‘I’d have probably been booing as well’ — Bruce accepts fans’ anger after Gillingham rout
Sunday 11 October 2026 · By Jamie Fearnley
Alex Bruce did not try to defend Rotherham United’s performance on Saturday. After a 4–1 home defeat by Gillingham, played out to boos from the stands at the New York Stadium, the head coach said he understood the reaction. “I’d have probably been booing as well if I was a supporter,” he told the Rotherham Advertiser. “You’re getting beat 4–1 at home in League Two. It’s nowhere near where we want to be. I can fully accept and understand the reaction.”
The afternoon started well. Paul Mullin put the Millers ahead after 17 minutes, his fifth goal of the season, and Kian Spence forced a fine save from Gillingham goalkeeper Ollie Wright. But Ronan Hale volleyed the visitors level before half-time, and Gillingham took over after the break.
Bruce felt his side had been on top early in the second half. “After half-time, we had 10 minutes where you’re thinking: ‘Go on, then, kick on.’ They scored against the run of play and then the game totally changed,” he said. Lamin Sillah put Gillingham ahead on the hour, and two penalties followed, for fouls by Julian Eyestone and Sonny Aljofree. Hale scored the first and former Rotherham striker Tom Eaves the second in the 89th minute.
The head coach pointed to defending. “To concede four goals in the manner we did was very disappointing,” he told the Press Association. “We need to do the basic things better, especially in how we are defending our box and indecisions from individuals at the minute.” He added: “It’s been a bad week for us. We had a poor result at Exeter and I wanted to see a reaction today, but our heads dropped after the goals we conceded.”
He also questioned how much Gillingham had created. “There were two penalties,” he said. “I can’t really think of Gillingham having a lot of opportunities during the game.” Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth pointed out that his side scored with all four of their shots on target.
The result was Rotherham’s first home league defeat of the season. The Rotherham Advertiser noted that three defeats in eight days, including one in the EFL Trophy, had ended the early-season optimism under the new head coach. That run also included a 1–0 loss at Exeter on 3 October.
The table now looks uncomfortable. Rotherham are 20th on ten points from ten games, three points above the bottom two. We have found no club statement about Bruce’s position.
There is a free week before the next game, a trip to Fleetwood on Saturday 17 October (12:30). Rotherham then host Newport on Tuesday 20 October and Shrewsbury on 24 October, before visiting Swindon on 31 October.
“The turning point, in my opinion, is just the goals,” Bruce said. “Goals change games.” Rotherham need to start defending better, and quickly.
The AESSEAL New York Stadium is a compact, modern all-seater ground of just over 12,000, opened in 2012 after Rotherham United left Millmoor and a spell at Sheffield’s Don Valley. It sits on New York Way (S60 1AH), between the railway and the River Don, about a ten-minute walk from Rotherham Central. For visiting supporters it is one of the easier EFL grounds: steep single-tier stands, clear sightlines, and an away end that is properly behind a goal rather than squeezed into a corner.
Away fans are housed in the Mears South Stand, the blue block on the plan, directly opposite the home kop. The typical allocation is around 2,000 to 2,500. If the following is small, a slice of the neighbouring Ben Bennett East Stand may be used instead. The South Stand is covered, fairly steep, and close to the pitch. There is a small scoreboard at the back of this end. The away ticket office sits behind the stand and usually opens 90 minutes before kick-off if any tickets remain; expect a small matchday surcharge. Buy through your own club first. Turnstiles are electronic: have your ticket ready and do not rely on cash at the gate.
Facing you is the KCM Recycling North Stand, nicknamed the New Tivoli after the old Millmoor kop. Home singers gather there and the seats spell out the club initials. To your left as you look at the pitch is the main Eric Twigg Foods Pukka Pies West Stand — tunnel, dugouts, directors, club shop and hospitality. To your right is the Ben Bennett Family East Stand, slightly shorter than the sides, with raised platforms for disabled supporters and a tighter family code. Capacity is split roughly 4,000 / 4,000 on the sides and 2,000 / 2,000 at the ends. Views are good from almost every seat; the West Stand is often rated best overall, but the away end is honest football: you are looking straight down the pitch at the home goal.
There is no general matchday parking at the stadium for home or away fans, only pre-booked disabled and permit bays. Coaches drop in the South Stand car park behind the away end. Drivers usually use Forge Island (S60 1EJ), Westgate, Sheffield Road pay-and-display, or town-centre NCP / Interchange multi-storeys, then walk ten minutes. Street parking around old Millmoor is a longer stroll. Train is the simplest option: leave Central, follow signs towards New York Way and the river. Allow extra time if you are collecting tickets at the away office.
Town-centre pubs generally mix colours. Away-friendly names that come up repeatedly are the Bridge Inn by the station, The Bluecoat (Wetherspoons) at The Crofts, the Cutlers Arms on Westgate, and the New York Tavern. Cover colours if a bar asks. Inside the ground you will find the usual pies, hot drinks and alcohol on the South Stand concourse; card or contactless only. Facilities are 2012-standard: clean toilets, decent kiosks, wheelchair bays in every stand including the away end. Flags and banners are usually fine if they are not offensive and meet fire rules — check with stewards if in doubt.
Atmosphere is typical of a tight new bowl: noise carries, the home North Stand tries to drive the game, and derbies or big followings fill the place. Stewards are generally straightforward. Keep an eye on kick-off and last-train times; Rotherham is compact but the walk back to the station is uphill for some routes after a night match. Ticket prices move with the division and the fixture, so treat published figures as a guide only and confirm with your club. If you want a familiarisation visit for accessibility, contact the club’s supporter services on a non-match day.
In short: South Stand behind the goal, walk from the station, park off-site, buy early, pay by card. The New York Stadium is not huge, but it is neat, close to the action, and easy to read once you have the four stands in your head — North home, South away, West main, East family.