"We needed a goalscorer" - Rotherham United regret voiced over Jonson Clarke-Harris, Coventry City call | OneFootball

FLW's Rotherham United fan pundit has given his view on which player the club sold too early.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Six years after departing the club for Coventry City, striker Jonson Clarke-Harris returned to Rotherham United this summer.

Clarke-Harris initially joined Rotherham from Oldham Athletic for a then club-record fee of £350,000 in September 2014, but he struggled to find his feet at the New York Stadium, and he spent time out on loan at MK Dons and Doncaster Rovers in 2015.

The striker did eventually establish himself in the team, but injuries prevented him from producing his best form in a Millers shirt, and he completed a loan move to Coventry in January 2018 before making the deal permanent that summer.

After leaving Rotherham, Clarke-Harris went on to become one of the most prolific strikers in League One. He won the Golden Boot on two occasions during his time at Peterborough United, firstly when he scored 31 league goals in the 2020-21 season and for a second time after he netted 26 times in the 2022-23 campaign.

It seems the Millers recognised their mistake in allowing Clarke-Harris to depart, and he became the club's first signing of the summer when he put pen to paper on a two-year deal in May, and he was subsequently appointed captain by manager Steve Evans.

Rotherham United fan pundit outlines Jonson Clarke-Harris transfer regret

When asked which player he believes the club sold too early, FLW's Rotherham United fan pundit Tom Eyre admitted he was frustrated that the Millers sanctioned Clarke-Harris' departure at a time they desperately needed a prolific goalscorer.

"A couple spring to mind when I talk about players that we sold early," Tom said.

"Jerry Yates is one player I can think of, and he went on to do really good things with Blackpool, who we sold him to.

"But I think the main one, and a lot of fans would agree, is Jonson Clarke-Harris.

"Obviously he's back at the club now, but after we let him go, he was the top scorer for Bristol Rovers.

"Everywhere he went, he scored goals, and he was the League One Golden Boot winner consistently.

"At that time, we needed a goalscorer, obviously Michael Smith and Freddie Ladapo came in and did well, but around the time we needed a goalscorer, we let him go.

"I would have to say I think we let him go early."

In hindsight, it is easy to say that Rotherham should not have allowed Clarke-Harris to depart, but few could have predicted the trajectory his career would take after his exit.

Clarke-Harris scored just 10 goals in 78 games during his first spell at the New York Stadium, so then manager Paul Warne cannot be blamed for letting him go, and his replacement, Michael Smith, proved to be an excellent signing for the Millers.

After Clarke-Harris' outstanding form during his time at Peterborough, it was a coup for Rotherham to land his signature this summer, and while he has not delivered consistently so far this season, he is a huge asset for Evans to have at his disposal.

Clarke-Harris won promotion from League One with Posh in the 2020-21 season, and he will be hoping to repeat that feat with the Millers this term, although it could be difficult after their slow start to the campaign.