Mercury Newspaper Issue 1496

REGIONAL MAyOR REspONds tO dONcAstER

shEffIELd AIRpORt LEGAL RuLING

Doncaster Council has vowed to continue its fight to keep Doncaster Sheffield Airport open, after losing its legal chal lenge over the decision to close.

The Council applied for a judicial review of Peel Group’s decision to close to the Airport, but while the Administrative Court found merit in the council’s submission it ul timately determined the Council did not have the ability to prevent closure

under a Judicial Review process. Doncaster Coun cil have said they will now focus their efforts on a Compulsory Purchase Order of the site.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Doncaster Sheffield Air port is an important stra tegic asset to our region and Doncaster Council were right to use every avenue available to them to stop Peel closing it.

“The court’s decision today does not mean that

Peel have been justified in their actions. It’s not right that valuable infra structure can just be shut down, at short notice by private companies seeking to maximise their profits at the expense of our community.

“We have done every thing we can to save DSA, and we will continue to work with Peel and pri vate sector investors keen to reopen our airport, to find a viable path to a new future.”

Levelling Up: Planning application approved for Harmony Works

The Harmony Works project has passed another significant milestone with the approval of its plan ning and listed buildings application, taking it one step closer towards its goal to create a new home for music education in Sheffield.

The plans will see the historic Grade II* listed Canada House on Commercial Street transformed into a stateof-the-art music facility, bring the building back to life with a variety of teaching and rehearsal rooms, community spaces, a publicly accessible café, and a newly renovated, impressive performance space in the lofty, glass-domed hall.

Last year, Sheffield City Council secured £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up fund to transform the Castlegate area, which included establishing Harmony Works. £1.6m will be granted to Harmony Works by the Council to acquire the empty Canada House building, which was built in 1875. This means it will be possible to secure the future of a building which otherwise would have fallen into disrepair.

The Harmony Works team have been working hard to plan the detail of their vision for the future of the building, working with a wide variety of stakeholders including the Castlegate partnership and the children and young people of Sheffield. The project team has included Evans Vettori Architects, Arup, Turner and Townsend, BWA, Creative Heritage and Hepworth Acoustics.

Harmony Works will bring together the knowledge and expertise of Sheffield Music Academy and Sheffield Music Hub, along with their partners including Brass Bands England and Music in the Round to create a home for music education right in the heart of the city and accessible to all across the City Region.

Cllr Mazher Iqbal, Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to work with Harmony Works to secure Levelling Up funding which will create a highly valued resource in the city, and the wider region. As a city known for producing many musical talents, access to music facilities is so important to us. Harmony Works will be an incredible asset to us all, especially younger generations. It is also fantastic to see the impressive Canada House building will soon be restored and inhabited again.”

Emily Pieters, Director of Harmony Works, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to have reached this very important step in our journey. Our planning consent is a testament to the hard work of the Harmony Works partners and team and to the thoughtful and environmentally sensitive approach the design team have taken with this fantastic building. We’re looking forward to making these designs a reality, and for children and young people throughout the region to have a place to call their musical home.’

SHEFFIELD’S MARKETSEVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR CHRISTMAS IN ONE (MAYBE TWO) PLACES

With Christmas shopping season in full swing the Market Place at Crystal Peaks and Moor Market in the city centre are fully geared up to provide you with everything you need this festive period.

THE MARKET PLACE at Crystal Peaks

The Market Place is busy getting ready for Christmas and our traders are just waiting for all their lovely customers to pop in for some festive shopping.

If you need some new Christmas lights to freshen up your home, then you need look no further, and if you want to ensure someone’s timing is on track for that new year party you have a great choice of watches.

For the personal touch the Market Place can offer a fab selection of personalised gifts that enable you to really make someone’s day; with engraving and cri-cutting on mugs, bottles, glassware and more, and oh, chocolate bars with a design and message of your choosing on the packaging. Scrumptious! And with that Christmas tummy in mind, you can get your meat fix and fill those shopping bags with plenty of hearty vegetables, and that does mean SPROUTS; you know you love them really.

Find a toy or two and get wrapped up for what winter can bring with warm and cosy socks, gloves, and scarves. Is the Beast from The East part two really coming???

For the little ones we have a grotto with activities to do, free gifts and of course, Santa himself.

To check all opening times and information please visit our website: www.sheffieldmarkets.com

MOOR MARKET

So, this year has flown by and here we are getting ready for Christmas. Our decorations are up, the market is looking fab and all we need now are plenty of customers.

Our traders have gifts galore for you to seek out; grab some jewellery for that special person, a gift for the home or some specialist perfume. All your cards and wrap can be sorted in one visit, and if you fancy a flower or plant decoration for the season, we have

a new florist to help you out. Got a geek, then seek out the tech and trading cards we have.

For the big day itself and the dinner table there is an amazing selection of meat on offer from our wonderful butchers, or fish from all around the globe if you prefer. Glorious vegetables are piled high in the Moor from the very traditional to a great continental selection.

If you are thinking about preening yourself for Christmas, or most definitely that New Year's party, you can get glammed and smartened up with a cornucopia of accessories for the hair and face. Brow and lash, trim that tache, you can get it done here and ensure you look your best.

And now for something new. A bar!

Yes, the Moor Market has a pop-up bar for the season to provide you with a tipple or two while you shop. This will be opening its shutter to serve you with some festive tipples on the 5th of December and be open until Christmas Eve. Their opening times will be 10.30am to 5.30pm.

For the little ones we have a grotto with activities to do, free gifts and of course, Santa himself.

Check out all the market opening and event times on our website: www.sheffieldmarkets.com

Now, come on, for a Merry Christmas shopping experience could you ask for more!!!!!!

ThE WORlD’S BIggEST EvER QUIz!ThE WORlD’S BIggEST EvER QUIz!

2017 and saw over 4,000 people taking part!

There will be various prize-winning opportunities throughout the event - which will be announced in the coming

months, with the ultimate prize being a potential world record holder!

Tickets for the show will be available on general sale Wednesday 07 December 2022 .

ITV’s The Chase favourite Shaun Wallace wants to bring the record home to the UK – the proud home of the quiz.

Don’t miss out of the chance to join Shaun Wallace (AKA The Dark Destroyer) as the global quizzing icon leads an attempt to wrestle the title of ‘World’s Biggest Quiz In a Single Venue’ which was set in Delhi, India in

Following major demand for tickets, the Queen of comedy Dawn French has announced a host of new UK tour dates for her critically acclaimed live one-woman show, ‘Dawn French Is a Huge T**t’, for 2023 with a show at Sheffield City Hall on sunday 8th october 2023. Tickets are available from DawnFrenchonTour.com. The hilarious and endearing sell-out show toured earlier this year to rave reviews and wall-to-wall standing ovations. Now, Dawn will return to the stage from September to November 2023, playing over 20 venues in many more parts of the country

including several nights at the world-famous London Palladium.

In ‘Dawn French Is A Huge T**t’, the awardwinning actor, best-selling novelist and comedy legend invites audiences to join her on a whirlwind journey through some of the most embarrassing, misguided and undignified moments of her personal and professional life, deep-diving into the countless times she has demonstrated – in her own words – “a spectacular display of t***tery”.

Announcing these 2023 shows, Dawn said: “Attention all T***s! We grossly underestimated just how many glorious

T***s are out there, wanting this show, so here I come, the second leg of the tour. Wooohooo! I couldn’t be more chuffed if I were a chough. So now, stop nagging me on social media about the fact we missed your town…and get booking. I’m bringing my T***t to a theatre near you, it’s futile to resist.”

I want to tell you about a girl who only eats plants.

You’ve probably never heard of herbivore.

Three conspiracy theorists walk in to a bar... You can’t tell me that’s just a coincidence.

What do you call a musician with no girlfriend? Homeless.

Me: I think I have a crush on Beyoncé. Her: Whatever floats your boat. Me: No, that’s buoyancy.

Yesterday one of my good friends told me I often make people uncomfortable by violating their personal space.

It was a really hurtful thing to say and completely ruined our bath.

I boiled a funny bone once.

It turned into a laughing stock.

A girl I’m dating owns a bakery and works long hours. I don’t think it’s going to work out. She’s too kneady.

My grandpa’s last words before he died was “Pints! Gallons! Litres!”

That speaks volumes.

So many people these days are too judgemental.

I can tell just by looking at them.

Crossword Clues

across 1) Footwear (5) 4) Reposing (7)

Calendar / diary (7)

New Zealander (5)

Incise in metal (4)

Sugar (8)

Head cook (4)

Gratis (4)

Pre-wedding `do` (3, 5)

Mist (4) 20) Embellish (5)

World`s hot line (7)

Hell (7) 23) Prime (5)

DoWN 1) Latest design (5, 2, 3, 3)

Funny (5)

Mentally balanced (4) 4) Dodgy business (6) 5) Equal balance (8) 6) Quarantine (7) 7) Endure (4, 3, 4, 2) 12) Prisoner (8) 13) Frankness (7) 15) Road (6) 18) Holy table (5) 19) Useless (4)

Last Week’s Solution across: 7) Work, 8) Illusion, 9) Sharp end, 10) Bite, 11) Sting, 13) Bedroom, 15) Dancers, 17) Helps, 20) User, 21) Vouch for, 23) Live wire, 24) Cute. DoWN: 1) Posh, 2) Ski run, 3) Vibes, 4) Plodder, 5) Isobar,

Street is broadcast.

7/12/1995 - The Galileo spacecraft arrives at Jupiter, a little more than six years after it was launched.

8/12/1980 - John Lennon is murdered by Mark David Chapman, a mentally unstable fan, in front of The Dakota apartment building in New York City.

9/12/1960 - The first episode of the world’s longest-running television soap opera Coronation

10/12/1901 - The first Nobel Prizes are awarded. 11/12/1972 - Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and last Apollo mission to land on the Moon. 12/12/1911 - Delhi replaces Calcutta as the capital of India.

13/12/1577 - Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth on his round-the-world voyage.

I arrived early at the restaurant last night. “Do you mind waiting for a bit?” The manager asked. “Not at all” I replied.

“Good, take these pizzas to table 6,” he said.

My friend lost his job at the dairy farm because of his erratic behaviour.

He was a danger to himself and udders.

Weekly Quiz

seconds)

9. Roman Polanski the film director was born in which country?

10. The name of the Argentinian capital translates to what in English?

Born this week

7/12/1974 Nicole Appleton

8/12/1542 Mary, Queen of Scots

9/12/1981 Mardy Fish

10/12/1974 Meg White (White Stripes)

11/12/1971 Ben Shephard

12/12/1965 Will Carling

13/12/1989 Taylor Swift

lITTER lEssONs fOR sHEffIEld sCHOOls

Around 4000 school children were part of a litter education session during the last academic year and Streets Ahead are continuing to deliver their assemblies on reducing litter across the city.

Emma Pickering, the Education Officer at Streets Ahead, holds regular sessions with local primary and secondary schools, getting all the important messages across about the harmful effects litter is having on our environment. The sessions are being delivered by Amey as part of the £2bn Streets Ahead Highways Improvement programme, which will improve the condition of our city’s roads, pavements, streetlights, bridges and other items on or around our streets until 2037. As well as talking about the ways in which school children can help reduce litter levels in their local area, Emma also works alongside schools to support their wider environmental ambitions, whatever they may be.

Last year Emma visited 8 schools, delivering 31 litter assemblies to thousands of children and is encouraging schools and colleges alike to get in touch this year should they want to find out more about the opportunities available to them. So far this year, Emma has visited four schools, with more visits planned for 2023. Emma said, “After the disruption COVID caused to schools over the past couple of years, it was good to be back delivering the programme to children in all areas of Sheffield last year, who were all eager to learn more, get stuck in and do their bit.

By talking about litter and the importance of

keeping communities clean and tidy at a young age, pupils can be more in the know and make informed decisions when it comes to looking after their environment, now and in the future. We are all very aware of the climate emergency we’re facing, and these sessions are just a small way that we can encourage behaviour change in our younger generations whilst delivering fun and interactive experiences.”

Several schools in Sheffield have already set up their own initiatives to look after the environment. Rainbow Forge Academy organise regular litter picks and Tinsley Meadows Primary Academy are working hard to make their school ecofriendlier, emphasising the importance of caring for the environment, one of the school’s core values. Katie Robinson, Year 5 class teacher and Eco Lead at the school explains:“A group of Eco Warriors were elected by their peers at the beginning of last year and one of the key issues they wanted to act on was the amount of litter on the playground and around school. They organised poster competitions to encourage others not to drop litter, created a whole school ‘eco code’, taken part in litter picks of our school playground as well as the local community and they worked with Emma to lead school litter assemblies. In addition to this, they organised an eco-themed dress up day to raise money to buy new bins with lids for our playground and they have worked on recycling projects such as the big battery hunt.”

Last year, Emma also spoke to over 300 students at Birley Academy as part of

the launch of their in-house environment champion scheme, with the assemblies acting as a great introduction to the topic prior to the launch. Over at Totley Primary School, the whole school listened to how litter affects the planet and wildlife, as Jonathan Beard, Green Team Leader explains: “The children enjoyed learning about the impact of litter on the environment and were pleased to announce that each class in Key Stage two has started regular litter picks with each Year Group picking litter on their set day. This project is helping the children to further their understanding of the impact of litter and together with tying in with one of our Golden Rules, that of respect, the children are showing respect for the school community, and being a team player at the same time - one of our attitudes to learning.”

Often aided and abetted by Phil the Bin, the Streets Ahead litter mascot, Emma thoroughly enjoys seeing how engaged school children are in the environmental messages.

Emma continued: “The pupils understand what litter is and they don’t like it; they know it’s not right and they’re keen to get involved and pick it up. They are also very engaged in the environmental messages but finding out how long it takes for a plastic bottle to decompose is often a complete surprise – it can take up to 450 years!” With the school year now in full swing, Emma is continuing to deliver a programme of assemblies, inspired by the enthusiasm of the local school children she’s been working with,

HOsEpIpE baN lIfTEd

Yorkshire Water has announced that the hosepipe ban introduced on 26 August, will be lifted today.

Whilst Yorkshire is still classified as within drought by the Environment Agency, the water company has said that thanks to “everyone’s efforts to save water” and a wetter than average autumn, the temporary restrictions can now be lifted. During the warm summer months, Yorkshire Water’s hosepipe ban helped to save an average of 28 million litres per day, which took pressure off its reservoirs and allowed them to hold as much water as possible.

Neil Dewis, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re really grateful to our customers for their efforts to save water whilst the weather was drier than usual.

Thanks to a number of emergency drought schemes, drought permits, increased leakage activity, rainfall, and everyone’s efforts to save water, reservoirs are now looking much healthier – with the average level across the region now at 75%.”

The drought scheme helped the reservoir levels to increase from 20% to around 80%.

Yorkshire Water is on track to reduce leakage by more than 9% this year, bringing it closer to its goal of 15% reduction by 2025.

Neil continued: “Whilst the hosepipe ban is no longer in place, it’s really important that we all continue to save water where we can. Adopting small habits like reusing grey water or installing a water butt will save water and energy, helping to reduce bills and protect the environment.”

fOsTERING - CaN YOU HElp?

Foster carers make this time of year really special for children experiencing their first Christmas in care.

Many children that come into care have never experienced a lot of things we take for granted, such as the simple pleasure of decorating a Christmas tree. More foster carers are needed to give children a safe, secure, and loving home, where they can grow and thrive.

If you start your fostering journey now, you could change the future of a Sheffield child. So next Christmas, they can wake up excited like millions of other children.

When you join our trusted team, we’ll support you every step of the way so you can help make a real difference to children who need it most. We need foster carers for Sheffield children of all ages who, for whatever reason, need someone else to look after them. This can be anything from a regular overnight stay to giving a child a permanent home, or something in between. We’ll support you every step of the way to help you make a real difference to children who need it most. You can read our information pack online. One of the first steps on your fostering journey is to come to one of our online fostering information evenings. We have them every month on zoom. Once you book onto a date that suits you, we’ll send you the zoom login details so you can find out more about fostering with us, talk to some of our foster carers and ask members of our team any

questions.

Can I foster? Yes, if you…

• are over 21

• have experience of caring for children

• rent or own a home with a spare room

• are single, married, divorced or living with a partner

• are working, not working or retired

Who needs foster care?

• children aged 0 to 18

• siblings

•teenage parents with children

• children with additional needs

• children needing weekend and holiday care

Our pay and support package

• starting salary of £257

- £379 per week for level one carers (dependent on the age of the child that they care for)

• additional allowances including payments for special occasions

•mileage allowance

• local training and support activities

• your own social worker

• foster carer mentors

• psychological support services

• 24-hour support

• support groups for you and your family

• online forum

• social activities

• recognition for your experience and commitment

Visit our website, call us on 0114 273 5075, or email us on fostering@ sheffield.gov.uk to find out more about fostering with us. We’d love to hear from you.

COUNCIl HElp fOR faMIlIEs

Families with children that are eligible for benefit related free school meals will receive a free £30 voucher this week to help with the costs of food over the winter holidays.

Those who claim income assessed Early Years Support (2 to 4 year olds) and young people leaving their care setting (Care Leavers) are also eligible, meaning over 31,000 children across Sheffield will receive vital support this winter.

Sheffield City Council recognises that many families continue to face financial difficulties because of the cost-ofliving crisis, with the winter holidays being a particularly difficult time. The vouchers will be funded through the government’s Household Support Fund that allows local council’s to directly help those who need it most. People do not need to apply to the scheme.

Those who are eligible for the voucher will receive a letter from the council with details on how to redeem their voucher this week.

Alongside the vouchers, there will also be a range of free holiday activities available for eligible children and families to join in as part of the Sheffield Healthy Holidays scheme.

Sheffield, where a healthy meal will also be available, to keep children healthy and happy over the holidays. Eligible families will also receive details in the letter this week inviting them to take part.

Councillor Terry Fox, Leader of Sheffield City Council said: “With the cost-of-living sky rocketing, it’s no secret that this winter is going to be tough for us all. But for our families on low incomes the holidays will be a particularly worrisome time as they think about how to keep enough food on the table and their houses sufficiently warm. That’s why I’m so pleased that we can continue this support as we have done for every school holiday since the pandemic began. I’d also like to remind anyone who is facing financial hardship or is struggling with debt that the council has lots of different support available. We’ve set up a dedicated Cost of Living webpage full of information about the support on offer, so please do get in touch as we are here to help.”

Sheffield Healthy Holidays brings together a huge programme of activities delivered by partners across

THEO’S SNOwFLAkES BRING EXTRA CHRISTMAS MAGIC TO CRySTAL pEAkS

CHRISTMAS has officially come to Crystal Peaks… with a little help from Theo the Bear!

The Children’s Hospital Charity’s famous snowflakes are once again adding a little extra Festive sparkle to the award-winning shopping centre’s dazzling display throughout the Christmas period. So the charity’s mascot, Theo the Bear, joined centre manager Lee Greenwood, to get the season off to a glittering start.

“We are delighted to be joining The Children’s Hospital Charity again and adding their snowflakes to our Festive display,” said Lee.

“Crystal Peaks sees itself as very much at the heart of the community and Sheffield Children’s Hospital touches the lives of so many people every year.

“We hope that our visitors will enjoy seeing the snowflakes and will want to support this outstanding city charity as much as we do.”

Laura Schofield, Corporate Partnerships Officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity said: “It has been brilliant to see our snowflakes light up Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre once again this Christmas, and we’re so grateful to Lee and everyone at the Centre for their amazing support of Sheffield Children’s.

“We’d like to say thank you to every individual, family, business, community group, school, street and suburb that has come together to support our snowflake appeal.

“The money raised will help Sheffield Children’s where it is needed most, including by building a new on-site helipad. “We’re hoping to complete our

fundraising for this life-saving new facility in the spring and by this time next year it might even be ready to welcome a landing from Santa’s sleigh!” Santa has also now arrived at the centre, with his grotto now open for booking.

For further information visit or to book visit https:// www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk/CrystalPeaks

Risk of £20 pint oR thousands of pub closuRes if eneRgy bill help isn’t extended foR pubs, says caMRa all aRe WelcoMe to sing a long

Responding to research published by Frontier Economics (on behalf of the British Beer and Pub Association) which concludes that pubs and breweries will be forced to close their businesses if they do not receive help with energy bills beyond April 2023.

Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale Nik Antona said:

“This report clearly shows just how the perfect storm of rising costs, soaring energy bills and customers tightening their belts is putting the future of the

UK’s beloved locals – and the breweries that serve them – at risk.

“Without help, pubs will be operating at a 20% loss which is frankly unsustainable. Pubs, clubs, breweries and cider producers are in an impossible position. If the Government doesn’t extend support with energy costs when the current scheme finishes in April next year, we expect to see massive price hikes or pub closures to stem the costs.

“Just this weekend we have seen even more small

brewers shutting up shop. This has devastating effects on consumer choice. Pubs are cornerstones of our communities, bringing people together and helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation. We can’t risk thousands of our locals closing for good because they can’t afford to pay their energy bills.

“That’s why CAMRA is calling on the Government to commit – now – to extending energy bill support for hospitality businesses beyond April to save our locals.”

Everyone is invited – even those who think they can’t sing! It’s time to raise your voice without criticism or judgement. Help create Christmas memories to last a lifetime as together Penistone’s Paramount Theatre will be filled with joyful song –led by local family entertainers: Chris McShane & Ralph Shaw.

They’re very clear about their goals, this is not a professional choir, this event is an all-inclusive event for anyone and everyone who has a desire to sing –regardless of skill level. It’s a rare chance to sing your heart out in the non-judgmental atmosphere of a theatre full of people all doing the same as you.

There’s no peering down at song-sheets either! The words to these well-known carols and songs will be shown, written large, upon the magnificent cinema screen so we can raise your faces as you raise your voices.

Your hosts – local masters of music and mirth: McShane & Shaw (+ guests) – will play the music, lead the singing and no doubt create many laughs along the way.

Coronation Street:

Steve convinces Elaine to help him out. Ally is in danger from Griff & his racist pals. Fiz asks Chesney to hide the bag of John Stape’s belongings in her house - but Hope, Joseph & Sam discover them. Sally calls a truce with Tim, promising she will never mention his friendship with Aggie if he promises to forget about his jacket. Amy discovers the truth about Summer’s baby - but will she force her to tell Mike & Esther the truth? Mary suffers a panic attack in rehearsal. Tyrone admits to Chesney that he is planning a surprise Christmas Day Wedding. Sarah reveals to Adam that they have all they need to get the business up and running.

Emmerdale: Belle is suspicious when Chas reacts badly to her teasing - meaning both her & Chloe are on the trail of Al’s mystery woman! Moira is worried about Kyle - but how will she help him without revealing the truth? Amy gets ready for his first day back at school, but Matty & Moira are anxious. Things get competitive between April & Cathy when Charles invites them to audition for the choir. Vine, Jimmy & Mackenzie meet for a secret poker game - but Mandy fears he could be bitten by his late father’s gambling bug. Gabby is not happy as Dawn emerges as competition for her job with Kim. Marlon is excited as he plans his return as the Woolpack chef.

Eastenders: Zack is excited about his new job - only to be hit with a baby bombshell from Whitney, via an unsuspecting Jean. Jack breaks the good news that he’s been re-instated in his job following the investigation. However Kim’s surprise family dinner doesn’t help the cause. A paranoid Janine is shocked to find Mick & Linda have gone off shopping together - but she gets a call that could change everything. Alfie & Freddie convince Sharon to sponsor the charity panto. Sonia, Dotty, Whitney & Jack hold a vigil for Dot and reminisce about her.

After an efficient draw at Derby, Darren Moore called for his side to take that doggedness and determination into the remainder of the season.

The Rams and the Owls played out a goalless stalemate at Pride Park, with chances at a premium throughout a bitterly cold afternoon in the Midlands.

Moore told swfc.co.uk: “It’s a good point, a very determined point and one that we deserved. I don’t think David Stockdale was troubled pretty much throughout the game and while I would’ve liked to have seen more going forward, it’s not always going to be like that.

“You have to show different elements to your game and that’s what we’ve done today. We were thorough, we were determined and

I’ve just said to the players now about that efficiency, bottle it and keep it.

“We have injuries to contend with, we’ve had to mix things up, and although the defence will get the plaudits this afternoon, the whole team has put in a real shift.

“Joe Wildsmith has made one really good save from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and if that goes in, I fancy us to win the game because we didn’t look like we were going to concede today.”

Moore gave more detail on the injury front, revealing that Michael Ihiekwe faces an extended stay in the recovery room.

The central defender has sustained knee ligament damage, which Moore stressed will not require surgery.

The gaffer added: “Michael

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT AT ShIRECLIFFE

Another significant upgrade to United’s infrastructure has now been completed at the club’s Randox Health training headquarters at Shirecliffe.

After work commenced during the summer on the main first team training pitch, the club is now delighted to confirm a £2m upgrade of major improvements has been completed.

The main pitch has been re-laid and levelled, matching the Desso surface currently used at Bramall Lane, whilst the upgrade also includes improved drainage and the installation of undersoil heating as part of a significant commitment to enhancing the facilities at our training headquarters.

Following the return of the first team staff after a minibreak, Paul Heckingbottom has presided over training on the new surface.

“The pitches at Shirecliffe have been highlighted for improvement for some time and after a number of conversations with Paul and the board, we put together a plan and a budget to facilitate this. It is fantastic to see this come to fruition in time for a critical part of the season. I think this shows that the board are committed

is going to be a bit more longer term. The results of the scan were not what we had hoped for.

“He’s going to be out for a while but to balance that I am so pleased to have Akin come back into the squad. He will have another week on the grass as he

continues to get stronger and stronger.

“I don’t expect Lee Gregory to be out for long and George is getting there, and with Josh, he wasn’t quite ready for today but we will see where we are with him next week in the build-up to Exeter.”

ROAD TO RECOVERy STARTS NOw

Owls defender Ben Heneghan underwent a knee operation on Friday morning.

The 29-year-old had been in good form before picking up a seasonending injury during our trip to Lincoln in October.

Manager Darren Moore has revealed the operation was a success and that Ben’s road to recovery begins now.

“He had it done today and it was successful which is brilliant.

“For Ben now, the road to recovery is clear. All has

gone really well, we had the message that he has had it done this morning.

“I will phone him tonight when I get to the hotel and see how he is.

“It is a long road ahead but I think for Ben mentally now, because he’s had it done, the road to recovery has started.

“He’ll get the best support, the best treatment and he’ll recover. With those types of operations now you can make a full recovery from them and that’s what we expect from Ben.”

LACK OF KILLER INSTINCT

Danny Schofield felt Rovers lacked killer instinct as they fell to defeat against Walsall. Rovers were undone by two second half goals in the Sky Bet League Two clash and the head coach pointed the finger at the attacking performance.

“I cannot question the players’ endeavour and their application with trying to play. But the way we conceded the goals was disappointing.

On supporting Ro-Shaun Williams after defensive mistakes:

to be united in our goal to be a sustainable and successful football club."

The latest improvements continue the club’s commitment to developing the infrastructure across all areas of the footprint which have included brand new club offices for the staff at Bramall Lane, increased attention towards the women’s team, the acquirement of additional and vital memorabilia within the Legends of the Lane museum and the hosting of some the world’s major sporting events, including the women’s Euros and the Rugby League World Cup.

Schofield on how the game played out: “Up until the goal I thought there were some real positive moments in terms of us building up the play, getting up to the final third.

“But throughout the game I thought we lacked the killer instinct, that moment to create a goal. We didn’t create clear cut chances and I think we needed to change the tempo, the speed, be more explosive and combine more.

“I thought we were on the front foot and the more aggressive team in the early stages of the second half. We were in their half for long periods.

“The first goal was probably against the run of play but I felt the momentum shifted when we conceded the goal.

“I spoke to them about that at the end of game. I said to them when you concede goals that this isn’t a game for the faint hearted, it’s time to stand up and be counted and we go again with what we do and how we try to play our game.

MILLERS POPPy ShIRTS RAISE £8,230 FOR ROyAL BRITISh LEGION

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We are incredibly proud to support the work of he Royal British Legion and we hope that that tributes to our fallen servicemen and women further highlights just how much the football club values the sacrifices made by those who gave their today so that we could have a tomorrow.

19 shirts – all proudly displaying a poppy in the centre of the jersey – were made available for auction following the second tier encounter with the Canaries, with fans bidding from across the globe for their own unique piece of Millers memorabilia. All winners came from the United Kingdom, with bids also coming in from the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, France, Switzerland and as far as China, a total of 246 bids were made.

Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson’s jersey was the most

“It’s not for the faint hearted. Mistakes are going to happen and it’s down to us to support players when their confidence takes a knock, to be positive from them and to learn from the mistakes that happen in football.

“It’s not just Ro-Shaun, the way we conceded the goals as a team - having the ball and looking to attack but coming unstuck when we had good balance behind the ball.”

On where the team is at currently:

“We always try to finish as high as we can and the top seven is where we want to be. I think performances have been good in spells but not consistent all the way through games.

“There are areas where we need to improve on and in this game it was the final third actions.

“I think the players are buying into what we’re asking of them and I saw that again in this game. I can’t fault their effort and application to try to do what we’re coaching on the training pitch.”

sought after, with the final sale totalling a whopping £768. Forward Georgie Kelly – who introduced himself in style to Millers fans with his promotion clinching goal at Gillingham – was also popular, with his selling for £658. Cameron Humphreys completed the top three, with someone parting with £572. Ollie Rathbone found the net in the 2-1 reverse against Dean Smith’s side, seeing his jersey sold for £434.

Rotherham United would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who took part in the auction and helped us continue our support to the Poppy Appeal.

Rotherham United are delighted to confirm that our auctioned Poppy Shirts, issued to players for our dedicated Remembrance Day fixture against Norwich City helped raise a total of £8,230 in aid of the Royal British Legion.

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Millers supported this year’s Poppy Appeal, helping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion by donating the shirts worn during the Sky Bet Championship fixture with Norwich City on Saturday 5th November.