RUFC - Chairman is happy

Rotherham United Chairman, Tony Stewart says he is delighted at how things are going so far this season.

Speaking on Radio Sheffield's Football Heaven, he described his first eighteen months at the helm as an adventure. 'The results so far show we are doing very well,' Mr Stewart said. 'I know we have a good team with a good defence and a new strike force. There's a lot of investment gone into it in the last eighteen months. Things have changed with players and staff going in and out but I am looking forward to the future. I've been in football eighteen months or so and have learnt a lot but still have a lot to learn.'

'We had a four year plan and a year has gone of that but we want to be in the Championship in the next three years - in fact, I am confident we will be.

'We have a good squad but there is still work to do and it's a long season and we hope things will carry on as they have been.'

Andy Giddings mentioned striker, Adam Le Fondre and Mr Stewart said, 'Football is a team game. Yes, Alf is doing a good job and he tells me there are a lot of goals to come and I believe him. He's fit, fast, very confident and good to watch. But there are another twenty-one players in the squad.'

Mr Stewart spoke about ex Manager, Mark Robins saying he was surprised that he had had to search for a new manager. 'I got a phone call from a director of Barnsley requesting to speak to our manager and I agreed to that.' Speaking about putting the backroom staff on 'gardening leave' he said, 'Myself and the directors felt that if people were looking to change jobs then their minds would not be on the next important game and we decided that gardening leave was the best thing to do.'

Speaking about the Commercial side of things at the club, Mr Stewart said, 'I am happy with that side of things. Sales are up and I think, by the end of the month, we will have equalled last season's total.'

He was asked what he thought would get 'bums on seats'. 'Playing attractive football. Winning games. To show that we have ambition and drive and are hard working and fit. To have a good manager and show that we are entertaining. We need to show people that Rotherham United are going places.

'The fan base of Rotherham is terrific. We take six to seven hundred to away games - I just wish away teams would bring that many to Don Valley.'

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