Richard Wood column: Sweet survival, fantastic fans and King Campy

Against all odds, we’ve secured our status in the Championship.

The last couple of months have seen a dramatic change in fortunes for the Millers.

Looking back to February, it didn’t look good. A defeat at Bolton meant we slipped into the bottom three, and relegation looked likely.

A new manager, Neil Warnock, and an 11-match unbeaten run, however, has left us mathematically safe with two games remaining.

It is a fantastic achievement and credit must go to the players, management, fans and all the staff at the football club. A great effort by all.

We haven’t got our flip-flops on yet, as the saying goes. Even though our safety is secured, there are still two games left to play. We are on an incredible run that everybody wants to continue. The players and management aren’t relaxing just yet. Our aim is to finish the season 13 games unbeaten.

That would really be the icing on the cake, wouldn’t it?

Saturday sees our final home game of the season and at the final whistle the players and I will get a chance to show our gratitude to the supporters who have been brilliant this season, backing us throughout.

Following the game is the annual end-of-season awards night, which I’m sure will be a huge success. It gives everybody, fans, staff and players, the opportunity to celebrate together a tremendous end to a season and acknowledge individual performances in the team. Goalkeeper Lee Camp has been first-rate this season and is surely a main contender for Rotherham United’s Player of the Year.

Awards nights are a common occurrence as the season draws to a close and the PFA awards were held last weekend.

All professional players take part in the Player of the Year vote and it was pleasing to see Riyad Mahrez get the award. The Leicester City playmaker got my vote after a sensational season, scoring 17 goals and claiming 11 assists so far. He has played a vital role for the Foxes and they are now just one win away from being crowned Premier League champions - an unthinkable statement at the beginning of the season.

Congratulations to Dele Alli, who again got my vote, for winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He has been instrumental in Tottenham’s season and I hope he can continue his great run of form into the Euro’ this summer with England.

I know it was always going to be unlikely, but it is a shame no Rotherham United players made it into the Championship Team of the Year. If only we’d have started the season as well as we are finishing it, then we could have seen quite a few of our players in there. We’ve had some outstanding performances over the last few months. Maybe next season!

Finally, I’d just like to thank all the squad for wearing the blue JDRF T-shirts for the warm-up last Saturday. All the lads kindly obliged and it was a proud moment for me seeing all my teammates supporting a charity and a cause that means so much to me.

Click here for Camp’s Warnock call