Millers clash splits Artell family loyalties

ONE of the most ardent families amongst Rotherham United's support will find themselves split this weekend - all amicably, of course.

The Artell family - all lifelong Millers fans - will have a foot in both camps when former Rotherham defender David Artell returns to his Millmoor roots with Saturday's visitors More-cambe.

The family is even providing the mascots for both teams on the day.

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"It's going to be a great day for us and I'm so looking forward to it, especially with the grandchildren being the mascots," said Jenny Artell, David's mother.

Jenny and husband Greg have always been Millers supporters and, across the years, have had match-day work involvement at the club as well.

They took David, as a toddler, to the Millers United club which was set up many years ago for younger supporters and he became the first (and only) member to actually progress through by playing for their junior teams, be signed on by the Millers and then get into the first team.

"I'm torn over the result," said Jenny. "I'd never want the Millers not to win but I've got my son in the opposition so I think I'll settle for a draw."

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Jenny and Greg's daughter, Joanne Cook (also a big Millers fan) will see her two-year-old Charlie lead out Mark Robins's team whilst Neve, three-year-old daughter of David and wife Gemma, will be the Morecambe mascot.

"All the family, up to great-grandparents, are going to be there and it really is a big day for us, I can't wait," added Jenny.

Central defender David was one of Rotherham's promotion heroes when they went up from the Second Division into The Championship in 2001.

After spells at Mansfield and Chester, he joined Morecambe.