That was the season that was 04/05 - August

Shaw featured in the season opener, the Millers faced newly promoted Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Rd, the first meeting between the two for over 20 years.

The game ended 1-1 with Shaw marking his debut with a goal.

The following Tuesday saw the Millers play the first home game of the season, with Burnley the opponents. It was clear that the Millers were struggling up front, and the game ended up as a 0-0 draw.

Wanting another Striker

Moore had wanted to bring in another striker he claimed in the media, there was rumours that Moore had been trying to get Neil Shipperly, although Chairman Ken Booth had told him that he would have to wait. The Millers also said hello and goodbye to trialist Tiago.

Meanwhile another takeover attempt was simmering in the background with Moore telling Football Heaven that the Chairman had told him that a consortium was interested. The consortium consisted of a London businessman that hails from Rotherham and 4 others.

Stoke came to town and robbed the Millers of their first win of the season, Adi Akinbyi scoring an undeserved 85th minute equalizer after Paul Shaw had given the Millers the lead. The Millers remained unbeaten but lay in 18th position without a win.

However the first defeat was just around the corner. A 1-0 defeat at Reading left us in 21st place.

Winger Chris Sedgwick signed an extension to his contract, although we all know what happened later on in the year.

Richie Celebrates

The Chesterfield curse was broken!!! After 25 years of defeats, we finally beat Chesterfield albeit in the Carling Cup. Richie Barker won it with a late goal from 20 yards, as the Millers came back from a goal down to beat the 1-eye’s 2-1. Michael Proctor scored the equalizer after Mark Allot had given Chesterfield the lead.

The Millers were drawn away at Nottingham Forest in round 2.

We were brought back down to earth with a bump though as promotion hopefuls Ipswich came to Millmoor and dumped us to the bottom of the Championship table. Ex-Wednesday striker Shefki Kuqi scored twice just a couple of minutes either side of half time in the 2-0 defeat.

The disappointment of August didn’t stop there, the bank holiday Monday game at Preston North End was one of the worst displays from a Rotherham United team I have ever witnessed and truly spoiled a good weekend away.

The whole team put in an inept performance in another 2-0 defeat, with the team managing just 2 shots on target. Will Hoskins and Paul McLaren both made their first start in a Rotherham shirt.

Surely things couldn’t get any worse?…….