Oxford United break new ground tomorrow when they play at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield for the first time.

For their players, and supporters, it will be very much like their visit to the International Athletics Stadium in Gateshead last year.

Don Valley is predominantly an athletics arena, with the running track around, and as a consequence little atmosphere.

Rotherham moved there last year after they were involved in a fall-out with the owners of the ground at Millmoor.

They are hoping to be able to move into a purpose-built new 12,000-seater £20m stadium in the next couple of years.

The Millers will know on November 25 whether their outline application for planning permission is approved.

If everything goes to plan, they hope to move into the new ground for the start of the 2012-13 season.

Don Valley is also used by Sheffield Eagles Rugby League team and has staged many big events, like the 1991 World Student Games, and major pop concerts, hosting acts such as Celine Dion, the Spice Girls, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson ndTina Turner.

After a U2 concert there in the summer of 2009 that the pitch was left in a terrible state.

The pitch is good this season but Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore says it does not give them any home advantage having to play at Don Valley.

The average gate in the 25,000-seater arena is 3,700 with three sides empty.

All the spectators are down one side, in a 10-000-seater main grandstand, with the away fans – and Oxford’s tomorrow – tucked away in one corner.