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Rotherham United have their fans shedding a tear with special video on club’s centenary

Rotherham United have their fans shedding a tear with a special video posted on the club’s centenary, with a word from the chairman.

On the 100th anniversary of the Millers, formed by the merger of Rotherham Town and Rotherham County, chairman Stewart celebrates the club’s unity and pride in its community.

He highlights Rotherham’s industrial heritage and modern business success, emphasising the club’s deep connection to the area.

As custodian, Tony feels honoured to lead during this milestone and promises a year-long celebration influenced by fan input, including special kits and events for the 2025/26 season.

He expresses confidence in manager Matt Hamshaw, a qualified and ambitious coach, to lead the team into this historic year.

Tony thanks fans for their unwavering support through highs and lows, crediting them for the club’s survival and success, and declares this centenary year as belonging to the supporters.

STATEMENT:

Good morning everyone,

I wanted to write to you on this momentous day on which we celebrate 100 years of this wonderful football club.

A century ago, to the day, the final paperwork was rubberstamped to conclude the successful merger of Rotherham Town and Rotherham County to seal them United.

Certainly throughout my involvement with the modern day iteration of the Millers, we have always harboured strength through unity and an undying pride in who we are and where we’re from.

From Maltby to Moorgate, Thurcroft to Thorpe Hesley, Wingfield to Wickersley and everywhere in-between, there are no factions. Instead, it is what makes us stronger. Our town is rich in history and culture and boasts magnificent diversity

It is an area that was built upon industry and graft with many of our ancestors having quite literally laid those foundations in the unforgiving environments of steel and coal. We have been able to adapt to the challenges of modern day business with many successful in the area putting Rotherham on the map, but, no matter how current some of the concepts which have kept money within the local economy are, they have all been built with resilience and labour as the cornerstones.

I have always felt immensely privileged to be the custodian of this football club but to be in this position as our Centenary celebrations begin is a huge honour. As someone fully invested in the local area, I cannot express in words how strongly that I share your passion and hunger for our football club to be successful.

We want this momentous year to be a celebration for you, by you, and our preparations have been heavily influenced by supporter opinion – whether that be in meetings with various fan groups or having discussed the countless submissions to our Centenary email inbox.

Planning has been undertaken by the club to ensure that this milestone is appropriately commemorated and we are confident that you will share our excitement for what lies ahead, whether it be the kits which will be worn throughout the 2025/26 campaign or the many events we will be scheduling into the diary throughout the year.

In addition to all of the aforementioned reasons that we are excited about what lies in front of us, we are confident that we have the perfect choice of manager to lead our charge into this historic season. In Matt Hamshaw, we have a highly-qualified and ambitious coach who knows what success looks like for this football club. He has already made appointments to surround himself with people who will drive those standards and enforce that culture every single day and, for so many reasons, I genuinely don’t believe there is an individual out there that this opportunity would mean more to.

Finally, I would like to use this occasion to thank you all. Not just on my own behalf, but on that of every custodian of Rotherham United dating all the way back to 1925. Throughout generations, players, staff and even stadia have changed, but one aspect has remained constant and that has been your unwavering support. You have been there for the Wembley wins and the euphoric highs, but more tellingly were present in those times of near-extinction when you marched to Mansfield, bought bricks for loved ones and did everything within your power to get us here.

This is your Centenary year and this is your football club.

Town. County. United.

Cheers to 100 years,

Tony

Rotherham United is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of events and initiatives to mark the milestone.

Key plans include:

Commemorative Kits: New first-team kits, designed with Puma Teamwear, will be revealed soon via a video celebrating the club’s history.

Centenary Crest: An adapted club crest with a gold hue, laurels, and “100” detail to honor the milestone while retaining the club’s identity.

Brand Guidelines: Created with OCPR to ensure a celebratory look across digital and physical platforms, highlighting archived images of players and key moments.

Centenary Celebration Dinner: Scheduled for August 24, 2025 (provisional), to honor the club’s history, announce Teams of the Decades, and award the Greatest Ever Manager based on fan polls.

Community Events: Includes a Community Centenary Festival Open Day and a Pie and Peas Quiz Night at AESSEAL New York Stadium with former players.

Time Capsule: To be buried in the stadium pitch with items like a 2025/26 shirt and matchday programme for future generations.

Media Content: Enhanced focus on archive footage and stories of iconic moments, featured across social media, the website, and matchday programmes.

Merchandise: Centenary-themed products, including numbered “100 coins” and clothing lines, will be available in the Red and White Shop.

Museum Exhibit: Discussions with a local museum for a memorabilia display, inviting fans to loan items.

Honoring History: Celebrating the oldest living former player and supporter, with insights from Club Historian Garry Bray and journalist Les Payne.

Community Trust Programs: Initiatives like the “100 schools in 100 days” project to engage young fans.

Diamond Partnership: Continued pride in the selfless local business sponsorship model, reflecting the club’s community spirit.

Fan Engagement: Interactive matchday activities, half-time competitions, and fan stories featured in programmes.

The club consulted fans extensively to ensure celebrations reflect their wishes, emphasising unity and identity under the motto “Town. County. United.”

As mentioned, Rotherham United have their fans shedding a tear with a special video on the club’s centenary…

@The_RUFC: God that’s good ❤️

@powelly_miller: Goosebumps

@mshore90: I’m not crying you are!

@Miller26430477: Who’s chopping onions UTM

@MillerSince74: Effin brilliant…… choking up here 😪

@craigthemiller: A club that brings the town together, met some quality lads through football , let’s hope the board can back the gaffa with support and get our great club back to winning ways / enjoyable football again , win lose or draw no where else I’d rather be on a Saturday UTM #rufc

@joshy_rufc: The only football club for me, plenty of ups and downs but I’ll support them until my dying day. Up the millers 🔴⚪🔴⚪

@RUFCWill: What a video ❤️

@SamCurt16244273: Some club ❤️

@X_WXLL1: Best bit of media work we’ve ever done. Next season is feeling pretty special, let’s just hope it comes together and it could easily be the best season we’ve ever had #rufc

@CasswellJo68765: I fucking love you Rotherham, almost had me in tears, hopefully many more memories will occur in the next 100 years UTM 🔴⚪️

@rufc__cal: wow. lump in my throat. 🥹

@rufc_pod: Yeah. This is pretty good #RUFC

@MightyMillers20: Not crying I promise 😭😭

@padthemiller: So good guys absolutely love it UTM 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

@ashleyjarvis_: I bloody love my club ❤️

@LisaBal28468988: Happy 100th birthday x

@AdrianFletche17: That is brilliant. Shivers down my spine.

@miller83862: We’re fucking crap and ran like a shambles at the moment but there’s still no club I’d rather support. #rufc

@mrfrogmiller: Absolutely beautiful 🤩 Well done Sam

@rowling26: Some absolute cracking memories there

@B1GS171: Just watched that so many Memories think I’ve got Summat in my Eye 🥹🥹🥹❤️

@thesavageone87: Goosebumps, really emotional watching this it’s my childhood, it’s growing up it’s my grandad and all the good bad and inbetween. No matter good or bad we’ll always love em. Town. County. United ❤️🤍 #rufc

@JamesBr35326799: Superb UTM ❤️🙌

@nick_newsum: Wow that’s good. Hankies ready 😢 😃

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