Rotherham United, New York Stadium – Hopper Tales #141

The Star Spangled Miller

Rotherham United used to be a tick on my list of grounds visited.

I have previously visited Millmoor on a couple of occasions with Stoke City, and I have a couple of vivid memories from there, too.

Mark Stein scored one of his better goals at Millmoor in a 2-2 draw, and I also remember visiting when Dennis Priestley was parading his recently won World Championship darts title pre-game.

Of course, with the opposition being Stoke City, there wasn’t much love for Dennis, and he walked past the away end to chants of “There’s only one Eric Bristow”.

Dennis is a great fella, though, and he was happy to pose with my son on his stag day…

… Even after he beat him, dressed in a pantomime horse costume!

However, Rotherham United moved on from Millmoor in 2008, playing the next four seasons at Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium.

They moved into their new stadium in 2012, opening with a friendly game against Barnsley on July 21st.

I look forward to researching the new ground, as I’m interested in how a South Yorkshire ground is named after New York.

Now the time has come to revisit Rotherham and get that tick back.

Let’s see if we can make any more memories along the way…

Rotherham – The Journey

I still hadn’t fully recovered from last week’s flu bug, so it was surprising to feel quite fresh when Mrs Hopper’s alarm woke us up at 06:30.

I made my way to the bus station, grabbing a Greggs breakfast to take on the bus with me.

It was a cloudy morning, but there were ominous signs of sunshine threatening to lift the gloom.

The 07:38 #65 bus to Durham left on schedule, and we arrived in the cathedral city around 25 minutes later.

With my breathing still a little dodgy, I slowly ascended Mount Durham and took a little snap of the cathedral from base camp.

My train arrived almost on schedule and left Durham just four minutes late, at 08:58.

There was nothing of note during the journey, and we arrived in Sheffield at 10:55.

It’s one of those annoying journeys where you go past your destination and have to retrace the route to get there.

Not long to wait, though. By the time I had determined which platform I needed and made my way there, it was time to go.

The 11:05 to Adwick calls at Meadowhall Shopping Centre and Rotherham Central before continuing on its journey.

We arrived at Rotherham Central about 10 minutes after boarding the train, and upon arrival, I had a specific destination I wanted to check out before finding a watering hole.

Millmoor!

Despite the club moving on from Millmoor 17 years ago, the ground is not only still standing, but also still hosts youth and ladies games. However, it is owned by the local scrap merchant, CF Booth and access isn’t guaranteed.

With the chance to relive a couple of memories, I wanted to take the chance. So, while I make that walk, why don’t you familiarise yourself with the town?

Rotherham

Rotherham is a market town at the meeting point of the rivers Rother and Don.

It lies 7 miles northeast of Sheffield, 12 miles southwest of Doncaster, and 11.5 miles southeast of Barnsley.

At the 2021 Census, Rotherham had a population of 71,542.

The etymology of the town name is a pretty simple one. The prefix is taken from the river, while ‘Ham’ is the Old English word for homestead, or estate. Therefore, ‘Homestead on the River Rother’.

Although not founded until the early Middle Ages, there is evidence of a Roman fort on the River Don’s floodlands to the southwest of the town.

In the 1480s, the Archbishop of York, Thomas Rotherham, had a college built, which was the first brick building in South Yorkshire. Teaching theology, hymns and religious chants, somewhat more helpfully, they also taught grammar and writing.

During the Industrial Revolution, coal mining, iron and steel were the principal industries of Rotherham. Most of the cannons aboard Horatio Nelson‘s flagship HMS Victory were made in Rotherham.

A 1751 glassworks, Beatson Clarke & Co, became one of Rotherham’s largest employers and is still operating to this day. They now make glass containers for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The Millers

Of course, another industry of note in Rotherham was the grinding of grain into flour. A traditional industry in the Millmoor district of the town, hence the club’s nickname. Milling continued to operate at the Rank Hovis factory until September 2008, when the factory became toast.

Extreme rainfall in 2007 almost became disastrous for Rotherham. Meadowhall and Parkgate shopping centres had to be closed, along with schools and roads in the area.

However, the biggest concern was the cracks appearing in the Ulley Reservoir dam wall.

With an imminent threat of the dam failing and flooding areas of Rotherham with its waters, the fire service pumped millions of gallons of water from the reservoir to ease pressure on the dam. It took 2,600 tonnes of limestone, three years, and £3.8 million before it was declared safe to reopen.

Rotherham is one of several towns and cities across the country where child sexual exploitation gangs have appeared in recent years. Rotherham Council has since been accused of ‘political correctness’ for driving their cover-up of the huge and terrible scandal. The town’s councillors resigned en masse in 2015, allowing a ‘new ‘fresh start‘.

Presumably, this ‘fresh start’ applies only to the monsters who covered it up, and not the victims of that heinous crime.

More on that scandal can be read here.

Rotherham is twinned with Saint-Quentin, France, while also being partnered with Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Riesa, Germany and Zabrze, Poland.

Notable People from Rotherham

Actors, Dean Andrews, Paul Shane (Hi-De-Hi) Jack Shepherd (David Platt), Liz White and Lynne Perrie (Ivy Tilsley) – Inventor of the Bailey Bridge, Donald Bailey – musicians, Self Esteem, Nick Banks (Pulp), Matt Nicholls (Bring Me The Horizon) and Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) – English Channel swimmer, Bill Burgess – TV celebrities, the Chuckle Brothers – middle-distance runner, Peter Elliott – Olympic sailor, Paul Goodison – former British Prime Minister, William Hague – comedians, Duggie Brown (younger brother of Lynne Perrie) and Sandy Powell.

Footballers, David Seaman, Ian Breckin, Alan Hodgkinson, Herbert Chapman, current Rotherham manager, Matt Hamshaw, and 1966 World Cup-winning Stoke City legend, Gordon Banks.

Ex-football referee Howard Webb also hails from Rotherham and is a Millers fan.

Millmoor Stadium

So, while you were reading about Rotherham, I had walked from Rotherham Central, up Masbrough Street, toward the towering floodlights that still dominate the skyline.

I turned off Masbrough Street before it turns into Coronation Bridge, and headed down the alley (Millmoor Lane) that runs alongside the eastern side of the ground.

There wasn’t much to see, floodlights aside, and the path brings you into the massive CF Booth scrapyard.

The CF Booth company owns Millmoor, and following a breakdown in talks between them and Rotherham United, the club departed.

I saw someone in the yard and asked about the possibility of being able to see inside the ground. He pointed me towards a small office on the other side of the alley. I asked again in the office and was told they no longer show people around Millmoor since COVID-19.

Ah, well, I tried.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

I walked back up the alley and turned toward the Coronation Bridge to see if there were any more photo opportunities.

Imagine my surprise, then, to find the doors open and a group of young girls who appeared to be part of a team, standing near the entrance.

I walked over and asked if it was okay to go inside and take some photos, and was told, “Yes, I don’t see why not.”

Champion!

Millmoor actually seems to be in pretty good condition, all things considered. According to Wikipedia, the current capacity is set at 8,300, but it’s been a long time since that many people wanted to step inside for a game.

I have vague memories of the narrow alley (Millmoor Lane) leading to the away end being a little ‘dodgy’ on a matchday. It’s tremendous to still have this stadium as part of the Rotherham experience.

I wish there were a way to turn the Millmoor Ground into a football museum. It represents something of a unique opportunity in English football, and I would love to see it restored and turned into a tourist attraction for the game.

Here you can read a fabulous Guardian article from when Rotherham United left Millmoor, detailing the intricacies of the problems at that time.

Millmoor Ground Gallery

Cutlers Arms

With goalkeeper Neil Cutler representing both Rotherham United and Stoke City in the early noughties, the choice of pub was pretty easy, the Cutlers Arms.

Located on Westgate, this entailed walking back down Masbrough Street, along Main Street and west, onto Westgate.

There are some old buildings along Westgate, and the Cutlers Arms is one of them.

Originally built in 1825, the pub was rebuilt in 1909 and contains some impressive Art Nouveau stained glass within. It is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it is (mostly) protected.

The Cutlers Arms is now one of four pubs owned by the Chantry Brewery of Rotherham, which showcase their ales.

I bought myself a pint of Diamond Black Stout, costing £3.90, and took a seat in the corner. The stout was tasty enough, though I would have preferred it to be colder. I’ve been spoiled by Guinness Extra Cold!

The pub was surprisingly quiet considering it was a match day, as you can see from the photo below.

Football Friends

It started filling as time moved on, though, and I struck up conversations with people around me.

I never caught the names of the people to my right, who were my original neighbours, but they were good company. As was the trio who sat to my left, Ian, Les, and Mitch.

As always, I was forthcoming about being a Stoke fan, and nobody batted an eyelid, reminiscing on players who played for both clubs, and games from the past.

Mitch even bought me a pint! What a man!

We sat watching scorelines change in the relegation zone of the Championship, with my new friends, for some reason, wanting Luton to stay up, and Hull to go down (an easy derby away day, I guess).

Despite Stoke being awful all season, our fate was in our own hands, and we took a point from fellow strugglers, Derby County. Most of the stress taken out of the day by Luton Town’s woeful performance at West Brom (lost 5-2), thus allowing me to enjoy my stout.

Another great thing about this pub, they put on free hot dogs and lollipops for the kids!

I was assured by the locals that anyone could help themselves, not just kids. So… I muscled a few kids out of the way and helped myself to a nice hot dog.

It filled a little hole, thanks very much!

A story mentioned about the Cutlers Arms is that this is where Viktor Johansson put £500 behind the bar as a thank you gesture for Rotherham fans. What a guy, you can’t help but love Vik the Viking.

When it was time to leave, I walked to the ground with Ian, Les and Mitch, who pointed me towards the club shop when we arrived.

Thanks for your company, guys!

Club Shop

The club shop is located on the northwest corner of the New York Stadium, or ASSEAL New York Stadium, if you prefer sponsored names.

It is a single room, filled with the normal replica kits, scarves, leisurewear, etc.

I bought a pin badge (£4.00) and a programme (£3.00) before heading back out to find my turnstile entrance.

Programme

The New York Way costs £3.00 and consists of 60 pages of glossy paper.

A whopping 33% of the production is non-club-related advertising, taking up 20 pages.

Among the adverts, there are some club articles, including words from the manager, Matt Hamshaw, match details, visitors’ profile and the usual stats, fixtures.

Overall, I have to say it feels a little bland and disappointing, although I do praise the club for still printing one.

Fewer adverts and a little more content would go a long way to improving this particular programme.

Rotherham United – New York Stadium

Getting In

Turnstiles 13-14 are at the northeast corner of the stadium, which is where I entered the ground.

My ticket was purchased online, via the Rotherham United website, costing me £25.00, plus £3.00 admin and postage costs.

Tickets are self-scanned at the turnstiles, and after doing this, I entered the ground.

We will start by reviewing the North Stand.

KCM Recycling North Stand

Given the programme’s advert content, it’s no real surprise that all four stands have sponsored names, too.

To my right, the KCM Recycling North Stand is where the more vociferous Rotherham supporters sit. Or, as I was told in the Cutlers Arms, “when they can be arsed”.

This is also where the club mascot, Miller Bear, and his huge drum watch the game from.

There is an electronic scoreboard in the northwest corner.

Like all of the New York Stadium, the North Stand is all-seated and covered with a roof.

The North Stand is sometimes referred to as the New Tivoli End and houses around 2,000 spectators.

Ben Bennett Family East Stand

Speaking of roofs…

The Ben Bennett Family Stand to my left has a lower roof than the North Stand.

Where I was sitting, this meant the roof obscured my view of the far end of the stadium (though not the pitch).

This isn’t a complaint, just an observation. The views at the New York Stadium are generally great, but I just happened to pick the worst possible spot.

The East Stand holds around 4,000 spectators.

Mears South Stand

The South Stand is where away fans are housed, and Peterborough United had a decent following at the New York Stadium today.

1,240 Posh fans made the nearly 200-mile round trip.

The roof of the South Stand has a terraced style, sloping down from the West Stand to the East Stand. The North Stand has a similar, sloping terrace look, but obviously, it was more noticeable at the end I wasn’t sitting in.

Like the North Stand, the South Stand holds 2,000 spectators.

As you may be able to see in the photo below, safe standing has been introduced to the back few rows of the South Stand.

Eric Twigg Foods Pukka Pies West Stand

The West Stand is the main stand at the New York Stadium, and is the one you may see if you arrive in Rotherham by rail from Sheffield.

It also has the daftest of sponsored names… I mean, leave out Eric Twigg Foods, or Pukka Pies, and it sounds reasonable, but both?

This is the stadium’s hub, containing the players’ tunnel, technical dugouts, executive boxes/hospitality, reception, dressing rooms and offices.

Despite holding only 4,000 fans, like the East Stand, the West Stand is significantly bigger, hence the slope from one to the other.

The central seating area is strangely lower than the wings on either side of it, with the technical dugout defining the edges at the bottom.

New York Stadium has a natural grass playing surface and a capacity of 12,021.

Its record attendance was set for the visit of Sheffield United on 7th September 2013. Rotherham won the Championship match by 3-1 in front of 11,758 spectators.

Start Spreading the News

However, the question on most people’s lips is, “Yeah, but why is it called the New York Stadium?”

The answer lies with the district in which the stadium was constructed, with old maps showing the area labelled ‘New York’.

On top of the historical map references, there is also the Guest and Chrimes Foundry, which sent parts of the iconic New York City fire hydrants to The Big Apple. This is the abandoned foundry that now stands empty on the grounds of the New York Stadium.

There are plans for the site to be turned into a hotel complex, though this will likely encounter stiff resistance due to its Grade II listed building status.

Rotherham United – New York Stadium Gallery

Rotherham United Tidbits

The Rotherham United Football Club was founded in 1925.

Next season will be the club’s centenary season, with 27th May, the actual foundation date.

A merger of two Rotherham teams, County and Town, made the club ‘United’ in name and action. They were immediately granted Football League status, replacing Rotherham County, who had been forced to seek re-election.

Originally playing in black and amber, United adopted their now familiar red and white colours in 1930.

Rotherham were the last-ever winners of the Third Division North Cup in 1945/46. They defeated previous winners (twice), Chester City, 3-2 in a replay after the first game ended 2-2.

United won their first promotion in 1950/51, as champions of the Third Division North.

In 1955, Rotherham achieved their highest-ever position in the Football League, finishing third in League Two (now the Championship). Only goal difference prevented them from gaining promotion to the top-flight, finishing level on points with champions, Birmingham City, and runners-up, Luton Town.

Rotherham were beaten finalists in the first-ever League Cup Final in 1961, losing 3-2 to Aston Villa on aggregate.

Relegation came knocking in 1968 and again in 1973, putting the club into Division Four.

Promotion back to Division Three came in 1974/75, after finishing third. They were promoted back to the second tier in 1980/81, winning the title in the process. 1981/82 saw them finish in 7th, a position the club hasn’t been able to better since.

By 1991, the Millers were back in Division Four.

In 1996, Rotherham made their first trip to Wembley, beating Shrewsbury Town 2-1 in the Football League Trophy, with over 20,000 Millers making the trip.

A New Millennium

In 1997, former player Ronnie Moore took the reins at Millmoor, and gradual improvement followed.

After losing out in the playoffs in his second season in charge, third time lucky was the order of the day, as Rotherham were Division Three (4th tier) runners-up in 1999/00.

They started the new millennium in Division Two, though not for long. Once again promoted come the season’s end, and the Millers were back in the second tier after finishing runners-up.

This time, they remained for four seasons before relegation once more came calling.

In 2005/06, the club had financial difficulties and almost went insolvent, but for a last-minute intervention of local businessmen. They stayed up that season, but relegation followed, after being given a ten-point deduction to start the following season.

Mark Robins took over as player-manager in the 2006/07 relegation season. He steered them into automatic promotion places the following year, but once again, financial troubles upset the applecart, and this time it ended with the club having to leave Millmoor and enter administration. Another ten-point deduction meant there was no longer any chance of promotion.

Despite coming out of administration, the club were given a seventeen-point deduction ahead of the 2008/09 season, with the club now playing at Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium.

When Robins departed to take over at nearby Barnsley, the Millers were sitting top of the league. However, now under Ronnie Moore again, the club slipped and had to endure a playoff final defeat at Wembley Stadium.

A New Home

Steve Evans took over in 2012, with Rotherham United moving into their new home at the New York Stadium. He guided Rotherham to promotion the following season, as runners-up. They made it back-to-back promotions after beating Leyton Orient in the playoff final of 2014.

They have been somewhat of a yo-yo club between then and now, slipping in and out of the Championship three times, with last year’s (2023/24) relegation from the Championship being the latest slip.

Under manager Matt Hamshaw, they will be hoping to repeat at least the first part of that equation once more in 2025/26.

They Played for Rotherham United

Shaun Barker – Marcus Bean – Leon Best – Dexter Blackstock – Eugen Bopp – Gary Bowyer – Ian Breckin – Darren Byfield – Bobby Davison – Matt Derbyshire – Craig Fleming – Lee Glover – Shaun Goater – Gerry Gow – Lewis Grabban – Tony Grealish – Jordan Hugill – Nigel Jemson – Clive Mendonca – Scott Minto – Kieffer Moore – Ronnie Moore – Jody Morris – Richard Naylor – Michael O’Grady – Lee Peltier – Carl Robinson – Martin Scott – Chris Sedgwick – Richard Smallwood – Glynn Snodin – Gary Strodder – James Tavernier – Harry Toffolo – Imre Varadi – Neil Warnock – Chris Wilder and Curtis Woodhouse.

Rotherham have been associated with some fantastic goalkeepers over the years: Paddy Kenny – Emiliano Martínez – Jim McDonagh, and Bobby Mimms.

There have been a surprising number of ex-Stoke players Deon Burton – Sam Clucas – Danny Collins – Bruce Dyer – Gareth Evans – Tariqe Fosu – Peter Odemwingie – Ally Pickering – Frazer Richardson, and David Watson.

Plus yet more goalkeepers: Neil Cutler – Daniel Iversen – Carl Muggleton, and last but not least, the fantastic Viktor Johansson, who claimed Stoke City’s Player of the Season by a country mile this year. Not forgetting the legendary Gordon Banks, who was born in Rotherham.

Of course, current Stoke manager Mark Robins and goalkeeper also played for the Millers.

Possibly the most famous player to pull on the Rotherham shirt is Liverpool legend Emlyn Hughes.

Rotherham United – Pre-Game View of New York Stadium

Rotherham United v Peterborough United – The Game

Form

Before today’s game, Rotherham were 13th in League One, with Peterborough 4 places lower in 17th.

From 45 games played, the Millers have won 15, drawn 11 and lost 19. They have scored 52 goals, conceding 58.

In their last five games, Rotherham have won just once, losing twice and drawing twice. The win was a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers, but four matches without a win followed.

Meanwhile, the Posh have also played 45 and have won 13 times, drawn 12 and lost 20. They have scored 67 goals but conceded a whopping 79. Only relegated Crawley Town have let in more (82).

In their last 5 games, the Posh have lost one and drawn 3. The game prior to this gave them a coveted Wembley win. They won the Football League Trophy for the second time by beating League One champions, Birmingham City, 2-0 beneath the arch.

I was expecting goals, and Peterborough’s leaky defence made me edge towards the home side.

Pre-Match Prediction: Rotherham United 3 Peterborough United 1

Kick-Off

Summary

The game, and Peterborough, got off to a flying start. With less than a minute on the clock, Posh were ahead via Abraham Odoh.

The ball was worked across the midfield from right to left (from the Posh perspective), where it found Odoh on the left wing.

He was allowed to wander effortlessly into the Rotherham box, before taking a touch to his right and shooting into the bottom right corner.

Good work from Odoh, but dreadful defending from Rotherham.

It was almost 2-0 a few minutes later, with Dillon Phillips reacting well to keep out Tayo Edun’s shot. Phillips was again on hand to deny Gustav Lindgren, with the Swede put clear on goal.

Rotherham gradually grew into the game and got a deserved equaliser on 36 minutes.

A high, bouncing ball was headed into the path of Louie Sibley on the left.

He took the ball in his stride and let off a thunderous shot that cannoned off the underside of the bar.

Now, to me, the ball was already over the line at this point, but the ball bounced back into play, and Sam Nombe was on hand to crash through two defenders and nod the ball definitively into the Peterborough net.

Seriously, I’ve watched it in slo-mo on YouTube. That should be credited as Sibley’s goal.

Half Time – Rotherham United 1 Peterborough United 1

It was nice not having to worry about Stoke at half-time. Our season was already over, so I headed to the concourse for a snack.

Of course, given the main stand’s sponsored name, it was no surprise to find Pukka Pies for sale.

Unfortunately, the chicken balti pies were sold out, so I settled for a steak pie, not a bad substitute. It cost £4.40, which is expensive to someone more used to attending non-league games, but I imagine it’s cheaper than some other league grounds.

It was meaty and tasty, so no complaints from me.

Second Half

Rotherham started the second half in better form, and Will Blackmore was forced to produce a good save to deny Dombe his second goal.

A Miller’s penalty claim was waved away by match referee, Michael Barlow, with Mallik Wilks appearing to be brought down by George Nevett.

The winning goal came in the 66th minute from a corner kick. This may be the first goal I have seen scored directly from a corner, all season!

The amount of pushing and shoving and referees giving free-kicks as a ‘reward’ for it has rendered set pieces all but useless for the most part in the modern game.

You can see the pushing and shoving I’m talking about, even in this instance, and I really wish the governing bodies would stamp it out.

However, a good cross by Joe Powell was met with a firm downward header by Cameron Humphreys.

Rotherham were clearly on top by this point and had chances to wrap the game up (and give me a rare correct pre-game prediction).

However, Peterborough held firm and indeed came closest to scoring again.

With time running out, Edun smashed a shot that hit the outside of Rotherham’s post, with Phillips grasping thin air.

Too little, too late for the Posh, and I felt Rotherham had done enough to earn the three points.

You can read a full Match Report here, courtesy of the Rotherham United website.

Full-time – Rotherham United 2 Peterborough United 1

Attendance – 9,994

Entrance Fee – £28.00

Programme – £3.00

Rotherham United v Peterborough United – Match Highlights

League Table After Today’s Game

Rotherham United Thoughts

I really enjoyed today’s visit to the New York Stadium, and managed to relive a few memories at Millmoor, had a great time in the Cutlers Arms, and watched a half-decent game of football between two sides with nothing left to play for.

I accept that!

The only negatives I can complain about would be the programme, which is okay, but lacking in content and too many adverts for £3.00.

My other complaint would be the £3.00 admin and postage fees for my ticket. Some clubs post tickets for free, which isn’t unreasonable given the ticket costs. It certainly doesn’t cost £3.00 to sell and post a ticket.

I found the stadium to be weirdly designed for one that is a new build. Why would you design stand roofs to be different heights, for example?

While not spoiling the view from my seat, I could think of no reason why you would do that when designing a stadium afresh. If it had been built over a number of years, then higgledy piggeldy stands are quite understandable, but that’s not the case here.

Strange, but no big deal to the average fan. The views are still good, even from my little corner.

Food and drink were not too extortionate, and I enjoyed my steak pie, presumably supplied by Eric Twigg Foods, Pukka Pies!

I have no problem recommending the New York Stadium to other Hoppers and football fans.

You will enjoy a day here, and please, visit the Cutlers Arms for a pleasant pre-match pint or two.

Rotherham – After the Game

Following the final whistle, I joined the crowd heading for the exit, while some stayed to applaud the players as they did a lap of appreciation.

I wanted to wander around the stadium’s exterior, as I hadn’t done so before the game.

By the time I had walked up towards the end of the East Stand, it was clear I wouldn’t be able to go any further that way, with segregation fences and stewards preventing it.

I did get a nice photo of the Holmes Goit, where it joins the River Don, and passes by the stadium, though.

After wandering back down to the north end, I had completely forgotten about the missing West Stand from my photos.

Oh well, that’s what Google is for…

I then joined the crowd of Peterborough fans heading towards the train station.

Rotherham Central

While at the station, I got talking to a Posh fan, and once more reminisced about past Stoke games. There was a time when Stoke and Peterborough were quite the rivals.

By the time the 17:47 train back to Sheffield arrived, it was obvious it would be like riding in a cattle truck headed to market.

The two-carriage train was already pretty full when it arrived. By the time the platform had emptied, it was like a sardine can.

It’s not rocket science, is it? Rotherham have played at home, let’s put an extra carriage on… nah, that sounds like common sense, let’s not.

Ten uncomfortable minutes later, I was back in Sheffield, hoping the Rotherham United carrier bag I was holding didn’t attract any unwanted attention.

It didn’t.

The train north arrived a couple of minutes late, and we departed Sheffield at 18:28.

Another uneventful train journey (I like those) ended at 20:30, as we arrived in Durham.

I caught the 21:05 #20 to Houghton-Le-Spring, arriving just after 21:30.

With no buses expected for another 20 minutes or so, I decided to walk the rest of the way home.

About 20 minutes later, I walked through the front door, another successful Hop in the books.

Next Up for Hoppers Guide

Next week, we venture once more over the Scottish border.

Following the SPL split, this game will be taking place in the bottom six, and is one that will have real ramifications come the season’s end.

St. Johnstone will be at home against Ross County, and time is running out for the Perth team.

With just three games remaining, the Saints are rock bottom and six points behind second-bottom Ross County.

That makes this a must-win game for the Saints, with failure almost certainly bringing relegation to McDiarmid Park.

It should make for a cracking atmosphere, though one that could soon turn ugly if things go badly for the home side.

Either way, I look forward to my first visit to McDiarmid Park.

Onto the next!

Hopper Tales #140 – Stockton Town

Hopper Tales #142 – St. Johnstone