Rotherham: where better to celebrate Sunderland’s promotion?

This time last year, we were wondering whether a May weekend in Southend would be our promotion party. We know what happened to that fond dream.

How do you all fancy Rotherham as the ideal place to celebrate a return to the Championship?

It’s just a provisional list, liable to change for international demands, congestion caused by cup ties and TV.

And it starts with a home game against Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven’s lifelong football passion, Oxford United.

We have no idea what kind of line-up will be available to Jack Ross for Aug 3. We do know the team will get a hearty backing with 22,000 season tickets already sold. And it is clear beyond doubt that after the disappointments of the season just ended, a good start will be expected.

And here is that list as it stands:

AUGUST

Sat 3 Oxford United H
Sat 10 Ipswich Town A
Sat 17 Portsmouth H
Tue 20 Rochdale A
Sat 4 AFC Wimbledon H
Sat 31 Peterborough A

SEPTEMBER

Sat 7 Burton Albion H
Sat 14 Accrington Stanley A
Tue 17 Rotherham United H
Sat 21 Bolton Wanderers A
Sat 28 MK Dons H

OCTOBER

Sat 5 Lincoln City A
Sat 12 Fleetwood Town H
Sat 19 Wycombe Wanderers A
Tue 22 Tranmere Rovers H
Sat 26 Shrewsbury Town A

NOVEMBER

Sat 2 Southend United H
Sat 16 Bristol Rovers A
Sat 23 Coventry City H

DECEMBER

Sat 7 Gillingham A
Sat 14 Blackpool H
Sat 21 Bury A
Thu 26 Bolton Wanderers H
Sun 29 Doncaster Rovers A

JANUARY

Wed 1 Fleetwood Town A
Sat 4 Lincoln City H
Sat 11 Wycombe Wanderers H
Sat 18 Mk Dons A
Sat 25 Doncaster Rovers H
Tue 28 Tranmere Rovers A

FEBRUARY

Sat 1 Portsmouth A
Sat 8 Ipswich Town H
Tue 11 Rochdale H
Sat 15 Oxford United A
Sat 22 Bristol Rovers H
Sat 29 Coventry City A

MARCH

Sat 7 Gillingham H
Sat 14 Blackpool A
Sat 21 Bury H
Sat 28 Southend United A

APRIL

Sat 4 Shrewsbury Town H
Fri 10 AFC Wimbledon A
Mon 13 Peterborough United H
Sat 18 Burton Albion A
Sat 25 Accrington Stanley H

MAY

Sun 3 Rotherham United A