Millers Chairman Lists the Changes

Last updated : 31 May 2006 By Bigrich.....
Gives his views
Since the Season Ticket announcement, the Millers faithful have done thier fair share of moaning, and it seems as if the honeymoon period is over.

But Chairman Coleman today hit back and in a frank interview on the club official site, told the fans just whats happened and what is being done to help the club to continue.

Dennis told themillers.co.uk :
"The main stand is half complete with serious contractual argument and the safety issues have had to be addressed. We have a dilapidated ground that has had virtually no work carried out for many years while we have had to contend with a fraud situation on a large scale."

"With regard to the main stand the contractual arguments are ongoing as are the repairs for safety issues. As far as other ground issues are concerned, Dave Costin has been working around the clock seven days a week with a team of his men repairing and painting. We have also had lots of companies in doing work free or at cost."

"The fraud situation we had on the turnstiles was well known and I hope we have stopped this practice or at least cut it to a minimum and work on this will continue."

"A large amount of equipment has been on hire at over priced rates while we have had a large fleet of cars on lease.We are currently negotiating with several companies to either buy equipment or replace on better deals with the estimated cost saving £50,000 per annum."

Thing of the past
"In the club shop we have terminated the contract with the previous company and are currently refurbishing the shop. We have done a deal with a new kit sponsor in addition to our current sponsor, Rosehill Press and that is worth an extra £55,000 to the club."

"For the corporate hospitality we erected a marquee and will do something similar for the new season. As far as the ground boards are concerned some have been up for years with no revenue coming from them i.e one company who went bust four years ago. This whole exercise has had to be started again from scratch."

"Talks are taking place regarding the T-bars with potential new and current caterers and anyone interested in this should contact the main office as soon as possible."

"The old contract of the Tivoli Club, now the Rotherham United Suite was terminated and we are currently involved in a refurbishment programme to ensure we will be open for the World Cup games. Soon afterwards we will be open five or six times a week with all proceeds going to the club."

couldnt find a picture of a RUFC car.
"Work will soon start on the refurbishment of the club at the bottom of Millmoor Lane while the car fleet has been cut to a minimum including sponsorship."

"I would like to add a word on season tickets. The prices were previously under priced with examples from last year excluding VAT: Tivoli adult £285 or £10-55 per game; juvenile £160 or £5.91 per game. Examples this season are: Adult £360 or £13.32 per game; juvenile £180 or £6.66 per game. These prices are after we have paid the VAT. While no one wants price hikes we have to assure you this is completely necessary and are being kept in line with other clubs in our division"

Big wages, gone after July.
"The players' wage bill was the second highest in League One and we are now tackling all these problems, As example the current player contracts are taking up nearly 60 per cent of our entire budget for seven players. This cannot be addressed for another 12 months. All the wages of the out of contract and current players until the end of the summer will cost approximately £500,000."

"We would like to point out that while the CVA has got rid of a lot of debt, it has not got rid of the cost of running this club. This can only be achieved over time and re-pricing of season tickets is only a small part of this."

"The above points are to mention but a few but hopefully it will give you the people that count an idea of the uphill task we are facing as an inexperienced new board and we hope you will bear with us and not expect things to happen overnight."

"Please get behind the club and Rotherham United can have a bright future. Without your support the club cannot survive." Coleman finished on.

So there you have it lads and lasses, and to be honest, he's bang on with just about everything he says. Especially the commercial department which has been non-existant over the last few years.

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