Joe Rafferty says Rotherham United have reached a place they can build from, after a "rubbish" couple of seasons.

Rafferty joined the Millers two years ago as the returning Steve Evans rebuilt the relegated side to push from promotion out of League One.

Instead, they were relegated in 2026, by which time they were under the temporary management of Lee Clark.

It has led to a complete rebuild this summer, led by head of football Steve McClaren and coach Alex Bruce.

COMMITMENT: Rotherham United right-back Joe Rafferty (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — COMMITMENT: Rotherham United right-back Joe Rafferty (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

"I understand the fan's frustration after the way the last two years have gone," said Rafferty – although the decline probably pre-dates him by at least another year. "It's been rubbish but you've got to start somewhere.

"I'm not far off 100 games (for Rotherham) and they haven't been amazing games but we've got to start somewhere.

"I think we've kind of got a place where we can build from.

"We've got a brilliant manager, a brilliant staff around him who as players we all believe in. I think we can definitely crack on from here."

TRUSTED: Rotherham United coach Alex Bruce (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

Rafferty has found opportunities harder to come by this season – not helped by a back injury – but he captained the side in their Football League Trophy draw at York City on Tuesday. The Millers won the penalty shoot-out which followed 5-4.

Rafferty insisted that despite the tough times, his commitment to the club remains as strong as ever.

"I love this club," said the 32-year-old right-back. "It's been a tough two years but it's an absolute honour to lead this team out.

"I do my best to push every single player when they come through the door.

"I haven't played as much as I'd want to this season but I've just got to keep knocking on the door by performing as well as I possibly can."

He scored in Tuesday's shoot-out – the only player who did not was York's Jovan Malcolm, who hit a post – and a surging run in the 90 minutes set up a chance for Jayce Fitzgerald which might have stopped the game going that far.

"Overall I think we created some half-decent opportunities, got ourselves in some good positions," said Rafferty.

"These games are slightly hit-and-miss at times, changing as many players as you can to give players who haven't been playing minutes, stuff like that.

"Overall I think the performance was really good. It felt quite solid as a back four. Some of the boys who came in I thought did really well."