Pub landlord vanishes with Rotherham fans’ £16k

Rotherham United fans paid around £240 each for seats on an aircraft Lee Mills said would fly from Doncaster to Exeter for the last away game of the season at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

But yesterday South Yorkshire Police confirmed it was investigating after Mr Mills apparently vanished with the cash, and it emerged no plane was chartered for the 70 supporters involved.

Punch Taverns, which owns the Hare and Hounds in Wellgate, Rotherham, the pub at the

centre of the row, said it was trying to contact Mr Mills and would

to pay for coaches and refreshments.

Regional director Richard Woodward said: “We were alerted to allegations that Mr Mills had taken deposits from customers.

“We were concerned that local fans who have paid money in good faith appear to have been let down in this manner.

“We were anxious to step in to help the customers and ensure the pubs popularity with fans.

“After speaking to Rotherham United, we are delighted to fund the trip so fans are able to attend the penultimate match of the season and we hope that they have a great day out.”

Rotherham United, which has also provided £500 for coach hire, distanced itself from the episode yesterday, and said its chairman, Tony Stewart, had nothing to do with Mr Mills or his idea.

In January, when he first announced his plans, Mr Mills said his trip would be the first time that Rotherham United fans had ever travelled to a match in a plane.

Yesterday Rotherham United fans’ forums on the internet were filled with people calling for Mr Mills to give them a refund and speculating over where the cash had gone.

The Hare and Hounds was closed yesterday and Mr Mills could not be contacted for a comment.