"I don't think" - Rotherham United owner Tony Stewart urged to fix "transparency" issue | OneFootball

FLW's Rotherham United fan pundit has been speaking on whether owner Tony Stewart is transparent enough with Millers fans.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Rotherham United owner Tony Stewart is a divisive figure among Millers supporters.

The 80-year-old bought the club in 2008, saving them from administration.

Since then, he played a crucial role in the construction of Rotherham's state-of-the-art, £17m AESSEAL New York Stadium, and has largely kept the club in a healthy financial position during the course of his tenureship.

However, in more recent times, sections of the fanbase have been getting frustrated with results on the pitch, managerial appointments that haven't worked out, and suggestions from some that recent decisions and mistakes perhaps paint a picture of his hunger and interest in the club's success not being at the levels it used to be.

"Personally, no" - Claim made on Tony Stewart's transparency with Rotherham supporters

We asked our Rotherham United fan pundit, Tom Eyre: 'Is Tony Stewart transparent enough with the Millers fanbase or not in your eyes?'

Eyre said: "It's a big debate that many a Miller fan has about the ownership of Tony Stewart and the board.

"Personally, no, I don't think they are transparent enough. There's a lot of communications that happen, and not a lot of action that comes off the back of it.

"Take our director of football approach. When Matt Taylor left the club, we appointed Rob Scott as director of football. When Liam Richardson was dismissed and Steve Evans came in, that director of football role was no longer available.

"That is just one scenario of many that Rotherham fans feel like they are being lied to. There's no real transparency within the club hierarchy."

Tony Stewart has done so much for Rotherham United, but perhaps now is the time for change

There have been some brilliant and memorable days in the sun during Stewart's Rotherham reign.

The local businessman oversaw the club's rise from League Two all the way to the Championship in just two seasons between 2012-2014, and has enjoyed seven years of second tier football since taking over in 2008.

However, with the Millers unable to finish higher than 19th in any of those Championship campaigns, some supporters have been getting frustrated with the lack of competitiveness in that division when they've got there.

The appointment of former boss Steve Evans in April 2024 following Leam Richardson's disastrous spell in charge, felt to many Millers fans as though it was a quick, safe move by Stewart, in an attempt to appease supporters with a fan favourite rather than doing his due dilligence to find a better option.

With Rotherham sitting 14th in League One heading into Saturday's 36th game of the season at home to Exeter, it's fair to say that Evans' second spell in charge of the club hasn't been as successful as his first.

So, despite previously revealling that it was intention to never sell the club during his lifetime, there are signs that perhaps the club would benefit from a change of ownership.

He's certainly a figure that splits the Millers fanbase down the middle.