The Wandering Yorkshireman

ROTHERHAM United exit the Carabao Cup after losing the first round to Salford City on penalties.

Salford took the lead after Millers ‘keeper, Jamal Blackman gave away a clumsy penalty. Former Rotherham player, Ian Henderson, converting from the spot.

Matt Crooks gave a moment of reprieve deep into added time, equalising with only seconds to spare.

Penalties followed straight away and Salford ran up 4-2 winners on penalties.

Both teams hadn’t kicked a competitive ball for 6 months and Rotherham were the brighter for the majority of the game. But, as the minutes ticked by, Salford grew in quality and a mix up at the back nearly resulted in an embarrassment.

Later the spot kick for Salford from a clumsy and rusty challenge from Blackman, who last turned out in a competitive game for Bristol Rovers in March, gave Salford an unexpected lead.

Matt Crooks appeared to save the day in the 95th minute. The new No.25, in honour of Jordan Sinnott, headed in from a goal mouth scramble and seconds later the full time whistled sounded.

Penalties followed straight away and they didn’t start well for the Millers with Kyle Vassell hitting the post. Ladapo and debutant Sadlier scored their spot kicks, but Salford ‘keeper Vaclav Hladky showed Jamal Blackman how it’s done by saving Joe Mattocks penalty to send Salford through to round two.

Millers chief, Paul Warne, told BBC radio Sheffield; “I don’t think my keeper had a save to make apart from the penalty and we still go out.”

Salford boss, Graham Alexander has the view his side played “extremely well” against higher opposition.

Rotherham are next in action on September 12th away at Wycombe Wanderers.

Salford will entertain Manchester United U21’s in the EFL Trophy on September 9th.

ROTHERHAM United are well under way into preparing for the 2020/21 Championship season. 5 games have been played so far, all private apart from an away trip to Mansfield Town.

This pre season is like no other due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place, keeping fans away and in the dark on the majority of prep fixtures. However, leaks from people close to the club, as well as other clubs reporting the events of the game on their own social media allows Millers’ fans a glimpse at how their club are performing.

Let’s look at the previous 5 Championship pre seasons to see how the class of 20/21 compare to previous Millers teams.

2014/15 (Games Played: 8)

• July 12th: (A) Greenock Morton 0-1 W
• July 18th: (A) Falkirk 2-2 D
• July 19th: (A) Queen of the South 5-1 L
• July 23rd: (H) Nottingham Forest 0-1 W
• July 26th: (A) Tamworth 2-1 L
• July 29th: (A) Alfreton Town 0-2 W
• August 2nd: (H) Doncaster Rovers 1-2 W
• August 5th: (H) Leicester City 1-3 L

Record: W4 D1 L3 GF11 GA13 GD-2. Goals per game: 1.4

2015/16 (Games played: 8)

• July 8th: (A) Parkgate 0-6 W
• July 11th: (A) Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-3 W
• July 14th: (A) Alfreton Town 3-2 L
• July 18th: (A) Greenock Morton 0-3 W
• July 21st: (A) Dundee 0-1 W
• July 25th: (A) Partick Thistle 1-1 D
• July 29th: (H) Leicester City 1-2 L
• August 1st: (H) 1.FSV Mainz 05 1-2 W

Record W5 D1 L2 GF19 GA6 GD13. Goals per game: 2.4

2016/17 (Games played: 5)

• July 9th: (A) Parkgate 0-7 W
• July 12th: (H) Miedź legnica 1-2 W
• July 15th: (H) Górnik Zabrze 0-0 D
• July 23rd: (H) Sunderland 2-1 L
• July 26th: (A) Scunthorpe United 2-1 L

Record: W2 D1 L2 GF11 GA5 GD6. Goals per game: 2.2

2018/19 (Games played: 7)

• July 7th: (A) Parkgate 1-3 W
• July 10th: (H) SKU Amstetten 0-0 D
• July 14th: (A) SC Wiener Neustadt 0-1 W
• July 17th: (A) Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-4 W
• July 17th: (A) Sheffield FC 0-3 W
• July 25th: (H) Cardiff City 1-2 W
• July 28th: (A) Mansfield Town 2-1 L

Record W5 D1 L1 GF13 GA6 GD7. Goals per game: 1.9

2020/21 (Games played: 8)

• August 15th(A) Bradford City 2-3 W
• August 18th(A) Gainsborough Trinity 0-6 W
• August 22nd (A) Mansfield Town 0-3 W
• August 25th (H) Leicester U23’s 2-3 W
• August 26th (H) Doncaster Rovers 0-5 W
• August 29th (A) Hull City A 1-2 W
• August 29th (A) Hull City B 3-2 L
• September 1st (H) Sheffield Wednesday U23’s 8-0 W

Record W6 D0 L1 GF20 GA4 GD16. Goals per game: 4

2020/21 pre season is still on going with more games likely to take place including a confirmed game against Burton Albion.

The current pre season is the highest scoring pre season in the last 5 and is currently holding the highest goals per game ratio at 3.4 gpg.

The current restrictions mean that fans won’t be able to see the high scoring Millers in person until October at the earliest. However, a deal with Sky has allowed games to be broadcast over iFollow Millers via a match pass for £10. Currently fixtures against Salford in the Carabao Cup and league fixtures against Wycombe (A), Millwall (H), and Birmingham City (A) will be behind closed doors and broadcast on iFollow.

Restrictions are holding steady so, without any sudden change by the government, fans should be allowed to attended Huddersfield Town (H) in small number.

JAMAL Blackman has joined Rotherham United on a season long loan from Chelsea.

The 6ft 7in Goalkeeper will take up the No.1 shirt with the Millers ahead of a second goalkeeper arriving sometime this week.

Blackman has spend time in the Championship before arriving at Rotherham. He started for Sheffield United on 31 occasions in 2017/18 and kept 9 clean sheets and conceded 34 goals.

His time at Chelsea started in 2012 and he has spend numerous seasons out on loan, most recently at Bristol Rovers from January 2020 until football was halted in March. He made 10 appearances for the Pirates and kept 3 clean sheets and conceded 14 goals.

Blackman also joins Rotherham’s other new faces in wanting to work hard and impress after speaking to Millers manager, Paul Warne. Blackman told millers.co.uk;

“I’ve heard a lot about the manager, so I’m really looking forward to working with him. I know he wants to play good football and I want to be a part of that going forward and help him to build a team”.

Jamal is in his final year of his Chelsea contract, he will be keen to show clubs in the championship what he can do and demonstrate his ability to the high-ups at Stamford Bridge.

WES Harding has signed for Rotherham United from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

The 23 year old defender makes the switch from St. Andrews to New York after breaking into the Birmingham first team and making 59 appearances, 51 of which have been in the Championship.

Initially signing on at 16, Harding progressed through the ranks of Birmingham’s youth set up before establishing himself as a key player.

Harding is predominately a Right-Back, but can operate across the back four and has been deployed on the flanks of midfield on occasion.

He told millers.co.uk; “I’m buzzing to be a Miller, I feel like one of the lads already, it’s a family club and I’m just happy to be here. The manager and his staff have been really nice and it was quite easy for me. I didn’t have a big decision to make, it just felt right”

One ability that will excite Millers fans is Harding’s long throw. Echoing the ability of former Miller, Will Vaulks, Wes will be a key player in creating chances and defending against them.

Harding has penned a three year deal at Rotherham, keeping him under contract until 2023.

ROTHERHAM United have signed former Hull City defender, Angus MacDonald, on a two year deal

MacDonald signed for Yorkshire rivals, Barnsley for the 2016/17 season and made 54 appearances over an 18 month stay with the Tykes.

He was signed by Hull City in January 2018 for a rumoured 700k fee.

However, Angus missed the end of the 18/19 and the majority of the 19/20 season whilst receiving cancer treatment. He returned to football after the Championship restart and made 5 appearances.

MacDonald is Paul Warne’s third signing of the summer

He has only featured for Basingstoke (loan), Torquay United (loan), and AFC Wimbledon whilst with Reading. He moved to Salisbury and then Torquay United before being signed by Barnsley.

ROTHERHAM United have completed the signing of former Doncaster Rovers winger, Kieran Sadlier.

The Irish international joins on a free after his contract expired at the Keepmoat.

Sadlier made 40 appearances in all competitions for Doncaster in the 2019/20 season, scoring 12 times.

He scored 11 goals in League One and once in the EFL Trophy, oddly enough against Rotherham in a 3-2 defeat

Sadlier becomes Paul Warne’s second summer signing after Mickel Miller signed from Hamilton Academical earlier in the window.

Sadlier is predominately a Left Winger, but can also play on the Right Wing or as an Attacking Midfielder.

The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Cambridge United before making a move to West Ham United in 2005, signing his first pro-deal with the Hammers in 2013. Following two years in East London he went on to enjoy spells at Scottish outfit St Mirren, Halifax Town (loan) and Peterborough United before making his move to Cork City and then Doncaster in January 2019.

PROSPECT striker, Joshua Kayode has rejoined Carlisle United on loan for the 2020/21 season.

Having spend the latter half of the 19/20 season at Brunton Park, Kayode is keen to build on where he left off in March as Carlisle’s season was halted by Covid-19.

The young attacker has been training with the Millers first team, but his desire to improve as a player with regular first team football led to his loan switch.

Rotherham can activate a clause in Kayode’s contract to recall him in the January transfer window. Similar to his loan to Gateshead last season before switching to Carlisle.

Despite Covid-19 prematurely ending his stint at The Cumbrians, Kayode scored 3 goals in 5 appearances. The Millers will monitor his progress closely.

Rotherham stated that; “Everyone at Rotherham United would like to wish JJ all the best for his stint at Brunton Park.”

Swindon Town were rumoured to be interested in the 19 year old striker.

EXPERIENCED duo, Lewis Price and Billy Jones, have signed new One-year deals with Rotherham United.

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The wealth of knowledge and experience of Goalkeeper, Price, and Full Back, Jones is a major factor in the pair being offered new deals. Whilst their playing ability on the pitch will assist Rotherham in their 2020/21 championship season.

Paul Warne addresses millers.co.uk on the new deals

It’s good news that they’ve both agreed to stay,” he beamed.

“They both bring experience into the dressing room and they are the types of characters that we like here at Rotherham United.

“Their experience rubs off on the younger players and we do have a young group here. I know that I can rely on them both if and when they are in the team.

“They bring a lot to our culture which is massive for me and we need to make sure we do have a balanced group age-wise in terms of freshness and experience.

“Both definitely have a part to play both on the pitch and in the dressing room and whilst we pride ourselves on bringing young players in and improving them, that wouldn’t be possible without the likes of Pricey and Billy passing on information to the younger lads that you only get from having the careers they’ve had.”

Price signed from Sheffield Wednesday in 2016 and is one of the longest serving players for the Millers

Jones signed from Sunderland in 2018 and dropped his wage significantly to play for the club.

July was a busy month for done deals, below is a round up of the EFL transfers in July.

1st July–

Ollie Clarke. Free Transfer. To Mansfield, From Bristol Rovers

Dan Sweeney. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From Barnet

Tyrhys Dolan. Free Transfer. To Blackburn Rovers, From Preston North End

Offrande Zanzala. Free Transfer. To Crewe Alexandra, From Accrington Stanley

2nd July-

Mallik Wilks. Undisclosed fee. To Hull City, From Barnsley

Festus Arthur. Undisclosed fee. To Hull City, From Stockport County

3rd July-

Gustavo Harmer. 1.5 Million fee. To Coventry City, From PEC Zwolle

Nicky Cadden. Undisclosed fee. To Forest Green Rovers, From Greenock Morton

5th July-

Mickel Miller. Free Transfer. To Rotherham United, From Hamilton Academical

6th July-

Julien Dacosta. Free Transfer. To Coventry City, From Niort

James Jones. Free Transfer. To Lincoln City, From Crewe Alexandra

7th July-

Devante Rodney. Free Transfer. To Port Vale, From Salford City

Jack Evans. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From Blackburn

Helder Costa. Roughly 16 million fee. To Leeds United. From Wolverhampton Wanderers

8th July-

Anthony Knockaert. Undisclosed fee. To Fulham, From Brighton & Hove Albion

Marvin Ekpitera. Free Transfer. To Blackpool, From Leyton Orient

Kane Wilson. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From West Bromwich Albion

Mitch Pinnock. Free Transfer. To Kilmarnock, From Wimbledon

9th July-

Oliver Sarkic. Free Transfer. To Blackpool, From Burton Albion

10th July-

Eoin Doyle. Free Transfer. To Bolton Wanderers, From Swindon Town

11th July-

Levi Sutton. Free Transfer. To Bradford City, From Scunthorpe United

13th July-

Steven Lawless. Free Transfer. To Burton Albion, From Livingston

14th July-

Lewis Montsma. Free Transfer. To Lincoln City, From Dordrecht

Tom Clarke. Free Transfer. To Salford City, From Preston North End

15th July-

Callum O’Hara. Free Transfer. To Coventry City, From Aston Villa

Luke McGee. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From Portsmouth

Antoni Sarcevic. Free Transfer. To Bolton Wanderers, From Plymouth Argyle

Zak Emmerson. Undisclosed fee. To Brighton & Hove Albion, From Oldham Athletic

16th July-

Jake Young. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From Sheffield United

Zak Mills. Free Transfer. To Port Vale, From Oldham Athletic

Marcel Hilßner. Undisclosed fee. To Coventry City, From SC Parderborn

Ousseynou Cisse. Free Transfer. To Leyton Orient, From Gillingham

17th July-

Billy Clarke. Free Transfer. To Bradford City, From Grimsby Town

Jay McGrath. Undisclosed fee. To Coventry City, From Mickelover

Ash Hunter. Undisclosed fee. To Salford City, From Fleetwood Town

Wes Foderingham. Free Transfer. To Sheffield United. From Rangers

Farrend Rawson. Free Transfer. To Mansfield Town, From Forest Green Rovers

18th July-

Dylan Mottley-Henry. Free Agent. To Bradford City

Josh Grant. Free Transfer. To Bristol Rovers, From Chelsea

19th July-

Mo Barrow. Undisclosed fee. To Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, From Reading

20th July-

Paul Mullin. Free Transfer. To Cambridge United, From Tranmere Rovers

Jack Baldwin. Free Transfer. To Bristol Rovers, From Sunderland

Jude Bellingham. 26 Million fee. To Borussia Dortmund, From Birmingham City

Jacob Sorensen. Undisclosed fee. To Norwich City, From Esbjerg

George Taft. Free Transfer. To Bolton Wanderers, From Cambridge United

Joe Shaughnessy. Free Transfer. To St Mirren, From Southend United

Jamille Matt. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From Newport County

Isak Thorvaldsson. Loan. To St Mirren, From Norwich City

Mike Jones. Free Transfer. To Barrow, From Carlisle United

Tom Beadling. Free Transfer. To Barrow, From Dunfermline

Luke Jones. Free Transfer. To Barrow, From Hartlepool United

21st July-

Max Ehmer. Free Transfer. To Bristol Rovers, From Gillingham

Jordan Moore-Taylor. Free Transfer. To Forest Green Rovers, From MK Dons

Jerry Yates. Undisclosed fee. To Blackpool, From Rotherham United

Zaid Al-Hussaini. Free Agent. To Crawley Town

Ciaron Brown. Loan. To Livingston, From Cardiff City

Ryan Giles. Loan. To Coventry City, From Wolverhampton Wanderers

Brandon Comley. Free Transfer. To Bolton Wanderers, From Colchester United

Paul Digby. Free Transfer. To Cambridge United, From Stevenage

22nd July-

Sam Nicholson. Free Agent. To Bristol Rovers

Billy Johnson. Free Transfer. To Stevenage, From Norwich City

Jason Lowe. Free Transfer. To Salford City, From Bolton Wanderers

Przemyslaw Placheta. Undisclosed fee. To Norwich City, From Slask Wroclaw

CJ Hamilton. Undisclosed fee. To Blackpool, From Mansfield Town

Brandon Haunstrup. Undisclosed fee. To Kilmarnock, From Portsmouth

23rd July-

Illan Meslier. Undisclosed fee. To Leeds United, From Lorient

Joel Cooper. Undisclosed fee. To Oxford United, From Linfield

24th July-

Carlton Morris. Loan. To MK Dons, From Norwich City

Ethan Ross. Free Transfer. To Lincoln City, From Colchester United

Leon Balogun. Free Transfer. To Rangers, From Wigan Athletic

25th July-

Callum Cooke. Free Transfer. To Bradford City, From Peterborough United

27th July-

Elliot Watt. Undisclosed fee. To Bradford City, From Wolverhampton Wanderers

Daniel Harvie. Undisclosed fee. To MK Dons, From Ayr United

Ryan Woods. Loan. To Millwall, From Stoke City

Christopher Missilou. Free Transfer. To Northampton Town, From Oldham Athletic

George Thomas. Free Transfer. To Queens Park Rangers, From Leicester City

Diallang Jaiyesimi. Free Transfer. To Swindon Town, From Norwich City

Connor McGrandles. Free Transfer. To Lincoln City, From MK Dons

Bali Mumba. Undisclosed fee. To Norwich City, From Sunderland

28th July-

Luke McCormick. Free Transfer. To Plymouth Argyle, From Swindon Town

Rollin Menayesa. Undisclosed fee. To Mansfield Town, From Bristol Rovers

Wes Hoolahan. Free Transfer. To Cambridge United, From Newcastle Jets

Jordan Turnbull. Free Transfer. To Salford City, From Northampton Town

Tom White. Loan. To Bolton Wanderers, From Blackburn Rovers

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Undisclosed fee. To Sheffield Wednesday. From Manchester City

Josh Laurent. Free Transfer. To Reading, From Shrewsbury Town

George Maris. Undisclosed fee. To Mansfield Town, From Cambridge United

29th July-

Jonah Ayunga. Undisclosed fee. To Bristol Rovers, From Havant & Waterlooville

Ryan Hardie. Loan. To Plymouth Argyle, From Blackpool

Matty Platt. Undisclosed fee. To Barrow, From Blackburn Rovers

Callum Lang. Loan. To Motherwell, From Wigan Athletic

Ian Henderson. Free Transfer. To Salford City, From Rochdale

Andy Williams. Undisclosed fee. To Cheltenham Town, From Northampton Town

30th July-

Daniel Gyollai. Free Transfer. To Peterborough United, From Wigan Athletic

Aiden O’Brien. Free Transfer. To Sunderland, From Millwall

31st July-

Ryan Jackson. Free Transfer. To Gillingham, From Colchester United

Matty Taylor. Free Transfer. To Oxford United, From Bristol City

Grant Hall. Free Transfer. To Middlesbrough, From Queens Park Rangers

James Jones. Free Transfer. To Barrow, From Altrincham

The checkered flag has fallen on the race for Jerry Yates, with Blackpool landing the Rotherham Academy product.

There was interest from Swindon Town, who wanted Yates to sign permanently after a successful loan spell at the club. A record of 14 goals in 35 outings.

However, Blackpool pipped Swindon to Yates’ signature after meeting Rotherham’s valuation of the striker. The Seasiders has an initial first bid rejected by The Millers, but had tables a second, better bid and was virtually sealed when Swindon’s bid landed on the Millers doorstep.

Both clubs are remaining tight-lipped on the transfer fee; however it is believed to be in the region of £200,000 with add ons.

Yates departs with a goal of regular first team football, something he struggled with at Rotherham, making 52 appearances in 5 professional seasons and scoring 5 times.

Rotherham United have said; “Everyone at the club would like to wish Jerry all the best in his new challenge with Blackpool and thank him for his efforts during his time at Rotherham United.”

Yates signs on a 3 year deal. The ‘add ons’ are most likely a sell on clause.