The big change – the trust in one of our own ... David Rawson's Rotherham United fan column

It's still a hint, a glimpse at this point, something to be felt in moments, a shift in the scent of the breeze, an altered quality of the light, a sense that things have moved and settled again into a new pattern, a different form. The exact shape, the precise contour, the angles and the corners - they're not quite yet distinct. It’s starting to become clear, though, that things are not quite what they were before.

“He's one of our own,” sang the North Stand. “Matty Hamshaw: he's one of our own.”

It didn't last long. It didn't get the second repetition, where it takes hold around the ground, becomes an organic expression of a shared feeling. It had a hesitant quality, like the people singing had surprised themselves with their own song. In some ways, it was all the more authentic for that, something genuine, spontaneous, the latest leaf dislodged from its branch by the wind of change.

Hamshaw applauded the crowd in appreciation, as well he might. Because this was a recognition of him and what he's trying to do and of who he is. And, implicitly, it was a signal of connection, an indication of trust. We were playing really well. You could see what it's meant to look like,

Trust. That's what's been missing for so, so long.

Paul Warne built it, then smashed it by moving to Derby County. It might have been a no-brainer of a move for him, but trust isn't in the head. It might have been an agonising decision, but trust responds to outcomes, not the process by which they come about.

Matt Taylor held us all at arm's length and so trust never extended beyond the distance he imposed.

Steve Evans claimed trust as his right and so neglected to earn it. As a result, just when he needed it most, it wasn’t there

Enter Hamshaw. A conundrum.

On the one hand, everything about him seemed to deserve trust. The combination of a sense of duty, ambition and opportunity was calibrated just right. More to the point, it was just right specifically for us.

But we were too jaded to believe. It was a tale too good to be true, too corny to be relied on, too perfectly formed to be trusted. Scepticism held sway.

Until, maybe, now.

Hamshaw is one of us, in a way that almost all previous managers were not. It does seem to mean more to him than just being a job. It is possible that that could be the missing ingredient that takes us, eventually, to the next level. That's been true since day one.

And that’s the change.

For the first time, tentatively, cautiously, it feels like we're starting to believe.