RUFC - How will the new stadium be funded?

Rotherham United fans are on the threshold of a dream. A new stadium. Back in Rotherham. We`ve heard about it for so long but now we`ve all seen the images and we`re all thinking, 'Yeah, this could happen.`

But, how will this spanking brand new metropolis, costing around £20m, in the centre of Rotherham, be paid for?

Well, to start with, Rotherham United invited contractors to submit their own plans of which twenty or so did. This had to be then whittled down to two - the best two.

The contractors had to come up with a plan that offered value for money and also included the iconic design that Chairman, Tony Stewart demanded.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Commercial Director, Steve Coakley said, 'We`ve had our ups and downs and we`ve had our agreements and disagreements but, if we hadn`t followed this process then there is no way we would have been able to build a stadium of this magnitude at anywhere near the cost.`

Mr Stewart said, 'if there hadn`t been a recession then I don`t think we would have got the construction people giving the time and effort that they have. We have pressed them hard to come up with something we all wanted.`

The cost of the stadium will be met by a combination of private monies and public grants with the European Regional Development Fund seen as one of the income sources.

The Chairman is confident all the money will be found and said, 'There is nothing that leads us to believe there will be any obstacle that we can`t overcome.`

Since the Millers started talking about a new stadium, there has always been the rumour that a supermarket chain would be involved. If that is right, or if there is room for another supermarket with Tesco just across the road, I think we will have to wait and see.

One thing I think I am safe in saying is that we can all put the buckets to the back of the shed!

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