The lanky centre-half, part of the all-conquering Doncaster Rovers' side who were catapulted into the national spotlight after slaying two Premiership big guns and almost a third in a thrilling 2003/04 run to the quarter-finals, enjoyed another shock slaying on Tuesday night.

Fenton played his full part in United's stunning victory over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday – the team they love to hate – albeit on penalties after the game ended 2-2.

And as a way of ingratiating yourself with your new club's supporters – 3,000 of whom were in the Leppings Lane end – surely Tuesday couldn't have got much better for the 28-year-old, as the Carling Cup renewed acquaintances with him and embraced him warmly.

Fenton – who has joined the Millers as a direct replacement for Graham Coughlan – fondly remembers Rovers' dashing exploits four years ago in sinking Manchester City and Aston Villa with only a successful penalty shoot-out preventing the mighty Arsenal from going the same way.

And the latest Carling Cup champagne moment will also live long in the memory of the defender, who United have signed from League One rivals Grimsby on a two-year-deal.

Fenton said: "It was a fantastic night and something I'll always remember.

"It was a local derby and it was a real good one for the fans and for me to make my debut in.

"It was the one the fans want to win above all else and I think we were worth well the victory. We stuck at it, we obviously went down to ten men and conceded, but still had a bit left to go and got the equaliser.

"It's nice beating a team from a higher division. I remember at Doncaster, we had a three in a row against teams in the Premiership and only narrowly lost to Arsenal, when we were unlucky and there were great nights, as was this one."

Fenton is ready to fill the considerable shoes of Coughlan in the heart of the Millers' rearguard after being forced out by former club Grimsby.

The stopper was a pivotal part of the Mariners' line-up last season – no player featured more times – and freely admits he was stunned when manager Alan Buckley dropped a close-season bombshell by deciding to transfer-list him.

Especially since he had only spoken to Fenton – who had a year left on his Blundell Park deal – about a new contract at the end of last term.

On leaving Cleethorpes, Fenton – who featured 95 times for the Mariners after being signed by ex-boss Graham Rodger from Doncaster in August 2006 – said: "It was a bit of a surprise, yes. I'd played 54 games last year and started 52 of them. More games than anyone else basically!

"I was a mainstay there. One week, I was talking with the gaffer about a new contract there and the next week, I was pulled in and he said he wanted to shake things up a bit and put me on the transfer list.

"These things happen in football sometimes – although it's never happened to me before. I have seen it happen to other players, but you've just got to get on with it.

"As soon as Rotherham were interested – I had other offers – I was always keen to come here.

"I'd talked to Mark (Robins) a few times about a few things, but nothing concrete happened. There was obviously the Coughlan situation as well and when things changed, Mark got back in touch with me saying he'd like to do something, so that was good news for me.

"Coughlan had lots of experience and has played in the Championship and is a good player. Mark's obviously brought me in to replace him, and I've got to live up to that.

"It's a positive move. It also means I can still live in Newark and the training ground is half an hour and Don Valley Stadium is just under an hour, so it's a good one for me.

"I obviously know Andy Warrington and there's Andy Todd, who I know through doing coaching badges.

"I've also played against the majority of the lads over the past ten years such as Marc Joseph. The great thing in football is you may not know players personally, but soon get to know them."

Fenton, part of the Doncaster side who won the League Two title in 2004, now finds himself fighting fires the foot of the table, courtesy of the Millers' 17-point penalty, with Luton, Bournemouth and United having it all to do to pull themselves out from the mire.

Despite the handicap, positive noises from the Millers suggest they are aiming a lot higher than just safety, with chairman Tony Stewart not ruling out a shock play-off tilt.

But any mention of that is off the menu – for the time being.
Fenton said: "At the minute, we're not talking about that.

"We just need to get those points wiped off as quickly as possible and see where we are then and go from there.

"If the play-offs are an option, we'll go for it. If not, we want to finish as high in the table as we can."

"It's early doors, but in all honesty, I've really been impressed by the squad.

"It's one of the main reasons I came here, I saw the signings the manager brought in during the summer and saw how strong the squad was anyway."

Ends