Rotherham - New York Stadium

1/3/14 Rotherham United vs Notts County (LD1) 6-0 7,

For the second time in a week I am visiting a new ground. This time it's Rotherham's New York stadium, which is now in its second year of operation. As I had to work up in Birmingham the day before, I was able to fit it into my schedule by staying overnight in Birmingham and then getting a train up to Sheffield and then changing for one to Rotherham Central.

The stadium is called the New York Stadium because it's built on the old iron foundry that made the fire hydrants for New York City and because of it that area of Rotherham was called New York after it. You see the stadium as you come into Rotherham station as it's right next to the track and just a five minute walk away, via a footpath which takes you along the side of the river Rother and past the police station.

Outside it looks quite impressive with its grey and red colour scheme. Just the other side of the tracks you can still see the floodlights of Rotherham's old ground Millmoor, which has fallen into disrepair, after the club and Millmoor's owners couldn't agree terms on the rent. Shame really. Shades of Coventry City!

I walk round the ground taking a few photos and bump into Rotherham's mascot bear and get him to pose for a photo. Maybe I should've asked for a Selfie?!! I then had to pick up my ticket at turnstile 8 where a steward with a clip board is waiting. I have to tell him my name and postcode and then he gives it to me! I also have my bag searched as you would expect. Though for the second week running I mange to get a bottle of water in without it being taken off me!

Inside, the concourse is not that big, but going into the stadium I am quite impressed by the inside. With its red seats it is almost like a miniature version of the Stadium of Light with all four corners filled in. With a 12,000 capacity, it's about right for a club the size of Rotherham, who are perhaps dwarfed by the nearby neighbours of Sheffield Wednesday and United. I seat right at the back of the main stand which is called the Eric Twigg Pukka Pies stand. To my right is the north stand, called the Morrisons Stand, which is for the way fans, of which there are about 500 today. Not bad considering they are next to bottom and likely to go down. Opposite me is the smaller Ben Bennett family stand and on my left is the KCM Recycling stand where the home singers go. You can actually walk all the way round the stadium, though the away end has netting put across it.

To be continued……

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