Modern football stadiums, with their vast landscapes visible for miles, are a far cry from the abandoned EFL ground that lay dormant for nearly two decades, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a more affordable past.
For many supporters, the days of enjoying a 3pm kick-off with mates and family as an inexpensive leisure activity are long gone. Nowadays, they must navigate through the costly maze of matchday programme vendors, novelty souvenir stalls, and food and drink stands before even reaching their seats in the stadium.
While today’s grounds are undoubtedly sleeker and more modern than ever, there is a yearning among many for the times when stadiums were nestled amidst rows of houses, at the heart of the community. The Millmoor Stadium, home to Rotherham United from 1925 to 2008, is one such memory.
The club bid farewell to its spiritual home after negotiations to extend the lease with owner Ken Booth fell through. The League One side last played at Millmoor 17 years ago, after which it was deserted and left to the ravages of time.
However, thanks to the efforts of Wickersley Youth JFC and other local volunteers, the once vibrant heart of Rotherham has been revived. The team, who compete in the Sheffield and Hallamshire women and girls league, moved into the stadium in 2024 and have since made it their own.
The South Yorkshire Women’s Football (SYWF) page, renowned for its excellent promotion of women’s football in the region, shared a video tour of the stadium on their TikTok page.
Various areas of the ground were seen with paint flaking off the walls, ivy and knot weeds engulfing the premises, and rust consuming parts of the stands, while the seats were discoloured black and green from grime and mould.
One of the most striking throwbacks was within the concourses, where signs advertising pies displayed prices as low as £2.20, a stark contrast to current clubs like Manchester United, who sell the classic football snack for around £4.70. It served as a reminder of how affordable football used to be for fans.
Millmoor was once one of the most vibrant grounds in the EFL. In 1952, a crowd of 25,170 fans filled the stadium to watch Rotherham face local rivals Sheffield United, while usual attendances hovered around 8,300.
Since Wickersley Youth took over the stadium, Millmoor has transformed from being completely deserted to becoming the largest dedicated women’s football stadium in the country. Currently, fans can only occupy the Tivoli Stand, with the rest of the stadium remaining closed off.
Wickersley owes a debt of gratitude to Booth Jnr, the offspring of former Rotherham chairman Ken, who dug deep into his pockets to refurbish the pitch, changing rooms, and various other sections of the stadium that fell into disrepair after being deserted. Booth Jnr lamented to the Rotherham Advertiser last year: “The place was in a sad state.
“We had kids breaking in, trying to rip seats out, climbing the floodlight pylon, kicking a ball about. It was time for something to be done.”
Once the upgrades were finished, he generously allowed free use of the stadium, an offer Wickersley eagerly accepted. Commenting to Shefnews in March 2024, Robert Peace, Girls’ Secretary and Development Officer at the club, recounted: “We jumped at the opportunity, especially with Millmoor sat there in good condition. It gave our kids and parents an experience they will never forget.”
Restoring Millmoor to its former glory is a lofty aspiration that will necessitate more funding and effort. Nevertheless, this venerable and storied football ground has been resurrected from its proverbial grave, now showing signs of life.
