Millers star Pope hits back at Facebook slurs

The Millers star said this week that a section of the clubs supporters had been abusing him on social networking site Facebook for months, including making accusations that he took drugs.

Speaking after Tuesday’s game at Stevenage, the 25-year-old branded the suggestions ludicrous and said that the perpetrators were idiots.

He said: “I think a lot of it is down to jealousy. I cant understand why people who dont know me or know what kind of person I am can write these things. Its not nice.

“I had a couple of messages after Saturday saying how crap I was again. It’s just idiots.

“If they want to say I’m crap or whatever then if they are big enough to back it up they can say it to somebody’s face.

“If anyone wants to say something to me, Il’l gladly stand and talk to them.

“It was said that I had been smoking pot. That is absolutely ludicrous. I don’t touch drugs.

“I condemn drug-taking and anyone who has taken them shouldnt be in football. They shouldn’t be given a six-month ban. They should be kicked out.”

Pope, who was signed from Crewe Alexandra two years ago, has struggled to get into the Rotherham team this season and, by his own admission, his time at the club has not gone as well as he had hoped.

The centre forward, who was the subject of transfer rumours this week, also stressed that he was a reformed character since his involvement in a brawl outside a nightclub during his days at Crewe.

“Obviously, it hasnt gone as well as I would have liked here but I am still trying my best and still working hard,” he said.

“I haven’t said anything bad or done anything bad.”