgy, neither team getting a foothold, and notable only for a push on Lafferty who cannoned into the ball boy injuring him and forcing him to be carried off on a stretcher. 

The only other thing of note was the dire performance of the referee who never seemed to be up with play. Half time arrived with the score at 0-0. 

The second half began with us shooting towards the North stand for the final time this season, and the noisy crowd almost sucking the ball toward goal. Ben Pringle was having a storming game, covering every blade of grass, and linking up really well with Danny Ward who was also having a stormer. We started to press a little bit as the noise levels increased. Finally the breakthrough came. Danny Ward got to the byline just below us and put in a speculative cross. Matt Derbyshire was first to react and got a toe to the ball steering it into the net. Cue wild celebrations and chants of 'we are staying up'. 

We hardly had time to sing a few choruses of the song telling the football league what we think of their point docking antics when Danny Ward was pulling the ball back from the same position below us. Derbyshire was also in the same spot but the ball evaded his outstretched boot, and the keepers despairing grasp, before settling at Lee 'I score big goals' Frecklingtons right boot. He steered it home and we were in heaven. 

Then it was party time. Even Ian was bouncing around on his one good leg. We were so close we could almost taste it. Steve replaced Clubfoot, who was slightly injured, with Wood, Derbyshire with Bowery, and Ward with Green, all receiving standing ovations. But Rotherham being Rotherham we like to do things the hard way. We decided to sit back as usual and invited Reading on. They duly obliged by scoring with five minutes to go. Suddenly things weren't so easy, and memories of that Shef Weds game surfaced. We all became edgy. The announcement NOT to run on the pitch which usually signals the migration of the fans to the front in readiness for running on the pitch went largely unnoticed. The bogus referees' assistant held up the board, five added minutes. Vicky started her stopwatch. Reading won a corner and their keeper went up. Whistles rang around the New York. Martinez plucked the ball out of the air and a sigh of relief was audible. He kicked the ball. The ref blew. We were safe. Cue the pitch invasion complete with flares, or smoke bombs as Sky Sports calls them. 

We let the youthful people rush down first then wended our way down to tred the hallowed turf. 

As is usual the players came out onto the balcony to celebrate with the fans

And as is usual, and worryingly for those below, Steve climbed on the wall

Back in the dressing room the players were taking selfies

Eventually we wandered on home, tired but happy, and raised a glass to messers Derbyshire and Frecklington. The Fulhams of this world will be back at the New York Stadium again next season and we've been invited to a party in Leeds on Saturday. Watch this space....

Men of the match

Ian - Danny Ward

Jackie - Ben Pringle

Vicky - Danny Ward

Ref watch - This season, I give up. This one looked like he'd never seen a whistle before

Funniest moment - Steve on the balcony.

Quote of the day - Steve in his aftermatch interview about Lee Gregory

"A Millwall player said we've not got bottle. I've got 12 bottles of pink finest Champagne and we'll be drinking them for about a week, look forward to League One, son, and keep your trap shut."

It only takes a minute..

Rotherham v Norwich, New York Stadium, Sat 25th April 2015, Att 11,498

As expected, the FL docked us three points at their meeting on Friday. By that time I think we had all resigned ourself to this and had been looking at the table with this in mind. So, here's the possible connotations of today's result. Best possible. We win, Millwall and Wigan lose we are mathematically safe. Worst possible. We lose and both win, it goes down to the last game. Norwich needed a win to stay in the automatic promotion places. 

It was Vickys 21st birthday (we never win on her birthday) so we did all the present opening in the morning, during which Ian phoned the disability liaison officer at the club to see if he could be dropped off at the door. He had had his cruciate operation the previous Wednesday but no way was he missing this game. The answer was yes, as long as it's before 2pm, so we planned on that. Alex was up for Vickys birthday so Vicky dropped me and Ian off at 1.59 and 59 seconds and she and Alex drove off to park at Ians office. In a lovely touch a small plaque had been erected at turnstyle number 9 stating 'johns turnstyle' in memory of John Fearns. We were a little worried as, due to Ians crutches, we were guided through the big gate instead of turnstyle 10. Once inside we made our way to our seats so Ian could sit down, and found OMOTE already in place. He must arrive early as well as leave early. I had brought a programme so busied myself with reading that. Vicky and Alex arrived in good time and informed us that it was to be an unchanged side from the Fulham game where Steve felt we had played well. 

Before the game our manager had been fostering an 'us against the world' philosophy, firing us up by telling us that everyone tries to knock us down but we keep bouncing back, this was reinforced by the pre match music with tunes such as 'we get knocked down' playing. The away end was sold out also leading to a fantastic atmosphere. Norwich had an old friend in their line up in the form of former Millers striker Lewis Grabban. He of the silly beard.

Our friend Lewis

Despite the cold wind and rain outside the stadium, the sun was shining inside when Frank sang, we kicked, and referee Mr Brown blew. We were off for one of the most important games of the season. Norwich started pretty well, as befits their league standing, but we started to come into the game more after 15mins or so. At this point it's about what others do as much as it is about your own game, so people had their eyes on their own or other people's phones desperate to know about Wigan and Millwall. The news had just come through that Wigan were losing (yay) when we heard that Millwall were winning through a penalty (boo). Then they doubled their lead with another penalty (double boo). Back on our pitch the play was over near the benches when suddenly the referree whipped out a red card. My heart sank as he walked forward, until he brandished it at Lewis Grabban. No-one around us knew what it was for, but it definitely helped our cause. Once a Miller always a Miller they say. 

Afterwards it seems that he aimed a punch at Craig Morgan, and the ref had no option but to send him off. This seemed to confuse us for a bit, and the match reached half time at 0-0. 

All eyes were now turned to the crowd messages on the big screen. I had arranged for a happy birthday message to be displayed and Vicky was delighted. 

More inspirational music preceded the second half, in which we started well having a couple of good attacks. But as is customary the opposition pounced on a loose pass and scored, Hooper volleying home in the manner of a certain Mr Revell. 

Ambitious... But brilliant?

The Norwich fans went wild, they could smell the promised land of the Premier League, especially as Middlesborough were loosing. As for us, Millwall had scored again making it 3-1 at the New Den, and turning the relegation fight upside down. How would we react? Brilliantly as it turns out. A disgruntled, and possible departee, Pringle was withdrawn for Hammill, and Bowery replaced Ward. We pressed, and pressed. The crowd drove the team on. Norwich became nervous. Word came through of another Derby goal. 3-2 in London. Bowery latched on to a through ball, raced into the area and pulled the ball back to leave Derbyshire to slot home into an open net. He steadied himself and skewed it wide. No matter, still we pressed. On 86 minutes Hammill got the ball just in front of us and raced into the area, he beat two defenders and crossed to the far post where Jordan Bowery was waiting to head home. We were on our feet delirious with pleasure when things got even better. News reached us that Derby had equalised, in almost the exact same moment that Bowerys goal had gone in. 

It only takes a minute to turn a season on its head.

He scores goals!

With the crowd roaring them on the players went in for the kill keeping Norwich on the back foot for the final few minutes. Alas it was not to be, but a 1-1 draw was more than we could have hoped. The players left to a standing ovation and we left with a spring in our step.

At one point in the afternoon things looked so bleak for the Millers and very sweet for Norwich. When Derbyshire put that chance wide a huge wave of dread came over the New York as it looked as if it would just not be the hosts' afternoon, and with Millwall beating Derby, we were facing the prospect of slipping into the relegation zone for the first time since November. Meanwhile, the Canaries were loving life, winning with 10 men and going back into the top two owing to Middlesbrough's defeat at Fulham. Fast forward nine minutes and it was all change. Bowery forced a much-deserved equaliser, which would have still kept the Millers in the bottom three, but pulled the rug from under the feet of Norwich's automatic promotion hopes. But, as if the scheming footballing gods had planned it all along, at virtually the same time, Millwall conceded an 85th-minute leveller to draw 3-3 to ensure it's as you were in the race for survival. A win for the Millers against Reading at the New York on Tuesday will ensure our safety and we will all be able to thumb our noses at the Football League.

Come on you reds!

Men of the match

Ian - Clubfoot

Jackie - Arneson

Vicky - Arneson (she copied me)

Fulham and Farrendgate

Fulham vs Rotherham, Craven Cottage, Weds 15th April 2015

Well, what can I say. On Monday 13th April 2015 the world slipped off its axis for all Rotherham United fans. I had phoned Vicky while at work for a minor matter when she dropped the bombshell. 'Have you heard, we have fielded an ineligible playe?". My stomach hit my boots. We had fielded an ineligible player? Who? Why? How was it possible? And then came the realisation, it would almost certainly lead to a points deduction that we could not really afford. Everyone knows that if you are a big club the football league will slap you with a paltry fine, slap your hands and tell you not to do it again. Unfortunately we are not, and we have the hated Steve Evans as manager, so a points deduction would be almost nailed on. Not only that, but Millwall, the team who's fans had behaved like animals at the New York stadium only a few weeks ago, would be the team to benefit from it. Travesty is the word that springs to mind. When I got home I found that the player was young Farrend Rawson, our Loanee from Derby. It seems that Both us and Derby had completed the required paperwork and faxed it off to the Football League (FL). Yes, in this computer age the FL still rely on faxes. However, it being Easter there was no-one at the FL to see and verify it. We just assumed that it was Ok and carried on regardless, naming Young Farrend in the team to play Brighton. As we all know we won that game, leading us all to feel safety was assured. Consensus of opinion was that the FL would hurridly convene and make a decision before the Norwich game on Vickys birthday, and that that decision would be to take away the points we won in that game. 

Young Farrend in action against Brighton

Because of this a victory at Fulham was very important. Of course we could not go due to work commitments and Craven cottage being far, far away. Vicky and I started the night out at Coal in Meadowhall for tea with Rachael. As we stood to leave just past 8pm I glanced at my phone to see 'derbyshire 5'. Woohoo, we were winning.

He shoots....

He scores.....

He falls over

We arrived home and sat down to the painful rolling results service. We all held our breath whenever we went 'down to Craven Cottage', but halftime came with the score still 1-0. Just after the second half the inevitable happened. We went 'down to Craven Cottage' and Fulham had scored. They showed it almost immediately and there was clearly a Fulham handball in the build up. 

My hands were by my side, honest ref!

We clung on to hope until the final score came it at 1-1. At least it was another point towards safety. But with the FL hearing coming up it looked like one step forward and three back. Next up almost table toppers Norwich. But before that, the football league hearing......

It's cold up North

Middlesborough v Rotherham, Riverside Stadium, Sat 11th April 2015, Att 19,537

Because the Leeds game is so close this was to be the last munchbox of the season, so I made it a little exotic with cocktail sausages and pesto pasta. We set off around 11.30, which seemed early enough, until Vicky informed us that the beerbus was leaving at 8.30. Clearly the Middlesborough pubs we're going to take a good hammering. We decided to leave the A1 around the North Yorks Moors and find a place for a picnic in the sun. Coming across a car Park next to a small stream we decided on that, and opened the car door to get out. The sun was very misleading, it was freezing, thank god I had taken my hat and gloves. So we ate in the car and people/dog watched.

We arrived in Middlesborough with plenty of time to spare and set about looking for parking. After a misturn into a factory we came across a bit of wasteland with a battered old car and a sign saying 'Matchday parking £3'. A little man leapt out of the car and relieved us of our money. Thinking about it he was probably an opportunist, but good luck to him. It turns out the wasteland was pretty close to the stadium, and it was also pretty cold. Shame Ian had decided on summer clothes, no doubt not wanting to be caught out again. The Riverside is a nice looking stadium with some interesting features nearby.

We rushed straight to the loo on entry, in interests of this blog of course. There were plenty of them, clean, warm water, not hot. A little bit tatty which brings the score down a bit. Overall not bad. 

We were seated in the corner, quite a lot of Millers had travelled, amongst higher class Millers fans about half way up. Our yobbo mates at the back were probably wondering where we were. To our left some Boro fans were trying to put out a giant flag over the seats, unfortunately some of the seats had netting over them. They struggled for ages, before deciding on the back up plan, a tiny little flag just in front. Eventually we could see that the flag read Raith Rovers. 

We had spotted a few old friends among the crowd. Chris's mate Tom, Ian's mate Mark, Mr Nasal, Ian's mate John and sons, The Mullet. No sign of Mr Serial Killer and his eyebrows though. The team news was announced and apparently young Farrend Rawson had picked up a knock and was to be replaced by Richard Wood. Interestingly he was running up and down the line below us. A portent of things to come. Steve had also dropped Pringle for Adam 'I love a stepover' Hammill. 

We put up a pretty good show in the first half, not creating much but not giving anything away either, and half time saw the score at 0-0. Alas, we had our usual kamikaze five minutes early in the second half and conceded two goals. We hugged and puffed after that to no avail and Boro ran out 2-0 victors. What we expected really, but Millwalls defeat meant we all felt that we were almost there. Little did we know! Next up Fulham away. 

Men of the match

Ian - Clubfoot

Jackie - Smallwood

Vicky - Arneson

Quote of the day

"Why is Rawson not playing?"

Toilet watch 6/10

We are staying up

Rotherham v Brighton, New York stadium, Monday 6th April 2015. Att 9872

Still languishing near the bottom of the championship, we woke up on Easter Monday to another must win game. Our recent form had seen us being dragged nearer and nearer to the trapdoor, and a Wigan or millwall win, coupled with defeat for us would leave us with one foot in league 1. As we had just returned from Andorra and there was no food in the house, I popped to Tesco express. That was when I saw them. Eating some dead animal in the road right in front of me. Two (TWO!!!!!!) magpies. Yes!!!!!!! 'Its gorgeous out there' I said as I returned, heart singing. I decided on no coat, just a sweatshirt. 'I will need my sunglasses, it's absolutely boiling' I reiterated. We decided to walk, as Ian's leg wasn't too bad, so we set off in the sunshine. By the time we got to the Carlton Park Ian was visibly perspiring. Looking closely I saw he was wearing a thick jumper, a big coat, and gloves. By the time we reached his office he had removed the coat and gloves, although he was still perspiring. By the top of Alma road he had removed his jumper, thank god as I thought I was going to need medical help. At this point Vicky volunteered that she had leggings on under her jeans. I never once said 'I told you it was warm'. Honest! At the stadium Alex needed to go show his student ID at the ticket office so Ian and I sat and debated which turnstile. We decided on 11, because we had come so close to entering via that one at the Weds game, only to be thwarted at the last second, just like the team. We looked over the flowers that had been left for John Fearns, the supporter who died at that turnstile. Some had been left by the Brighton supporters club, which is nice. Inside, it was even hotter, with the sun beating down on the North Stand. 

OGOTE and I grunted at each other as I took my seat. Alex was supposed to be down at the front, but James sat down there with his girlfriend, so he sat next to Vicky. Ian was huddled under his big coat, right up to his chin. Red hot but determined not to get sunburned.  The teams came out much the same as last time we had seen them, with the exception of Bowery in for Sammon. Before kick off a minutes silence for John Fearns was impeccably followed. Then Frank sang, we kicked, and were off with a roar. A lot of Brighton fans had travelled the distance and the atmosphere was superb. We made a good start, and had a couple if attacks, before, on 7 minutes, Jordan Bowery got the ball on the touchline. His excellent cross was met by Matt Derbyshire at the near post where he volleyed home.

 1-0 and we were ecstatic. Only trouble being we had nearly 90 minutes to hang on. Being Rotherham that's just what we did. First half we were Ok, but second was all Brighton. They had a couple of tricky players who liked a dive, with the ref pandering to them every time. We were penned back with only the odd breakaway. Tension mounted. Steve fetched on Danny Ward for Bowery who got a wonderful standing ovation, and still  Brighton pressed. The last ten minutes lasted forever, and a great sigh of relief was felt when only 3 minutes of added time went up. At last the final whistle went. 1-0 to the Millers. Not only that but Wigan lost giving us a seven point cushion. We still aren't out of the woods but we can see the light. Next up table topping Middlesborough away. 

Men of the match

Ian - smallwood

Jackie - Derbyshire

Vicky - Hunt

Ref watch - Too easily swayed by cheating, diving foreigners. 

Funniest moments - The heat

Gin and tonic in Andorra

Birmingham City v Rotherham, St Andrews, Friday 3rd April 2015 (Good Friday)

While The Millers were running out in the rain at St Andrews, Ian and I were sitting on the Red Bull Terrace in full sun in Andorra sipping giant gin and tonics. The boom box was cranked up to eleven as I tuned on my iPad and tuned into the BBCs vidiprinter. It was all going so well until just before half time when Birmingham scored. They then scored again almost immediately. Sigh, same old same old.. The kids arrived back from their day on the slopes and plonked themselves down. "who wants to come shopping with me?" said Kathy. I weighed up the pain of shopping against the pain of following The Millers. "Me" I immediately replied. So, after Kathy refreshed herself, off we went.

Later, back in our room, Ian informed me that Matt Derbyshire had scored in our 2-1 defeat. Not much consolation there, especially as the trap door to relegation is creaking open. At least it was sunny in Andorra

Next up Brighton at home.

(The duplication above is a technical problem, not operator error)