Viktor Johansson and the Parkgate love-in as a sell-out crowd watches Rotherham United in their first pre-season friendly

THE Viking was trapped by the dugout.

Dozens of fans, young and old, were seeking a piece of Viktor Johansson at the end of Rotherham United's opening pre-season friendly against non-league neighbours Parkgate FC.

He signed whatever was thrust in front of him - shirts, shin pads, boots, even someone's cheek - and posed for 1,000 photographs.

Actually, 'trapped' is too strong a word. The Swede was revelling in it.

He sported a huge smile, teeth as straight as the military-grade parting in his hair, as he met every request. No-one was happier to be in that Millers throng than him.

It was Roundwood and it was hot. It always is for this annual fixture.

Kick-off last Friday was at 7pm but temperatures were still in the 70s as both teams walked out, accompanied by a phalanx of excited, flag-waving, yippity-yappity mascots, in front of a sell-out,1,100-strong crowd.

For Rotherham, it was a game of two halves, a contest of two sides. They did their scoring in a 2-0 victory before the interval, then swapped their entire starting 11 at the break and gave some younger pros and academy kids a taste of the spotlight.

Roundwood is the Millers' training base as well as the HQ of North Counties East League Parkgate and it's a homely place with good, old-fashioned values.

The welcome was as warm as the weather and it was 'cash only' at the busy indoor bar and outdoor refreshment kiosk. The only plastic of any use was the pint glasses the lager came in.

Residents whose homes back on to one side of the pitch were thirsty too. They took advantage of the chance to watch the action for free from their gardens and beer bottles adorned the tops of walls as much as sun-reddened faces.

Fans queue to meet the Viking

Parkgate, made up of some of the town's best local-level talents, gave it a good shot, especially Ross Duggan who wasn't far away with an early scorcher.

However, a sweet 26th-minute strike from Cohen Bramall and a typical Georgie Kelly tap-in not long afterwards put the Championship Millers in command.

In the first half, Sean Morrison headed everything, Jamie Lindsay tidied up everything, Kelly challenged for everything.

“It was good to get the boys out there on a full-sized pitch and see how they moved on the back of two tough weeks physically,” said manager Matt Taylor as the opening fortnight of pre-season drew to a close.

“Our game was full of errors but we expected that. We were examining people to see if they looked mobile and light on their feet and if their intent was right. Mainly it was. Credit to Parkgate, they were excellent.

“The majority of our players got 45 minutes. We're looking to progress that as the weeks go on and we get closer to the start of the season. A couple missed out through precaution rather than an actual injury.”

At the final whistle, most of the men in red and white remained on the pitch to mingle with the crowd but none were required to stay there for the same duration as Johansson.

Fans were clamouring for him and he felt bad that he couldn't give one of them his green jersey. “I'm sorry, I can't, it's new and I need it for Murcia,” he said in apologetic reference to the training trip to Spain the squad would embark on the following day.

I waited an age to interview him and we finally trooped off together almost in need of floodlights. Twice, as we walked across the playing surface, we were interrupted by yet more supporters asking to have their pictures taken with him.

“I've loved tonight,” he said. “It's great to be back. Even though you enjoy your downtime, by the last couple of weeks you're ready to come back in and get going again. It was nice to get the first 45 minutes into my legs.

“The fans have always been brilliant with me and It's great to see them again. This club feels like home to me and has done since I started here. It's just nice to be around the supporters.”

In the second half, Grant Hall coolly strolled around at the back like the kid who's the best player in the team and knows it while teenaged, beanpole striker Josh Ayres caught the eye once or twice with deft movement.

It's only when you see Hakeem Odoffin outmuscle players who don't train daily for a living that you realise just what a forceful, imposing physical specimen he is.

As the heat started to go out of the evening so too it did out of the game.

The only new face on show was keeper Dillon Phillips and his first outing came and went without him having to make a serious save

A Rawmarsh lad in action at Parkgate ... Ben Wiles

So, the spoils of the Friendly Derby went to Rotherham and the proceeds to the Steelmen whose existence is made so much more comfortable by the yearly injection of funds this occasion provides.

“I'm delighted for Parkgate,” Taylor said. “We sold out the game pretty early. It was a great turnout from the Millers fans, as always.

“Hopefully all the supporters enjoyed it and got a few pictures and their shirts signed by the players. Also, they got to see a few new faces: some of the young first-year pros and under-18s from the academy.”

The boss, standing not far from the Viking, did a bit of autographing and picture-posing himself before heading back to the dressing room.

For Johansson, there was no such option of a quick getaway as the attention showed no sign of abating.

“Who have you just had your picture taken with?” said one little lad to another. “Viktor, get in,” came the reply.

But what was this? The keeper was suddenly saying 'no' for the first time all evening.

“I'm not signing your shirt,” he gently told one junior supporter. “Why not? Because I've already done it!” Sure enough, there was the distinctive Viking scrawl adorning the back of the youngster's jersey.

Everyone laughed in just one of many instances of players and fans coming together.

It was past 9.30pm when Johansson was eventually done, having spent as much time mixing with supporters as he had actually playing.

A lovely, sunny Millers night had his signature written all over it.

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A number of Rotherham players sat out the clash although several of them were spotted watching the action from the side of the pitch.

Midfielder Ollie Rathbone, winger Shane Ferguson, strikers Jordan Hugill, Tom Eaves and Josh Kayode and right-back Tolaji Bola weren’t given outings. 

Rathbone, Hugill and Bola were on the flight to Spain the following day for the Millers’ Murcia camp.

The attendance was 1,100 because 100 tickets went to sponsors in addition to the 1,000 that were snapped up by supporters in an online sale.

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Rotherham first half (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Lee Peltier, Sean Morrison, Tyler Blackett; Peter Kioso, Curtis Durose, Jamie Lindsay, Ben Wiles, Cohen Bramall; Georgie Kelly, Ben Hatton.

Rotherham second half (3-5-2): Dillon Phillips; Cameron Humphreys, Grant Hall, Jamie McCart; Hamid Seisay, Hamish Douglas, Hakeem Odoffin, Leiwi Abraham, Joel Holvey; Josh Ayres, Ciaran McGuckin.

Parkgate first half: Jordan Greaves, Dominic Hart, Niall Smith, Ahmed Tahar, Brad Morton, Liam Tomlinson, Brandon Whitfield, Daniel Patterson, Ross Duggan, Silas Valladolid-Collins, Josh Nodder. Half-time subs: Jimmy Ghaichem, Robert Ludlam, Jack Henry, Conner Williamson, Sam Jones. Other subs: Sam Thompson (55), Jack Haslam (55), Will Monteiro (65), Oliver McQuillin (65), Joe Austin (77), Louie Scott (82).

Referee: Danny Guest.

Assistant referees: Waqar Ahmad, Craig Holland.