Rotherham United Vs West Bromwich Albion

Matchday 25 presented yet another challenging traffic ordeal, requiring over 3 hours to reach Rotherham. The weather conditions added to the difficulty, with heavy wind and rain making the journey even more demanding. To compound matters, a missed turn off on the motorway led to an additional trip on the M6 toll, incurring an extra £5.60 to the overall cost of the game. For the first time, both Liam’s Nan and Grandad Steve joined us for this game. Given their allegiance to West Brom, we decided that sitting with the Albion fans would be the optimal choice for all of us to thoroughly enjoy the match.

Rotherham United’s stadium, built in 2012, piqued my interest regarding its name, the New York Stadium. Historical references revealed that the land was historically called New York and appeared in many maps up to the 1980s. However, the inspiration for the name is attributed to the Guest and Chrimes company, which occupied the site for nearly 150 years. The company manufactured a brass stop tap used in fire hydrants worldwide, including the famous red fire hydrants of New York City.

Upon approaching the ground, we found a car park just a few minutes away, priced at £4 on matchdays, a slight increase from the usual £2.50 but still reasonable. As we headed to the stadium, a staff member and Miller the bear mascot approached us, gifting Liam a selection box as part of a Christmas initiative by the EFL (English Football League). A lovely gesture! Shortly afterward, a female staff member invited us to participate in a penalty shoot-out, but unfortunately, it was only open to home supporters. Despite our request to speak with a manager, the decision remained unchanged. Nonetheless, we moved inside the ground, queued for reasonably priced drinks, and then proceeded to our seats.

Despite the foggy/misty weather, the atmosphere remained vibrant, with Albion fans being the more vocal of the two groups. Although the game lacked the excitement of attacking football, Albion secured a 2-0 victory, and once again, I accurately predicted the scoreline—much to Liam’s disappointment. Opting to leave a precious 5 minutes early, we aimed to facilitate a smooth journey home. Fortunately, the drive back was excellent, taking just under 2 hours with Google Maps guiding us seamlessly, encountering virtually no traffic.

This proved to be another positive experience, enhanced by the pleasure of having Liam’s grandparents accompany us on this footballing journey.