New stadium on target

With less than five months to go until the scheduled July 11 opening date, the stylish 12,000-capacity complex is already taking shape, with the shell in place and contractors GMI Construction putting more manpower onto the site.

Some time has been lost to high winds and frost but disruption has been minimal due to a kind winter and with spring around the corner, there will be a fresh push to meet the deadline.

Mr Stewart, who has been the driving force behind the £20 million scheme just a stone's throw from the town centre, says everything is going to schedule and there will be no compromise on quality.

He told the Advertiser: "There are more workers on the site and they are enjoying the better weather.

"I go down to the site two of three times a week and I can really see a difference each time.

"Because of the milder winter, we're fortunate we've not lost many days and I am confident that the stadium can be delivered on time."

He added: ""There is an intensive drive to get the people of Rotherham to come along and enjoy what we have created.

"When you think that Rotherham United was in administration fours ago, it is amazing how far we have come. We want to keep that momentum going."