Rotherham and Millwall create lasting rivalry

Sometimes a footballing rivalry comes down to much more than where two teams are geographically located.

Every now and again competitiveness develops between two sides doing battle in the league, where both are vying for one prize and as a result they become enemies.

Ultimately, that is why Rotherham and Millwall have endured a frosty relationship this season.

But there are many more sub-plots to this rivalry, which looks certain to live on well beyond this campaign, despite the fact the Millers have had the last laugh and played their part in packing the Lions off to League One.

Rotherham’s battle with the Londoners is not a new one – there is history there.

In 2001/02 the two sides were going head-to-head for promotion in Division Two, with both vying for the title.

Both league meetings were eventful affairs, with Rotherham’s 3-2 win at Millmoor one of the best atmospheres of the Ronnie Moore era while the return journey to Bermondsey was less enjoyable for the Millers as they crumbled in a hostile environment, going down 4-0 and effectively handing the title to Millwall.

That harrowing afternoon saw Rotherham players spat at and vilified as they came off the coach and there has always been a sense of ill-feeling lingering since that campaign.

And after dying down with the two sides in different divisions since 2006/07, that was reignited this season as they became embroiled in a bitter battle for safety that would involve mud-slinging, hooliganism and gloating.

Rotherham’s 1-0 win at Millwall in August passed off without incident. It was a first defeat of the season for Ian Holloway’s men and a first away success for Steve Evans’ new Championship outfit.

The fires were then stoked in January when the Millers accepted a bid from the Lions for Ben Pringle, who turned down the move.

But it was the league meeting between the two sides in February where relationships – between supporters at least – were irreparably damaged.

The Lions arrived in South Yorkshire three points behind the Millers, occupying the final spot in the relegation zone and knowing that victory would bring them level with their hosts.

It started off well for them as they went ahead midway through the first half before things turned sour both on and off the pitch.

The Millers levelled through Danny Ward shortly after the restart and then after 84 minutes Kari Arnason delivered a knockout blow as he headed home to put his side in front.

Sections of the 1,300-strong away following, who had been chanting unsavoury songs throughout, took exception to seeing their side lose a game and tried to invade areas of home support, including the family stand.

Riot police and stewards were called into action and the trouble continued outside the ground after the game as two stewards were injured.

Holloway chose not to criticise the violence, insisting he did not see it, and the condemnation was widespread, none more so than from Rotherham fans who had to witness the trouble.

Moving six points clear tasted sweet for the Millers but the ill-feeling was always present in the wake of that afternoon.

It looked as if it would be plain sailing for Rotherham in their bid for safety until the sacking of Holloway and later news of a Football League charge.

Under Neil Harris, Millwall had begun to put points on the board and then, with the prospect of three being taken away from Rotherham, they were inspired to put some results together and breathe down the Millers' necks.

They got so close that for long spells of last Saturday they had moved ahead of Rotherham as they were beating Derby and the Millers were losing to Norwich.

But late goals in both of those games meant that it was back in Rotherham’s hands, especially with a match in hand - a home game with Reading.

Then the latest plot-twist came.

Lions striker Lee Gregory, who scored a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Derby, told the press he hoped Rotherham would not be able to cope with the pressure of being ahead in the race for survival.

“I don’t think we will get relegated. I think we will pull out of it, I really do,” he said.

“I think the pressure is on Rotherham, it is better to be behind rather than in front.

“(If) Rotherham don’t get a result on Tuesday and it’s all to play for.

“I’ll definitely be watching at home and hopefully Reading can do the business, Rotherham will bottle it on the last day of the season and we get a win at Wolves.”

Of course, those comments backfired spectacular.

The interview was picked up in Yorkshire and effectively acted as Evans’ team-talk for Tuesday’s clash with Reading, though crucially most people had mistaken the comma for a full stop in the most damning sentence of quotes.

Whatever the semantics, Evans admits he pinned the article up in the dressing room and it seemed to work as the Millers clinched their survival with a nervy 2-1 win over the Royals, which condemned Millwall and Wigan to relegation.

That proved sweet enough for Millers fans, but they loved what their manager did next.

Then in the aftermath of the win, with celebrations in full swing Evans got his own back by stoking the fire by going on live radio to taunt Gregory.

The Scot said immediately after the game: “A Millwall player said we've not got bottle. I've got 12 bottles of pink finest Champagne and we'll be drinking them for about a week.

"Look forward to League One, son, and keep your trap shut." 

With Millwall down and Rotherham enjoying the exposure that maintaining their Championship status has brought, Evans’ quotes have given them the final say in the matter.

It also ensured that the relationship between the two clubs and their set of fans reached a new low and one that will be difficult to ever come back from.

This is a feud and rivalry that could go on for a while yet, despite their different statuses next season.