Wemberlee!!!

Rotherham v Shrewsbury, Wembley Stadium, Sunday May 27th 2018, you know the score!

What can we say about season 2017/18. We started by the seaside in Fleetwood, a 2-0 defeat when promotion seemed a lifetime away. We had ups and downs till December when we arrived by the seaside in Blackpool. At half time we were discussing how we would cope in the national league we were that bad. But a second half turn around became the defining point when two DaBall goals saw us grab victory from the jaws of defeat. By the time we arrived by the seaside in Plymouth the play offs were almost assured. And when the seaside came to us on the final day, in the shape of Blackpool, we had ensured the all important second leg would be at the New York. We powered past Sunny Scunny to set up our day in the capital, and now everything came down to one final, all important match against Shrewsbury Town.

Some interesting facts about this game. Shrewsbury had played four times at Wemberlee and lost the lot, including the checkatrade trophy earlier this season. We had played three and won two. Paul Hurst And Paul Warne are former team mates under Ronnie and best buddies. Shrewsbury striker Carlton Morris was on loan with us last season. No defender has ever scored twice in a Wemberlee final. The Rotherham fans would be in the cool shady side of the ground.

On Friday 25th May at 7.30, Ian, Vicky and I loaded up, attached the special Wemberlee car flags, donned our jester hats, and set off for a long weekend in the south.

We picked up the next member of our Wemberlee crew at Rickmansworth station, Alex arriving at the same time as us.

On the Saturday Ian and I made our way into London and promptly stopped off for a Pimms on a lovely bar boat on the Thames.

Then called for an ice cream on Westminster Bridge.

We called at Buck House.

We then met the little ones for lunch at Green Park corner.

We fed the Parrots in Hyde Park.

Before wearily making our way back to Rickmansworth for more vittles.

Before we knew it Sunday had arrived, as had Kathy and Tobias, a newly indoctrinated Finnish Miller. Heather made us all a great big breakfast to boost our energy levels.

Vicky opened a fortune cookie we had saved from a back street Chinese shop in San Francisco.

We painted our faces, donned our shirts and jester hats once more. Gathered our flags. And for the final touch I put on my lucky magic hat. Leaving Heather, David and Andrew to the nail biting task of watching at home, at 12 noon we set off for the tube to Wemberlee.

On the platform Ian met a worried Shrewsbury fan.

In no time at all we were disembarking at Wemberlee Park

As we exited the station Wemberlee way was filling up with Millers fans, and the odd Shrew.

We also met up with the Jolly boys, along with Danny, and shared a beer in the baking sun.

And some other unsavoury characters

Some of us also spotted a Millers legend, and the former boss of today’s two managers.

Ronnie Moore, the original owner of the ‘Magic Hat’

The nearer the ground we got the more fans, and spontaneous singing we encountered. As we passed through the turnstile there was a bag search, luckily my big fat wad of money collected from the jolly boys for their tickets wasn’t noticed. Entering the home of football and taking your seat is always awe inspiring, and doubly so when your team will be playing. We were glad of the shade as it was boiling hot.

These Viking types can be terrifying!

We were some of the early ones, but it steadily filled as kick off approached.

At 10 to 3, Jamie Proctor, injured all those months ago, and the early season wearer of the magic hat, led the team out.

At 5 to An opera singer joined us in a stirring rendition of the national anthem. At 3pm the ref blew his whistle. Game on.

The last time we were at Wemberlee, the year of ‘ambitious but brilliant’ Alex Revell, penalties, and Steve Evans trousers, I was so nervous all throughout the game. This time I just felt we were never going to lose. From the minute Paul Warne started running the players up and down mountains in Austria their fitness began to improve exponentially, and at 30 degrees at pitch level the Shrewsbury lads visibly wilted while ours looked fresh and strong. After 10 minutes Shrewsbury’s lumbering centre back Omar Beckles was all over Richard Wood. No pen said the ref. A minute later he wrestled him to the floor WWE style. The ref heaved a sigh And pointed to the spot. Would it be Joe ‘Mr Cool’ Newell? No. Up stepped DaBall and calmly slotted it into the grateful Shrews keepers (the hugely annoying Henderson) hands. No matter. This was our time. We continued to press with Shrewsbury not in the game at all. On the half hour mark we won a corner. Up stepped super Joe Newell. Loitering at the edge of the box were Ayaji And Wood. As the corner came in Wood launched himself for the ball, and with poor Beckles nowhere, headed it down and into the net. 1-0 the Millers.

Oh, Richard Wood is magic......

He wears a magic hat

And if you throw a brick at him

We dominated the rest of the half and went in at the break 1-0 up and bossing it

However, Rotherham being Rotherham we never do things easy, and Shrewsbury had their best spell at the start of the second half. This culminated in a dive, a free kick given away by Semi, and a Well worked equaliser. Now we had it all to do again. The Millers regained the initiative and chances came and went, notably for subs Lavery And Williams, but when the ref blew the final whistle it was still 1-1. Extra time.

Watching it back later it was clear that this was when the game was won. Our players were in a tight huddle with Warne urging them on, they were on their feet and taking lots of fluid on board. The Shrews were scattered about, mostly on the floor, clearly spent. There could be only one, and it would be us.

After 13 of the first 15 minutes of added time Ryan Williams won another free kick. At the back of the area Richard Wood pointed to where he wanted Joe Newell to put the ball. Joe duly obliged. Woody ran in and slotted the ball home. 2-1 the Millers causing him to run the full length of the pitch to celebrate with his family.

He’ll head the thing right back

The second half of extra time was played at walking pace with Shrewsbury never looking like equalising. The players songs were being belted out at full voice when the ref finally blew his whistle. Final score, 2-1 to the Millers.