Sky Bet League One
Matchday 3 of 46
Cardiff City Stadium
Saturday, August 16th, 2025 - 3pm KO
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KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF
Honorary Life Presidents: John Breckin & Paul and Barry Elliott
Chairman: Tony Stewart OBE
Chief Operating Officer: Paul Douglas
Manager: Matt Hamshaw
Assistant Manager: Dale Tonge
First Team Fitness & Development Coach: Richard Wood
Goalkeeping Coach: Andy Warrington
Rotherham United appointed manager Matthew Hamshaw in March 2025. Originally born in Rotherham, Hamshaw came through the youth system at Sheffield Wednesday in his playing days. He'd feature for the Owls, Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Notts County and Macclesfield Town before dropping into non-league.
Hanshaw worked as a coach with the Millers from 2012-22 before joining Paul Warne at Derby County. He returned to his hometown club in March of this year, acting as a caretaker manager before penning a three-year deal in April 2025.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR
The Millers finished 13th in League One last season following Hamshaw’s appointment.
“It’s a young group, a new group. The season is going to be a roller coaster,” said Hamshaw who has made a number of signings this summer including Bluebirds striker Kion Etete on loan. Rotherham United were victorious on opening day, beating Port Vale, 2-1, to secure all three points. Forward Sam Nombe helped himself to a first half brace, which proved to be enough despite a goal from Port Vale’s Connor Hall on the hour mark.
Last weekend against Stevenage, despite defensive resilience, the Miller's would go home empty handed thanks to a header from Jamie Reid just before half-time. On Tuesday, our opponents were in action against Salford City in the Carabao Cup. Despite a goalless 90 minutes, with nothing separating the side, Denzel Hall would convert the winning penalty to send Rotherham United through to the next round.
2025/26 Squad
GK | Cameron Dawson, Ted Cann.
DEF | Joe Rafferty (C), Zak Jules, Sean Raggett, Reece James, Marvin Kaleta, Lenny Agbaire, Denzel Hall, Ar’jany Martha, Harrison Duncan, Jack Holmes.
MID | Liam Kelly, Joe Powell, Kian Spence, Dru Yearwood, Shaun McWilliams, Josh Benson, Hamish Douglas, James Clarke, Kane Richardson, Daniel Gore.
FOR | Jordan Hugill, Sam Nombe, Joshua Kayode, Ben Hatton, Ciaran McGuckin, Josh Ayres, Reece Wilson, Osahon Ibie-Agho, Kion Etete.
IN DAYS GONE BY
27/04/23 | Rotherham United 1-2 Cardiff City
One of the aforementioned Etete's finest moments in a Bluebirds shirt to date came during a game against the Club he is on loan at. Kion had already put in a shift at the AESSEAL New York Stadium the month before, but with little luck. The Bluebirds, then winning 1-0, thanks to a Jaden Philogene goal, saw their clash with the Millers called off just after half time due to the weather conditions. That meant a Thursday night return late in the campaign instead!
With both teams battling for survival, Kion headed the Bluebirds into an early advantage. United's key man Chiedozie Ogbene levelled the game with his own header after 37 minutes.
It was a tense evening, made slightly worse for City by a missed penalty before the break. Sory Kaba, a hero on on so many occasions, struck the woodwork with his spot kick.
It was Kaba's strike partner, Etete, who was involved again in the winning moment. The striker saw his effort in the 87th minute saved. To the relief of the travelling Bluebirds though, the ball was recycled back into the box, where Cédric Kipré lashed City to safety with a stunning half volley.
SHARED CONNECTIONS
Kion won't feature in attack for the Miller's, but another Bluebirds connection may. Jordan Hugill was officially unveiled as a Bluebird on loan from Norwich City on Sunday, January 30th, 2022, and immediately named in the starting XI against Nottingham Forest. Within six minutes in City blue, he had his first goal. He'd score three more times for City in an impressive six month loan spell. Hugill joined Rotherham United during the winter transfer window of 2022/23. The 33-year-old has made 98 appearances, scoring 15 goals, to date.
Ronnie Moore, born in Liverpool, joined the Bluebirds in 1979 from Tranmere Rovers. He played 56 times for City, scoring six goals across his single season in South Wales. Moore would find his home at Rotherham United, scoring 52 goals across three years. In 1997, Moore returned to South Yorkshire as manager, leading them from Division Three to Division One. He would return for a third spell between 2009 and 2011, alongside former Bluebirds boss Jimmy Mullen.
In-fact, the Bluebirds and the Miller's have shared a number of striker connections over the years, with other honourable mentions for the likes of Leo Fortune-West, Alex Revell, Adam le Fondre and Alan Lee.