By theimps.tk
May 19 2009

Rotherham United moved to the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield during 2008 when they were effectively evicted from Millmoor. The ground is capable of holding 25,000, but not once has it been fully used, nor is it likely to be.  

Despite the distance from the pitch, I've never really found the view to be a problem. Granted, the view of the other end of the pitch isn't exactly the best, but even then it's still not as bad as soon people make it out to be. 

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I must say that it was an extremely negative experience at the Don Valley as there is precisely sod all to do within a reasonable distance of the ground, unless of course you want to travel 10 minutes tram ride out of your way to Meadowhall.

Alternatively you could visit both Brammel Lane and Hillsborough, both of which are a reasonable distance. Brammel Lane is about a 10 minute walk away from the train station and Hillsborough is right next to a tram stop. A tram also runs from Hillsborough to the Don Valley without the need to change. I would recommend that if you do go to Hillsborough before hand that you get off at the Leppings Lane stop, as it is the closest to the stadium.

Other than that and the occasional pub, there's nothing to look at, not even a club shop.

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As for the ground itself, it wasn't bad but it's not made for football and it shows. The view from the away end wasn't bad but the positioning of the fans when compared to each other means that it's near impossible to create an atmosphere. The visit to the stadium really suffered because of this.

Also, the ticketing and enforced seating in the allocated seat is a strange one. The stewards give you a ticket on the turnstile, but you and a friend could go in turnstiles next to each other and end up sitting at completely opposite ends of the stand.

The facilities inside the away end are also basic, extremely basic. The food kiosk looks just like a bar you'd find in a pub, with very little options for food...unless you like pies that is. There is also only the one set of toilets within the whole away end.

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I can't say that there were many features about this ground that really made this a decent day out, infact it was mainly just the friendliness of Rotherham fans that made this a half-ok day out. However, other than that and you're hard pushed to find anything worthy of a visit for a random game.

In terms of atmosphere, Rotherham don't really create one and the four visits at the time of writing have been filled with silence.

It is hard to put my finger on why I don't enjoy this ground either. The distance to the pitch doesn't bother me, the away end seating is reasonable and it's not too far from Sheffield city centre, but there's just something strange that I can't quite put my finger on.

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Rotherham United's Don Valley

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 19/05/2009 00:26

theimps.tk
19/05/2009 00:26

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mightyimp1
19/05/2009 20:39

are they going back to millmoor next season?

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Kate Jackson
20/05/2009 01:08

Nope, they can never return to Millmoor. They have three more years at the Don Valley and then they must find their own, new home.

Good Luck, Mr Gorsky

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Helgy.
20/05/2009 08:30

With what money are the ygetting a new ground on 2600 crowds?
The league stated that if they don't return top Rotherham within 5 years then they face expulsion from the league and loss of their bond.

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Grundy
20/05/2009 10:21

MK Dons managed to get away with it

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