RUFC - Hursty on his record

Now that he's had time to sit and think about the achievement he got last weekend, Millers stalwart Paul Hurst has spoken to MillersWorld.

Being the Millers player with the most appearances is a great achievement but he says, after waiting so long for it, he was just relieved that he's broke Danny Williams record.

'I've been looking at the record for a couple of seasons now and people in the media like Les Payne and Gerry Somerton have been talking and looking too for what seems like a long time. I'm just relieved at finally getting it.

'My first game was against Huddersfield in what is now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. I remember I nearly scored but it wouldn't have been down to me it was because their goalie nearly threw it in! My favourite memory has to be Wembley - it was a one off a special occasion for me and the club. I also count the Promotions and winning twice at Hillsborough as special too.

'I think my first goal was in the FA Cup when we lost to Wrexham but my favourite goal was against Scunthorpe, though we lost again three-two. It was a good move that I managed to finish off. My two goals from free kicks were special goals too.

'The people who helped me most when I first started out were Wayne Jacobs, Chris Hutchings and Dean Barrick who was a big help to me.

'I've been lucky, we've had some good managers at Rotherham while I've been here. Ronnie Moore is the one that stands out for the success we got with him and I have a lot of respect for Alan Knill.
The only time I thought I might leave Rotherham was under Ronnie when I was on a week-to-week contract and it was an uncertain time when Mick Harford came but I decided to stay.

'Millmoor hasn't changed much in the time I've been here. There's seats been put in and the stand was knocked down. The training ground hasn't changed much either. My first year as a YTS lad was the first year we used the Lodge for training and I remember we helped to clear it all out.

'The best advice I've ever been given was to always give it your all. You can't just go into a game on a Saturday and switch it on. You have to make sure you train well.'

Hursty was asked if he thought there was any loyalty left in the game and he said, 'Well, no, on both sides. The players take a lot of stick but sometimes the managers and chairmen are quick to get the player out. If a player stays with the same club three or four seasons they seem to have been there a long time now.'

Here's to the next milestone, Hursty. We hope it won't be long before we are writing about your five hundredth game for the Millers