The fall and rise of The Millers

By Stephanie Barnard
BBC Sheffield & South Yorkshire

Rotherham United have suffered two administrations in as many years. But how could this happen to what was once a Championship club?

Paul Douglas, who is chief operating officer for the club, has been part of the Millers since April 2006, just after their first administration took place.

He looks after the business side of the club, ensuring that they comply with Football Association and Football League regulations. He tells us why it failed in 2006 and 2008.

Rotherham United's former home Millmoor

Where it all began

So where did all the troubles begin?

"In 2004/05 chairman Ken Booth handed over the club to the Millers 05 board. Their hope was that they would take the club to the Championship," he said.

"The business plan centred on a development of a new stand to be funded by the Football Stadium Improvement Fund.

"The team performed poorly. A legacy of high wages and falling gates meant they were unable to raise the revenue to finish the stand but equally they were unable to sustain the football club as a business. Rotherham United went into administration in January 2006.

"Dennis Coleman took over as chairman with a new board. They took the club through administration and clearing the debts, but it didn't work out, both in terms of cost cutting and bringing in new investment.

"Once again the club went into administration in March 2008. We were several weeks from going out of business altogether."

Tony Stewart era

In April 2008 Rotherham United were taken over by local businessman Tony Stewart who saved the club.

"Tony looked at the finances and saw that it could be run better. A financial buffer was needed to allow the changes to be made," Douglas said.

Looking after the club's finances also meant striking an agreement with Millmoor's landlords so that the team could stay at the ground that had been their home since 1907, but despite Stewart's best efforts it just wasn't possible.

Paul Douglas is chief operating officer for Rotherham United FC

"In the short term it meant we had no choice but to find another stadium. The nearest and best option was Don Valley," continued Douglas.

"When we lost Millmoor, we lost the training facility. Facilities for training a team need to be high calibre, hence the move to the Keepmoat. We train in Doncaster, play in Sheffield and operate out of Rotherham."

The club currently has three make-shift homes, but what is the future? Rotherham United have until 2012 to move back to their hometown and build a stadium. Stewart is on a mission to find a perfect plot of land to build a home for the Millers.

"It will be a community stadium and we are conscious of public support for the club. For a club of this size and the facilities that we have available it is vital that we are part of this town and that we are seen to be working to improve the town, not just simply playing 90 minutes of football," said Douglas.

"The facilities we will build in the future will be community orientated. It is an opportunity to build on fundamental facilities that are currently missing in Rotherham."

Mark Robins

Former Manchester United striker Mark Robins became manager of Rotherham United in March 2007. He has been very much a key member to Rotherham United's stability and considered a loyal member of the club by Douglas.

"He's been fantastic over the past three years. He came to the club at a very difficult time. It was his first managerial job and he didn't have much finance to work with," he said.

Robins was approached by Barnsley several days after this interview and was confirmed Barnsley manager on the 9th September 2009.

The home of operations for the Millers is on an industrial estate

Not happening again…

In August 2009 Notts County saw a consortium takeover the club, raising issues that Douglas has seen before in Rotherham United.

"The FA are anxious not to see clubs falling over," he said.

"We need to ensure that the right investments come into football, that the investment is secure, and can be seen to be going into the club and player's wages are addressed.

"There have been too many instances where people have taken over football clubs, done well in their own businesses and decided they want to enjoy using that money. That is great but as soon as they stop enjoying it, the clubs are left with bills they simply cannot sustain.

"Whilst not wanting to stifle the entrepreneurism the authorities need to do more to make sure it's done responsibly. The effects on the team and the local community can be disastrous."