ROTHERHAM United's new chairman Tony Stewart has declared himself "disappointed and relieved" at the 17 point deduction imposed by the Football League on the club.
The Millers have also been threatened with expulsion from the League if they do not return to Rotherham in four years but Stewart said that was "no problem at all" and he expected the club at a new stadium in that time.
Stewart, head of successful and long established Rotherham company ASD Lighting, stepped in with a rescue package after the club went broke and into administration in March and declared today: "This is as bad as it gets and the journey starts now."
In addition, he had a further boost for Millers fans relieved that the club will be kicking off the new season at home to Lincoln City on Saturday by saying they were going to sign players now it has all been resolved.
The club have until noon tomorrow to formally agree to the Football League's proposals, which were communicated to the club last night following a meeting in London. That agreement is a formality.
Manager Mark Robins said people would now see "a different club" and he was "very excited" by the new challenge.
"We want to be seen to be taken seriously again and want to be a football club that is respected again. It had lost that," he said.
The points deduction is imposed for the failure to exit administration through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), creditors failing to agree to the club's offer of 5p in the pound.
It was widely expected they would be hit with a 20 point deduction and the club hierarchy felt that would be the case. Instead it is 17 points, three points less than Luton received as the second part of their penalty which totals 30.
"My first impression was disappointment, my second one relief," said Stewart who will head up the 'new' Rotherham United company that replaces the old one.
"We have worked hard on it, the League had us jumping over hurdles and we had to prove we could overcome those hurdles and satisfy them on all aspects.
"It's good news because this has been hanging over us and it could have been worse. We now know what we've got to do. This is a breath of fresh air and we can move forwards."
On the issue of League expulsion and forfeiture of a £750,000 bond if not out of Sheffield and back in Rotherham in four years, Stewart said he was confident Rotherham Borough Council were committed to the stadium plan.
"I have been in three meetings and the Council Leader (Roger Stone) and Chief Executive (Mike Cuff) have shown the same determination as me over this vision and given me their backing," said Stewart.
Robins - who held a meeting this morning with staff and players over the deduction - said: "The fact it is 17 points obviously demonstrates the hard work, dedication and foresight of the chairman to get a plan in place.
"He hasn't had a great deal of time to sort out all the issues.
Millers: Preview for the season, including ins and outs and squad numbers. Don't miss Saturday's Green'Un newspaperWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 595 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
