Rotherham United have completed their first signing of the summer. Mickel Miller moves south from Scotland to join the newly promoted Millers. The Twenty-Four year old Forward arrives from Hamilton Academical after his contract expired.
Mickel Miller is Paul Warne’s first signing of the summer
Miller started his career in the lower leagues of English football at Carshalton Athletic, before moving north of the border to Hamilton. In January it was confirmed that Hibernian, Northampton Town, and Burton Albion submitted bids for his services as a Striker or Winger. But no bids were successful.
Miller signs on at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on a two year contract in preparation for the 2020/21 Championship season.
In two and a half seasons with Hamilton, Miller scored 12 times in 68 appearances. A goal every 5.6 games.
Miller spoke to themillers.co.uk after signing on. “I’ve already been warned about how intense pre-season will be… It’s going to be a challenge getting into the team, but I like challenges.”
Rotherham United are rumoured to be one of several clubs interested in out-of-contract, Kieran Sadlier.
Sadlier scored in Doncaster’s 3-2 defeat to Rotherham in the Leasing.com Trophy earlier this season.
Hull City lead the race to sign the former Doncaster Rovers winger at present, but circumstances may change if Hull suffer relegation at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Sadlier, 25, joined Doncaster Rovers from Cork City in January 2019. A product of the Cambridge United and West Ham United youth teams, he made 59 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 and assisting 6 times. Predominately a Left Winger, he can also play on the Right and in Midfield.
His contract at the Keepmoat expired on June 30th and is currently a free agent. If Hull avoid relegation this season, he will most likely heat to the KCOM. However, if Hull are relegated, Sadliers desire to play Championship football may persuade him to head to Rotherham.
Thank you to Zone EFL for allowing me to use their information on this transfer rumour.
Rotherham United are keen on signing Lincoln City Goalkeeper, Josh Vickers.
Josh Vickers kept a clean sheet at the AESSEAL New York Stadium earlier this season, but conceded one goal in the reverse fixture.
The Imps No.1’s contract ends today (June 30th) and will be released from the Club. Vickers, 24, joined Lincoln in 2017 after being released by Swansea City without making a first team appearance.
Starting his career in the Arsenal youth ranks, Vickers was loaned out to Canvey Island and Concord Rangers during his time with The Gunners. He signed for Swansea City in 2015 and was loaned to Barnet for the 16-17 season.
The Imps acquired the young Keeper in 2017 and won the EFL Trophy in his first season with Lincoln and then the League Two title the following season.
This season Vickers has made 37 appearances in all competitions, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding 48 goals, thats 1.3 goals conceded per game.
At present, Rotherham United are the only club rumoured to be keen on Josh Vickers. Only one Goalkeeper is currently on the books with The Millers after Daniel Iversen loan ended and Laurence Bilboe was released. Lewis Price is yet to sign a new contract.
Thank you to EFL Zone for allowing me to use their information on this rumour
Rotherham United are rumoured to be one of several Championship clubs interested in AFC Wimbledon’s, Paul Osew.
Paul Osew made 23 appearances in all competitions this season for AFC Wimbledon, scoring once and assisting twice.
The 19 year old Left Back is a product of The Dons Academy after studying on the clubs Foundation College Course. During his time in the youth teams, he was converted from a Forward to a Left Back. He can also play as a Left Midfielder.
After signing his first Pro contract in April 2019, Osew was a regular starter in the Wimbledon 11 and made the 18 man squad on every occasion this season. His first senior goal came against Rochdale in October, Wimbledon winning 3-2. Osew grabbed two assists this season. One against Peterborough United in September, and one against The Millers in February.
Osew signed a contract extension in January 2020, he is now under contract at Plough Lane until June 2022. Any attempt for his services would require a fee from any interested club.
UPDATE: Interest in Osew has been denied by Millers manager, Paul Warne. The interest is said to be at agent level only.
Thank you to EFL Zone for allowing me to use their information on this transfer rumour
Rotherham United are rumoured to be keen on former Hamilton Academical striker Mickel Miller.
Mickel Miller made 21 appearances in 2019/20, scoring 3 and assisting 3.
The Twenty-Four year old forward, who can also play as a winger, started his career at Carshalton Athletic and stayed with The Robins until Hamilton Academical paid an undisclosed fee in January 2018. A number of clubs, both in Scotland and England, submitted bids for Miller in the January 2020 transfer window. It was confirmed that Hibernian, Northampton Town, and Burton Albion submitted bids by The Edinburgh Evening News.
Mickel Miller is now a free agent, his contract at the Fountain of Youth stadium expired on the 31st of May. Rotherham could pick up Miller for free.
In his three two and a half seasons at Hamilton, Miller made 68 appearances and scored 12 times in all competitions. A ratio of 1 goal every 5.6 games.
UPDATE: Miller signed a two year contract at Rotherham on July 5th.
Thank to EFL Zone for allowing me to use their information on this transfer rumour
MILLERS Academy graduate, Jerry Yates, has a number of clubs in pursuit of his signature after a successful loan spell at League Two Swindon Town.
Jerry Yates made 52 appearances for Rotherham since signing his first Pro contract in 2014
Blackpool and Sunderland are rumoured to be the front runners in the Yates Chase, as well as Swindon, who would want Yates on a Permanent transfer.
Yates, 23, scored 14 goals in 35 appearances for Swindon before the 2019/20 season was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Swindon won the League Two title via points per game and will play League One football next season.
It was revealed Yates agreed to a 1-year extension to his current contract at Rotherham, meaning any transfer would command a fee, rumoured to be in the region of £500,000.
UPDATE: Swindon Town have submitted a bid of roughly £300,000 for Yates. 5/6/20
UPDATE: Blackpool are rumoured to have submitted a bid of £400,00 plus add ons. Sunderland interest has been cooled.
Thanks to EFL Zone for allowing me to use their updates on The Millers.
All photos are credited to Rotherham United unless otherwise stated
In talks on a new contract:
Lewis Price (Goalkeeper) signed in July 2016
Billy Jones (Right Back) signed in July 2018
Lewis Price joined the Millers in 2016 after leaving rivals Sheffield Wednesday
Billy Jones left Sunderland in 2018 and joined a newly promoted Millers
All photos are credited to Rotherham United unless otherwise stated
Returning to Parent club:
Daniel Iversen (Goalkeeper) parent club: Leicester City
Dan Barlaser (Midfielder) parent club: Newcastle United
Hakeeb Adelakun (Right Winger) parent club: Bristol City
Josh Koroma (Striker/Left Winger) parent club: Huddersfield Town
Daniel Iversen arrived on loan from Leicester City in July 2019
Dan Barlaser arrived from Newcastle United in July 2019 after signing a new contract with the parent club
Hakeem Adelakun’s Loan from Bristol City was a short one. Arriving in January 2020, he inherited the No.14 shirt from departing Carlton Morris
Josh Koroma was another short loan. Arriving in January 2020 on loan from Huddersfield Town
All photos are credited to Rotherham United unless otherwise stated
Extension to current contract:
Jerry Yates (Striker) One year extension
Jerry Yates is another product of the Millers academy. He made a brief appearance against Peterborough United this season. (photo credit: Rotherham Advertiser)
Jerry Yates had two loan spells at League Two Swindon Town. Swindon are rumoured to be interested in signing Yates permanently (photo credit: Swindon Advertiser)
All photos are credited to Rotherham United unless otherwise stated
The following 20 players remain under contract with the Millers
Retained:
Joe Mattock (Left Back) signed in July 2015
Shaun MacDonald (Midfielder) signed in July 2019
Adam Thompson (Centre Back) signed in August 2019
Richard Wood (Centre Back) signed in July 2014
Kyle Vassell (Striker) signed in July 2018
Ben Wiles (Midfielder) signed in July 2017
Jamie Proctor (Striker) signed in July 2017
Freddie Ladapo (Striker) signed in July 2019
Clark Robertson (Centre Back) signed in July 2018
Jamie Lindsay (Midfielder) signed in July 2019
Matt Crooks (Midfielder) signed in January 2019
Trevor Clarke (Left Midfield) signed in July 2019
Chiedozie Ogbene (Left Winger) signed in August 2019
Michael Ihiekwe (Centre Back) signed in July 2017
Matt Olosunde (Right Back) signed in July 2019
Curtis Tilt (Centre Back) signed in January 2020
Michael Smith (Striker) signed in January 2018
Joshua Kayode (Striker) signed in July 2018
Jake Cooper (Centre Back) signed in July 2019
Jacob Gratton (Striker) signed in January 2020
Joe Mattock No.3
Shaun MacDonald No.4
Adam Thompson No.5
Richard Wood No.6
Kyle Vassell No.7
Ben Wiles No.8
Jamie Proctor went out on loan to Scunthorpe United and then AFC Fylde (photo credit: AFC Fylde)
Today (Tuesday) all seventy-one member clubs of the EFL voted in an ‘Extraordinary General Meeting’ on how league positions will be determined if a vote is passed to curtail the current season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A majority of over 51%, including a minimum of 13 championship clubs, voted for the proposal submitted by the EFL. The proposal outlines that;
1. Final placings will be based on unweighted points per game (if required)
2. promotion and relegation should be retained
3. Play offs will be played in all circumstances, but will not be extended (beyond four teams)
The championship decided to carry on with league fixtures. The final placings will be determined by overall points and not points per games.
League Two assembled their member clubs and voted at roughly 2pm. The meeting was adjourned only minutes later as a huge majority of clubs voted to end the season. Only Forest Green Rovers voted to continue the season.
League One assembled their member clubs next and a vote was taken at roughly 3pm. A short while later voting was completed. 18 to 4 voted in favour of curtailing the season with one club abstaining.
It’s all well and good looking at the democracy involved in the vote, but how did it affect clubs at the summit and the base of the respective leagues?
Well start with League Two
Champions: Swindon Town
Promoted: Crewe Alexandra, Plymouth Argyle
Play offs: Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Colchester United, Northampton Town
Relegated: Stevenage or Macclesfield Town
The winners in this league are Swindon who leapfrogged Crewe to clinch the title on points per game after being behind Crewe on Goal Difference beforehand. However, Crewe and Plymouth hold on to the automatic promotion places. Walsall are the biggest movers in League Two, jumping above Grimsby and Crawley Town. The main topic for debate on who could lose out the most in League Two is between Stevenage and Macclesfield. At present Stevenage are bottom of the league on both ppg and played season points. However, Macclesfield have been issued with a suspended three point deduction. An independent commission will decide on who is relegated to the national league. Minor changes came to Exeter City who moved below Cheltenham Town on ppg. Salford City moved below Forest Green Rovers to finish 11th instead of 10th. And finally, Grimsby dipped below Newport County, after being overtaken by Walsall.
Now let’s move on to League One
Champion: Coventry City
Promoted: Rotherham United
Play Offs: Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United, Portsmouth, Fleetwood Town
Relegated: Tranmere Rover, Southend United, Bolton Wanderers
Wycombe are arguably the biggest winners via the points per game method. Their impressive start to the season helping massively by pushing them from eighth to third and the play off places. The other winners are Coventry City and Rotherham United, both in the automatic promotion places on points won in the playing season and after on points per game. Coventry get the title with a larger turn over of points throughout the season. Rotherham come a deserved second with the most wins in the division.
The biggest ‘losers’ are Peterborough United and Tranmere Rovers. Posh were occupying the last play off place before the Covid-19 pandemic halted football. But ppg has nudged them out after finishing level on points with Wycombe and Sunderland, with Posh having a superior Goal Difference they are very unfortunate to miss out. Tranmere were given 50/50 odds to survive should the season have continued. With a game in hand over Wimbledon and only three points behind, Tranmere could’ve survived and stayed up. Unfortunately they are condemned to League Two after being oh so close.
Lincoln City also dipped below Shrewsbury Town via ppg after getting one more point during the playing season and finished sixteenth. Their proposal of putting points deductions onto points per game was also considered by the EFL. Ipswich dipped below Gillingham under the same circumstances and finished eleventh. Their proposal was dismissed by the seventy one club vote.
Finally, let’s look at the Championship
Normal service will resume on June 20th, without the helping hand of fans in the stadiums. Barnsley have had their proposal of no relegation across the EFL rejected in favour of the EFL’s own proposal of keeping relegation as it is
It is unknown when football will start for the the 2020/21 season. We still have the Championship, Premier League, and FA Cup conclusions to look forward to.
During the first weeks of studying Sports Journalism at University, you learn not to write in the first person… well for this article I’m going to break that rule. It’s worth it thought as this article is about something special.
One of the Kimmy Park flags at The Wham Stadium, Accrington
Based at the Kimberworth Park pub, the Kimmy Park away day family group run away day coaches across the country, following the Millers, and raise money for the local Hospice on very journey.
As a newbie at away days for the 2019/20 season, I was nervous about joining an established group. I couldn’t travel with my family to away matches, my dad is a Sheffield United fan and works away most Saturdays, and my mum is looking after the new puppy in the house. So, as a sufferer of social anxiety, I made a hard choice to travel on my own. I met with David Scrivens at the pub and he sold it immediately as a friendly, family unit of Millers fans. The away day to Wimbledon was booked soon after.
I was welcomed straight away and started making friends and meeting new people, as well as catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a while. The ‘back seat gang’ instantly friendly and welcoming of the new kid on the coach. I was still nineteen at the time, and being accepted by older and younger Millers, who have travelled together on many trips, is a special feeling.
Kimmy Park at Stoke City last season
I recognised a couple faces straight away from my College days at Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. Other faces have become close friends and will be remembered for a long time. On every journey we rally round the Millers, have a few drinks at the all important pub stop, as well as near to and in the enemies ground. It’s an incredible experience being in an away day group. The welcoming atmosphere made it very easy for me to feel like I belonged.
A special mention to Matt Sherratt, Craig and Michelle Rockett, YouTube stars James and Charlie, Connor ‘Tiny’ Gennard, Sean, Derby fan Nina, Jenson and his family. So many names to mention, we could be here all day! Thank you to everyone at Kimmy Park for welcoming me into your group. I even made it on the back seat!
The Millers at Lincoln City
Kimmy isn’t just a bus service to away matches for Millers fans. They raise money on every journey for Rotherham Hospice via footie cards, as well as organising special events outside of football, such as Santa dash and a raffle in the post season.
On what proved to be the last game before Covid-19 ended the season, I spoke to Matt Sherratt and Craig Rockett about how ‘Kimmy’ help the community and support Rotherham Hospice.
Here’s what Craig had to say; “We try and raise as much money as possible for the Hospice. I’m Kimmy Park born and bred and for the last three seasons we’ve been travelling with Kimmy Park after using another away day group for a long time. Since then we’ve done Santa dashes and I’ve personally done a Skydive! A couple members have lost family after having great end of life care in the hospice and we raise money to give back to the amazing charity.
Kimmy Park Santa dash
Matt added; “Anyone is welcome at Kimmy Park, no membership required. Myself and David suffered loss over the last couple years, so we do anything we can. We raised Two Thousand Five Hundred Pounds in our first year, everything we do is for the Hospice. We also donated towards the Rotherham United Disabled Supporters pot for this year to help them as much as we can. Kimmy Park started travelling for the 2018 Wembley visit against Shrewsbury and we took a few coaches. The main founder is Dave Scrivens, but myself, John Nixon, Pete Rhodes, and Jenson Lambley all cane together to form the group and kept it running.”
The family unit that has emerged from KPAD’s formation is a staple of football fans coming together for a common cause, the club, but it takes a special group to welcome you from your first step on the coach.
To the next season, to the Millers, to the Kimmy Family
The Wandering Yorkshireman 