UK's abandoned EFL stadium still standing and has sign showing how cheap football used to be

Modern football stadiums dominate vast landscapes and can be seen for miles on end - but one former ground that was abandoned for close to two decades offers a flashback to a cheaper past.

For many fans, gone are the days when an afternoon watching a 3pm kick-off with your friends and family was a cheap pastime. Now they must pass the expensive gauntlet of matchday programme sellers, novelty souvenir stalls and food and drink stands before they even get to their stadium.

While grounds have never been as modern and slick as they are now, many long for the days of stadiums being tucked within rows of houses, nestled in the heart of the community. When they reflect back, many will remember the Millmoor Ground, home of Rotherham United from 1925 to 2008.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

They departed the spiritual home of the club after talks about extending the lease with owner Ken Booth broke down. The League One side last kicked a ball at Millmoor 17 years ago and from that point onwards, it was abandoned and left to the mercy of time.

However, the former beating heart of Rotherham has been resuscitated courtesy of the work of Wickersley Youth JFC and other volunteers around the area. The team, who play in the Sheffield and Hallamshire women and girls league, moved into the stadium in 2024 and made it their home.

, which does fantastic work promoting women's football in their area, had a look around the ground in a video that was uploaded to their page.

Various parts of the stadium had paint peeling off the walls, ivy and knot weeds suffocating the grounds and rust eating up some of the stands, while the seats were turned black and green from dirt and mould.

One of the most spectacular throwbacks was within the concourses, where signs advertising pies depicted prices for as little as £2.20, compared to current clubs like , who sell the classic football snack for around £4.70. It was a reminder of how cheap football used to be for supporters.

Millmoor was once one of the most bustling grounds in the EFL. In 1952, 25,170 fans packed into the ground to watch Rotherham take on local rivals Sheffield United, while usual attendances were around 8,300.

Since Wickersley Youth moved into the stadium, Millmoor has gone from being completely abandoned to becoming the largest dedicated women's football stadium in the country. At present, fans can only sit in the Tivoli Stand, with the rest of the stadium closed off.

Wickersley also have Booth Jnr, the son of ex-Rotherham chairman Ken, to thank, as he plunged into his own pocket to help fix the pitch, the changing rooms and many other parts of the stadium that were damaged as a result of its abandonment. Last year, he told : "The place was in a sad state.

"We had kids breaking in, trying to rip seats out, climbing the floodlight pylon, kicking a ball about. It was time for something to be done."

When the changes were complete, he offered the stadium's use for free, which Wickersley gladly accepted. Speaking to in March 2024, Robert Peace, the Girls' Secretary and Development Officer of the club, said: "We jumped at the opportunity, especially with Millmoor sat there in good condition. It gave our kids and parents an experience they will never forget."

If there are ambitions to restore Millmoor to what it used to be, then plenty more investment and work will be required. However, a classic and historic football stadium that was seemingly dead and buried now has a pulse.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our