From Millers United to Herringthorpe Millers
15 Oct 2007

1976-2002
Thanks to Carol Storey for information

Situated at the bottom of Millmoor Lane, attached to Rotherham United was a little clubhouse originally called Rotherham United Social Club. In 1976 John Adams was the Rotherham United Commercial Manager, it was John that had the idea of forming a supporters club, Millers United Junior Supporters Club. This group met once a month for about 10 years, as it grew, the meetings became once a fortnight and then eventually once a week on a Thursday Evening.
Original members of the club were Cliff Powell, Roy Johnson, Graham Jarvis, Ron Cooke and Mick Aspridge, as the club grew so did the committee members which would include; Greg & Jenny Artell, Melvyn & Carol Storey, Mick Speed, Roy Levers, Pete & Janet Killeen, Dawn Bates, Malc Leeming & Jo.
It was Jo that did most of the work in the clubhouse to get it up and running, but it was Cliff who was the driving power behind it all. Cliffs love for the Millers was never questioned, he was a lovely bloke always approachable, giving up his time with Kath and the kids to give the next generation of Millers supporters an experience they would never forget. In the mid 80’s Rotherham United looked like closing it’s doors forever and so to help stop the club from going into liquidation Cliff & Carol organised a game at Rotherham bringing back all of the legends and raising a great deal of money. It was then that Cliff made an agreement with Sid Woods who was the chairman at the time, securing the clubhouse for the use of young millers united supporters, this agreement would be honoured by Ken Both when he took over.
From the late 70’s the young supporters of Millers United regularly played football on visits against away sides such as; Derby, Luton, Wolves, Notts County, Wigan, QPR, Preston North End, Arsenal, Crewe and many others. Forming friendships that would continue for over 20 years. 23 Years ago Stoke came up with organising something for the kids to do during the summer holidays and this was an indoor 5 aside tournament held at Keowl University. Millers United got a team together managed by Bob Houghton, this team was christened Millers United Under 10’s, they went,won the tournament and was presented the trophy by the late Stanley Matthews. This was the first of a long line of Millers teams to come, Millers United would eventually have age groups from Under 10’s to Under 16’s.
Many of Millers United lads made it into Rotherham but Greg and Jenny must have been over the moon when David Artell made it good.

Cliff developed great friendships with Rotherham United players, Managers and Coaches and there was always great support from these at Millers United. Regular appearances by Ronnie Moore, John Brechin, Richie Barker, Paul Hirst, Alan Lee, Mark Robbins, Rob Scott amongst others were made to Millers United Club always maintaining the links formed many years ago. Our boys had the privilege of ball-boying on a weeky basis at Rotherham United, of course Andy Walker, Darren Hillman and I had the privilege of managing those boys. The lads loved it and I’ve got to say so did we. We had the best seats at Millmoor.
Talking about the best seats Anton Johnson was the bloke that gave us 2 tickets a week to sit in the directors box, many of our children won these simply by buying a raffle ticket. Richard Powell and Richard Storey had the privilege of sitting next to Elton John at one game.
In 2002 at a committee meeting down at Millers United it was decided by the majority to fold the football teams. Millers United Junior Supporters Club would eventually close it’s doors in 2005, so ending the friendships and great spirit that Cliff Powell had worked so hard to form.

A New Era
2002-Present Day

It was in the year 2002 when Millers United folded and an handful of players and parents refused to give up what had been a successful season in division E. At the time I was the manager and Patrick Smith was the coach. I had a great bunch of parents, some of which are still with me now and some that have fell by the way side. Janet McCormac was our team treasurer, Nicola Walker and Margaret Jepson ran the teams teabar. At my wits end and wondering what to do I called a parents meeting, fortunately Paddy, Nic, Margaret and Janet backed me in offering their support in helping to run the club, and the parents stood steadfast and away we went.
As a new club carrying on the old number with the league we had to stand in the league and present ourselves. It was terrifying, having to stand in front of what was then a majority of men and saying why we should be able to carry on as Herringthorpe Millers, at the time I believe I was the only female manager in Sheffield Junior Sunday League. Thankfully we was granted our place and so began a successful era at Herringthorpe Millers.
Later we would win funding to form 2 new age groups, All of which are well run and have been successful, thanks to parents, players and managers.