Request for those at Millmoor in ‘85

[02richarle]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

[Fal]

Madness that we haven't won there in my lifetime

[donnievic]

I was there that day walking from the old station past the home fans boozer which can’t believe it didn’t kick off between the fans and then walking down the alley way to the away end,apart from that only thing I remember was ray deans who we signed from Clyde and I think later worked for the council and still lives in donny putting the winner in the top corner with about 25 mins left and everyone went mental.Cant believe that was our last win there.

[CJK]

I remember going in probably 2005/06 season and getting absolutely robbed. Steve Roberts came off worse in a particularly nasty challenge if I remember rightly, from possibly someone like Martin Butler. And I reckon we lost it at the death.

That doesn't help for 1985 though.

[DonnyAps]

I was there in 85, all I can remember was the barrage of bricks coming over the walls of “death alley” after the game.

[andysly]

I seem to remember winning a friendly at Don Valley when they were homeless if that counts.
My first away game was at Millmoor in Sheff County Cup in 70s when we played in the infamous yellow and brown combo.
Hopefully last night hasn’t took too much out of us and we get the points Saturday

[JonWallsend]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

[Filo]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

Keeper was more likely to have been Willie Boyd

[Ldr]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

Keeper was more likely to have been Willie Boyd

Sure he left couple of years before 85 Filo mate

[BillyStubbsTears]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

That's pretty much my memory too. I thought Duggie got the winner with that brilliant header from a cross, but I think you're right that it was Ray Deans.

The Kilmore Mud Incident made up for Tony Simmons' goal that beat us at OBV earlier that year - anyone who was there will still bear that grudge.

Two post match memories. After being herded through the fusillade of bricks and bottles on Millmoor Lane, we were lined up by a senior copper outside Masborough station, who kindly informed us that we were "f**king scum. Every one of you".

I don't remember how, but me and our kid ended up getting away from there and got the 297 bus back to Conisbrough. Absolutely full of Rotherham fans who were looking for someone to take out their anger on so we kept our heads down. Then just as the bus was pulling away, a lad I played with in the Meccy 6th Form first team got on. He knew I was a Rovers fan. I knew he was a Rotherham fan. He clocked me and I thought "If he says owt, me and our kid are getting seven shades of shite kicked out of us". To my eternal relief, he nodded at me and said nowt. Weird how ever-present violence was in them days.

[roversdude]

Remember it was just after we had returned to work and the chaos when we scored. Very violent times

[hamiltonrover]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

Keeper was more likely to have been Willie Boyd

Sure he left couple of years before 85 Filo mate

Yup, defo Peacock.  Boyd finished 83/84

[Chris Black come back]

I remember going in probably 2005/06 season and getting absolutely robbed. Steve Roberts came off worse in a particularly nasty challenge if I remember rightly, from possibly someone like Martin Butler. And I reckon we lost it at the death.

That doesn't help for 1985 though.

Went to that one, was on New Year's Eve oddly. Very unfair outcome. Lost to a 90th minute goal.

[IDM]

Was that the one where Heffs got sent off for a very harsh second yellow, for which the ref later admitted he got wrong.?

[Prez]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

That's pretty much my memory too. I thought Duggie got the winner with that brilliant header from a cross, but I think you're right that it was Ray Deans.

The Kilmore Mud Incident made up for Tony Simmons' goal that beat us at OBV earlier that year - anyone who was there will still bear that grudge.

Two post match memories. After being herded through the fusillade of bricks and bottles on Millmoor Lane, we were lined up by a senior copper outside Masborough station, who kindly informed us that we were "f**king scum. Every one of you".

I don't remember how, but me and our kid ended up getting away from there and got the 297 bus back to Conisbrough. Absolutely full of Rotherham fans who were looking for someone to take out their anger on so we kept our heads down. Then just as the bus was pulling away, a lad I played with in the Meccy 6th Form first team got on. He knew I was a Rovers fan. I knew he was a Rotherham fan. He clocked me and I thought "If he says owt, me and our kid are getting seven shades of shite kicked out of us". To my eternal relief, he nodded at me and said nowt. Weird how ever-present violence was in them days.

BST the reverse game at Belle Vue was that the one we lost 1-0? Was a Sunday and there were over 10k in attendance.

Was their goal miles offside or something? I was very young and can’t quite remember.

[Lesonthewest]

I was there, they couldn't handle Ray Dean's, great win, he still lives in Cantley, deliver to him now & again. What a player he would have been had he not had to retire. Great night though, even having to negotiate the dreaded lane out of the place.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

That's pretty much my memory too. I thought Duggie got the winner with that brilliant header from a cross, but I think you're right that it was Ray Deans.

The Kilmore Mud Incident made up for Tony Simmons' goal that beat us at OBV earlier that year - anyone who was there will still bear that grudge.

Two post match memories. After being herded through the fusillade of bricks and bottles on Millmoor Lane, we were lined up by a senior copper outside Masborough station, who kindly informed us that we were "f**king scum. Every one of you".

I don't remember how, but me and our kid ended up getting away from there and got the 297 bus back to Conisbrough. Absolutely full of Rotherham fans who were looking for someone to take out their anger on so we kept our heads down. Then just as the bus was pulling away, a lad I played with in the Meccy 6th Form first team got on. He knew I was a Rovers fan. I knew he was a Rotherham fan. He clocked me and I thought "If he says owt, me and our kid are getting seven shades of shite kicked out of us". To my eternal relief, he nodded at me and said nowt. Weird how ever-present violence was in them days.

BST the reverse game at Belle Vue was that the one we lost 1-0? Was a Sunday and there were over 10k in attendance.

Was their goal miles offside or something? I was very young and can’t quite remember.

Yep. Tony Simmons was miles offside. I was bang in line on the Pop Side and he was well off. The flag went up. Everyone stopped except Simmons, who put the ball in the net. The ref gave the goal.

[BillyStubbsTears]

What a team we could have had if Ray Deans and Alan Brown had stayed fit, with Duggie's work rate, Ian Snodin's genius and Glynn's speed and shooting. I reckon we could have made the old Division 2 20-odd years earlier than we did.

[02richarle]

Thanks to all who got in touch regarding this, both via the forum and other means of communication.

The piece is now live on the website (link at bottom). Hope it brings back some good memories. I certainly enjoyed putting it together.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/a-stunning-winner-and-flying-bricks-doncaster-rovers-fans-recall-last-win-in-rotherham-41-years-on-5604496

[IDM]

Hi. Ricky here from the Free Press.

I wondered if there’s any supporters who were at the last Rovers win in Rotherham back in March of 1985? If so then I’d love to get some of your thoughts from that particular game and also how much it would mean to end that long wait this weekend.

Many thanks. UTR

I was there in 85. I was 15 and at school in Rotherham so had took some stick over the years and especially  since the 1-0 reversal at Belle Vue in the October  of the 84/85 season. Both teams were  mid table and it was pre play offs, so there wasn't much on the game- externally- but it was the biggest game in my lifetime  as we'd not played them since the mid 70s and i had never watched us there. I was nervous as anything.
I remember  waving to my mates, who were  stood on the Tivoli from the Railway end pre game
Im not sure the game would have been played nowadays as the pitch was a right mess. Everytime we got in front they  pegged us back. It was 2-2 at half time. Our third goal through  Ray Deans, it seemed about 10/15mins into the second half, was worthy of winning any game. He struck it right towards  me and my dad, gun barrel straight  and with real power from the edge of the box, midway up.the goal just inside the post.
I'm sure I recall  Kevin Kilmore for them, late on, lobbing our keeper ( Peacock probably) and the ball sticking in the mud and us clearing  it.
Was a brilliant  win. I should probably  have enjoyed  it more at school on the Monday had i known it would be our only win among 1 draw and 15 defeats over the next  40 years.

That's pretty much my memory too. I thought Duggie got the winner with that brilliant header from a cross, but I think you're right that it was Ray Deans.

The Kilmore Mud Incident made up for Tony Simmons' goal that beat us at OBV earlier that year - anyone who was there will still bear that grudge.

Two post match memories. After being herded through the fusillade of bricks and bottles on Millmoor Lane, we were lined up by a senior copper outside Masborough station, who kindly informed us that we were "f**king scum. Every one of you".

I don't remember how, but me and our kid ended up getting away from there and got the 297 bus back to Conisbrough. Absolutely full of Rotherham fans who were looking for someone to take out their anger on so we kept our heads down. Then just as the bus was pulling away, a lad I played with in the Meccy 6th Form first team got on. He knew I was a Rovers fan. I knew he was a Rotherham fan. He clocked me and I thought "If he says owt, me and our kid are getting seven shades of shite kicked out of us". To my eternal relief, he nodded at me and said nowt. Weird how ever-present violence was in them days.

BST the reverse game at Belle Vue was that the one we lost 1-0? Was a Sunday and there were over 10k in attendance.

Was their goal miles offside or something? I was very young and can’t quite remember.

Yep. Tony Simmons was miles offside. I was bang in line on the Pop Side and he was well off. The flag went up. Everyone stopped except Simmons, who put the ball in the net. The ref gave the goal.

Now you’ve brought it up, I remember the players almost stopping but don’t recall the flag going up.

[CottyRover]

Great article by Ricky, worth a read if anyone hasn't done so already.  Can't believe it's over 40 years since then. I was there too. Thankfully missed the mayhem coming away from the ground, may have ended up among the home crowd by mistake. I did pass one Rotherham fan as I left. He clocked my colours and called me a Donny bas**rd, which I found amusing, but that was the worst of it for me