Not that the Millers have had much to chuckle about in recent years. From points deductions to administrations to relegations - two of them in total - times have been tough. However, with Robins at the helm, that was all set to change. Indeed, Rotherham were sitting pretty second in the League Two table before Barnsley swooped for the talented 39 year old. Millers fans hadn’t had it so good since Ronnie Moore managed the club.
That would go some way to explain why the popular Moore was brought back then. Returning after a four year absence, after spells with Oldham and Tranmere - it’s the 56 year old Moore who has been charged with bringing the good times back to Rotherham.
And many of those good times were of Moore’s own making. Back to back promotions surprised many, but it was the way the Millers established themselves in the second tier of English Football that really grabbed people’s attention.
And they stayed there for four seasons too. Under Moore, Rotherham seemed to be beating the system, showing that small town teams can compete in the higher leagues with a combination of good management and ambition.
Of course, it didn’t last. Rotherham were paying beyond their means, spending money that they didn’t have. The Millers former home of Millmoor was sold to Ken Booth - who to this day, refuses to give the ground back, a decision which has forced Rotherham to play their matches at the Don Valley Stadium.
Moore was soon on his way, and almost inevitably, relegation and administration followed for Rotherham. And while the Millers struggled, he made strides to move on from the club he loved.
A spell at Oldham followed, and the Latics were immediately saved from relegation. His second season brought a mid-table finish, but with ticket sales down and fans deriding his long ball approach, Moore was on his way - but wasn’t unemployed for long.
Eight days later, his old club Tranmere came calling. Three seasons at Prenton Park appeared to bring slow and steady progress - but Rovers fans saw it differently. After cruelly missing out on the playoffs on the final day of last season, and with attendances falling by 19% - Tranmere saw fit to dismiss Moore.
Now, Moore finds himself back at the stage of his biggest success. They say never go back - but who can blame Moore, a man who has never truly been appreciated by his previous employers, for returning to a club where it pained him to leave in the first place.
And who better to get Rotherham back in the third tier? Consistently in and around the playoff picture during his spells with Oldham and Tranmere - Rotherham - and Moore - will want to go one better than that, and achieve automatic promotion.
Now that would really give Millers fans something to smile about.
Moore was soon on his way, and almost inevitably, relegation and administration followed for Rotherham. And while the Millers struggled, he made strides to move on from the club he loved.
A spell at Oldham followed, and the Latics were immediately saved from relegation. His second season brought a mid-table finish, but with ticket sales down and fans deriding his long ball approach, Moore was on his way - but wasn’t unemployed for long.
Eight days later, his old club Tranmere came calling. Three seasons at Prenton Park appeared to bring slow and steady progress - but Rovers fans saw it differently. After cruelly missing out on the playoffs on the final day of last season, and with attendances falling by 19% - Tranmere saw fit to dismiss Moore.
Now, Moore finds himself back at the stage of his biggest success. They say never go back - but who can blame Moore, a man who has never truly been appreciated by his previous employers, for returning to a club where it pained him to leave in the first place.
And who better to get Rotherham back in the third tier? Consistently in and around the playoff picture during his spells with Oldham and Tranmere - Rotherham - and Moore - will want to go one better than that, and achieve automatic promotion.
Now that would really give Millers fans something to smile about.
