A HEARTBREAKING THANK YOU FROM VIV AHEAD OF SAD BUT FULL ON WEEK AT STOKE LANE.

Viv Smith as today been in touch with the club and asked that a big thankyou be put out from herself and the family for all the kind messages that have been sent to them and to the club in the last 24 hours following Roger Smiths devastating passing on Saturday afternoon.

The tweet leading to the article about Roger has had over 15,000 views with numerous kind and loving messages attached and our cover picture is from the game v Bishop Auckland in August when Roger made his emotional return to the ground with Viv and was greeted by good friend Phil Jennings.

“Viv was obviously very emotional when I spoke to her earlier, it was a heartbreaking phone conversation to be honest, but she is well aware of all the goodwill out there and told me it means a lot” said Chairman Mick Garton.

“Messages have poured in from former players and staff along with other non league clubs in high numbers, as well as lots of people from all sections of the club, many who saw Roger last Saturday when we beat Consett 3-0”.

“The club will still remember former President Bill Stokeld on Tuesday night, with the evening now taking on even more significance with Roger’s passing 20 years from taking up the mantle after Bills death. Bill’s family will be guests of honour at the local Derby clash with Belper Town”

“The club will absolutely be honouring Roger as well at some time soon” concluded the Millers Chairman.

The club also have a massively busy finish to the weekend with the Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday 25th October and another massive game on Saturday 26th October when Heaton Stannington make what we believe to be their first ever visit to Stoke Lane when former Derby County and Nottingham Forest star John o’Hare is our very special guest and a special reminder that this is a food bank game, our first collection of the season for those locally in need.

Finally despite Saturday’s shocking news, we did have a football match v Emley which didn’t go our way.
Andy Clerke reacts to that and gives the first Tv interview following Roger’s passing and you only have to watch it to feel the sad impact  it has made at the club.