Millmoor, the former Rotherham United stadium that has stood largely unused since the club departed in 2008, could be demolished after its latest owners applied for clearance of the site.
From proud home ground to dereliction
The ground, which served as Rotherham United’s base from 1907 until the move away from the town in 2008, has been visible from the club’s New York Stadium across a railway line for years. Subsequent disputes over ownership and plans for redevelopment meant the site fell into disrepair and has seen only intermittent use since the Millers relocated.
There was a brief revival of activity in 2024 when Ken Booth Jr carried out work to tidy and clear the area, allowing junior teams and the Doncaster Belles women's side to use parts of the venue. However, the current applicants say the structures have continued to deteriorate.
Owners cite deterioration and cost of repair
The application to clear the site was submitted by the Ron Hull Group following the insolvency of previous owners CF Booth. In a statement circulated via Rotherham Business News, the company described a catalogue of failings and long‑term neglect.
"The buildings and structures selected in the current application to demolish are all in a poor condition due to years of neglect and are suffering from a general lack of maintenance, specifically elements like roof finishes and the structures themselves."
The statement added that the partially completed main stand has been exposed to the elements since at least 2007 and that completing or repairing it would be prohibitively expensive. The group argued these factors, coupled with a limited pool of potential users, made the site effectively unsaleable in its current state.
- Site: Millmoor, former Rotherham United ground
- Club tenancy: 1907–2008
- Interim use: Cleared in 2024 for community and women's team use
- Current status: Application lodged for demolition by Ron Hull Group
Local questions over future and heritage
The prospect of demolition raises immediate questions for residents and supporters about how the site might be reused and what recognition will be given to its sporting heritage. The application will need to be considered by the local planning authority, which will weigh the condition of the fabric, any structural safety risks, heritage considerations and proposals for what follows demolition.
At present no alternative development plan has been publicly set out alongside the demolition application. That means the decision-making process will be an important moment for town planners, local councillors and community groups who may wish to seek a say in the future of the parcel of land that sits so close to the New York Stadium.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1907 | Millmoor becomes Rotherham United's home |
| 2008 | Club vacates the ground amid ownership disputes |
| 2012 | New York Stadium opens for Rotherham United |
| 2024 | Site cleared and used by junior teams and Doncaster Belles |
| 2026 | Ron Hull Group applies to demolish Millmoor |
As the planning process unfolds, residents and supporters will watch closely for any proposals that balance safety and viability with the site's role in Rotherham’s history. The council will publish formal documentation and invite responses as part of its consideration of the demolition application.
Further updates will follow as the application progresses and any redevelopment proposals are made public.
