Now back at the club he left two years ago and after captaining Shrewsbury to promotion last season, Sharps explains the decision by the boss to make him captain.
He told the Advertiser: “The gaffer pulled me in last Friday and gave me the captaincy. He has taken his time thinking about it but, to be honest, there are a few captains in the team.
“I'm a bridge between the players and the management and will try to keep everyone on the same wavelength. I am sure I will be fighting the lads' corner when I get in and see the gaffer every now and again and I'll be trying to relay back to them what the gaffer wants.
“The age of our squad is 26s and 27s. There is quite a lot of experience so hopefully it will be an easy dressing room to manage. I was (team and club) captain at Shrewsbury for two years and before that at Rotherham I did a year under Mark Robins and a year under Ronnie Moore. I enjoy it. It's something I try and thrive on and hopefully it brings the best out of me."
Ian added: “It was a great atmosphere at Shrewsbury and you can only imagine what it would be like here if we ever did go up. Last week showed the depth of our support. They were still queuing for tickets the day before the game. You look at other clubs that have gone through the leagues through the years and everyone says, it could be us, but with a club like Rotherham it really could be.
“I am sure the chairman is very proud, he has had a dream for a long time now, four years, and it has come to fruition.”