REACTION: Rotherham United fans react to back page story

NEWS that Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart has spent over £35 million of his own personal wealth on the club since taking over eight-and-a-half years ago has sparked debate between Millers fans in online forums.

In our back page exclusive today, Mr Stewart told Millers writer David Beddows exactly how much of his own money he ploughed into Rotherham United, including around £8 million in the last three years.

Mr Stewart told the Advertiser: “People paint a picture of Little Rotherham, Little Spend, saying we can't afford this and can't afford that. When fans say we haven't done this or that, it hurts.

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“What person in the Championship has spent as much of their own money as myself? 

“I have put over £35 million of my personal wealth into Rotherham United in the last eight-and-a-half years and £8 million over the last three years on top of other monies we receive. That's how we get our budget.

“In football you have people with a lot of wealth but they don't spend it. It's not about how much a person who owns a club is worth, it's what they part with.”

Some Millers fans have been supportive of Mr Stewart through social media site Facebook:

Gary Shadwick 

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"Yeah he's made a few errors, but without TS there would be no RUFC. In a way, he has earned the right to make a mistake or two. I'd rather have RUFC in existence where mistakes happen than no RUFC at all."

Paul Scotson 

"If his wife is anything like mine she will be livid... spending £35 million on a hobby is crazy... but I for one will personally thank him for everything - as it allows me to keep my hobby of following Rotherham United alive.

"Money well spent Mr Stewart."

Mark Caine-Grierson 

"35 million of his own personal fortune. And still our fickle fans want to slate and abuse this man. Thankless job being a football club owner."

Richard Rufc Gleeson 

"Nobody ever thinks about how much it costs to run a club day in, day out, week in, week out. Utility bills, staff wages, taxes, etc. Not cheap but obviously he is not spending enough according to some. Run him out of town if that's what you want but then imo we will be in the brown stuff."

Helen Seddons 

"He's a legend I'm not saying no more.."

While others have reacted slightly differently:

Gary Townsend 

"WOOL OVER EYES AGAIN"

Martin Chalky Shore 

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"And? That means he's rich it doesn't mean he's a good chairman that knows what he's doing."

Gary Townsend 

"Every business has a good and a bad book at the end of year but there's a lot of brain washed fans out there believe TS whatever he says."

Rob Price 

"For a business man that's not good business"

And then there’s the people who just like to shoot the messenger...

Liam Chadwick 

"It's Advertiser who as wrote it so it's got to be a lie."

Where do you stand on the matter? Let us know by commenting on this story below, on through our social media channels.