Millers get part funding for new Stand.
Last updated : 14 April 2005 By Bigrich.....
Yesterday club chairman Peter Ruchniewicz, chief executive Phil Henson and stand architect Peter Landon were in London to meet officials from the Football Foundation to present plans for the stand.
The meeting was successful and the Foundtion agreed in principle to grant the Millers the £1.7m limit available to them. Phil Henson told the Rotherham Star "We proved we have got our ducks in a row and this is yet another important link in going ahead with the project, This is part of the funding that we are very hopeful of getting, and we must wait until it is rubber-stamped, but we received a very positive view from the Football Foundation."
Planning permission for the stand is expected soon, and with the clubs Ticket Office relocating soon, it is looking like the new stand will soon be a reality after a host of false dawns.
The club have sent out info packs to current shareholders about the club Rights issue, which is hoped to raise £900k. While RUST recently wrote to over 6500 fans introducing the RUST fundraising scheme where non-shareholders get the chance to help the club.
2 fans forums are planned for next Monday and Tuesday for fans to come and get more details about the scheme and ask questions to RUST and club officials about it. The forums are held at the Carlton Park hotel and are open to everybody, both evenings start at 7:30pm.
RUST are hoping to raise £300k of the £900k from the share issue, if achieved the money would give RUST a strategic 25.1% shareholding in Rotherham United, and would prevent any one person having complete control of the club.
Speaking to the Star, RUST Chairman Craig Saunderson said, "Under the banner 'Now is the Time to Stand UNITED', we are looking to bring supporters together to help fulfil this very real opportunity,"
"Since the new board has taken over, the level of communication back to fans, both independently and through RUST, has been excellent. RUST, as an independent fans organisation, applauds this approach and needs to ensure we work with the club in the right way to ensure fans' views are delivered in the right way.
 | Craig Saunderson |
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"Therefore the opportunity to gain the largest shareholding in the club ensures that for a long time to come, the passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic views of all Rotherham United fans will be properly represented and acted upon where appropriate." Saunderson added.
For more information on the RUST fundraising effort attend one of the forums, where there will be special guests at both nights or if your unable to attend email RUST at
info@rufctrust.co.uk
