With Ronnie Moore already chosen to manage the team, Mike Pollitt has sealed his place in goal for the Millersmad Greatest Ever XI.
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Pollitt, beat off competition from homegrown crowd favourite Matt Clarke for the position with a majority of 39% of the total 159 votes and is something of a suprise winner and may well be more to do with the demographics of the voters more than goalkeeping ability or popularity.
The Lancastrian was signed in the summer of 1998 from Sunderland by Ronnie Moore and was an immediate hit for the club as he excelled in the club's unsuccessful play off campaign in 98-99 before being an integral part of the 99-00 promotion to Division Two with some commanding displays completing a 100% appearance record for two seasons.
That summer despite being offered a new deal by the club Pollitt chose to join Division Three's Chesterfield for a "new challenge" and a reported signifcant pay rise. The Bolton born keeper achieved his new challenge at Chesterfield and received his second Division Three promotion medal in two years! Pollitt's move south angered many of the Rotherham fans and they made their feelings clear in no uncertain terms when Pollitt returned to Millmoor in the LDV Vans trophy when the game was delayed as Pollitt returning to keep in front of the Tivoli for the first time was subject to vitriolic abuse and missiles including coins and Pukka Pies.
Rotherham managed just fine in Pollitt's absence as they sealed a famous promotion to the then Division One whilst at Saltergate things took a turn for the worse for Pollitt as the club's chairman was jailed for fraud and the players were not paid. With Rotherham's search for increased quality and Pollitt's availability, Ronnie Moore re-signed him ahead in the summer of 2001 for a fee of £75,000 to a mixed reception from fans.
Pollitt gradually began to win the fans over with a string of top class goalkeeping displays that at times brought some scintillating saves as Rotherham defied the odds in a high class division for four years. Whilst the players ahead of him were beginning to get old and in some cases clearly not good enough, Pollitt remained in a class of his own and in the 04-05 season as the club crumbled to a bottom place finish Pollitt finished head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of quality.
On the back of Rotherham's relegation to League One and Pollitt's high wages, new Premiership boys Wigan made a shock move for Pollitt signing him for an undisclosed fee with add ons. Pollitt went on to become first choice keeper making his name in the Premiership and also grabbing a League Cup final start.
Mike Pollitt ultimately won his place for his displays over the last few seasons, displays that were full of outstanding saves. He was a superb shot stopper being a reliable enough kicker and commanded his area well enough most times. His only real weakness was his dealing of crosses, which led to several goal against and near misses, but his relationship with his centre backs often atoned for this and takes his place in the Millersmad Greatest Ever XI.
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