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After the departure of Ronnie Moore just over a fortnight ago, the board had come in for some critism on the messageboards and phone-ins, the first 30 minutes of the forum was set aside to debate the decision.
Peter Ruchniewicz told the fans the timetable of events off Ronnie's departure, and it seems that Ronnie pressed them for a decision a matter of a few days after a meeting where the 8-12 weeks waiting period was agreed. "We knew it would not be a popular decision but we were brave and felt it was time to move in a different direction and Ronnie accepted that," Ruchiniewicz said.
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Millers Vice-Chairman David Veal then introduced Paul Hurst to the crowd. Hursty told that the players were as fit as previous seasons, if not fitter. He also added that there was no unrest in the dressing room but once the decision had been made not to offer Ronnie a contract, the only thing to do was to part company as it could play on peoples minds and affect things.
"Since Alan Knill and Mark Robins have taken over, training has improved and, at the moment, we are certainly working harder." he added.
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It was then Alan Knill and Mark Robins turn to face the questions, when asked about bringing new players in, Knilly replied by saying he thought it was only right to give the current squad a chance, and that training had improved with the players responding well.
On the subject of Will Hoskins, he was asked wether he should be given a chance, but he will not rush him in despite thinking he is and will be a great player, he thinks that you have to bleed the young players into the first team.
John Harrison told that the club's debts have been cut and they are on target to break even, and there is also money still available for loanees on the playing front. It was asked how much it would take for the board accept an offer for Mike Pollitt, to which the board answered - Ask Alan!!, Alan's response was "We dont want to sell him, We wouldnt sell him to the team that we're trying to catch up anyway!"
Back onto finances, and Finance Director announced that the club will be doing a rights issue, but not a share issue, which is hope will raise over £900k, with RUST bringing in £300k of that.
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"This club is at the heart of the Rotherham community. We all have a responsibility and we all need to take a little bit of ownership in ensuring that it survives today to enable a long and prosperous future built on stability.
"RUST is committed to that, the new Rotherham United Board is committed to that, we need every single fan to be committed to that!
"Regardless of your view, there is one thing that certainly stands out and we all have one thing in common – our pride and passion for Rotherham United Football Club!
"Regardless of what has gone on previously, the most important thing for fans is what the future holds and in terms of RUST, we need everyone's support in a number of ways more than ever.
He said RUST has a small shareholding in the club at present and the aim of the Trust is to gain a 25.1 per cent stake in the club "pretty quickly" to give them a majority shareholding. This would mean that through RUST, fans will have direct input and influence into how the club is run.
"But in order to get this 25.1 per cent shareholding, RUST needs to raise approximately £300k. We have a number of ideas on ways to do this but the bottom line is, by fans pulling together in the same direction, this IS achievable and WE will do it," he added.
Overall, a very informative meeting, and I have to agree with Craig Saunderson when he say's this board have given more communication in 6 weeks than the last one did in 17 years!
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Peter Ruchniewicz told the clubs official website "I think fans went away from the forum feeling that club is communicating and most of all moving forward with a new ideas into a new era. The fans had many questions across a range of issue but the main outcome was that our plans to re-generate the club were well received,"