DRFC v Shrewsbury Town Matchday Magazine

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE / SEASON 2017/18 / ISSUE 6 / £3

DONCASTER ROVERS v SHREWSBURY TOWN Sky Bet League One Tuesday September 26, 2017 7.45pm kick-off

BEN WHITEMAN UNITED FRONT

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Main club sponsor Virgin Trains Associate club sponsor Stoneacre Motor Group Technical kit supplier FBT Europe Chairman David Blunt Major shareholders Terry Bramall, David Blunt Directors Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Andy Watson, Gavin Baldwin Club director Stuart Highfield Chief executive Gavin Baldwin Commercial director Jim Lord FOOTBALL STAFF Manager Darren Ferguson Assistant manager Gavin Strachan Goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard Fitness coach Ben Rome Physiotherapist Alex Dalton Club doctor Dr Tim Douglas CLUB STAFF Head of administration & football operations Mary Lally Head of stadium & operations Marie Hepburn Head groundsman Jim Davison Director of finance Richard Poole Head of commercial affairs Andrew Whitham Lottery manager Ken Porter Ticket manager Tracy Bawden Head of marketing & communications Shaun Lockwood Media manager Luke Thornhill Marketing manager Mark Hughesman Supporter liaison officers Craig Gleadhall Dean Medcalf, Shelia Lynch CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION Chair of trustees Linda Tully Trustees Gavin Baldwin, Nigel Brewster, Natalie Shaw, Allan Stewart, Rupert Suckling, John Wallbank Executive director Jim Lord Head of FoundationJohn Davis NCS programme manager Jan Budtz CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE Principal Adi Turnpenny Deputy principals Joe Burton, Ben Thompson PROGRAMME Contributors Clare Bailey, Robbie Andrews, John Coyle, Ryan Daly, Alex Gibbings, Sophie Scargill, Paul Mayfield, Nicola Moran Photography Phil Ryan, AH Pix, Stephen Connor, Dave Hiskey, Heather King, Rex Features, Rob Terrace Design Sandile Somhedlwana, Hannah Moore Print Pinders of Sheffield

CONTENTS 05

DARREN FERGUSON

07

GAVIN BALDWIN

08

BEN WHITEMAN

17 OPPOSITION 29

JUNIOR ROVERS

34 COMMERCIAL 42

SUPPORTERS

Club Doncaster and Doncaster Rovers treats discriminatory anti-social behaviour seriously and wants to ensure the enjoyment of the match for all. If you experience anti-social behaviour close to you, please report it to the nearest steward or police officer. We also offer an anonymous ‘safe text’ service to enable supporters to report their concerns quickly and easily by text message. Please send a text with your location and the location of the offence – e.g. block, row, seat - to 07825012850 with one of the following: FOUL (language & behaviour) SMOKE (smoking in the stadium) RACISM (racist chanting & shouting) STAND (standing up) HPH (homophobic chanting) DRINK (drinking alcohol in view of the pitch) PYRO (use of or intended use of any pyrotechnic or smoke bomb) Each message costs one standard text at your local rate.

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A word from the manager

Darren Ferguson Good evening. I’d like to welcome manager Paul Hurst, as well as the supporters, players and staff of Shrewsbury Town. They have had a great start to the season and we know they will provide a real test for us.

But we come back to the Keepmoat Stadium tonight with plenty of belief after two strong away performances, particularly Saturday’s fantastic 3-0 win at Plymouth Argyle.

Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal was great for everyone connected to the club. The credit must go to the players for the performance. We had to get through a strong start from the Gunners, but stuck at it well and reacted well to their goal. We were very unlucky not to get an equaliser, with Matty Blair and Liam Mandeville both having good chances at the end.

To take 5,000 fans to the game was incredible, especially given it was a midweek tie, you did not stop backing us throughout the 90 minutes and it was really appreciated by everyone – which I think you will have seen when the players and coaching staff came over after the final whistle.

It was a big win, but one I have felt was coming. Again, the players deserve a lot of credit for the performance.

We were strong mentally, as there were a few tired legs out there given the week we’d had. That is the fourth time this season we have scored three goals in a game, and I was pleased to see John Marquis and Alfie May score. In the second half we went up a notch, and the quality of our counter attacking was good.

We were away for four days and all the players and coaching staff gave us everything in that time. We spoke about getting back to the bread and butter of league football, the game at Arsenal was a bonus but the three points on Saturday was more important to us.

The support at Home Park was great as well, I know many of the 241 there following us will have done the best part of 1,000 miles travelling to watch us in four days - it is a fantastic effort, and your backing can really help us push on.

Enjoy the game

We can be proud of our performance at the Emirates Stadium, but Saturday’s trip to Plymouth was more important to us.

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W AT C H A F I L M

K N I R D H AV E A

READ A BOOK S W O C T A M A E R D Y A D OUT THE WINDOW

(Maybe they’re daydreaming back at

you. Deep!)

Thoughts of the chief executive

Gavin Baldwin Good evening and welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for tonight’s visit of Shrewsbury Town. I’d like to welcome the owners, supporters, players and staff of the Shrews and wish them a safe journey home.

I was so proud of the whole club last Wednesday. The team did so well on the pitch, and we can consider ourselves very unlucky not to have equalised and take the tie to extra-time – although, with the trip to Plymouth so soon afterwards, no one wanted the extra half hour.

To take 5,000 fans to London for a midweek game is some achievement, and I am sure there were few sleepy heads the following morning, but I hope everyone who made the journey enjoyed the experience. Even those one the two supporter coaches which hit a bollard on the way out and didn’t get back to South Yorkshire until 4am!

The players can take plenty of positives from the game. It was a real test against some top-class players like Per Mertesacker, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, and the performance was a real confidence boost for the season.

The players, coaching staff and media team all stayed down south ahead of the trip to Plymouth Argyle to ensure preparation was not disrupted ahead of Saturday’s game.

Sports Centre and at Bath University.

It was a commitment from everyone to stay down south for so long, but their commitment to doing the best possible jobs ensured they were all happy to do so.

We were rewarded with a fantastic performance at Plymouth Argyle, a match we could have won by an even greater margin than the three goals we did.

We know a few of the early season results have not matched expectations, but we genuinely believe the performances were largely positive.

There is a unity within the club, from players, backroom staff, employees and owners which we believe sets us up for a positive season as we build towards our goal of delivering Championship football.

We have confirmed this week that this year’s Big Bang will take place on Friday November 3.

The annual event has got bigger and better every year, and our staff are pushing themselves to continue that upwards curve – I hope to see plenty of you at the Keepmoat Stadium that evening to enjoy the event.

Enjoy the game,

The first-team used some first-class facilities at the Bisham Abbey National

07

8

#12

BEN WHITEMAN Ben Whiteman has had a will to win from a young age, after coming through the ranks at Manchester United.

A boyhood dream came true for Whiteman when he signed for the club as a teenager, and he learned the ways in which to behave as a professional footballer.

group is and that is similar to what I was used to at Manchester United, from the management down to the players everyone is together as one and that is massive.”

Whiteman arrived at Rovers in the summer on loan from South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, and has settled in quickly to life at the Keepmoat Stadium.

“I’m a Manchester lad and a Manchester United fan as well, it was a great The close-knit squad opportunity looking back Darren Ferguson has and when I got released assembled is something it was a big blow but I “When we go out there we which has impressed the managed to pick myself do it as a team, even the up,” he says. players who aren’t involved 21-year-old during his short time with the club.

– that creates a mentality “We were taught a lot of doing it for each other” “When we go out there about manners and how we do it as a team, even to conduct ourselves, the players who aren’t it was all about being involved are still there with us and that professional when we were away with creates a mentality of doing it for each the team and looking after ourselves other,” says Whiteman. off the pitch.

“When I first came here one of the first things I realised is how close the

“The manager has different formations and I think he looks at that when he brings

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players in, they have to be comfortable with adapting throughout games.

without that desire and they’re all ruthless,” he says.

“We all work for each other, whether we win, lose or draw we continue to improve as a squad and I think you can see the togetherness we have in the camp.”

“They have all had an impact on my career for different reasons and there is a will to win from all of them.

It was during a loan spell in Sky Bet League Two with Mansfield last season where Rovers first caught Whiteman’s eye, especially after he was involved at the Keepmoat Stadium on the day Rovers won promotion.

“Darren Ferguson is helping me a lot, I’m improving each week and trying to get on the ball a lot more as that is what the manager encourages me to do.”

Following a few disappointing results in the month of September, Rovers find themselves looking to climb the Sky Bet “Steve Evans gave me my first real chance League One table after what was initially in professional football with Mansfield and a strong start to the season.

I can’t that him enough for that, I’d like to Whiteman believes the quality in the think I repaid him with my performances squad is there, it is just a case of being on the pitch,” he says. more clinical when chances come “The manager here had them well drilled their way. last season and that was clear to see, they “Apart from a couple of blips here all knew their roles and were really hard and there, I think the performances to play against. have been there for the most part this season – just without us picking up “They cut through us numerous times as many points as we would have liked,” and even when we had the ball they were he says. pressing us, and that’s shown with the way we want to play this season as well.”

“It’s hard to put it down to one thing in particular, we know we need to be more Having worked under Steve Evans, Chris Wilder and Darren Ferguson over the past ruthless in both penalty areas and be 18 months, Whiteman believes there are a better with our final ball at times. number of similarities which make them “We’ve only been losing games by one successful managers in their own right. goal which shows the defence have been first class. Ian Lawlor, Joe Wright and “The one similarity from the three Andy Butler have all started the season managers I’ve been involved with well so we just need to improve at the recently is that they will do whatever it other end of the pitch.” takes to win, you don’t earn promotions

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Rovers’ performance in their Carabao Cup third round defeat to Arsenal earned them plaudits from both inside and outside of the football club, and Whiteman says that all of the squad can take plenty from the game at the Emirates Stadium.

To continue the interview with the midfielder we asked him a few short fire questions about more quirky topics.

OR

“Playing against Arsenal was an unbelievable experience, the Rovers fans that travelled down were brilliant and we could hear them all game,” he says.

“They are one of the best teams in the country and to limit them to one goal shows how good a team we have, we had enough chances to get something from it.

“We owe the fans a lot for their continued support, it was an unbelievable occasion for everyone involved and hopefully now we can go on a successful run in the league.”

Tonight’s game against Shrewsbury Town represents a chance for Rovers to test themselves against the early tabletoppers, with Paul Hurst’s side beating the likes of Wigan Athletic and Rochdale so far this season.

“The way we are playing we just need a mixture of luck and composure out on the field, Shrewsbury might not have been people’s first pick to be up there but they’re top of the league on merit,” Whiteman adds.

“They’ve picked up some good wins but we know we’ve got the quality in the squad to be able to get a positive result against them.”

OR

OR

OR

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NEWS

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NEWS

Andy Butler was delighted to get off the mark after his first goal of the season set Rovers on their way to a 3-0 win at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

other team will look to come at you and that’s where you can pick teams off, they haven’t changed how they played, but the first goal was massive and the quality of players that played shows the depth of the squad we have.”

The towering defender was sharp to react to a scramble in the box to give Rovers the Butler was pleased with how the team lead, with goals from John Marquis and responded to their midweek Carabao Alfie May securing the three points.

Cup defeat to Arsenal, and he thinks that his team-mates got a lot out of that And after Argyle did the double over experience and that will help them in the Rovers in Sky Bet League Two last latter stages of games. season, Butler was pleased that Rovers finally got one back against the Pilgrims.

“I think from the whole week it’s been fantastic to see the confidence taken from “It’s always nice to pop up for a goal. We Wednesday’s game into this game now wanted to come here and prove we are and take it in to Tuesday,” he added. a big team, we’ve righted a few wrongs after a defeat here last year and then “The belief is there and I believe our one at our place, we wanted to be better than them and we have shown we are the squad is one of the best in the league and now we have to put that onto the pitch.” better team. If you take the lead then the

13

NEWS

James Coppinger was pleased with the fighting spirit which Rovers showed in the narrow defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Theo Walcott got the only goal of the game after 24 minutes, and Coppinger felt Rovers were a clinical finish away from getting something from the match.

“When they scored early it would have been easy to fear the worst but we responded really well to going behind and changed the shape which suited us as we created more chances,” he said.

“We had three or four good opportunities which could have seen us go in all square at the break and then we came out in the second half and played with more confidence and belief.

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“When you come to places like this you need to be clinical in front of goal as the chances are few and far between, they made mistakes but their pace got them out of danger.”

The Rovers captain felt the positives would help translate into good results in Sky Bet League One – something borne out with the showing at Plymouth.

“It was a massive experience, for the younger players it’s the level they aspire to be at so it can act as a huge learning curve for everybody involved,” he added.

“The concentration levels were superb, we were well organised and showed great commitment so we’ll be looking to build on it. We want to turn our positive performances into points.”

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HEAD TO HEAD

COMPLETE RESULT TABLE COMPETITON FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

EFL Trophy GRAND TOTAL

P

W

D

L

F

A

H 9 4 2 3 8 8 A 9 4 1 4 15 15 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 18 8 3 7 23 23 H 4 0 1 3 3 8 A 2 0 1 1 4 5 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 6 0 2 4 7 13 H 1 0 1 0 1 1 A 1 0 1 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 0 2 0 1 1 H 14 4 4 6 12 17 A 12 4 3 5 19 20 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0

26 8 7 11 31 37 17

AWAY TEAM SHREWSBURY TOWN

TOP STOPPER Manchester United loanee Henderson joined Town on a season-long loan in July, and has established himself as number one.

With the United academy since the age of 14, Henderson has gone on to have three loan spells, with Stockport County, Grimsby Town, and now the Shrews.

Henderson has represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-20 levels, and was part of this summer’s England under-20 side that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.

A bright start at Shrewsbury saw him rewarded with an England under-21 call-up for their recent UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.

1

DEAN HENDERSON

MIDFIELD MAESTRO Winger Rodman has spent much of his career in non-league, but has come into his own in the EFL with the Shrews.

Rodman spent the first part of his career travelling around the country in various short spells with no less than 10 clubs, before breaking into the Football League with Newport County in 2015.

After a short spell with Notts County, Rodman linked up with the Shrews in January 2017, and has been a regular in the side ever since.

He has started the season brightly, chipping in with goals and assists as he looks to cement his place in Paul Hurst’s side this term and ensure that the Shrews maintain their strong start to the season.

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ALEX RODMAN

23

DEFENSIVE ROCK A man with a vast amount of Premier League and Football League experience, the central defender was named club captain by Paul Hurst this summer after helping the Shrews avoid relegation.

Sadler began his career with hometown club, Birmingham City before making a move down south to join Watford, where he spent three years at Vicarage Road, which included a six-month loan spell with his current club.

MAT SADLER

5

Spells with Walsall, Crawley Town and Rotherham United followed, before returning to Shrewsbury in 2015, where he has since established himself in the starting XI. He was made club captain and signed a new two-year deal in the summer, after a successful relegation fight last season in Sky Bet League One.

DEADLY STRIKER Forward Stefan Payne returned to Shrewsbury permanently this summer, following a loan spell in Shropshire last season.

STEFAN PAYNE

45

A bright start to his career in non-league saw Payne rewarded with a move to Premier League Fulham in 2009. He did not make an appearance for the Cottagers, and eventually slipped back into nonleague but it was not long before he was scoring again. A profitable couple of years ar Dover and an England C call-up saw Payne make a move to Barnsley in 2016 – with a loan to the Shrews to gain first-team football really helping him. He made the move permanent this summer, where he has already enjoyed a good start to the season, helping the Shrews close to the top of the table in the early stages in Sky Bet League One.

19

JOINT FIVE-A-SIDE GOALKEEPER Ben SMITH Started his career as a trainee with Newcastle United in 2004 before signing for Sean O’Driscoll’s Donaster side two years later. Smith played a number of games in Rovers’ first year at the Keepmoat Stadium, and went on to play 15 times over five seasons in South Yorkshire. The 31-year-old had loan spells at Lincoln City and Morecambe before signing permanently with Shrewsbury Town in 2010. Smith played 36 games at the New Meadow, helping Shrewsbury earn promotion to Sky Bet League One before leaving to join Rochdale in 2012.

DEFENDERS Graeme LEE Lee started his career with Hartlepool United, where he made 225 appearances over eight seasons with the club. His impressive performances at Victoria Park led to him signing for Sheffield Wednesday. He was appointed Owls captain shortly after arriving at Hillsborough and gained a reputation for being a no-nonsense defender. Injury problems saw him lose his place in the side and eventually he made the move across South Yorkshire to join Rovers for a fee of £50,000 in 2006. He was again appointed captain at his third club in succession which indicated his leadership styles from the centre-back position. He

20

scored the winning goal for Rovers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at the Millenium Stadium in an extra-time win over Bristol Rovers in 2007. Lee then made a loan move to Shrewsbury in 2008, playing a handful of games before a move to Bradford where he was again made captain.

Joe MILLS Started his career with Southampton and made 25 appearances during his time at St. Mary’s. He enjoyed loan spells at both Scunthorpe and had and enjoyed a regular run in the Championship during his time at the Keepmoat Stadium. Moves to Reading and Burnley followed which again enabled Mills to establish himself as a regular performer in the second tier of the English pyramid. The left-back then made a loan move to Shrewsbury in 2014 and went on to play 13 games at the New Meadow before a permanent move to Oldham later that year. He now plays in Australia for Perth Glory.

MIDFIELDER Martin Woods

Scottish midfielder Martin Woods started his career with Leeds United before moving to Sunderland in 2005. Woods spent just one season on Wearside before signing for Rotherham United. Woods scored four goals in 36 appearances for the Millers before

moving across South Yorkshire to join Sean O’Driscoll’s Rovers side in the summer of 2007. The 31-year-old went on to play over 100 games during his time at the Keepmoat Stadium, becoming an influential figure as Rovers established themselves as a strong Championship outfit during their five year stay in the second tier. He moved to Shrewsbury on a permanent deal in 2015.

STRIKER Curtis MAIN Started his career with Darlington before a move to Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough in 2011. Main scored six goals in 48 appearances for Boro, which also included a loan spell with Shrewsbury in 2013. He left the Riverside to sign for Doncaster in the summer of 2014. He scored on his debut against Yeovil Town on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, and went on to play close to 50 games before a move to Portsmouth at the start of last season.

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MY WEEK: KIT MAN Ensuring the players have all the kit required for training and matchdays needs a lot of planning. Steve Clarke talks us through his role MONDAY I start at 6.30am. I put out the training kit and boots for the players for when they get in, before helping out in the laundry from 9am or so. Once the players are out changing, I tend to go out with them to pick the footballs up when they go too far and to ensure they have enough kit. After training I ferry the dirty training kit from the first-team changing room back to the laundry. It’s a case of moving backwards and forwards until all the kit is in the washing machines. It can take up to three hours to complete this process, depending on when the players get changed, as some might be doing some work in the gym or with the physio. The youth team have to carry their own kit through.

FRIDAY As well as training, this is a day to pack up the matchday kit. If we are at home on the Saturday I pack up the kit in the morning and in the afternoon take it down to the Keepmoat Stadium so it is all set out for the following day. We put shirts out on the pegs, then wrap the shorts in towels on the benches and lay out the boots. There is also training kit for the warm-ups. I take the water and snacks down, and finish the setup on the Saturday morning before the players get in.

WEDNESDAY This is a day off to recharge the batteries before Thursday and Friday.

11am: Once everything is set up I just monitor the area. There are other club staff around doing their pre-match preparations, and club photographer Phil Ryan often comes into the dressing room to get some photos of the kit.

MATCHDAY 9am: I can be in from this time, as I need to be present in the dressing room when any stadium tours are taking place. If the Club Doncaster Academy TUESDAY have a birthday package they could run This is similar to Monday, but if there is development match at the training ground a tour at 10.30am and I need to have I tend to spend a bit more time helping out everything ready by then. There are Tracy in the laundry. If we have a midweek commercial tours later, and I need to game I have to prepare for that and treat it be present to ensure nothing is inadvertently moved. like any other matchday.

THURSDAY This is the same as the other training days in the week, unless we are away on Saturday somewhere which requires an overnight stay. In that case I’ll pack up all our matchday kit, otherwise that is a job which can wait until Friday.

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If we are away and have stayed overnight in a hotel, then I come down to the ground at this time to set the kit out just as I would for a home game.

12.30pm: Players start arriving from this point, I tend to stay in the tunnel area while they get ready in case I am needed.

1.15pm: The players have a meeting where they discuss tactics for the match. I go back in to the changing room in case they need any extra kit out of the skips such as socks or shorts.

2.50pm: After the warmups I collect the footballs and any kit that has been left and put them back into the skip ready for washing.

3pm: I watch the match from the side of dugout, so I’m well positioned to get anything from the changing rooms if need be – sometimes the players may need a new shirt, for instance, if they get torn or if they get blood on it.

half-time, but tend to leave them to it. If the players change any kit then I pick that up to put in the skips for washing, I also pick up anything left by the substitutes who are doing their warm-up during the break with the fitness coach Ben Rome.

5pm: After the match the players go back in for a debriefing. I give them a few minutes then can start packing the kit up. I take it straight to the training ground so the whites and towels can be washed that evening. If we’re at an away match I get back later, some of the younger players help me shift the skips of kit from the team coach to the kit van and I take it down to Cantley Park.

3.45pm: I am around if the players need anything at

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YOUTH TEAM FIXTURES

Sat Sep 2 Sat Sep 9 Fri Sep 15 Sat Sep 23 Sat Sep 30

Scunthorpe Mansfield Town Scunthorpe Oldham Athletic Chesterfield

Sat Oct 7 Sat Oct 14 Sat Oct 28

Cup group match 3 Hartlepool United Notts County

Sat Nov 4 Sat Nov 11 Sat Nov 18

Cup group match 4 Rotherham United Lincoln City

CENTRAL LEAGUE Tues Sept 5 Bradford City L 1-2 Tues Sept 19 Rotherham L 0-4 Wed Oct 4 Port Vale 2pm Tues Oct 10 Walsall (CL Cup) 2pm Tues Nov 7 Hartlepool 2pm Tues Nov 14 Port Vale (CL Cup) 1pm Tues Dec 12 Walsall 2pm Tues Jan 9 Morecambe 1pm Tues Jan 16 Bradford City 2pm Tues Jan 23 Port Vale 1pm Tues Jan 30 Mansfield Town 1pm Tues Feb 6 Rotherham 2pm Tues Feb 27 York City 1pm Tues Mar 20 Grimsby Town 2pm Tues Mar 27 Walsall 1pm Tues April 10 Morecambe 1pm

Sat Dec 2 Sat Dec 9 Sat Dec 16

Burton Albion Cup area quarter- finals York City

Bold denotes home fixture All Youth Allaince fixtures are 11am kick-off unless stated

Sat Jan 6 Sat Jan 13 Sat Jan 20 Sat Jan 27

Mansfield Town Cup area semi-finals Scunthorpe United Chesterfield

Sat Feb 3 Sat Feb 10 Sat Feb 24

Cup area final Oldham Athletic Notts County

Sat Mar 3 Sat Mar 17 Sat Mar 24

Hartlepool United Lincoln City Rotherham United

Sat Apr 7 Sat Apr 14 Sat Apr 21 Sat Apr 28

York City Burton Albion Grimsby Town Bradford City

YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE Sat Aug 5 Grimsby Town Sat Aug 12 Bradford City Sat Aug 26 Bury (YL Cup)

24

L 0-3 L1-2 L 0-4 L1-2 D 0-0 D3-3 L 0-2

Words from the Academy manager

KIERAN SCARFF Our Academy Programme places a huge emphasis on the development of the person as well as the player. By placing a high level of focus on the development of personal skills and qualities we strongly believe that we will be providing the young people in our programme with a range of transferable skills that will both aid their football development and very importantly support the development of a set of skills that will increase their chances of succeeding in life in general.

We are now providing a wider range of experiences for our younger players.

Our staff will be providing a variety of opportunities throughout the season.

This coming Saturday, for example, sees our players in the under 9-12 age groups participating in a day of activities designed to challenge their problem solving and team skills. All these challenges will take place away from the normal football environment. This change of physical environment is important as we seek The environment we create for the players to provide a range of opportunities that create positive experiences and memories requires them to take responsibility for for our young players. their environment, for their personal organisation and to be involved in Good luck to the gaffer, the staff and supporting community events. players ahead of today’s game.

Our youth team players participate in the NCS programme delivered by our foundation staff and also have life-skills workshops delivered to them by League Football Education and financial advice provided by Barclays.

Paul Stancliffe felt his side deserved to get something out of Saturday’s visit of Oldham Athletic.

A bright start for Rovers saw an effort from forward James Morris go low and saved

by Joe Boyling, but Chinedu Uche’s smart shot after 20 minutes gave the young Latics the lead and a goalmouth scramble just before the break saw the same man find the back of the net via a deflected effort. Rovers’ heads didn’t drop in the second half, with them playing high-tempo attacking football but unable to get on the scoresheet.

Stancliffe said: “That’s what’s frustrating about the defeat – because, once again, they’ve proved what they can do it. They just need to do it for longer spells during the game. We started well, though they played well too and I thought it was a decent game. We lost our way a little bit after their first goal and once it went to 2-0 we were chasing the game, but in the second half they put a good performance in again and it is frustrating because it shows what they can do.”

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TEN YEARS AGO: DONCASTER ROVERS IN SEASON 2007-08. Part 5 On Tuesday October 2 2007 Rovers welcomed Walsall to the Keepmoat Stadium, hoping to build on their home win over Cheltenham Town the previous Saturday. Sean McDaid replacing the injured Gareth Roberts was the only change in the starting line-up.

Rovers dominated the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead after 17 minutes when Matt Mills headed in McDaid’s cross.

Walsall levelled through Danny Fox’s free kick from their first real attack of the game, but Rovers were in front at the break when Lewis Guy scrambled in a free kick from the right after 40 minutes.

Paul Heffernan had picked up a groin strain and James Coppinger took his place for what was to be a controversial second half. Walsall gave a much improved performance and, after 66 minutes, Mark Bradley volleyed in the equaliser. Five minutes later Neil Sullivan appeared to beat Sonko to the ball in the penalty area, but referee Jones awarded a penalty from which Mooney put the visitors ahead.

In the dying minutes Rovers had a chance to level when Adam Lockwood was fouled in the box. With Heffernan, James Hayter and Brian Stock off the field the job of taking the penalty fell to Coppinger but he scuffed his kick wide of the post. That was not the end of the drama, though, because Guy was shown a red card for a remark he made to the referee.

26

Rovers second home defeat of the season dropped them to 16th place in League One and they travelled to Luton Town the following Saturday with a lengthy injury list.

Graeme Lee, Gareth Roberts, Mark McCammon, Martin Woods, Gordon Greer and Heffernan were all in the treatment room, while Guy was suspended. Despite this Rovers dominated the first half and took the lead when Hayter headed in from Coppinger’s pinpoint centre.

Coppinger also hit a post while Hayter’s effort struck the crossbar and Rovers

Heffernan was able to take a place on the bench.

Rovers fielded a back three of Lockwood, Mills and Greer and put on a good display for the cameras.

After 13 minutes Stock played a delightful one-two with Coppinger and rifled a shot from 25 yards past the visiting goalkeeper.

Midway through the half Rovers had a touch of fortune when Mills appeared to foul former Rover Danny Cadamarteri in the box but referee Dowd waved away claims for a penalty.

Rovers lead 1-0 at the break and increased their lead after 65 minutes.

Mark Wilson received the ball from a throw-in and fired home a left-footed drive from the edge of the area. could have been out of sight at the interval. The second half was a different story as Luton took charge. After 57 minutes the veteran striker Paul Furlong headed in from Andrew’s cross and although Rovers rallied late on a draw was probably a fair result.

Rovers did not play again until Sunday October 14, taking on Huddersfield Town at the Keepmoat Stadium in a game selected for live television.

Although Stephen Roberts had joined the injured list, picking up an ankle injury at Luton, Greer was back in action and

From there on, Rovers controlled the game and could have added a third when young substitute Craig Nelthorpe rattled the crossbar in the closing moments.

The win took Rovers above Huddersfield and into 13th place, although still some way behind the early pace-setters in League One, Carlisle United, Nottingham Forest and Leyton Orient.

Rovers’ next League assignments would come against the two last named sides so their credentials as promotion challengers would be properly tested.

John Coyle

27

VISIT THE SHOP TODAY OR ONLINE. NOW STOCKING A RANGE OF SEASONAL CLOTHING INCLUDING COATS, FLEECES AND HOODIES. SHOP OPEN MON - SAT 10 AM - 4.25 PM MATCH DAYS 10 AM UNTIL KICK OFF AND 20 MINUTES AFTER THE MATCH. GET IN TOUCH VIA 01302764667 WWW.CLUBDONCASTERSHOP.COM 28

Welcome to our evening game against Shrewsbury Town and thank you to all of you that have travelled up tonight.

I have been sent a photo of Alice Green in her first Rovers kit and we are delighted to have a new supporter! I got a bit wet at our last home game against Scunthorpe, but that did not stop Bessacarr U7’s take penalties against me!

I enjoyed seeing my friend Gunnersaurus at Arsenal on Wednesday night – I was so proud of the players!

Donny DOg

Alice in her first kit!

Me facing penalties!

29

30

31

Today’s Mascot

Happy Birthday Fynn Aimson Mason Allott Millie Barrett Justin Bennett Evan Davies Henry Dibb Samuel Duffy James Duggleby Amy Gamble Samuel Gibson Robert Grace Holly Granger Max Hamilton Grace Hart Alicia Hodgson Jasmine James Aaron Joyce Owen Kenyon Jimmy Kirk James Leggott

Harley McCormack Guy Morley Mason Morley Dexter Morton Sam Newitt Ben Parfitt Abbie Parker Phoebe-Rose Power Thomas Ramm Noah Riley Lacey Smart Alex Stokes Samuel Straughan-Brown Ben Taylor Andrew Thompson Ethan Thorpe Lewis Vickerage Lilly Ward Ben White Ben Wilkinson

EVA DOUGLAS

Age: 9 Hobbies: football Favourite players: Alfie May & James Coppinger

Donny’s Score Prediction

1-0

Erik’s Score Prediction Lost your friends or family? If you become separated just find your nearest steward – they are the people wearing the bright orange jacket – and they will help you find them!

32

2-1

BIRTHDAYS

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY SPENCER

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JACK

LOTS OF LOVE

LOVE FROM

MUM, DAVE, KATIE AND ALL YOUR FAMILY X

MUM, DAD, JAMES AND ALL THE FAMILY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABBA JOANNE GRANAGHAN

LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BA CK. PAUL X

33

OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF DONCASTER ROVERS Platinum+ Partners

Platinum Partners

partners Gold Partners

Silver Partners

HSR Law Solicitors

Eric Twigg Foods

The Horse Bit Shop

John Mee Construction

8Point8

Bronze Partners Moirae Creative Agency Signum Facilities Management CopyPrint Bawtry Home Cinema

Doncaster Cables Fast Fit Car + Commercial Andrew Isaacs Solicitors Atherton Godfrey Solicitors

John Hill Associate Keid Consulting YESSS Electrical Bidfood CAST

Dickies Workwear Frenchgate Fleet Direct Taskmaster Jenkinson Electrical

COMMERCIAL Today will be a tough game against Paul Hurst and his team who have travelled from Shropshire having not lost a game in the league yet this season, but results have proved that any team can beat any team on the day.

Today’s match sponsor is Speedclad Ltd, a leading specialist façade contractor providing innovative and cost effective total façade solutions.

The company, who have a Doncaster office, have a proven track record of delivering large-scale cladding and curtain walling projects, while improving on initial programme and cost objectives.

Speedclad work in close collaboration with clients and supply chain to address technical and commercial challenges, and reach practical solutions that demonstrate the very best of contemporary and cutting edge construction methods and products.

Match sponsors HSR Law chose Matty Blair as their Man of the Match at the Scunthorpe game

The matchball sponsor is PD Fabrications, who join us to celebrate the birthday of Joanne Granaghan, wife of the company’s director Paul.

We hope Joanne will have a great time with us today, cheering on the team she has supported all her life.

As matchball sponsor, they will be treated to a glass of fizz on arrival, in addition to a tour of the ground, three course meal and chance to meet our Man of the Match after the game.

We would like to offer both sponsors our thanks for their support of the day – fingers crossed we can give them a win to make it extra special.

To find out more about any of our hospitality or sponsorship packages, please call 01302 764665 or email commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk to speak to a member of the team.

Young James Blackburn presented club captain Andy Butler with his Champagne after being voted Legends’ Club Man of the Match v Scunthorpe

35

PLAYER SPONSORS

IAN LAWLOR

CRAIG ALCOCK

GOALKEEPER

DANNY ANDREW

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

PETER AND NICK VUCKOVIC

Home

Home

In Memory of Tim Holl

01

Away

02

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Jackie Farrell

05

Home

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

06

Away

DRFC Supporters Club - North Branch

JOHN MARQUIS STRIKER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

Away

08

11

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Away

Sponsored by

Home

12

LIAM MANDEVILLE STRIKER

MARKO MAROSI GOALKEEPER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Dr Erskine

Irene Holt

Away

14

Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management

Away

JOE WRIGHT

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sam Parry

MIDFIELDER

Home

Retford Supporters Club

Away

BEN WHITEMAN

Tiberius Batchelor and Rossington Hall

Home

Away

09

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

South Kirkby Post Office

The Farrell Family

STRIKER

MIDFIELDER

Away

Away

Michael King

ANDY WILLIAMS

TOMMY ROWE

13

Sponsored by

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

236

DEFENDER

NIALL MASON

RODNEY KONGOLO

10

Away

Away ANDREW BUTLER

Sewa Singh

April Thomas

07

03

Away

DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

Away

Retford Supporters Club

MATHIEU BAUDRY

LUKE McCULLOUGH

04

Home

South Kirkby Post Office

15

Away

MATTY BLAIR

JORDAN HOUGHTON

HARRY TOFFOLO

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Kent Blues

Home

Home

16

17

Away

STRIKER

Sponsored by Johnson Environmental Consultants

Home

Home

Richard Royston

20

ALFIE BEESTIN

Home

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Away

21

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Daniel Calow

The Wheatsheaf, Cirencester

Home

22

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Away

23

ISSAM BEN KHEMIS MIDFIELDER

Home

Home

Away

Away

South Kirby Post Office

Max Pearson

26

REECE FIELDING

Goodnight Sleeptight Beds

TYLER WALKER

DEFENDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

Keith McGlone

27

Away

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

Sponsored by

In Memory of Carl AKA Choco

JAMES COPPINGER

ALEX KIWOMYA

MIDFIELDER

Away

WILL LONGBOTTOM

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Jackie Farrell

18

DEFENDER

STRIKER

19

Away

Home

TYLER GARRATT

ALFIE MAY

Away

In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan

Away

LOUIS JONES GOALKEEPER

Sponsored by

Pegler Yorkshire

29

Away

DARREN FERGUSON MANAGER

32

Away

DONNY DOG MASCOT

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Away

Away

Stadium Stars Day Nursery

Home

33

Away

337

The perfect delivery, right to your feet Same day delivery and you choose the hour.

We’ll deliver whenever you need it, wherever you need it.

Some heavier products have a 7 working day lead time. We’ll always contact you by text or phone to confirm your delivery day. See website for full details.

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SUPPORTERS

Young Rovers fan Connor Pollard had an evening to remember when he was Rovers’ mascot at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Connor was picked at random from Rovers season ticket holders aged from 7-12 who had purchased a ticket for the game, and was treated to a VIP experience as he got to meet his heroes as well as witness the match from behind the scenes.

His dad Mark said: “Words can not describe what that ‘money cant buy’ experience felt like for both of us. I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible and put on a day neither of us will forget.

“We were treated like royalty from Arsenal, received a warm welcome from DRFC players and coaching staff and then there was the opportunity to meet the odd legend like Thierry Henry.”

40

The EFL logo is the UK registered trade mark of The Football League Limited trading as the EFL/ English Football League. Also contains EFL copyright material. All rights reserved. The Carabao name and logo are registered trade marks of Carabao Tawandang Co Ltd. All rights reserved.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

42

The latest from the

Communications team

Drawing Arsenal away in the Carabao Cup ensured more interest in us from a media perspective than any other match so far this season – The Times and The Guardian sent reporters to do profiles on Darren Ferguson, which were published in the papers on the day of the match itself.

Sky Sports News also sent their reporter Tim Thornton to interview the gaffer and James Coppinger, while the tournament sponsors arranged for the trophy itself to be sent to Doncaster two days before the match. We used it in press interviews with Andy Butler, allowed our new students from Club Doncaster Sports College to get their pictures with the silverware then took it to the Frenchgate

shopping centre where our partners at First South Yorkshire opened up their new information point for us to use as a base. A number of fans came down to have their photo with the trophy.

The match itself was a special occasion for supporters, and we wanted to do something a little different to mark the occasion – you can now see a short behind-thescenes video of the day giving a little insight into what the players and coaching staff experienced.

You can view the video on our official website or our YouTube channel now.

Luke Thornhill Club Doncaster media manager

43

SUPPORTERS Official Supporters Club A good evening, and a big welcome to the Keepmoat, for our league one encounter with top of the table Shrewsbury Town, We hope their fans have had an incident free journey from Shropshire. The Shrews are having a brilliant start to the season, they were one of the bookies’ favourites to get relegated but good luck to them for defying the odds.

Now the Arsenal game out of the way, I hope everyone had a great day out. These days don’t come often enough for us.

A big thank you to all who sold the bus tickets and sorted out the bus permits, and a big thank you to the staff in the ticket office, who printed all the bus tickets for us. Thank you to all the supporters who travelled for their understanding in making everything easier at the Keepmoat Stadium. We did have two coaches hit a bollard on the way back, and did leave one fan behind, but thankfully he got back on the youth team’s coach!

The next away game is at Bradford City on Saturday, bus fares and times are listed in the programme for the season. I hope those who travelled to Plymouth have caught up their sleep and those who took advantage of the mini weekend break enjoyed themselves, and any fans who took the flight down to the game.

Our North branch also run coaches to most away games from Carcroft, Adwick, and points along the A19 – it makes it

44

much easier to travel if you live that way on. Call 07780316923 for more information.

A big thank you to Gavin Baldwin, Darren Ferguson and Matty Blair for attending the Retford Branch AGM on the 14th , a good night was had by all. Thanks to Brian and Kris Thompson for putting on the buffet. We also run coaches for certain games from the Sprotborough are, and travel club have pick up’s in the Hatfield area Don’t forget we do run a bus to all home games from Retford, stopping at Harworth, Rossington and along the main route down Bawtry Road so put your hand up to stop us.

Our thoughts go out to the family of life long fan Ken Magson who passed away a week last Friday, and to anyone else who have lost a loved one.

You can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches or at the Supporters Club shop which is situated in the Club Doncaster Acade,y, you can also book on the coaches or call Paul on 07961727769, or you can download a form at doncasterrovers-supportersclub.com If you need any old programmes from any Rovers games, the Supporters club shop has a vast variety stretching over the past 40 years. Plus books and other football memorabilia.

Rovers till we die Paul Mayfield

Viking Supporters Co-Operative Football is the national game, and football supporters are the lifeblood of the game.

While many privately owned football clubs are well run, ours included, there are numerous examples over the years where this model of ownership has failed the supporters of that club, and has led to a number of clubs becoming either partly or fully owned by those supporters.

Recently the Minister Of Sport set up the Expert Working Group with the intention of looking at ways to improve engagement and dialogue between clubs and fans, and therefore to improve transparency and trust.

discuss a very broad range of topics. It is early days for this new Board, but so far the signs are very encouraging in that nothing has been held back and the trust between club and supporters is evident.

As the meetings progress we hope to be able to announce the progress that has been made.

Suffice to say that DRFC have not only met the new requirements but have exceeded them in both frequency and content, and that is something we can once again be proud of.

IRWT Martin O’Hara

The detailed recommendations from the EWG led to the government instructing the Football League and the Premier League to enter into structured dialogue with those supporters, and especially with the supporters trust at that club.

The EFL issued a new league rule informing clubs of the minimum requirement for meeting with supporters and the kind of topics that should be included. That new rule came into force for the 2016/17 season.

As you may be aware the club hold two Meet The Owners events each year which meet the criteria set down by the EFL. On top of that the club have initiated a Supporters Board which meets on a monthly basis during the season to

45

AWAY TRAVEL

Rovers return to the Northern Commercials Stadium to take on Bradford City on Saturday.

Ground: Northern Commercials Stadium Capacity: 25,136 (all seated) Phone: 0871 978 1911 Postcode: BD8 7DY Travelling by car: Leave the M62 and then join the M606. Come off at Junction 3 and take the A6177 exit for Ring Road (East). From here the stadium is well signposted. At the roundabout, take the third exit on to Rooley Lane/A6177, before turning off for the A641. Continue on A6177, before taking the exit for A641 Manchester Road. At the next roundabout, take the first exit for A6181 Prince’s Way, and then turn left on to A650 Manningham Lane. Go right onto Cornwall Road before turning left onto Cornwall Place. Follow the road round and South Parade is on your left.

Travelling by train: The most convenient station to access the ground is Bradford Forster Square, which is just under a mile away from the stadium. There is also

46

a bus that runs from stop N3 towards Cheapside, a short walk to the ground.

Rovers head to South London to face Charlton Athletic in Sky Bet League One on Saturday October 14.

Ground: The Valley Capacity: 27,111 (all seated) Phone: 0208 333 4000 Postcode: SE7 8BL Travelling by car: Merge on to North Circular Road, and take the A12 slip road towards central London, before taking the fifth exit at Redbridge Roundabout.

Continue towards the Blackwall Tunnel, and then exit towards A206 Woolwich and continue towards A1020 Horn Lane. Turn left on to A206 Woolwich Road, taking a left on to Charlton Church Lane, and then left again on to Floyd Road. Continue on to Harvey Gardens and the ground is on the right.

Travelling by train: The nearest train station to The Valley is Charlton, which is just over a quarter of a mile walk from the ground.

DATE

OPPONENT

RET

HAW

4.35PM

4.45PM

BAWTRY

ROSS 4.45PM

4.50PM

MILL/C

DRI 5.00PM

5.05PM

WATER/D

KEEP 5.15PM

8.45AM

8.45AM

8.50AM

9.00AM 9.05AM

9.15AM

£15.00 £22.00

CON

Wigan Athletic

Oxford United

Bristol Rovers

21/11/17

09/12/17

23/12/17

4.30PM

3.35PM 3.45PM

8.15AM

28/04/18

MK Dons

£23.00

Gillingham

9.05AM 9.15 AM

14/04/18

8.50AM 9.00 AM

8.40 AM 8.50 AM 8.55AM

9.00 AM

1.00PM

6.00PM

Home Bus Sat

Home Bus Night

6.20PM

1.20PM -

6.30PM

1.30PM

6.35PM

1.35PM

-

-

-

-

Oldham Athletic 11.15 AM 11.20AM 11.30AM 11.30AM 11.35AM 11.45AM 11.50AM

6.45PM

1.45PM

NOON

10.00 AM 10.05 AM 10.15 AM 10.15 AM 10.20 AM 10.30 AM 10.35AM 10.45 AM

8.15 AM 8.25 AM 8.35 AM 8.35 AM

£15.00

£15.00

£22.00

9.45 AM 9:50 AM 10.00AM 10.00 AM 10.05 AM 10.15 AM 10.25AM 10.30 AM £15.00

8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM

07/04/18

£18.00

£26.00

Blackpool

4.15 PM

30/03/18

4.05PM

7.50 AM 8.00 AM 8.05AM

3.45 PM 3.50PM 4.00PM

Southend United

3.30PM 3.35 PM 3.45 PM

7.30 AM 7.35 AM 7.45 AM 7.45 AM

9.45 AM 9.50 AM 10.10 AM 10.10AM 10.15AM 10.20 AM 10.25AM 10.30 AM £16.00

12.50PM 13.00 PM £11.00

£15.00

Rotherham United 12.15 PM 12.25PM 12.35PM 12.35 PM 12.40 PM 12.45PM 12.50PM 13.00 PM £11.00

Walsall

13/02/18

£16.00 £20.00

9.15 AM £23.00

9.45 AM

3.50PM 4.00 PM 9.35AM

10/03/18

Portsmouth

03/02/18

£15.00

24/02/18

Scunthorpe Utd

Shrewsbury Town

06/01/18

20/01/18

£13.00

9.50 AM 10.00 AM 10.05AM 10.15AM £16.00

9.05 AM 9.15 AM 9.15 AM 9.20 AM 9.30 AM

3.20 PM 3.30 PM 3.30 PM

NOON

£29.00

9.15 AM £22.00

11.20AM 11.30AM

9.05AM

8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM 8.50 AM 9.00 AM 9.05AM

9.00AM

3.15PM

9.30 AM 9.35 AM 9.45 AM 9.45 AM

10.45 AM 11.05AM 11.00AM 11.00AM 11.10AM 11.15AM

8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM 8.50 AM 9.00 AM

11.15 AM 11.30 AM 11.20 AM 11.30 AM 11.35 AM 1 1.45 AM 11.50AM

7.15 AM

4.35PM 4.45 PM

12.15 PM 12.25PM 12.35PM 12.35 PM 12.40 PM 12.45PM

Fleetwood Town

18/11/17

4.20PM

10.45 AM 10.50AM 11.00AM 11.00AM 11.10AM 11.15AM 11.20AM 11.30AM

Bury

28/10/17

4.15 PM

6.30AM 6.40 AM 6.45 AM 6.45 AM 6.55 AM 7.00 AM 7.05AM

4.00PM 4.05 PM 4.15 PM

01/01/18 Peterborough Utd

Bradford City

Charlton Athletic

30/09/17

14/10/17

Rochdale

Plymouth Argyle

12/09/17

23/09/17

£18.00

ADULT

£20.00 £17.00

£17.00

£24.00

£17.00

£25.00

£12.00

£20.00

£28.00

£18.00

£12.00

£17.00

£25.00

£22.00

£18.00

£18.00

£17.00

£24.00

£15.00

£31.00

£14.00 £17.00

£14.00

£20.00

£14.00

£21.00

£10.00

£16.00

£24.00

£15.00

£10.00

£14.00

£21.00

£18.00

£15.00

£15.00

£14.00

£20.00

£12.00

£27.00

£14.00

£18.00

£24.00

£16.00

£16.00

£22.00

£16.00

£24.00

£13.00

£18.00

£26.00

£17.00

£13.00

£18.00

£23.00

£20.00

£17.00

£17.00

£16.00

£22.00

£14.00

£29.00

£16.00

£17.00

£22.00

£16.00

£17.00

CON

NON-MEMBERS

£14.00 £17.00

£15.00

£15.00

8.30AM 8.35AM

£16.00

ADULT

£12.00 £15.00

AFC Wimbledon

Blackburn Rovers 10.20 AM 10.25AM 10.30AM 10.30AM 10.40AM 10.45AM 10.50AM 11.00AM

4.30PM

09/09/17 Northampton Town 10.15 AM 10.20AM 10.30AM 10.30AM 10.35AM 10.45AM 10.50AM 11.00AM

26/08/17

12/08/17

08/08/17 Brad City EFL Cup

MEMBERS

SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTURE TIMES

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ACTION REPLAY - PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0 ROVERS 3

48

Full Time

Proud partner of Blue C100 M89 Y0 K0) Red C3 M100 Y70 K12)

OFFICIAL PARTNER

49 *IRI data MAT 26.03.16

ACTION REPLAY - ARSENAL 1 ROVERS 0

50

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CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION

It’s no secret that men across Doncaster have thrived under the Fit Rovers programme, losing an incredible 50 stone between them.

Course facilitator Scott Copeland is proud of each of the participants that filter through the course, especially Darren who has now shrunk his waist circumference by 14cm.

One man in particular that has contributed heavily to that loss is Darren Greaves, who has shed 3st 10lb since the beginning of his journey.

“Darren has achieved results that I’m sure he could have only dream about before attending Fit Rovers. It gives us all great satisfaction to see the transformation he has made and how he used the course to trigger such life changing results,” said Scott.

Darren has maintained the lifestyle changes encouraged by the team at Club Doncaster Foundation and continues to exercise regularly at the follow on group Fit Rovers Vets.

“I could not have done this without Fit Rovers. I was stuck in a bit of rut to be honest, just sat on the sofa each night with very little motivation,” he said.

“The guys at Fit Rovers could not have done more to support me through my journey and it really is down to their motivation and advice that I’m where I am now. I’ve lost three and a half stone and I’m now in the best shape I have been for the past 15 years, it’s incredible.”

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“Darren attended one of our first courses and really personifies everything we wanted from a Fit Rover. He has been a regular at our follow on veterans sessions and plays a pivotal role in organising these while making sure new veterans are seamlessly intergraded into the group.

“As we approach our final course of 2017 this seems the perfect opportunity to not only congratulate Darren but everyone who has joined the course since we started in January.”

For more information, contact our team on fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk / 01302 764663.

New starters at Club Doncaster Sports College had the perfect first day of term last week, posing for a photo with the Carabao Cup inbetween lessons.

The cup was at the Keepmoat Stadium where Doncaster Rovers club captain Andy Butler was giving press an insight into their away draw against Arsenal later in the week.

Students were able to take a selfie with the famous cup before it made its way to the Frenchgate shopping centre, allowing fans from across the region to do the same.

Andy said: “It’s great the Carabao Cup is in Doncaster because then everyone gets to

experience a little bit of the magic and get ready for the tie.

“There’s something special about a cup game and it was fantastic to play Arsenal.

“There really was a buzz in the air throughout the town and it wasa great day out for the fans that travelled down to London to back us.

“It’s not very often you get the chance to play against a club like Arsenal.”

For more information about Club Doncaster Sports College, visit the website at http:// www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/sportscollege/ or contact the team 01302 764663.

K I N D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y F I R S T

CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION PROUD PARTNERS

53

CLUB DONCASTER The Dons end of season awards night will take place in the Legends’ Club at the Keepmoat Stadium on Friday October 6, starting at 7.30pm.

Following consultation with the fans panel, it has been agreed that the ticket prices for this year’s event will be significantly reduced to enable more of our fans to attend.

Tickets are available for only £15 for adults (the cost of a match ticket) and £10 for children.

You will be served chicken and chips and will get chance to say a final goodbye to Feka Paleaaesina, mix with the first team squad and witness the awarding of forward of the year, back of the year, supporters player of the year, players player of the year, man of steel and player of the year.

For more information or to book your space please contact Jackie or Jane at

54

either Jackie.green@clubdoncaster.co.uk or jane.keightley@clubdoncaster.co.uk.

We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible on the evening.

DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES Season tickets for the 2017/18 FA WSL 2 campaign are now on sale.

Adult: £40 (£32 for Spring Series season ticket holders)

Your season ticket gives you access to all nine FA WSL 2 home games in the competition’s inaugural winter season, plus any and all home cup games in both the Women’s FA Cup and the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup.

Concession (ages 16 or under; 65 and over): £10 (£8 for Spring Series season ticket holders)

The Belles are offering an extended early bird scheme on all season tickets purchased by theis Friday, plus a 20 per cent discount for anyone on record as having purchased a season ticket for the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.

Tickets are available online or through the Club Doncaster Box Office on 01302 762576, option 1. Early bird prices are as follows:

Family (2x adults and 2x children aged 16 or under): £85 (£68 for Spring Series season ticket holders) All purchases are subject to a £1.50 service charge.

Belles will open their 2017/18 FA WSL 2 campaign with a trip to London Bees. on September 24.

Their first home game will come on October 1, with Millwall visiting the Keepmoat Stadium.

55

FIXTURES / RESULTS Date

Opp

K/O

Comp

Score Att

Away

Pos

AUGUST Sat 05 Tue 08 Sat 12 Sat 19 Tue 22 Sat 26 Tues 29

Gillingham Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Hull City AFC Wimbledon Grimsby Town

3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7:45PM 3.00PM 7.45PM

EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 CT

0-0 D 2-3 W 1-3 W 3-3 D 2-0 W 2-0 L 1-1 D

7,512 3,175 12,223 7,558 7,139 4,144 862

568 388

13 6 8 12 -

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi Lawlor Marosi

Mason Mason Mason Mason Alcock Mason Alcock

Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Garratt

Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright

Butler Garratt Butler Butler Blair Butler Butler

Blair Garratt Blair Blair Ben Khemis Blair Ben Khemis

SEPTEMBER Sat 02 Peterborough United Sat 09 Northampton Town Tue 12 Rochdale Sun 17 Scunthorpe United Wed 20 Arsenal Sat 23 Plymouth Argyle Tue 26 Shrewsbury Town Sat 30 Bradford City

3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 7:45PM 3:00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

0-0 D 1-0 L 2-1 L 0-1 L 0-1 L 3-0 W

8,877 5,843 2,371 9,227 44,064 8,510

1,696 736

8 16 16 19 17

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor

Mason Garratt Mason Mason Mason Mason

Garratt Butler Garratt Butler Butler Butler

Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright

Butler Toffolo Butler Blair Blair Blair

Blair Blair Ben Khemis Kongolo Houghton Houghton

OCTOBER Tue 03 Sunderland U21 Sat 07 Southend United Sat 14 Charlton Athletic Tue 17 Portsmouth Sat 21 Walsall Sat 28 Bury Tue 31 Scunthorpe United

7.30PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7:30PM

CT EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 CT

NOVEMBER Sat 11 Rotherham United Sat 18 Fleetwood Town Tue 21 Wigan Athletic Sat 25 MK Dons

12.30PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

DECEMBER Sat 09 Oxford United Sat 16 Oldham Athletic Sat 23 Bristol Rovers Tue 26 Northampton Town Fri 29 Rochdale

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45pm

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

JANUARY Mon 01 Peterborough United Sat 06 Scunthorpe United Sat 13 Plymouth Argyle Sat 20 Shrewsbury Town Sat 27 Bristol Rovers

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

FEBRUARY Sat 03 Portsmouth Sat 10 Charlton Athletic Tue 13 Walsall Sat 17 Fleetwood Town Sat 24 Rotherham United

3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

MARCH Sat 03 Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24 Fri 30

Bury Southend United Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

APRIL Mon 02 Sat 07 Sat 14 Sat 21 Sat 28

AFC Wimbledon Gillingham MK Dons Oxford United Oldham Athletic

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

Wigan Athletic

5.30PM

EFL1

MAY Sat 05

256

432 2,179 561 319

4,836 241

1st Sub

2nd Sub

3rd Sub

Whiteman Whiteman1 Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Middleton

Coppinger Kongolo1 Coppinger1 Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Kongolo

Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe1 Rowe Beestin

Mandeville May1 Mandeville Mandeville May1 May Mandeville

Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis1 Marquis Marquis Williams1

Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Lawlor Marosi Ogley

Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Butler Alcock Mason

Garratt Fielding Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Prior

Kongolo Prior Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Mason Ben Khemis Townrow

Beestin Beestin Kongolo Kongolo Beestin Kongolo Fletcher

Longbottom Fletcher May1 May1 Mandeville Mandeville Scattergood

May Longbottom Williams Williams Williams Williams Longbottom

Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman

Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger

Rowe Rowe Houghton Rowe Rowe Rowe

May Mandeville Williams Williams Kongolo May

Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis May Marquis

Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi

Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock

Toffolo Mason Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo

Ben Khemis Coppinger Blair Garratt Garratt Garratt

Houghton Houghton Kongolo Ben Kemis Marquis Kongolo

Mandeville May May May Mandeville Mandeville

Williams Williams Mandeville Mandeville Williams Williams

Since 2000, the Football Foundation has been transforming grassroots facilities across the country thanks to the generous investment provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England.

39,160 The total area of every all-weather pitch the Football Foundation has funded is equivalent to NEW YORK’S CENTRAL PARK!

If every all-weather and natural grass pitch the Football Foundation funded was laid back-to-back, it would stretch from London’s BIG BEN TO CALAIS!

x351 www.footballfoundation.org.uk Charity No: 1079309 Company No: 3876305

If every changing room the Football Foundation ever funded was combined, 39,160 players would be able to change simultaneously!

If every goalpost the Football Foundation funded were stacked on top of each other, it would create a structure equivalent to the height of 351 WEMBLEY STADIUMS!

357

Appearances & Goals As of 24/9/2017

EFL EFL Trophy

Carabao Cup

Career totals 2017/18

Rovers total

App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Gls App Sub Gls

ALCOCK, Craig 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 1 0 54 8 0 ANDREW, Danny 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 BAUDRY, Mathieu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 6 5 BEESTIN, Alfie 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 6 4 1 BEN KHEMIS, Issam 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 BLAIR, Matty 8 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 1 0 58 1 3 BUTLER, Andy 9 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 1 142 1 11 COPPINGER, James 8 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 9 1 1 480 62 61 FIELDING, Reece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 FLETCHER, Jacob 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 GARRATT, Tyler 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 1 0 10 3 0 JONES, Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KIWOMYA, Alex 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KONGOLO, Rodney 2 6 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 6 6 1 6 6 1 LAWLOR, Ian 9 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 30 0 0 LONGBOTTOM, WIll 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 1 MANDEVILLE, Liam 4 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 5 0 21 29 11 MAROSI, Marko 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 33 4 0 MARQUIS, John 9 0 4 0 0 0 2 1 0 11 1 4 59 1 30 MASON, Niall 8 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 10 2 0 51 3 0 MAY, Alfie 2 5 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 5 4 13 12 7 McCULLOUGH, Luke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 6 1 MIDDLETON, Harry 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 45 34 0 OGLEY, Declan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PRIOR, Cody 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ROWE, Tommy 8 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 11 0 1 67 1 17 WALKER, Tyler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WHITEMAN, Ben 9 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 12 0 1 12 0 1 WILLIAMS, Andy 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 3 1 77 21 29 WRIGHT, Joe 9 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 36 4 0

58

DNACARD STACKED WITH HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL DISCOUNTS INCLUDING SAVE UPTO 53% ON ADMISSION

SAVE 10%

SAVE UP TO 10% AT THE OFFICIAL APPLE STORY

SAVE 13%

25% OFF IN THE CROWN HOTEL RESTAURANT

SAVE 10%

SAVE 10% IN CLUB DONCASTER SHOP

FREE FIRSTDAY TRAVEL PASS

SAVE 9% WITH A GIFT CARD

SAVE 10% ON STANDARD BED & BREAKFAST

25% OFF ADVANCED FARES

To register your card and to view your discounts please visit mydnabenefits.co.uk All discounts are subject to change and terms and conditions

REFEREE John BROOKS ASSISTANT REFEREES

MANAGER Darren FERGUSON

MANAGER Paul HURST

DONCASTER ROVERS 01 Ian LAWLOR (GK) 02 Craig ALCOCK 03 Danny ANDREW 04 Luke McCULLOUGH 05 Mathieu BAUDRY 06 Andy BUTLER 07 Rodney KONGOLO 08 Niall MASON 09 John MARQUIS 10 Tommy ROWE 11 Andy WILLIAMS 12 Ben WHITEMAN 13 Marko MAROSI (GK) 14 Liam MANDEVILLE 15 Joe WRIGHT 17 Matty BLAIR 19 Alfie MAY 20 Tyler GARRATT 21 Will LONGBOTTOM 22 Alfie BEESTIN 23 Alex KIWOMYA 24 Harry MIDDLETON 25 Mitchell LUND 26 James COPPINGER 27 Issam BEN KHEMIS 29 Reece FIELDING 30 Jacob FLETCHER 31 Tyler WALKER 32 Cody PRIOR 33 Louis JONES (GK)

SHREWSBURY TOWN 01 Dean HENDERSON (GK) 02 Joe RILEY 04 Ben GODFREY 05 Mat SADLER 06 Omar BECKLES 07 Shaun WHALLEY 08 Abu OGOGO 09 Carlton MORRIS 10 Louis DODDS 11 Arthur GNAHOUA 12 Junior BROWN 13 James BOLTON 14 Lenell JOHN-LEWIS 15 Craig MacGILLIVRAY (GK) 16 Bryn MORRIS 17 Ebou ADAMS 18 Zak JULES 19 Niall ENNIS 20 Jon NOLAN 21 Dan JAMES 22 Aristote NSIALA 23 Alex RODMAN 24 George HUGHES 25 Chris GALLAGHER 26 John McATEE 27 Ryan SEARS 28 Callum ROBERTS 30 Shaun ROWLEY 38 Ryan BARNETT 39 Christos SHELIS 45 Stefan PAYNE

Wayne GRUNNILL Michael DENTON FOURTH OFFICIAL Ricky WOOTTON IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO ENTER THE PITCH OR PERIMETER TRACK. ANYONE DOING SO WILL FACE ARREST AND A BAN FROM WATCHING FOOTBALL ANTI DISCRIMINATION POLICY Doncaster Rovers Football Club is determined to treat with equal consideration all supporters, regardlessof Gender, Race or Ethnic origin, Religious Belief, Age, Sexual Orientation, Disability, or any other unjustifiable reason. The club, in association with its governing bodies (the FA and the Football League) and all footballing authorities, is determined to eradicate racism in football by ensuring that no barriers exist to anyone playing/enjoying the national game, whatever their ethnic background. To this end, Doncaster Rovers Football Club will not tolerate any form of racism amongst spectators. Anyone found to be culpable of displaying any form of racist behaviour will be removed from the stadium immediately.

RESPECT THE LAW Supporters are reminded that the Keepmoat Stadium is a strictly NO SMOKING venue. It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol for anybody under the age of 18. Anybody caught doing so will face ejection from the stavdium and prosecution. Anybody who appears to be under the age of 21 will be asked for ID. We appreciate supporters’ co-operation.

MATCH SPONSOR

Next Up

BRADFORD CITY (A) Sky Bet League One Northern Commercials Stadium Saturday September 30 2017 // kick-off 3pm

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

SUNDERLAND U21 (H) Checkatrade Trophy Keepmoat Stadium Tuesday October 3 2017 // kick-off 7.30pm