Six photos of 'memories but no mementoes' as Millmoor is demolished

These photos capture the precious remainders of the Millmoor ground during demolition work – but veteran Millers fans will not be able to grab their own piece of football history on safety grounds.

The site had been unused and subject to severe deterioration in the decades since Rotherham United moved out to the nearby New York stadium.

It is now being demolished by recycling company Ron Hull, which owns the site who say they have been contacted by “thousands” of ardent fans wanting a reminder of the highs - and lows - experienced watching Millers’ games at the historic ground.

But Ron Hull insist they cannot do so because “health and safety has to prevail”.

Fan Kevin Brown (61), of Kilnhurst, said he had 50 years’ experience attending Rotherham United matches and would have liked a memento from the stadium - turf from the pitch or metalwork from the Tivoli stand where he watched his heroes on the pitch - as a farewell gesture.

But a spokesman for Ron Hull Group said: “We have had thousands of this type of phone calls, people wanting mementoes of all different shapes and sizes.

“The site is a demolition site, we have machinery that goes on site.

“We have just had to make a policy of ‘no salvage’.

“Safety has to come first and there is no compromising that.

“It is a shame, because people have good memories, but you cannot risk the health and safety of public or staff.”