That was the season that was 04/05 - Febuary
Last updated : 05 July 2005 By Bigrich.....
February 1st was the day that many Millers will mourn with the departure of a Millmoor hero, no not Robbie Stockdale who left for Hull City, but Ronnie Moore.After a week of uncertainty, pay-off talks had agreed and it was final, he left the club after 8 mainly successful year's as Rotherham United manager.
But life goes on and first up for Knilly was relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, a win was a must if we were going to stand a chance of avoiding the drop. Forest were putting spanners in the works, putting a £200K bid in for keeper Mike Pollitt, which was immediately rejected by the club.
Winger Andy Monkhouse signed a contract until the end of the season, after being on week to week terms since last August. Also signing a new contract was young striker Will Hoskins.
The game against Forest ended in a goalless draw, no good for both teams, but the main talking point was midfielder Darren Garner, who once again showed displeasure with the Millmoor faithful by sticking the rod's up at the main stand as he was being substituted.Garner played the incident down as tongue in cheek, but the FA decided otherwise and the 33 year old was consequently charged and fined with misconduct by the FA.
A long trip to Plymouth was next up, Andy Monkhouse scored a screamer, but we couldn't hold on and a penalty just after half-time meant we returned with a point. Although we were unbeaten under Knill, he was starting to get stick for playing negative tactics at a time when we so badly needed wins.
The 15th on Feburary saw the new board face the fans, a meeting was called at Magna, and over 1000 Millers fans turned up. They had their say on the Ronnie Moore debate, heard more details about Millers05’s vision for the future, including the new stand, and a new home kit was unveiled.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MAGNA REVIEWHowever Alan Knill's task wasn't about to get any easier in the next two games for the Millers, Derby County were the next visitors to Millmoor who were unbeaten in FFF away games.
The result was another home defeat, but no mistake Derby were classy and probably the best team at Millmoor all season.
Sunderland away was next and Michael Proctor wasn't going to face his old club, he joined Swindon Town on a month's loan, a move which was funded by their supporters trust. A snowy night on wearside saw the Millers battered again, but by now the inevitable was realised that we were down, and the Millers following did the conga regardless.
The month ended with the short trip to Bramall Lane to face the Blunts. A narrow 1-0 defeat ensured that we wouldn't beat Colin's men during the four years in this division.
March next and the season could’nt end fast enough......
