Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham United: Millers aim to continue being a ‘beacon of light’ for town

The Scot says the Millers have been a “beacon of light” for the town in 2014 and victory at neighbours Sheffield Wednesday would represent another welcome fillip.

Evans said: “As a town, we have been on the real bad end of some bad headlines, written, spoken and on television, the whole lot, over the last number of months because of certain things that have happened in the town.

“But the one thing that has commonly been said is that Rotherham United has been a beacon of light for the past two and a half years.

“The supporters will sing their hearts out at Hillsborough and deliver the type of passion and energy that can get through to my players who will say: ‘We are going to need you guys and ladies.’ Let us use this to get a good victory and show the town of Rotherham is bouncing back – in sport – for the right reasons.”

A student of Millers’ history, Evans is also conscious of joining the likes of Ronnie Moore in club folklore by leading them to victory at Hillsborough and it is something he wants to add to his CV.

He said: If I can emulate what Ronnie, who is an absolute icon in the town, did in bringing the three points back across the motorway, it would be really fantastic.

“The things you remember in football are not the mundane, every-day wins, it is the big key moments.

“As a manager, I can’t ever forget my first promotion back at Stamford. They are days that live with you forever.

“I can’t forget my Millers promotion at home to Aldershot or, the best of all, the day at Wembley.

“Derby matches you win are also always special.”