Rotherham Titans
Rotherham Titans are a club with a proud history and an interesting story to tell. After several years away, they have returned to the Championship, English rugby's second tier, and are once again facing some of the country's better-known clubs.
Their home is Clifton Lane, a traditional sporting ground in South Yorkshire that has been the club's base for generations. It is not one of the grandest venues in the rugby world, but it has plenty of character and, following a rather significant alteration to the playing surface, a slightly different layout from the one that regular visitors might remember.
Rotherham are a club that have experienced the highs and lows of professional rugby, and their return to the Championship provides an opportunity to re-establish themselves at a higher level. Clifton Lane, meanwhile, has had to undergo some changes to ensure it meets the requirements of the modern game.
Getting There and Admission Prices
Clifton Lane is situated in Rotherham, within reasonable reach of the town centre and its railway station. Rotherham Central has services connecting it with Sheffield and other destinations, while the ground can be reached by local bus or on foot, depending on where you start.
For motorists, Rotherham is accessible from the M1, although it is worth allowing extra time on match days and checking the club's parking arrangements before setting off.
Now for the important bit: admission is cash only at the gate. The club has made this rather clear, with the prices for Championship fixtures being £20 for members and £25 for non-members. That is a little old-fashioned in an increasingly cashless world, but at least you know where you stand. Once inside, however, the club has moved into the twenty-first century, with cards accepted at the bar.
Do make sure you have sufficient cash before arriving. There is nothing worse than turning up at a rugby ground ready for an afternoon's entertainment only to discover that your contactless card is no use at the turnstile.
For the latest admission prices and match-day information, check the official Rotherham Titans website.
The Ground and Facilities
Clifton Lane is a traditional ground with a mixture of covered and uncovered spectator areas. It has the sort of straightforward character that many rugby supporters appreciate, although the return to the Championship has meant that certain facilities have needed attention.The ground has a history beyond rugby, having also been associated with cricket. That shared sporting heritage has contributed to its unusual layout, although the Titans have now had to make a major change to accommodate modern rugby requirements.
The main stands and clubhouse provide the essential facilities, and the atmosphere is generally more intimate than at the large Premiership stadiums. You are not visiting a vast commercial entertainment complex; you are visiting a rugby club that has had to work hard to reach its current position.
However, it is the playing surface that deserves particular attention.
A Pitch with a Different Perspective
Clifton Lane has undergone a rather unusual transformation, with the pitch rotated through 90 degrees to meet the requirements of the modern game.This was not simply a cosmetic exercise. Championship ground standards require suitable dimensions and facilities, and the old orientation of the pitch presented a problem. The solution was to turn the playing area around, fundamentally changing the relationship between the pitch, the stands and the surrounding buildings.
The result is particularly noticeable when you look at the main stand. It now sits behind the posts rather than alongside the touchline, which might seem rather odd until you understand the reason for the change.
It is a reminder that the demands of professional rugby can force clubs to make substantial alterations to grounds that have evolved over many decades.
Still, rugby is rugby, and once the referee blows the whistle, the important thing is what happens on the field.
Food and Drink
One of the pleasures of visiting a traditional rugby club is that the food can sometimes be rather better than you might expect.
Clifton Lane has a clubhouse and bar, and the Titans have built a reputation for providing a welcoming match-day experience. The clubhouse is an important part of the social side of the club, giving supporters somewhere to gather before and after the game.Card payments are accepted at the bar, so you can leave your collection of banknotes in your pocket once you have paid for admission.
Hospitality is also available for those who want a more substantial experience, with the club advertising packages that include a pre-match meal and refreshments.
You should not expect the enormous choice of food outlets found at the biggest professional stadiums, but that is not really the point of a visit to Clifton Lane and much of their food offerings are home made. The appeal lies in the more traditional club atmosphere and the opportunity to enjoy rugby without the commercial extravagance that sometimes accompanies the modern professional game.
Their hom made pies have a well deserved reputation for being generously filled and good value.
The Atmosphere
Rotherham may not have the largest supporter base in the country, but there is plenty of enthusiasm for the Titans, particularly when the team is performing well.
Their return to the Championship has brought some attractive fixtures and the opportunity to welcome clubs with established reputations. Matches against sides such as Coventry, Bedford Blues and Doncaster Knights provide a reminder of the competitive nature of the division.The relatively compact ground helps supporters feel close to the action, and the clubhouse provides a natural meeting point for the rugby community.
The atmosphere will inevitably vary according to the opposition and the importance of the fixture, but there is something appealing about watching a club that has worked its way back into a more prominent position.
Rotherham's recent performances have also suggested that they are not simply making up the numbers. Competitive results against established Championship opposition will help build confidence and encourage more supporters to attend.
For the neutral visitor, Clifton Lane offers a chance to see rugby in a setting that remains recognisably a traditional club ground, despite the changes required to meet modern standards.
The Old Moaner Verdict
Clifton Lane is an interesting stop on any tour of British rugby grounds. It has history, a traditional club atmosphere and a playing surface that has recently undergone a rather unusual transformation.
The 90-degree pitch rotation is the talking point, particularly because it has left the main stand sitting behind the posts. It is an unusual solution, but one that demonstrates the lengths a club sometimes has to go to in order to meet the requirements of the modern professional game.
The clubhouse and bar provide the expected facilities, and the fact that cards are accepted inside makes the cash-only admission arrangement all the more curious. Just remember to visit the cash machine before you arrive!
Rotherham Titans have earned their return to the Championship, and their performances suggest that they intend to make the most of the opportunity. Clifton Lane may not have the facilities of a Premiership stadium, but it has a character that should appeal to anyone who appreciates traditional rugby.
A proper rugby club, an unusual ground layout and a team with something to prove. Clifton Lane is well worth a visit, provided you remember two things: the main stand is now behind the posts, and admission requires cash!
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