Millers Birthday's May 1-10

A complete list of all Post-War Millers players born between May 1st and May 10th.

May 1st
.........

James Crawford 1973

May 2nd
.........

Tony Towner 1955

May 4th
.........

Ryan Taylor 1988

May 5th
.........

Scott Taylor 1976
Paul Stancliffe 1958
Lol Morgan 1931
Andy Haddock 1946

May 6th
.........

Will Hoskins 1986

May 7th
.........

John Galley 1944
David Caldwell 1932

May 8th
.........

Paul Warne 1973
Dennis Churms 1931

May 9th
.........

Ian Richardson 1964
Mick Martin 1951

Featured player
..................

Will Hoskins

Rotherham United
Hoskins was heralded as a talent when at just 17 he came in to the first team fold at Rotherham and made an impact scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Wigan Athletic in December 2003. However, he had a stop start early career, only making one start under managers Ronnie Moore and subsequently Mick Harford.

Alan Knill took over as manager half way through the 2005-06 season, with the Millers half-way through their first campaign back in League One and saved the club from a second successive relegation. As youth coach Knill brought Hoskins up through the youth ranks at Milmoor and handed 12 further starts that season. Hoskins reciprocated the faith shown in him by being the only one of six out-of-contract players at the end of the 2005/06 season to sign an immediate contract renewal. Knill offered the youngster an initial one year deal, stating that should Will prove himself in the first team, he would be rewarded with a new contract before Christmas.

Hoskins had an excellent 2006-07 pre-season alongside his new strike partner Delroy Facey, notably scoring twice against Scottish Cup finalists Gretna. However, he suffered a slight injury before the first match of the season and Dave Hibbert had to step up to take his place. Hoskins returned to the squad less than a week later, coming on as a second half substitute against Huddersfield Town. The following week he came off the bench to score the winner against Blackpool, securing his place in the starting eleven for the Millers. He was in the team consistently, but never had a regular strike partner due to injuries.

By the end of December he had scored 15 goals in 22 appearances - 7 of those in successive away games - making him the third highest scorer in League One. Due to his consistent excellent performances he was awarded the Player of the Month award in October and was valued at an estimated £750,000+ by The Guardian.


Watford
After turning down a contract extension, Hoskins signed for Premier League club Watford along with teammate Lee Williamson on 5 January 2007 for a combined fee of £1.2million. He made his debut on the 13 January 2007 after coming off the bench against Liverpool.


England Youth
Hoskins made an immediate impact when first introduced into the England U-18 squad, setting up the winning goal against Sweden on 29 April 2004 He made his full first team debut for the International U20's side in the 4-0 defeat to Russia on 16 August 2005 in Moscow.

League appearences (up to 28/04/2007)

Rotherham United 73.....23 goals
Watford 7.....0 goals

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