Rotherham United boss Paul Warne backing fans to get back on football’s ‘roller-coaster ride’

THE soulless sight of an empty arena at last Sunday’s Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane will be sadly replicated in this weekend’s all-White Rose meetings at the AESSEAL New York Stadium and Riverside Stadium.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne.Rotherham United manager Paul Warne.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne.

Those scenes will be commonplace for a good while yet, but Millers manager Paul Warne is confident that fans will flock back to football, quite possibly in increased numbers, when it is safe to do so and the Covid-19 pandemic is finally brought to heel with a vaccine.

The tone of optimism is refreshing at a time when the national game is coping with the financial ramifications of its biggest crisis – with the devout hope being that doors will remain open at especially lower-league clubs by the time that fans are admitted back to stadiums.

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Speaking to The Yorkshire Post recently, Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber – preparing for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough despite ongoing speculation regarding the vacant position at New York Red Bulls – spoke about his fear that some supporters could turn away from football for good if grounds are closed for further extended spells.

Warne takes a different view.

The Rotherham chief, whose side welcome Huddersfield Town on Saturday, said: “That is a fear. Although goodness knows what they will turn onto.

“But there is that possibility. Me and Rich (assistant Richie Barker) talk about it all the time.

“But then there’s a little bit of it that will mean that people have missed it that much that they cannot wait for it to start again.

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“You might even get those sitting on the fence who have not watched teams for a few years all starting off again and the world seems a better place.”

He added: “Then someone who has not had a season ticket for the last four years might get back on the roller-coaster to go again.”

The social aspect of spectator sport in terms of meeting friends and acquaintances is one that can be just as important as watching your preferred team and Warne believes that will also drive attendances up when fans are given the green light to return to stadiums – with the match-day experience being sacred to many.

Warne stressed: “Being human is about being with people and having the football roller-coaster. There could be an argument that crowds could grow, possibly.

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“In fairness, when pubs were all shut, the same fear was with that – when pubs open again, will anyone go? Most of the pubs that I walk my dog past on an evening seem to be pretty good.

“Once the restrictions are taken away, people will maybe think they need to live their lives and say: ‘This is the thing I like doing and I am going to find the money to buy a season ticket and be with people.’

“There is an argument some people could find something else, but most people don’t want to be dragged around a garden centre on a Saturday afternoon!

“I still think football can survive, especially on a Saturday afternoon.”

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Meanwhile, the Millers are set to sign former loan midfielder Dan Barlaser.

Barlaser, a long-time target of Millers manager Paul Warne since his successful loan spell at the club last season, was left out of Newcastle United’s squad for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Newport County.

The clubs have now agreed a deal and according to reports in the north east, Newcastle will have a significant resale clause and the Magpies could earn 50 per cent of any future fee if he impresses in the Championship with Rotherham.

Speaking after the tie at Newport, Bruce said: “There is something imminent towards Rotherham. I wish him the best of luck, I hope it goes well.

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“He needs to go and play football. It would be wrong for me to put him back with the academy now.

“I didn’t want to stand in his way. There is a deal to be done.”

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James Mitchinson

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