Rotherham United have been familiar opponents for Lincoln City across more than a century of competition.
They’ve not been an opponent we have a lot of success against. Across all competitions, the Millers hold the upper hand: Lincoln 28 wins, Rotherham 53, and 24 draws.
We have won just once there since 1957, a desperate run that spans three grounds – Millmoor, The Don Valley Stadium and their current home.
Recent Clashes
The most recent encounters came during the 2024/25 League One season. At the AESSEAL New York Stadium on 3 December 2024, Rotherham won 2–1. Sam Nombe gave the hosts the lead, Jovon Makama equalised early in the second half, and Sean Raggett scored the decisive goal. The reverse fixture on 1 January 2025 ended 1–0 to Rotherham at Sincil Bank.
In the 2021/22 campaign, Lincoln and Rotherham also met twice in League One. The match at the New York Stadium on 15 March 2022 finished 2–1 to Rotherham, with Ben Wiles and Chiedozie Ogbene scoring for the home side and Tom Hopper replying late on. The earlier meeting at Sincil Bank on 14 September 2021 ended 1–1.
During 2019/20, the clubs faced each other three times. Lincoln won 2–0 at the New York Stadium on 10 August 2019, helped by a Shaun MacDonald own goal and a second from Harry Anderson. The Imps also beat Rotherham 3–0 in the EFL Trophy on 12 November 2019, before losing 1–0 at Sincil Bank in League One on 7 February 2020.
The previous cup meeting, in the 2017/18 EFL Cup, went to Rotherham, who won 2–1 at the New York Stadium thanks to goals from Jamie Proctor and Anthony Forde, with Billy Knott replying for Lincoln.
Earlier Meetings
The sides met regularly in League Two between 2009 and 2011.
In 2010/11, Lincoln lost 2–1 and 6–0 to Rotherham, with the latter result recorded at Sincil Bank. Earlier that season, the Millers won 2–1 at the Don Valley Stadium, with goals from Adam Le Fondre and Ryan Cresswell, while Mustapha Carayol scored for the Imps.
The 2009/10 season also produced two Rotherham wins: 2–0 at the Don Valley and 2–1 at Sincil Bank.
Their earliest encounters came in the Third Division North, beginning in 1923/24, when Lincoln won 2–1 at Sincil Bank before losing 2–0 in the return at Millmoor. Throughout the 1920s, the clubs met frequently, with Lincoln recording several home victories — including a 3–1 success in December 1924 and a 4–1 win in November 1927 — while Rotherham took points more often in Yorkshire.
The 1930s maintained the pattern of tight contests and alternating wins. Lincoln enjoyed strong home form with results such as a 4–0 victory in September 1934 and another 4–0 at Sincil Bank in March 1936, though Rotherham replied with a 5–0 win in January 1935. The late 1930s brought further high-scoring fixtures, including Lincoln’s 5–0 home win in October 1937 and Rotherham’s 4–0 success at Millmoor later that season. Both sides were firmly established in the Third Division North before league football was suspended for the Second World War.
When competition resumed, the rivalry quickly reignited. In 1946/47, Lincoln won 4–0 at Sincil Bank, while Rotherham claimed the return fixture 3–0. Two seasons later, in 1948/49, the Imps took a 3–1 home win but lost 1–0 away, results that summed up the narrow margins that often separated the clubs.
The 1950s saw both sides move between divisions, producing some memorable Second Division encounters. Lincoln’s first post-war promotion in 1952 brought the teams together again at a higher level, where Rotherham generally held the edge. Between 1952 and 1958, the Millers recorded several victories, including a 4–1 home win in April 1954 and a 3–0 success at Millmoor in April 1951.
The rivalry continued through the 1960s, beginning with back-to-back Rotherham wins in the 1960/61 Second Division campaign, 1–0 at Sincil Bank and 2–0 at Millmoor. Cup meetings were rare but included an FA Cup tie in 1965, when Rotherham won 5–1 at home to advance. The 1970s then brought renewed frequency as both clubs fluctuated between the third and fourth tiers. Lincoln won 2–0 at Sincil Bank in March 1975, drew 3–3 in March 1978, and added a 3–0 victory the following year.
Rotherham’s best spell came in the late 1970s, winning several close contests at Millmoor, including a 2–0 success in September 1978.
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