Steve Evans was given a standing ovation by the Rotherham United supporters before Tuesday night’s game against Gillingham.

Evans led the Millers from League 2 to the Championship and the fans of the South Yorkshire club were keen to show their appreciation.

Prior to the match - which Rotherham won 5-1 - Evans had described United’s Tony Stewart as the ‘best chairman ever’ and there was plenty of love around the impressive New York Stadium, built with funding from the Stewart family.

“From the chairman down to the people in the town they are tremendous,” Evans said.

“They are special for me. I got warmly received by about 100 of them when I got off the team coach, really classy supporters.”

Mr Stewart praised his former management team in his programme notes before the game, saying: “Steve and Paul (Raynor, the assistant manager) enjoyed tremendous success during their time here and we still have a good relationship.”

The Millers went a goal down on Tuesday night, however, to the surprise of everyone, before hitting back with five of their own.

“You could see we got to them,” Evans said. “They were silent. I know the New York Stadium when it is quiet and I have had some poor performance there for 20 minutes. Paul (Warne, the current manager) was trying to get his team going when we were in command and then we gave away a shambles of a goal and then they score from a deflection and it is a different conversation.”

More on the Gills;

• Evans: ‘I have never known anything like it’

• Gills boss out of options as Rotherham hit five

Rotherham dominated the second half and ended up winning 5-1.

Evans also had a word to say about the 150-odd fans cheering his current side on.

“I thought the Gillingham fans were brilliant,” he said. “That first half hour they were watching a brilliant performance and they must have been really pleased.

“I am sure those with Gills blood will feel sorry for us and say ‘look what they have got’.

“They travel around the country and we are not giving them what they deserve.”