The 29th February comes round every fourth year except when the year can evenly be divided by one hundred (no, no understandy either but that’s how it is) but it doesn’t come around that often in football years.
Today Rotherham take on MK Dons at the New York Stadium for what I can find as the only fourth time the Millers have played on the 29th February.
Obviously with games being played every day of the week these days there is more of a chance that teams will get to play on Leap Day. But, looking back through my records I can only find the following games that Rotherham have played on this day in the past – and all those times being on a Saturday.
The last time 29th February was on a Saturday, for instance was in the 1991/2 season when the Millers travelled to the McCain Stadium, tagged the ‘Theatre of Chips’ to take on Scarborough. Goalless at half-time the travelling Millers got their reward in the second half when goals from Des Hazel, Don Page and Neil Richardson gave Rotherham a three-nil win in the Division Four game.
Another Leap Year Saturday was in the 1963/4 season when the Millers were on their travels again, this time to take on Grimsby Town. Two goals from Brian Tyler and another from Barry Lyons gave Rotherham a three-one victory in a Division Two win over the Mariners that day.
In 1936 Rotherham United were again on their travels on the 29th February, this time to York where the hosts won two-one, the Millers goal coming from Robin Hardy.
Of course, if anyone knows any different then please let us know!
And can I end these memories by wishing former Miller Mike Pollitt a Happy Twelfth Birthday for today!
