Stevenage manager Steve Evans has re-opened old wounds from last season by claiming Northampton Town should have been promoted from League Two, not Bristol Rovers, criticising Scunthorpe United’s team selection on that historic day at the Mem.
Rovers secured the final automatic promotion in League Two last season by virtue of goals scored having beaten already-relegated Scunthorpe 7-0 to finish level on points and goal difference, while the Cobblers missed out despite their 3-1 win at Barrow.
Northampton raised concerns with the EFL and FA that the integrity if the league may have been compromised as then-Scunthorpe boss Keith Hill selected a starting XI with an average of 20, including a 17-year-old goalkeeper, with two veterans remaining on the bench; albeit a similar side to the one fielded in their previous league fixture.
No rules were broken as Miller had adhered to EFL guidelines that, from the fourth Thursday in March, his teamsheet contained at least 10 outfield players from the previous matchday squad, while the EFL and FA found no evidence of any wrongdoing.
There still remains frustration within Sixfields over that day, and Rovers fans have gleefully revelled in the Cobblers fate on social media, but Northampton have recovered to mount another promotion drive and lie third in the standings ahead of this Saturday’s clash with leaders Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.
“Northampton are an outstanding side," Evans said. "Should they have got more success last season? I think Jon [Brady] will tell you yes.”
"Listen, they should be in League One,” added Evans, as reported by the Northampton Chronicle. “You know that, I know that and the EFL know that. Everyone knows that apart from Bristol Rovers fans.
"What happened to them on the last day of the season, with the weakness of the Scunthorpe team, has got no place in football. But it happened."
Evans is already something of a pantomime villain among Gasheads through the many contests between side's he's managed in League One and League Two, including Gillingham, Peterborough United and Rotherham, and his colourful and abrasive behaviour on the touchline.
Following a 1-1 draw between the Gas and Gillingham at the Mem in September 2019, Evans said : "It's not very often you hear Bristol Rovers quiet, especially as the shed end (Thatchers End) but they were deadly silent because they, like their team, were waiting to get beat.
"You have to respect the manager, the opponents and you certainly have to respect the Bristol Rovers fans - they've given me plenty of stick over the years but they give brilliant backing to their team.
"This is the quietest I've heard them. Some of my staff said that. I think they just went silent because they probably didn't think we could play like that."
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