The key figures in Rotherham United’s latest accounts

The figure as the Millers finished 19th to stay up at the fourth time of asking compares to an average of more than £20m among other clubs in the second tier.

Revenue rose to £15.7m, mainly through the huge jump in TV income that being promoted from League One to the Championship brings, but higher playing costs and overheads led to the £1.1m deficit.

Key numbers in the annual accounts that cover the period up to June 20 2023 include:

- Turnover up from £9.9m to £15.7m.

- An increase in broadcast money from £3.1m to £8.9m.

- Wages up from £6.6m to £10.3m.

- Commercial revenue up slightly to £4.2m.

The Millers' wage bill set a club record but was the lowest in the Championship among the clubs who have so far published their 2022/23 accounts. Coventry City were the next lowest at £18.5m and Norwich City topped £50m.

Rotherham's wages-to-income ratio was a prudent 66 per cent and has been below 70 pc in all but one of the last ten seasons.

The Millers spent just £200,000 on transfer fees, bringing in Cohen Bramall from Lincoln City, and generated £900,000, with Dan Barlaser being sold to Middlesbrough.

They received £1m in sponsorship from Stewart's ASD Lighting operation while £1.1m in rent went to another of the chairman's companies, RUFC Estates, that owns AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Season-ticket sales reached 6,711 - 455 more than in the previous year's third-tier promotion campaign - and the average New York attendance rose from 9,337 to 10,148.