'More investment to come,' says Tony Stewart after Rotherham United's transfer-window spending

TONY Stewart surveyed the most productive January transfer window in Rotherham United’s history and declared it was only the beginning of his spending in his mission to establish the Millers as a Championship force to be reckoned with.

The chairman financed seven new arrivals last month and has been rewarded with an upturn in fortunes for his club who are looking to stay in the second tier after failing in their last three attempts.

Never before in his long reign have Rotherham looked as ready to prosper in the second tier as they do now.

He said: “Hopefully it’s going to be even better in five years’ time and we’re looking back and thinking: ‘Wow.’

“We’ve got to give the fans the hope. I want to reassure them: I know the investment has got to go in as we move forward and it’s just started.”

It’s close to 15 years since Stewart, who made his fortune as the head of ASD Lighting, came to Rotherham’s rescue by taking them over in 2008 when they were in administration and in danger of folding.

It’s been a whirlwind ride ever since, with a new stadium, a rise from League Two to the Championship, four promotions from League One, four trips to Wembley and silverware success in the Papa Johns Trophy. The relegations back to the third tier have been the sole blot.

“I’m enjoying it more now than I ever have,” he said. “There’s a contentment in me. I think a lot of people thought I was going to sell. It’s become my hobby.

“I like football, I like Rotherham United football and I want to see us go on to further heights. I like winning. It’s been a lovely adventure. I’m proud of it.”

Stewart enjoyed his six-year partnership between 2016 and 2022 with former manager Paul Warne and is pleased to see the good work being continued by Matt Taylor, who stepped into the hot-seat last October after the previous incumbent had departed for Derby County.

“I’ve had many managers,” he said. “I’ve had ‘salesman’ managers, I’ve had introvert and extrovert managers. The turning point for managerial roles was with Paul.

“I’ve said it before: he had no bad habits and I like that in a manager. Integrity is a big thing because you’re dealing with a cheque book.

“In the past, I have spent money unwisely. Now, with integrity and honesty and working closely with the manager, I find that Rotherham/Tony Stewart are getting value for money.

“You have to be prudent but you also have to be flexible — football has taught me that.”

Stewart doesn’t under-estimate the importance of what has been achieved in the most recent window when he took his spending on player wages to an unprecedented level.

Only Dan Barlaser of the Millers’ main men departed as the arrivals mounted throughout the month. Sean Morrison — now sadly injured — Leo Hjelde, Tariqe Fosu, Jordan Hugill, Conor Coventry, Bailey Wright and Domingos Quina all came through the door from bigger clubs.

“I’ve always been ambitious and I’ve never settled for second best,” the chairman said. “With the new manager coming in, it was about doing things we hadn’t done before.

“He’s a very good manager, a very intelligent manager. It’s been a really busy time. It’s given us a little skip in our step.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to win every match but what it does mean is that we’ve got a big squad now.

“The manager wanted options, he’s got the options. We’ve gone for Championship-proven players. We’ve gone for grade A rather than grade B.”

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TONY STEWART ON STRENGTH IN DEPTH

“Everybody wanted to see things pick up. We seemed to be on a roll before the World Cup break. The group went to Cyprus and when they came back things weren’t right. The spirit seemed to have gone.

“The January transfer window was on the doorstep. I do know that lots of players were being chatted to by other clubs.

“Something had to be done. Matt was talking about the strength in depth we needed. It seemed logical that in the window we had to bring quite a* few players in.

“What we’ve seen so far is incredible. It’s made a difference. Matt always said: ‘We need more Championship players.’ Guess what? That’s what we’ve got.”

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TONY STEWART ON THE DAN BARLASER SALE

“Dan wanted to leave. I’d never stand in anyone’s way — manager or player — if they want to leave. He wanted to get back to the north east.

“Dan has given us good service. He’s a fine, fine chap. I got on really well with him.

“I know the Middlesbrough chairman, Steve Gibson, really well. We are good friends. We did a deal that suited Middlesbrough and suited Rotherham.”