Tuesday August 18 marked a monumental date for Rotherham United Women as we officially ‘launched’ the dawning of a new era for the club in a hugely-successful event held at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The club, which was taken over by local businessmen Phil Smith and Scott Thorpe over the summer, has had new life injected into it both on and off the pitch over recent months and has taken the early steps towards an ambitious target of climbing the pyramid to the very top.

The newly-established ownership model have set about recruiting staff in key positions that did not previously exist within the set-up to professionalise and modernise the women’s team, with appointments made across the administration and footballing departments.

Respected coach Ash Thompson – who has enjoyed experience elsewhere with the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield United – arrives as Head of Football.

During the ‘New Era’ event at the New York Stadium on Tuesday – Photo Alex Roebuck

John Breckin has also joined the club’s Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of footballing knowledge and experience to the leadership team.

The media department has received additional investment in the form of new kit and will also welcome the expertise of a social media specialist as they look to enhance the profile and brand of Rotherham United Women moving into this new era.

At the launch event held in the hospitality suites at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Tuesday, both Smith and Thorpe outlined their impressive aspirations for the new-look club, but stressed on multiple occasions their desire for the team to ‘belong’ to the community.

Their aims of reaching the top flight of the women’s game and hopes for a Rotherham United Women player to one day represent England exist directly in conjunction with creating an atmosphere around the club which will not only inspire young girls in the area, but also involve them.

The key takeaways from a successful evening at AESSEAL New York Stadium were that they want as many supporters as possible to join them on the journey ahead while also reaffirming that any and all feedback from the various stakeholders is what will ensure that RUWFC continues to belong to the community.

The fixtures for the upcoming campaign can be found on this page.

RUWFC play home games at the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium – at Roundwood Sports Complex in Rawmarsh – with ticketing prices set to be affordable to everyone within the community.

Sunday September 6: v South Shields (away) Sunday September 13: v Spennymoor Town Ladies (home) Sunday September 27: v Ossett United FC Ladies (away) Sunday October 4: v Birtley Town Ladies (away) Sunday October 11: v Harrogate Town FC Women (away) Sunday October 18: v i2i International Soccer Academy (home) Sunday October 25: v Ponteland United Women (away) Sunday November 1: v Alnwick Town Juniors Ladies (home) Sunday November 8: v Leeds Modernians Women (away) Sunday November 15: v Wallsend Women (home) Sunday November 22: v South Shields (home) Sunday November 29: v Spennymoor Town Ladies (away) Sunday December 13: v Ossett United FC Ladies (home) Sunday December 20: v Birtley Town Ladies (home) Sunday January 10: v Harrogate Town FC Women (home) Sunday January 17: v i2i International Soccer Academy (away) Sunday January 24: v Ponteland United Women (home) Sunday January 31: v Alnwick Town Juniors Ladies (away) Sunday February 7: v Leeds Modernians Women (home) Sunday February 14: v Wallsend Women (away)