The first year at New York. The blazing sunshine. The last minute goal. The scenes in the stands. The wait for promotion from League Two, over.
It is seven years to the day since Lee Frecklington’s 90th minute goal sparked rapturous scenes in South Yorkshire, as Rotherham United enjoyed a very happy homecoming following a four-year exile at Don Valley Stadium.
A packed out AESSEAL New York Stadium, coming to the end of its first ever season as the Millers’ home, watched on with bated-breath as Steve Evans’ side faced off with Aldershot, with the prize a place in Sky Bet League One. A division Rotherham United fans had not enjoyed the sights and sounds of for a number of years.
Johnny Mullins started the party just after the hour-mark by putting the Millers 1-0 up, but through no fault of the defender who scored the opener’s own, it is Frecks’ finish in the 90th minute which will forever be associated with this game in the history books.
The Millers had to do their job on home soil to secure promotion and they obliged, leapfrogging Port Vale in the Sky Bet League Two table to claim the runners-up spot on the final day.
Here are a number of images from the celebrations on the day, which we hope you are able to enjoy.
Watch the 2012/13 team in action tomorrow night as we stream Paul Warne’s testimonial ‘as live’ at 7pm (Tuesday 28th April).