The Rotherham United Courier
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
A debut Harry Gray will not forget — 8.56
There is exactly one of these per career and it does not usually go like this. 1 on the scoresheet, 8.56 beside the name, and a crowd that had never seen him before chanting it by the end.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Ellery Balcombe keeps Rotherham United in it on his own
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 8 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
No sign of nerves from Max Alleyne at 21 — 8.85
The hardest thing about being 21 in a senior side is that nobody makes allowances. Max Alleyne did not need any: 8.85, and he looked the most comfortable man on the pitch.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Tempers go at Rotherham United
Daniel Gore was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Boardroom17 Aug 2026
3 academy players handed senior numbers at Rotherham United
The morning the pathway stops being a brochure and becomes a team sheet. Most of them will not be here in three years; all of them have already done the hard part, which was getting to today.
Match15 Aug 2026
Rotherham United see off Bristol City
Three points for Rotherham United, 3‑1 the final word against Bristol City in a contest settled by the finer margins.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
William Osula runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 20. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
The terraces17 Aug 2026
Rotherham United supporters have found a favourite in Max Alleyne
There is a particular warmth a ground reserves for a 21-year-old it feels ownership of. Max Alleyne has it now, and everything he does for the rest of his time here will be measured against the goodwill he was handed for free.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Kian Spence gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
In brief
- Market One of our own: Paul Cooper joins the Rotherham United first team
- Market Rotherham United promote David Bell from within
- Market Adam Hill steps up from the Rotherham United academy