RUFC - Stewart 'In it for the long term'

Rotherham United's owner-to-be, Tony Stewart has told the fans that he is 'here to stay.'

Mr Stewart, who is head of ASD Lighting plc, is thought to be the head of a three-man consortium and it is expected that he will be named, today, as the new owner of the club. The others in the consortium do not wished to be named at this time but it is thought that they were brought together by Rotherham Borough Council.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Mr Stewart said, 'I'm not coming in for the glory. This is a business that hasn't been able to pay it's bills for two years and been into administration twice recently. People say I'm in this for the profit - well forget any profit. We have to get into a situation where we get the fan base and the commercial side to a certain level just to break even.

'I want people like Paul Douglas and Mark Robins to drive the business, not for me, but for Rotherham United.'

Mr Stewart says that although he believes with the right reorganisation the club could be in a position to be able to pay it's own way, the main objective is success on the pitch. He met with manager, Mark Robins last week and said he was pleased with the job he, and the senior staff, were doing and says there will be money available to strengthen the squad.

'I want the manager to manage a good side and do a good job. We won't be selling players and we won't be cutting back on the running costs.'

He also said that he wants to see Rotherham United in the Championship in the next three to five years, although, the first aim is for next season and the League Two play-offs.