RUFC - One definite bid by tonight

As deadline day looms for parties to put in formal bids to buy Rotherham United, there is one consortium that has come out in print and said that they will be putting a bid in by 5pm today.

The consortium headed by Dino Maccio and Alan Cartledge have been working closely with Jeremy Bleazard, the Administrator and have today, in the local press, said that they have also been in talks with the Booth family, who own Millmoor.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Mr Cartledge said, 'We have had good and constructive discussions with the Booths and we have secured a financial commitment in recognition of our plans which we are confident will give us a platform for football to continue to be played at Millmoor. We believe that this is what most of the Millers fans would want.

'The Booth family, who have played a significant part in Rotherham's history, recognise that we can deliver a new future.'

Ken Booth snr was the former Chairman of Rotherham United before selling the club to the Millers 05 consortium a few years ago.

The Booth family have come under a lot of criticism over the last few years mostly because of the crippling rents they were charging for the ground, said to be in the region of £16,000 per month. It would seem that Messrs Maccio and Cartledge have been in talks with the family and therefore we have to assume that there has been a compromise on the rent, which can only be a good thing.

I just wonder how many of the Millers fans would want the Booth family involved again with the club - although, I suppose, as they own the ground and other facilities, they have always really been involved.