Agony of recent past will drive Millers to finish job

So says Jonny Mullins, defender, captain and veteran of the last two campaigns of the Millers’ unsatisfactory stay across the border at Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium.

The 27-year-old now hopes to put those difficult times firmly in the past by leading Rotherham to promotion today.

A full house of 12,000 fans is expected at the New York Stadium as the Millers go in search of the final victory of the season against relegation-threatened Aldershot.

Even a point might be good enough to send them up.

It is all a far cry from finishes of ninth and 10th in the last two seasons.

“I’ve been here for those when the overwhelming feeling has been disappointment,” said Mullins. “Both times we got to the last three or four games with nothing riding on it.

“We’ve certainly got something to play for today in front of a packed house and we’re all anxious and excited to get the game going.

“Since I’ve come here we’ve always thought this was a club capable of going on a run and getting the promotion everyone craves.

“The squad here has drove everyone on, we know we were among the favourites at the start of the season and it’s up to us to finish the job.

“It’s so much better now we’re at the New York.

“Don Valley was a horrible stadium to play at.

“I know it served its purpose, but with that athletics track around it there was never much of an atmosphere, no matter how hard the supporters tried.

“This season, to be back in Rotherham and to be playing in a stadium like that is awesome. The fans really get behind us and make a lot of noise and you can’t really ask for anything more than that.”

When he moved from Stockport in the summer of 2010, Mullins was sold on the promise of a shiny new stadium and a brighter future for the Millers.

Three years on and he has not been disappointed.

“I spoke to Paul Douglas (operating officer) and Ronnie Moore (then manager) at the time, they showed me the plans of the new stadium and for it to finally come to fruition, that was a massive part of why I joined,” he said.

“I wanted to be successful as a player and I saw that this was the club to help me do it.”

Mullins’s second season was spent under Andy Scott, who now brings Aldershot to Rotherham to try and spoil the promotion party and keep the Shots in the League.

“You have to look at their strengths, unfortunately they are where they are but Andy Scott will have them fired up,” said Mullins of a side who, despite being bottom, have lost only twice in their last 10 away games.

“We know if we start how we want and do our job we’ve got more than enough to beat anyone.

“We’re confident but not too confident.

“There’s a lot of excitement around. I just want it to be Saturday morning, just want to wake up and it be game day and get it started and get the right result.”