RUFC - Donvalleyitus

Rotherham United fans will know all about Donvalleyitus - it's a disease that most who visit the stadium will be unfortunate to suffer from.

The word 'itus' is a prefix that indicates a preoccupation with an imaginary condition or illness and can affect anyone at anytime - for Millers fans it's usually between 3pm and 5pm on a Saturday afternoon, although it can also raise it's ugly head on a Tuesday evening.

It's something that you can feel coming on as you walk towards the turnstiles and, as they swing you into the ground, the 'itus' starts to take over your whole self and can sometimes lead to you sitting with your head in your hands, shaking your head in disbelief, looking around to make sure this 'itus' has affected others too or turn you into a moaning mumbling wreck.

This 'itus' can affect different people in different ways - for most it is as above - but for others it can stand for a paralysis of the legs, especially when a ball is coming towards you or, apparently, can cause the inability to move. At worst it can make eleven perfectly fit human beings run around like headless chickens while sticking out red socked legs in the hopes that the ball will somehow come to them.

And, Managers have noticed too - many being very scathing about the stadium with Millers Manager, Andy Scott, asking the question this weekend 'what is it about this team and Don Valley' - or words to that effect.

But, perhaps worst of all, it can make people disappear. Four thousand in the stands can soon turn to three thousand, then to two thousand and then - well it doesn't bear thinking about the 'then`. It can also make a full football team, who have played perfectly well at places like the L B Barking and Dagenham Stadium, Priestfield, the Pirelli Stadium disappear and be replaced by eleven nomads who have difficulty stringing two passes together.

For nearly four years this 'itus' has taken over the people of Rotherham. But, fear not good Millers because in a short while this 'itus` is going to be eradicated. Just eight more ninety minutes and it will be gone - for good - hopefully - and, all will be well with the world …… well, so we hope.







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