Ambitious plans for old Millmoor ground could create new chapter of growth & renewal to make Rotherham proud
“It would not just give Rotherham girls getting into football now an avenue in which to go pro, but it would also show them that their hometown is a place where ambitions and dreams can be realised”
The ambition behind the plans to turn the old Millmoor site is something that I feel tentatively excited about.
Rotherham United Women FC has unveiled its initial vision for the famous site following discussions with owners the Ron Hull Group and meetings with Rotherham Borough Council in recent days, and I think we have reason to be optimistic.
Whilst they are currently just a hopeful blueprint for how the historic site could be transformed, the aspiration to turn Rotherham United’s old ground into a national women’s football centre of excellence appears to be a real vote of confidence in the town.
And one we can be proud of, no matter what.
The £9.5million development, should it be given the go-ahead, would also see the creation of a 2,000-seater stadium and community sports village.
It could put Rotherham at the forefront of women’s football, at a time when the sport is rapidly growing - and thanks to our excellent Lionesses - demonstrating we have home-grown talent that is amongst the best in the world.
It would not just give Rotherham girls getting into football now an avenue in which to go pro, but it would also show them that their hometown is a place where ambitions and dreams can be realised.
In addition, if it came to fruition, the historic legacy of football would continue on the site that has been a ghost ground for a while now.
There’s always something poignant about a tangible monument to the old making way for the new.
For years, Millmoor has served as such a monument.
Rotherham United’s historic former home was not only the stage for golden periods in the Millers history, with an estimated 1,500 league games played there, but it was also where the FA Cup’s first ever penalty shoot-out took place, back in 1991.
But after the club left in 2008 - eventually moving into the modern New York Stadium after a few years over the border in Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium - Millmoor was effectively abandoned.
The stadium that had seen all of the joy, ecstasy, frustration, pain and everything in between experienced by those who followed the Millers’ ups and downs fell silent for years.
That is with the exception of the Tivoli Nitespot, a once popular music venue attached to the Tivoli which carried on until 2016, and a brief footballing reprieve with the Doncaster Belles and some youth football.
But if demolition work on Millmoor, which began last month, could make way for the fantastic vision laid out by Rotherham United Women FC it would show that a new chapter of growth and renewal really is underway in Rotherham.