Saturday Match File … a focus on Rotherham Unuited's next opponents
Rotherham United come against a player they were keen to sign in the summer when they head to Stockport County for a League One clash this week.
In the Hatters’ ranks is 21-year-old defender Brad Hills who was on the Millers’ radar before he chose – following his release by Norwich City – to sign for the club where he’d spent the second part of last season on loan.
One to watch
Stockport County's main man in midfield is Oliver Norwood who was a regular starter in the Premier League with Sheffield United during a six-year spell at Bramall Lane between 2018 and 2024. The Northern Ireland international has spent much of his career at Championship level. Now aged 34, he played 49 times for Stockport last season, and this term has scored six times in 23 outings. He has passed the 600 mark for career appearances and his other previous clubs include Huddersfield Town and Reading.
Form guide
Stockport: LWDLWW
County followed up a January 4 1-0 loss at Reading with a 1-0 home triumph over Huddersfield Town last Saturday and a 2-1 Vertu Trophy home win against Harrogate Town on Tuesday.
Millers: LLLLLL
In 73 contests between the clubs since 1919, the Millers have 28 wins and County 29.
Recent meetings
Sep 20 2025, League One: Millers 0 Stockport 1
Apr 12 2025, League One: Stockport 3 Millers 1
Mallik Wilks
Dec 29 2024, League One: Millers 1 Stockport 1
Hakeem Odoffin
Dec 3 2021, FA Cup: Millers 1 Stockport 0
Michael Smith
Last clash
Rotherham suffered their first home defeat of the season as they fell to a Kyle Wootton header in the 60th minute. The visitors had the better of the game and deserved their win.
Opposition boss
Dave Challinor joined Stockport in late 2021 and took them back into the EFL six months later as National League champions. Now aged 49, the former Tranmere Rovers, Stockport and Bury centre-half, led County into League One in 2024 and they were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Leyton Orient in their first season back in the third tier. A qualified physiotherapist, Challinor used to be in charge of Hartlepool United.
Man in the middle
Edward Duckworth is in his third full season on the EFL list. From Preston, he began his career in the Lancashire Sunday League and is chairperson of the Preston Referees' Association. He last took charge of a Rotherham game when they won 3-2 at Bristol Rovers in March. This term, his 23 games have seen him send off four players and issue 89 bookings.
The odds
Stockport are heavy favourites, with a home win on offer at 1/2 and an away victory at 21/4. A draw is 27/10.