Life at the Millers will never quite be the same again as an eventful three and a half years comes to an end.
Love him or hate him, it was quite a ride under the colourful Scot and the success he brought to the club has to be recognised.
Here's a look at 10 of the greatest matches under Evans' reign.
Bradford 0 Rotherham 2
The hype surrounding this
game pre-match was palpable given it was Evans’ first return to Bradford since
his alleged trouser-dropping with Crawley the season before, not to mention its
importance for Rotherham’s promotion hopes in League Two. The Millers weathered
an early storm against a Bantams side who were also hoping for promotion and
came good in the second half. They took the lead with just 10 minutes to go
when Lee Frecklington scoring from the spot, with Kieran Agard making the game
safe deep into injury time with a breakaway goal from a home corner. Evans’
delight was obvious, though he could do little to celebrate as he was
frog-marched down the tunnel by four security guards.
Rotherham 2 Aldershot 0
Rotherham celebrated their first season in their wonderful new surroundings in the best way possible - a promotion party. After a late surge in form had catapulted them into the top three in League Two the Millers knew that victory over Aldershot, who were managed by former boss Andy Scott and heading into non-league, would send them up. And they duly obliged as second-half goals from Johnny Mullins and Lee Frecklington delivered the club's first promotion since 2001. Indeed, when Frecklington's effort went in late on it was followed by memorable scenes not witnessed at the club since Alan Lee scored that goal against Brentford. It was the perfect way to end their first season at their new home.
Rotherham 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Any win over Sheffield Wednesday deserves
savouring, but Rotherham's first at their new home was particularly
special, especially given the manner of their performance. The
Millers were a League One outfit and they put their Championship
neighbours to the sword, winning with two stunning strikes. Ben
Pringle gave them the perfect start with one of the best goals scored
in the three years of football at New York as his rasping half-volley
from the edge of area nearly broke the net and after Kieran Lee
equalised for the Owls, Frecklington put the Millers back in front
with an equally impressive strike, arrowing a 25-yard drive into the
top corner. They saw the second half out in comfort and registered a
win with a famous scoreline. Pringle's Twitter antics later that
night made it even more memorable.
Rotherham 3 Sheffield United 1
Evans was becoming a
specialist in winning Yorkshire derbies and he helped deliver a first home win
over Sheffield United in a generation. It looked as if he had got it wrong
against the Blades, though, as the visitors were shown far too much respect in the
first half and led through Jose Baxter’s effort. Things could only get better
after the break and Evans changed it around with devastating effect. Kieran
Agard’s 25-yard screamer brought the Millers level before two goals in three
minutes ensured the points were staying on this side of the M1. Daniel
Nardiello converted from the spot after he had been fouled and then with three
sounds of New York Stadium still bouncing Rob Milsom rolled home a third to cap
a memorable day.
Rotherham 2 Leyton Orient 1
For pure explosion of noise,
the moment Alex Revell’s late winner went in against Leyton Orient probably has
not been topped at Rotherham’s new home. It looked as if the Millers’
table-topping clash with Orient was going to end in stalemate as after Wes
Thomas had put Evans’ men in front just after the restart, the visitors
levelled with 14 minutes to go when Moses Odubajo rifled home. But the Millers
were in a run of scoring at the death and when Revell received the ball on the
edge of the area deep, deep, deep into injury time, he turned and struck into
the bottom corner as euphoria broke out at New York.
Wolves 6 Rotherham 4
There's not many times you can concede six goals
and still walk away from a game with massive credit, but Rotherham
could for the part they played in a thrilling match. A delayed
kick-off, two hat-tricks, five goals in the final 10 minutes and
pitch invasions - there was so much to talk about and it was a game
that epitomised Steve Evans' side. It all started so well for the
Millers as they took a 14th-minuted lead when Kieran Agard headed
home, but Kenny Jackett's men had been rampant all season and hit
their visitors with a three-goal blast in 17 minutes, through Nouha
Dicko (2) and Dave Edwards.
Agard scored again after the break to made it 3-2
only for Dicko to complete his treble. But then the Millers clawed it
back through a Joe Skarz effort and Agard's third to make it 4-4
before two late goals from Sam Ricketts and Kevin McDonald ensured
Wolves won the game.
Rotherham 3 Preston 1
There has arguably never been a better night than
the one which saw Rotherham book their place in the League One
play-off final at Wembley. The atmosphere, the realisation of
what was on the horizon, the team showing a watching nation they were
the real deal, the scenes at full-time all made this incredibly
special. It didn't start off great as Preston took an aggregate lead
when Paul Gallagher's free-kick crept in but then the Millers, who
had been rampant since the new year, took control and headers from
Wes Thomas and Frecklington gave them the lead on the night and in
the two-legged tie overall. Kieran Agard's strike after the break
booked their place on Wembley Way and the full-time whistle was
greeted with another pitch invasion and raucous scenes in the
directors' box.
Leyton Orient 2 Rotherham 2
This game surely will not be
topped for a long time for any Rotherham fan. After a wonderful season had led
the Millers to the play-off final at Wembley, it looked like ending in tears as
two goals in the space of five first-half minutes from Moses Odubajo and Dean
Cox put Russell Slade’s Leyton Orient firmly in the driving seat. But Evans was
able to stir one last effort from his troops and after Alex Revell had stabbed
home from close range, he provided one of the most iconic moments in the club’s
history with his ambitious-but-brilliant volley which brought the scores level.
In the end it had to be decided by penalties, with Adam Collin saving two
spot-kicks in a row to give the Millers another victory from the jaws of
defeat. And this was the sweetest of the lot.
Rotherham 2 Leeds 1
There's nothing better than a Yorkshire derby win
and when Leeds visited a couple of months into Rotherham's
Championship campaign they became the latest side from the White Rose
county to be sent packing at New York Stadium, following in the
footsteps of both Sheffield sides and Bradford. The Millers managed
this scalp thanks to a superb second-half showing after Leeds had
bossed the opening period and led through Mirko Antenucci's cute
finish. But Evans clearly got into his side after the break and they
came out firing, levelling 10 minutes into the second half when Alex
Revell poked home from close range. The winner came soon after and it
was special as Jonson Clarke-Harris introduced himself to the Millers
faithful in fine style, hitting a blockbusting 25-yard drive low into
the bottom corner.
Rotherham 2 Reading 1
After everything the Millers had been through,
points deduction and all, the sense of relief after they secured
their Championship status is what made this game so special. They
came into the match knowing their fate - a win would keep them up. It
was not their best performance of the season by any stretch, but two
goals in five second-half minutes eased the nerves and looked to have
made it a straightforward affair for the Millers. But Reading
threatened to put a spanner in the works and made it a bum-twitching
finale when Oliver Norwood slammed home a late effort from distance.
But Evans' men hung on and the full-time whistle was greet with what
is becoming an annual pitch invasion before more fun and frolics in
the directors' box.
