Rotherham United 2-0 Aldershot Town
(RUFC promoted, ATFC relegated)
New York Stadium
Att: 11,300 (200+ shots)
27/04/13
So this is it
This game was to show the rapid change in fortunes between two teams that 364 days prior were playing out a rather unambiguous 2-2 draw in the penultimate game of the season as both teams secured their mid-table positions. Fast forward a year Rotherham are on the up, brand new stadium, increasing attendances and needed a point to secure promotion. Aldershot on the other hand we staring at a return to the conference, falling attendances and brand new rumors about financial turmoil. How times change quickly.
Ever since the fixtures were announced I penned in this date and was going to make it whatever, I was even more determined too after the Barnet's win the previous week as this will be the last time, for a long time, that I will see my team in the Football league. The week before the game had handily been made All-ticket so I had no excuse but to buy my ticket, so I could leave it as late as possible to get to the game. As it was trains weren't running to Rotherham so the slack I built into my timings was needed. Despite this I made it into Rotherham about 40 minutes before kick off, after seeing the sheer amount of people I decided against making the short walk over to Millmoor and made my way into the ground.
The New York Stadium is a far cry from Rotherham's previous temporary home in Sheffield at the Don Valley. Ever since they left Millmoor, their home for 101 years, in 2008 they had plans to return to the town, although disagreements with the Booth's (who own Millmoor) meant it was unlikely they'd be going back there. In 2010 the current site was located, upon it once stood the Guest and Chrimes factory. They were responsible for making the fire hydrants that are so easily identifiable with New York City (explaining the unique name of the ground). Before long planning permission was granted and the ground was being built. The result is the rather impressive 12,000 capacity venue that hosted this game. Due to the restrictive nature of the site it is somewhat a unique venue. The largest of the four stands is the Pukka Pies stand. This has a capacity in the region of 5,000. The stands at either end are almost identical housing 2,000 each. The North stand is also called the New Tivoli, while the South stand houses the away fans. The roofs of either end appear to step as they meet the final side. This is a 3,000 capacity stand, rather basic and ruined somewhat by the appearance of the entrances, but makes up for it with the two imposing floodlights built onto the roof. I'd also like to say how much of a fan I was of how steep the ground was, but despite this I couldn't help but wish I was watching the game over the road at Millmoor.
I don't want to dwell too much on the game, mainly as I have had too much time to reflect and most of the action has merged into one. It was a disappointing way to go, and as I watched on as Rotherham fans spilled onto the pitch I couldn't help but wonder what if certain things had gone differently over the season. Given that we were relegated on such a high points total it appears we gave it a good go, but in truth we were the worst of a really bad bunch, and the amount of goals we scored shows exactly why. While the future might be bright for Rotherham United, I am worried for the future of Aldershot Town. Players are unhappy, the finances look bleak although there is one thing that gives me hope for the future, the attitude of the faithful Aldershot fans that go up and down the country almost aimlessly watching a fourth division football team. This was summed up by a simple chant, showing the humor that only football fans can convey in their clubs darkest hour. "We're going down but we're having a laugh."
So this is it as a football league team.
Ever since the fixtures were announced I penned in this date and was going to make it whatever, I was even more determined too after the Barnet's win the previous week as this will be the last time, for a long time, that I will see my team in the Football league. The week before the game had handily been made All-ticket so I had no excuse but to buy my ticket, so I could leave it as late as possible to get to the game. As it was trains weren't running to Rotherham so the slack I built into my timings was needed. Despite this I made it into Rotherham about 40 minutes before kick off, after seeing the sheer amount of people I decided against making the short walk over to Millmoor and made my way into the ground.
The New York Stadium is a far cry from Rotherham's previous temporary home in Sheffield at the Don Valley. Ever since they left Millmoor, their home for 101 years, in 2008 they had plans to return to the town, although disagreements with the Booth's (who own Millmoor) meant it was unlikely they'd be going back there. In 2010 the current site was located, upon it once stood the Guest and Chrimes factory. They were responsible for making the fire hydrants that are so easily identifiable with New York City (explaining the unique name of the ground). Before long planning permission was granted and the ground was being built. The result is the rather impressive 12,000 capacity venue that hosted this game. Due to the restrictive nature of the site it is somewhat a unique venue. The largest of the four stands is the Pukka Pies stand. This has a capacity in the region of 5,000. The stands at either end are almost identical housing 2,000 each. The North stand is also called the New Tivoli, while the South stand houses the away fans. The roofs of either end appear to step as they meet the final side. This is a 3,000 capacity stand, rather basic and ruined somewhat by the appearance of the entrances, but makes up for it with the two imposing floodlights built onto the roof. I'd also like to say how much of a fan I was of how steep the ground was, but despite this I couldn't help but wish I was watching the game over the road at Millmoor.
I don't want to dwell too much on the game, mainly as I have had too much time to reflect and most of the action has merged into one. It was a disappointing way to go, and as I watched on as Rotherham fans spilled onto the pitch I couldn't help but wonder what if certain things had gone differently over the season. Given that we were relegated on such a high points total it appears we gave it a good go, but in truth we were the worst of a really bad bunch, and the amount of goals we scored shows exactly why. While the future might be bright for Rotherham United, I am worried for the future of Aldershot Town. Players are unhappy, the finances look bleak although there is one thing that gives me hope for the future, the attitude of the faithful Aldershot fans that go up and down the country almost aimlessly watching a fourth division football team. This was summed up by a simple chant, showing the humor that only football fans can convey in their clubs darkest hour. "We're going down but we're having a laugh."
So this is it as a football league team.