Stadium Don Valley Stadium Worksop Road, Sheffield, S9 3TL
Telephone 01709 512434
Club Colours Red and White
Nickname The Millers

Official Club Website www.themillers.co.uk
Key Personnel Manager Mark Robins

Brief Directions By Road
'Appen nice and straightforward tha' knows! Leave the M1 at its Junction 34 (Sheffield, Meadowhall) and follow the A6178 towards Sheffield City Centre and Attercliffe. Basically stay on the A6178, which is called Attercliffe Common Road until you see the stadium on your left. You will see the floodlights quite a way in advance. After passing the stadium turn left at the next traffic lights into Worksop Road B6085 and then left again to find the stadium entrance.

Car Parking
There is matchday car parking available at Pic Toys, which is on Worksop Road. The car park, which costs £3 per car, is clearly sign posted.

Directions By Train
A mid morning train from St Pancreas will take approx. two and half hours to reach the nearest railway station to the stadium which is Sheffield. This is located around two and a half miles away. The simplest option from here is probably the 15-minute journey on the Supertram from the station to the stadium. Adult fare £3.00 return. Other options include mini cab, approx. £6.00 or the 20-minute ride on the number 69 bus route, which stops a couple of minutes walk away from Don Valley. The 69 route is very frequent and you will often find these buses end to end.

Supporters Coaches
The BFCSA is running a coach to this fixture and the fare is £30.00 for adults and £25.00 concessions. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day.

Eating And Drinking Locally
May I recommend the Area Square pub/restaurant (on Area Court just a ¼ mile before the stadium on the right if travelling via the above route) for a classy pre match meal. It is not an olde worlde pub like most of my suggestions but in fact it's very modern. However my spies tell me the real ale is first-rate and the menu extensive and good value. The Cocked Hat is near to the stadium and is without equal for Marsden beer and cheap food while the Cutlers Arms or Fara's is directly opposite and again offers decent beer and value for money food. Both these pubs can be found on Worksop Road near to the Car Parking area. "Best until last as always eh Reckless?"- The Carbrook Hall at 537 Carbrook Street, parts of which are 13th century, is allegedly the most haunted pub in Sheffield! I don't know about that but the spirits are good value. Seriously the menu is of extraordinarily good value and quality but you only have a 2-hour window - between 12.00 and 2.00pm - to order. After half a mile of leaving the M1 you will find this establishment on the right opposite the Retail Park.

Ground Description
A posh Withdean? In my opinion Track and Field/Football stadiums have never worked but needs must, as Rotherham vacated their Millmoor ground after over 100 years last season unable to agree a future with their landlords. To compound things the Don Valley Stadium, capacity 25,000, is in point of fact in Sheffield! It was built in 1991 to host the World Student Games and designed from blue prints from University facilities in the United States. It is basically an open bowl shape arena with a partially covered large main stand. This stand is able to cope with some 10,000 and is presently the only area open for Rotherham United games. The atmosphere suffers as result of this it has to be said. The roof has an appearance rather like a canopy, similar to the Mound Stand at Lords Cricket Ground. Visiting supporters are housed in a section at one end of the stand which is unfortunately an uncovered section although my spies tell me that as the season progresses and United make their spectator number calculations we may well be allocated a covered section in the top tier of the stand.

Rivals
Both Sheffield clubs, Doncaster and Barnsley.

Admission Prices
Main Stand (Upper Tier) if on offer: Adults £20, Senior Citizens/Students £12, Under 16's £8, Under 12's £6, Under 8's Free if accompanied by an adult.

Main Stand (Lower Tier): Adults £18, Senior Citizens/Students £10, Under 16's £6, Under 12's £5, Under 8's Free if accompanied by an adult.

I believe that up to four Under 8's can be admitted free with each adult.

Our Last Meetings & Memories
Last season encounters ended in a win each as Adam Birchall and Jason Puncheon goals were enough at Underhill in September before United got their revenge 1-0 at Millmoor in the final game of the campaign. The opening game in the 1997-98 season saw a rampant Bees run out 3-2 winners thanks to Michael Harle, Sean Devine and an own goal.

However the most memorable for many older supporters was the final game in the infamous 1993-4 season when an already relegated Barnet pulled off a 1-1 draw courtesy of Mark Newson in front of a boisterous conga dancing, fancy dressed away following intent on just one thing, enjoying every single minute remaining of what was then 2^nd Division football. Rival fans mingled on the pitch and much fun was had by all. I dressed up as a steward (with a big amber over jacket) and tried to get in for free but was sussed out - happy reckless days.

Overnight Stay Factor
Unless you are planning to watch the final of the World Snooker Championships what other reasons are there for staying in Sheffield? No me neither! 2/10.

Celebrity Watch
Rotherham is riddled with comedians and actors not least Paul and Barry Elliott better known to you and me as The Chuckle Brothers. Barry's brother in law is Hi De Hi's Paul Shane while their cousin was Lynne Perrie (Ivy in Corrie). I didn't actually use the words "good" or "talented" you notice. England goalkeeper David Semen was born in Rotherham and lets face it where would we all be with out him? Jeremy Clarkson used to work at BSM in the High Street before getting his break in TV while Fred Trueman lived just a good length from the old ground. As you amble around Sheffield you may well bump into David Blunkett (careful now Reckless!), Sean Bean, Michael Palin, Bruce Dickenson, Naseem Hamid, Peter Stringfellow, Gordon Banks or Lesley Ash. All British 'A list' celebs.