Doncaster Rovers v Northampton Town Matchday Magazine

DONCASTER ROVERS v NORTHAMPTON TOWN Sky Bet League One Tuesday 26th December 2017 3.00pm kick off

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE / SEASON 2017/18 / ISSUE 16 / £3

Endeavour Property Care Network PROGRAMME SPONSOR

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, family of Dick Watson 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 Physiotherapist Joe Sharp 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 Honorary ambassador Stuart Highfield 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

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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, Pete Norton, Rex Features, Rob Terrace Design Hannah Moore Print Pinders of Sheffield

CONTENTS 05

DARREN FERGUSON

07

GAVIN BALDWIN

08

MATTY BLAIR

17 OPPOSITION 29

JUNIOR ROVERS

34 COMMERCIAL 42

SUPPORTERS

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CLUB DONCASTER

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.

A word from the manager

Darren Ferguson Good afternoon, and welcome to the Keepmoat Stadium. I would like to welcome Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, as well as the supporters, players, staff and owners of Northampton Town.

Christmas is a special time for all of us, and yesterday I allowed my players a day off to spend with their family. This is something I have always done.

But that is the only day they will not be in, as we look to get through a busy festive period. We will put a lot of focus on to recovery as the players need to get ready for a lot of games in quick succession.

The fixtures over Christmas have been pretty kind to us, with two home games in quick succession now. It is a real opportunity for us to show what we are about, and if we work hard and find a level of consistency then we’re capable of getting some good results.

It is pleasing to see the Boxing Day game dedicated to mental health, through the club’s partnership with the charity CALM. There has been an increase in the awareness of mental health issues in all walks of life, and football is no exception.

This has seen football providing support and information for players across the country about how to look after their own mental wellbeing.

Your backing throughout the season has been fantastic and is really appreciated by the players and coaching staff.

Enjoy the game.

All 72 EFL Clubs have signed up to a new Chairman’s Charter to help put an end to the dangerous use of pyrotechnics.

It is already a criminal offence to enter a football stadium while in possession of a flare, smoke bomb or firework.

Any supporter now found to be in breach of the terms of the Chairman’s Charter will also face a minimum three-season Club ban.

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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

you. Deep!)

(Maybe they’re daydreaming back at

Thoughts of the chief executive

Gavin Baldwin Good afternoon, and welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for this festive fixture against Northampton Town. I’d like to wish everyone a merry Christmas, and welcome the owners, supporters players and staff of the Cobblers who have made the trip north today.

We were all frustrated to have to settle for a point when Oldham Athletic came to the Keepmoat Stadium in our last home game, but the performance was good and the result extended our unbeaten home run to five games.

Today’s game is dedicated to one of our charity partners, the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

They are charity partners of Virgin Trains East Coast, who put them forward to work with us for the 2017/18 campaign The kit worn by the first-team today has been produced to raise awareness of the work they do, and will be auctioned off afterwards to raise funds.

Our communications team have picked up on the theme of mental health and a significant chunk of this programme is dedicated to the topic.

I take great pride in hearing Matty Blair discuss the support he received from colleagues this year. Everyone at the club felt for him when his brother Ross passed away in July. Whether it was his manager Darren Ferguson ensuring he had the required time away from the club,

or a member of the backroom staff just asking how he was, Matty says he felt like the entire club – and this includes the fanbase, who were really supportive – had his back.

We also have an article written by supporter James McMahon.

In a different way, Rovers have played a part in him recovering from his own mental health problems. I would like to thank James for writing for us on what is a really sensitive subject.

CALM also use today’s programme to highlight the story of Leon McKenzie, a footballer who played for today’s visitors Northampton among others.

He suffered from depression while playing, something he hid from teammates and fans. It is another fascinating tale, and serves as another reminder of how outward appearances can be deceiving.

We are all passionate about Doncaster Rovers, which is why we are all here today, but as you read through this programme please take a moment to reflect on the discussions about mental health and, perhaps, start a conversation with a friend, colleague or loved one just to ask how they are.

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#17

MATTY BLAIR Matty Blair’s moment of epiphany came on Saturday October 14. Sat with just his captain James Coppinger in the away changing room at The Valley, the midfielder was physically and emotionally shattered despite only playing the final half hour of the 1-0 loss at Charlton.

played five games. I was gone, I could barely stand up,” he says.

“James Coppinger was there with me when the rest of the lads went out to cool down, and I asked him if he had ever experienced it. He advised me to go and seek help - to speak to someone independently. It really helped.”

It was around two-and-a-half months since Matty’s brother Ross passed away.

Matty knew the death was coming, as is Matty was told to take some time off: all too often the case with forget about football, cancer, and thought he spend some time with the could cope by knuckling family, whatever it took to It felt that everybody down and working hard. recharge his batteries. involved at Rovers and the wider community had His team-mates were “The gaffer gave me a my back in the toughest out on the pitch going week to go away and moment of my life through their cool down, recharge, and without that and Matty realised what I don’t think I would be his manager, family and playing now,” says Matty. team-mates already knew: he was not right.

“I was overthinking everything. My brother passed away on July 29. As a “The gaffer had already figured it out and family we knew it was going to come: we I’d been on the bench a couple of times. I didn’t know when, but we knew it was had played 30 minutes and felt like I had imminent. When he did pass there was

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9

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS a sense of relief, that he was now out of this nightmare. I had tried to go back to my normal way of living, but what I didn’t realise was as he was such a massive part of my life for 28 years that I couldn’t go back to my old way of living because he isn’t there any more. That’s what I was trying to do.

“I remember giving the ball away in training. Now that happens to everyone at some point, but I was going home and couldn’t get it out of my head. I could not let it go. I was cooking dinner and thinking to myself ‘why did you give that away, what are you doing?’.

“And the next day in training, I was going in thinking about when I gave the ball away the previous day. I couldn’t move on.

I was overthinking everything.

“My body wasn’t recovering as much as it needed to. My sleep wasn’t great, which I was putting down to having a six-monthold baby but was more than that. Over the course of a couple of months, without me realising, my body was just taking little bits out of itself. It meant I just wasn’t recovering properly.”

mental health, because we can all be guilty of tunnel vision in our own lives of just getting your head down and not thinking about it,” he says.

“You’re tired? So what, just get on with it.

Feeling a bit rubbish? So what, stop being a wimp. That if you say you’re mentally ill you are weak, which is not true.

“People go to the gym to look after their body physically, but it’s only when you experience something like I have that you understand mental health a bit better. People don’t train their mind. You rarely hear people saying they are doing something to strengthen their mind. I now don’t understand why people don’t.

“My little boy and his generation will be brought up with some kind of mind and mental health training, which is brilliant. If your mind is good, you are then in a better place to do everything else. Hopefully when he is my age he will be in a far greater position and more knowledgable than I ever will be on it, I am now really interested in learning as much about it as I can. It can only benefit myself and people around me.”

Matty spoke to Dr Tom Mitchell, the club’s psychiatrist, before speaking to someone with no connection to football or the club.

This all helped Matty realise what he was feeling was a normal part of the grieving process, and what simple steps he could take to look after his mental health.

Matty’s position as a professional footballer means he has had to deal with the loss of his brother in a public way.

“They understood my position and have opened my eyes to the bigger picture of

“I can’t say it was the most important, but it feels like it was. For the fact that I didn’t

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He reckons the support of colleagues at Rovers, and Club Doncaster in general, has been vital for him.

have any pressure, stress or strain from the work side of my life,” he says.

“Obviously I have the pressures of making sure my family are ok. I’ve just had a little baby boy, I’ve got my wife, I have to support and look after them. Financially I have to keep a roof over their head, food in their tummies and keep them warm.

To continue the interview with the player we asked him a few quickfire questions about more quirky topics.

OR

“But to have your boss, colleagues and the people you work for say whatever you need to do, to get yourself right and stress there was no pressure from their behalf.

“I felt I had thousands of people in the community supporting me. I had people coming up to me randomly asking if I was ok, saying to feel free to call or message them. It gives you a warm sense of pride.

OR

“It helps that you can focus solely on what you need to do, and not about the other things I might have had to worry about if I was in a different job or maybe even a different football club.

“I’ve only experienced it from my side, but it felt that everybody involved at Doncaster Rovers and the wider community had my back in supporting me through the toughest moment of my life.

“I was talking about this with my mum and she agrees, she said: ‘I don’t think you could be in a better place with the people you have around you’.

“I felt I could pick the phone up to 50 people if I needed to. To just have a chat.

And that is special in itself.”

OR

ABC 123 OR

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MENTAL HEALTH & ROVERS Rovers supporter and journalist James McMahon opens up about mental health and why the late, great, Bill Shankly was wrong with his famous quote I don’t think there was a Rovers fan on the planet happier than I was at the moment Rotherham’s Kieffer Moore scored his last minute equaliser early last month.

Not that I’ve defected to the dark side or anything. God, no! It’s just, after the events of a few weeks prior, I was happy to be even around to watch a game of football.

A tweet from this football club’s twitter account helped too, reminding me I mattered, reminding me of all the joy and adventure being a Rovers fan has given me: The Britannia, The Millennium Stadium, Wembley, Griffin Park.

“Some people say football is a matter of life and death,” the late, great Liverpool boss Bill Shankly once said. “I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”

The laughs. The lows. Up a league, down a league, up and up and down and down.

No, sorry Bill. I’m not having that. Life and death, and the often perilous gulf between those things, is much more important than 22 bodies kicking a ball about. And don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

the telly and radio. As Eminem said: “You only get one life, do not miss your chance to blow…”

I’ve always struggled with anxiety and obsessive worries, but I’m what I like to semi-flippantly call a ‘high functioning anxious dude’.

The idea of me spitting rhymes and throwing my arms in the air is utterly preposterous, but I get where the guy is coming from.

I’ve never let it hold me back. I’ve refused to let it stop me from living the life I dreamt of living, ever since I was a nerdy youth making little magazines in my bedroom in Armthorpe, then asking my dad to photocopy them at work during his dinner break.

Only last month, I slipped, and found myself at midnight, give or take a few minutes, in a north London bus station, crying my eyes dry, on the very brink of doing a very stupid thing.

I’m 37 now, and have edited some of the biggest music magazines in the country.

I’ve written for some of the biggest newspapers. I’ve spouted nonsense on

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help piece me back together again and a gutload of strength deep down in my belly I never thought I had. I’m so pleased I found that.

It had finally all become too much. I didn’t want to die, but I certainly didn’t want to be here anymore.

It took friends and loved ones to coax me back from the edge, some doctors to

Colin Douglas bossing the Belle Vue midfield. Sean Thornton’s rocket against Aston Villa. James Coppinger hat-tricks.

Leo Fortune-West headers.

I’ve been watching Rovers for 28 years now. I have a yellow Viking tattooed on a leg until the day I do leave this life, (and a bit longer). I’m Rovers till I die. And I’m not ready to die yet.

I don’t mean to sound trite. Repelling poor mental health takes more than just football fandom.

It takes bravery to ask for help. It takes bravery to talk.

It takes bravery to walk into a doctors and do the aforementioned, and, even before all of those things, it can take every

fibre of your being to get out of bed. But football pulled me through, no question. If you’re a Rovers fan, and you’re struggling – and in an era where Matty Blair can admit to that, a hero to me on the pitch and now off, there’s no shame in any of us doing the same – just remember you’re not alone. Literally, Rovers fans are everywhere.

Approximately one in four people in the UK will struggle with a mental health problem each year. Look around you at the game today, we’re all with you.

I am on the mend now. I’ve been writing for magazines and newspapers again.

I’ve been getting strong and getting well and working stuff out.

And, as a London based exile, I’m looking forward to seeing Rovers three games on the bounce over Christmas. I’m so pleased I’m going to be around for these games.

I hope there are many more to come.

Sometimes when you’re down you need to grab onto the things you love to stop you from being out. In my case that was football. In my case that was my football team Doncaster Rovers.

Sorry Shanks, there’s a quote by Carlo Ancelotti I much prefer to yours. It states “football is the most important of the least important things”. I’m on board with that.

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CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY Lads, ever feel a bit crap? Well, you’re not alone. Everyone does at some point. But the thing is, although it’s really common to feel a bit rubbish, men do not tend to talk about it much.

100th professional goal. He shared the picture online feeling like he was living a lie. Leon asks us to take a closer look at the man behind the front.

He says: “Do you see a man that’s happy Last year, 76 per cent of all suicides in in this picture? Full of confidence? On the UK were male. That is 4,287 men: the top of the world? Actually I was suffering equivalent of an almost full West Stand from depression – feeling sad, lonely of the Keepmoat Stadium. On average and empty inside. I was going through so 12 men take their much off the field but own life every single I never showed fans, day, meaning that the “I wasn’t brave enough media, team-mates or leading cause of death coaching staff the Leon to talk. I put on a smile. for men under 45 in that was suffering. the UK is suicide.

I pretended. A few years “I wasn’t brave enough later, I’d bottled up so That’s why Club to talk. I gave them Doncaster are working much I attempted suicide. the bubbly Leon with CALM, The that put on a smile, Never judge someone Campaign Against I pretended. At this Living Miserably. They purely on what they’re point I didn’t know that are a charity dedicated achieving. For those that I would soon crash and to preventing male fall badly. are suffering, never ignore suicide.

“A few years later, how you truly feel” Every day from I’d bottled up so 5pm until midnight much I attempted they provide a free, confidential and suicide. Never judge someone purely anonymous helpline and webchat for any on what they’re achieving. For those man who needs support. who are suffering, never ignore how you truly feel.”

One of CALM’s ambassadors, and former Northampton player Leon McKenzie So this festive period and start to the new recently shared his story of coping with year, we ask something really simple: are mental health problems at the height of you and the men in your life coping OK? his career.

Do they know they’re not alone and that there is help out there?

It goes to show that however you think the man might be, they could be hiding They should. It sometimes starts with a struggles. The picture you see on the simple conversation. Find out more about advert to the right is of Leon scoring his CALM at thecalmzone.net.

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•REAL MAN

LEON SHARED THIS PHOTO FEELING LIKE HE WAS LIVING A LIE •REAL STORY TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MAN BEHIND THE PICTURE

FREE MEN FROM GENDER EXPECTATIONS #ChangeThePicture www.thecalmzone.net

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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 23 14 4 5 35 27 A 24 5 6 13 19 32 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 47 19 10 18 54 59 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 1 1 0 0 1 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 1 1 0 0 1 0 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 0 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 0 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0

48 20 10 18 55 59 17

AWAY TEAM NORTHAMPTON TOWN

TOP STOPPER

DEFENSIVE ROCK

Stopper Ingram joined the Cobblers on-loan from Queens Park Rangers in August, signing a oneyear loan deal.

Left-back Buchanan is currently in his third season at Sixfields, though he only scored his first goal for the club back in October against Rochdale.

Ingram began his career with hometown club Wycombe Wanderers, and initially spending time away from Adams Park in loan spells with Lewes, Hayes and Yeading United and Oxford City.

Buchanan started out with Bury, making more than 200 appearances for the Shakers, as well as featuring for Northern Ireland’s under-19 and under-21 sides.

He established himself as Wycombe number one in 2013, and the following season saw him claim the award for the top-rated keeper in League Two.

He then spent a season north of the border with Hamilton, before returning to England to join Tranmere Rovers in 2011. Buchanan then signed for Preston North End, spending three seasons at Deepdale, helping them to reach the Championship in his final season with the club. He joined the Cobblers in 2015, helping them ease to the League Two title in his first season.

He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with QPR in January 2016, however his chances at Loftus Road have been limited, and he has gone on to cement his place as the Cobblers’ first-choice keeper.

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MATT INGRAM

DAVID BUCHANAN

3

MIDFIELD MAESTRO

DEADLY STRIKER

The former England youth international signed a shortterm deal with the Cobblers in October following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday.

The striker is currently on a season-long loan, joining the Cobblers from Premier League side Burnley in August.

Long began his career with Everton, coming up through the youth ranks on Merseyside, spending spells away from Goodison Park at MK Dons and Brentford, before leaving for Burnley, having made just one appearance for the Toffees in the Europa League.

McGugan began his career with Nottingham Forest, spending seven years in the first time at the City Ground, and helping Forest to win promotion alongside Rovers to the Championship in 2008.

He then moved to Watford in 2013, before signing for the Owls in 2015 following two loan spells at Hillsborough.

Chances for McGugan with Wednesday were limited, though, and he departed for Sixfields earlier on this season where he has slotted into the side straight away.

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37

LEWIS McGUGAN

CHRIS LONG

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He has spent much of his time away from Turf Moor while with the Clarets, with spells at Fleetwood and Bolton, before joining Northampton this summer.

Long also has international caps, playing with every England youth side from the under-16’s to the under-20’s between 2010 and 2014.

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JOINT FIVE-A-SIDE GOALKEEPER

MIDFIELDER

STRIKERS

Kim BOOK

Byron WEBSTER

Keshi ANDERSON

Most famous for conceding six goals against George Best in the FA Cup in 1970 for Northampton Town. Originally starting his career in Bournemouth in 1967, Book went on to make two appearances for the Cherries but transferred to Northampton . Two years down the line, in 1971, the goalkeeper then moved to Mansfield Town on loan but failed to earn himself a permanent move so later opted to join Rovers in December 1971. He went on to make close to 100 appearances before ending his career in South Yorkshire.

Started his career in 2004 at York City where he spent three years. Webster then had short spells at Harrogate Town, Whitby Town and Banik Most before joining Rovers in 2009 under Sean O’Driscoll in the Championship. He made 12 appearances for O’Driscoll’s team before going out on loan to Hereford United in 2010 then moving on to Northampton Town in 2011 – where he managed to make his mark withineight games to earn him a permanent move from the Keepmoat Stadium to Sixfields in 2011.

He made 13 appearances in his season with the Cobblers before moving on to Yeovil Town then Millwall.

Rovers brought his first taste of men’s professional football, with three goals in nine competitive appearances on loan from Crystal Palace. He spent time with Bolton Wanderers before joining the Cobblers in January 2017, with three strikes in his 14 outings. He is currently on another temporary move from Palace, at League Two side Swindon Town.

DEFENDER Russ WILCOX Began his career in South Yorkshire at Doncaster Rovers between 1980 and 1981. After spells at Cambridge United and Frickley Athletic, Wilcox then moved to the Cobblers in 1986 – making 138 appearances scoring nine times in his four-year spell there. In 1990 he moved on to Hull City where he spent three years of his career in the back line before moving back to Rovers in 1993 where he played 81 games. After this spell he went to Preston before joining Scunthorpe in 1997, where he stayed until 2003 when he retired and took his first steps into coaching working under then Iron manager Brian Laws.

Has held a number of roles in coaching and management, taking the hotseat at Scunththorpe and York City. The 53-yearold is now currently part of Darren Ferguson’s backroom team as head of recruitment having returned to Rovers early last season.

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John MARQUIS The Londoner (left) spent his youth career at Millwall, making 52 appearances for the Lions over seven years but spent most of his time there out on loan at a variety of different clubs. This included two spells at Northampton Ton in 2014 where he made a debut appearance for them on the same day he joined, scoring two in their 2-1 win against Torquay United – one of his former teams. Marquis left an mark on the Cobblers so much so that he was signed by Chris Wilder on loan in their League Two winning season, where his six goals in his short spell helped earn Northampton the title.

The following season he joined Darren Ferguson’s Rovers side where he earned a second consecutive promotion under the Scotsman – netting a remarkable 26 goals in 40 league games which helped him make it into the PFA Team of the Year and finishing joint top scorer with Barnet’s John Akinde.

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MY WEEK: MASCOT Donny Dog lives in his kennel in the Family Stand, he is busy all through the week preparing for matchdays and helping the Club Doncaster Foundation MONDAY I always start the week stopping by the Club Doncaster Enterprise Zone to see Clare on reception, who tells me what is in my diary for the week. She ensures I always know what I am doing!

One of my first jobs in the week is to make sure I know the names of every Junior Rovers member whose birthday is coming up. I write my programme column and help Luke, the media manager, decide which player we will put on the front and on the poster. We picked my friend Matty Blair for the cover today!

TUESDAY I often go out with the Club Doncaster Foundation on schools visits, which are organised by Kelly. I always enjoy spending time with young fans.

THURSDAY I sometimes sneak down to training to get some pictures of the players and put them on my twitter account @donny_dog_drfc!

The players usually spot me - I am a big furry dog after all so I can’t hide behind the goalposts!

FRIDAY I have one last check of any orders from donnysdeli.co.uk before an early night ahead of the match!

MATCHDAY 9am: I am up nice and early because I’m so excited for the game! After some biscuits for breakfast I like to have a

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run around the pitch - don’t tell the grounds staff!

11am: I help the marketing team make sure my kennel in the Family Stand is ready for the fans later that day. We put out some fruit and make sure there are plenty of activities – I sometimes have time for a few minutes of Fifa18 on the Playstations!

1.30pm: I meet my friend Heather, who looks after me on matchdays, and we meet the players as they come in to the stadium.

1.45pm: I come out of the reception at the West Stand. I always pop into the club shop and take a look at where I can spend my pocket money!

2pm: I am in the Family Stand now as a lot of my friends are coming in ready for the game. I like to join in with the activities, or have my photo taken with people.

2.15pm: I take some young fans to the side of the pitch to do some exercise alongside the first-team who are warming up for the game.

2.30pm: Heather and I walk around the pitch to say hello to the away fans and make my way to the West Stand.

2.40pm: Jonathan, our matchday announcer, introduces our mascots to the crowd. I’m always there to make sure they know what to say!

2.50pm: I go down the tunnel now to give the players a last-minute pep talk and high fives!

2.55pm: I come out of the tunnel with the players and the mascots. I like to do some press-ups on the centre circle while the players from each team shake hands - then my friend Phil takes a

photo of me with the officials, both captains, the mascots and the sponsors.

3pm: I watch the match from the SouthEast corner with the groundstaff – they make sure I have a bowl of water and some biscuits!

3.15pm: The winner of our Pukka pies draw is announced on the big screen - I then deliver a big box with 12 (YES, TWELVE!) pies in to the winning seat!

3.45pm: The players go in for a rest, but I don’t need a break! The young fans on matchday experiences take penalties against me on the pitch, then I am out delivering food to young fans in the Family Stand who have ordered through Donny’s Deli.

4.10pm: The Box Office let me know if we have any first-time fans, so I try and surprise them with a little present!

4.45pm: I wave to my friends in the stands after the final whistle before going down the tunnel to see the players. Sometimes we have special events like the Christmas Party or Halloween Party for Junior Rovers members so I go to that. Then I need an early night, as matchdays are busy and tiring!

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Words from the Academy manager

KIERAN SCARFF

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

L 0-3 L1-2 L 0-4

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

Scunthorpe Mansfield Town Scunthorpe Oldham Athletic Chesterfield

L1-2 D 0-0 D3-3 L 0-2 L 1-2

Sat Oct 7 Sat Oct 14 Sat Oct 28

Sat Nov 4 Sat Nov 11 Sat Nov 18

Port Vale Hartlepool Notts County

D 1-1 W 2-1 L 1-4

Hartlepool Rotherham Lincoln City

W 2-1 D 2-2 W 1-0

Sat Dec 2

Burton Albion

W 3-1

Sat Jan 6 Sat Jan 20 Sat Jan 27

Mansfield Town 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

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FA YOUTH CUP Tues Oct 26 Tues Nov 14

Walsall Blackpool

W 4-3 L 0-2

CENTRAL LEAGUE Tues Sept 5 Bradford City L 1-2 Tues Sept 19 Rotherham L 0-4 Tues Oct 10 Walsall (CL Cup) W 4-0 Wed Oct 18 Port Vale L 0-2 Tues Nov 7 Hartlepool W 4-0 Tues Dec 19 Port Vale (CL Cup) L 0-6 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 March 13 Walsall 2pm Tues Mar 20 Grimsby Town 2pm Tues Mar 27 Walsall 1pm Tues April 10 Morecambe 1pm

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

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas Day. Today’s game has been chosen to promote the work of the charity CALM. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK. In 2015, 75 per cent of all UK suicides were male. These are frightening statistics. The excellent work set up and delivered by CALM is having a real impact.

In the past year their volunteers have given nearly 4,000 hours of support and their helpline answered more than 63,000 calls or webchat requests which resulted in the prevention of over 400 suicides.

There has been an increase in the awareness of mental health issues in all walks of life and football is no exception.

This increased awareness has seen football providing support and information for young players across the country.

Through our Academy programme the young players receive support with a range of issues such as social media and psychology.

Players in the youth team have also taken part in workshops delivered by If U Care Share.

This is a charity set up in memory of a young man who committed suicide.

The family of this young man spend time working with thousands of youngsters to get the message out there that it’s ok to not feel ok and to encourage young people to share their problems.

These workshops are very powerful and support the environment we ensure we provide is one that allows our youngsters to feel supported and have people they can talk to within the range of support staff we have.

Good luck to the gaffer, the staff and the players today.

John Schofield felt his side needed to be better without the ball after the Development side were beaten 6-0 by an experienced Port Vale side in the Central League Cup. He said: “They did have a lot of experience in their side, but for our lads that is the level they have to be looking to get to. Defeats can sometimes teach you more of a lesson than when you win, we will take the good things from the first half - when I thought we did very well – and learn from what we didn’t do right after half time.”

25

TEN YEARS AGO: DONCASTER ROVERS IN SEASON 2007-08. Part 12 After their wins over fellow promotion challengers Carlisle and Leeds, Rovers now had to take on the League One leaders, Swansea City, who visited the Keepmoat Stadium on Friday January 25 2008.

both able to take places on the bench but Gordon Greer was still absent and James Hayter would require hernia surgery.

Shaking off any after-effects of their pummelling by Swansea, Rovers dominated this game from start to finish and the only surprise was that it took them 34 minutes to take the lead. Neil Sullivan started the move, playing the ball out to James O’Connor on the right.

Rovers had won at the Liberty Stadium early in the season, but since then Roberto Martinez’s side had taken a grip on the table that they looked unlikely to relinquish. Rovers and their fans were in confident mood, especially after winning at Elland Road for the first time ever and a crowd of 10,358, the season’s best to date, turned out to watch.

The full-back carried it forward and then played a delightful pass to Richie Wellens who converted from 15 yards out.

Rovers lead 1-0 at the break and doubled their advantage after 54 minutes following a corner.

Rovers suffered a blow before kick off when influential midfielder Brian Stock was ruled out with a virus. Martin Woods (right) replaced him, the only change from the win at Leeds.

Rovers showed some early promise but it was the visitors who struck first after 28 minutes. Paul Green fouled Scotland just outside the box and Bodde’s fierce free kick beat Neil Sullivan.

Rovers were further hampered when Adam Lockwood, feeling unwell, was forced off at the interval, the returning Matt Mills replacing him in the three-man defence. Seven minutes into the second half things got even worse as Bodde fed Scotland and his low cross was converted from close range by Bauza. Then, after 58 minutes, Bauza broke clear and Stephen Roberts hauled him down just outside the

26

box, saving a probable goal but earning a red card from referee Carl Boyeson.

The 10 men held out until the 85th minute, when Mills tripped Brandy in the area and Scotland scored from the penalty spot.

Then Brandy rubbed salt into the wounds in the last minute, converting Robinson’s cross to make it 4-0, Rovers’ biggest reverse of the season.

In truth, the game was more a reflection of how good the Swansea team was, the fact that this win put them 11 points clear

at the top of the table a demonstration of their quality. Sean O’Driscoll’s side had a chance to get back on the horse quickly with a home game against Hartlepool United the following Tuesday.

Stock had recovered from his virus but was unavailable due to a suspension for accumulating five yellow cards. Mills replaced the suspended Roberts while Mark Wilson started in place of Woods.

There was mixed news on the injury front with Paul Heffernan and Graeme Lee

Mark McCammon’s initial shot was blocked but the ball ran free to Green who fed Lockwood and the latter lashed the ball home from around 12 yards out.

Rovers continued to dominate and only some last ditch defending by Hartlepool prevented a bigger win.

J. J. Price and Green had efforts cleared off the line in the closing stages. The win emphasised the close nature of the League One promotion race, if you discounted runaway leaders Swansea.

Rovers had been sixth after the weekend’s games, but this result took them up into second place. Automatic promotion was seemingly within their grasp.

John Coyle

27

OFFICIAL CLUB SHOP

I’m on twitter! Find me @Donny_Dog_DRFC

Hello everyone, Welcome to our Boxing Day game against Northampton Town and thank you to everyone for being here today. I hope you have had a fantastic Christmas. I look forward to you all telling me what Santa brought you, I got a new blanket to keep me warm and of course some lovely dog biscuits! Make plenty of noise today!

FBT are pleased to supply today’s special edition kit These limited edition shirts are available to purchase in the club shop from today

Enjoy the game!

Donny DOg SHOP OPEN MON – SAT 10AM – 4.25PM MATCHDAYS 10AM UNTIL KICK OFF AND 20 MINUTES AFTER THE MATCH CALL 01302 764667 OR VISIT WWW.CLUBDONCASTERSHOP.COM 28 2

Look how many ­mascots we had against Southend!

Before we played

Scunny!

29

30

31

Today’s Mascot MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE Donny’s score prediction

2-1 Erik’s score prediction

3-0

Max Ramsden

Age: 6 Hobbies: Playing for Bessacarr Blu es U7s Favourite Player : Alfie May

Happy Birthday Ezekiel ­Barton-Smith Finlay Beresford Rihanna Bunting Bradley Casswell Elliot ­Clayton Cameron ­Coulthard Jayden Dale Harry Dunbar Alex Ellis Alexander Fraser Cameron ­Galbraith Dominic Gent Marshal Higton Daniel Hockley

George Horne Archie Hurd James Hyde Luke Hyde Scarlett Jones Dawid Kardasz Harry Lee Vincent ­McConway-Gee Finlay Munro Evie Newbould Stanley Parkinson Charlotte Paul Thomas Peach Harry Penn Lewis Ronan Charlie Rushby

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!

BET IN-PLAY FASTER WITH SKY BET My friends from Sine FM always play a track from a local band before the game. Today they will play Happy ­Christmas Day by The 48K’s!

training session, flag bearing, half time

penalties and tickets LIVE MATCH IOS APP NOTIFICATIONS the game. If you FASTEST EVER IOS APPto LOADING would like your team IN-PLAY SCORE CENTREto enjoy this VIP

NEW vellam Optatium voluptas dolectia utemporeprat NEW labo. Ga. Luptatur NEW autem quiberum nonsecea que simolut eium dollaceped quatisimi, sequi ventian dicidem.

Fugiatiost, imus reris delit exerum ut laborectiam DOWNLOAD THEetAPP NOW eatum venim con ea nonseque sini quianimpor siti.

match day package or find out more about group bookings please call Nicola on 01302 764665 or email nicola.moran@ clubdoncaster.co.uk.

NEW & EXISTING CUSTOMERS

ay Happy birthd k l Reddic

Caro Love fro

How old!?! friends & y il m a f , z e mT

The team will enjoy a VIP stadium tour,

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We are also running a competition to win a pitch parachute experience for 15 children including tickets to every

33 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Visit skybet.com for more information.

OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF DONCASTER ROVERS Platinum+ Partners Endeavour Property Care Network MATCH SPONSOR

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

Merry Christmas! Welcome back to the Keepmoat, hopefully you’re not all too full of turkey and are looking forward to continuing the festivities today as we take on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Northampton Town. Three points would be an amazing late Christmas present for us all before we face Rochdale on Friday in the first of their two visits to Doncaster in as many weeks. Have a great day everyone!

Platinum Partners

We are pleased to welcome long term friends and commercial partner of the club, Donasonic, as our match sponsors.

Gold Partners

Donasonic focus on waste materials recycling - specifically for the production of bio-energy using cutting edge technology to turn waste into a clean non fossil fuels. They provide their clients with a positive solution for waste recycling and clean bio-energy sources from recycled materials.

Today’s matchball sponsors are long term friends of the club DC Training.

Specialising in delivering training and

Silver Partners

HSR Law Solicitors 8Point8 Group

Eric Twigg Foods

PROGRAMME SPONSOR

COMMERCIAL

MATCH SPONSOR

development programmes including forklifts, health and safety, and customer services, they deliver all programmes to the manufacturing, warehousing and customer service sectors.

DC Training & Development Services Ltd deliver training solutions locally and across the United Kingdom, making government funded training available to a range of businesses.

Finally, our match programme sponsor today is Endeavour Property Care Network, specialists in building insurance claims working throughout the UK. For more information on working with them, feel free to speak to a member of our commercial team or call Endeavour direct on 01302 943105.

The Christmas period sees our home games coming thick and fast. If you would like to discuss hospitality options, please call a member of the team on 01302 764665 or email commercial@ clubdoncaster.co.uk.

The Horse Bit John Mee Shop Construction AE Spink Albemarle Homes

Bronze Partners Moirae Creative Agency Signum Facilities Management CopyPrint Bawtry Home Cinema iPort Academy IFS Risk Solutions

Doncaster Cables Fast Fit Car + Commercials Keid Consulting Atherton Godfrey Solicitors Bidfood

John Hill Associates Andrew Isaacs Solicitors YESSS Electrical Pristine Commercial Cleaning Services CAST

Dickies Workwear Jenkinson Electrical Engineering Frenchgate Fleet Cars Direct TaskMaster Nuffield Health

Match sponsors at the Oldham game, Westmoreland Group, chose goal scorer Andy Butler as their Man of the Match

Mascot Phoebe from the Horse Bit Shop with the Signum Legends Man of the Match Tommy Rowe

Matchball sponsors Data Wolves with Andy Butler at the Oldham gam

35

PLAYER SPONSORS

IAN LAWLOR

CRAIG ALCOCK

GOALKEEPER

DANNY ANDREW

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

MATTY BLAIR

JORDAN HOUGHTON

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

HARRY TOFFOLO

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

PETER AND NICK VUCKOVIC

Home

Home

In Memory of Tim Holl

01

Away

South Kirkby Post Office

02

Jackie Farrell

05

Away

06

NIALL MASON

RODNEY KONGOLO

Jackie Farrell

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STRIKER

Sponsored by Johnson Environmental Consultants

Home

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Away

21

07

Away

08

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

11

GOALKEEPER

12

Daniel Calow

14

23

Home

Away

Away

South Kirby Post Office

Max Pearson

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REECE FIELDING

Goodnight Sleeptight Beds

TYLER WALKER

DEFENDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

Home

Away

Keith McGlone

27

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

Home

Irene Holt

Away

Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management

Away

Home

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Dr Erskine

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

ISSAM BEN KHEMIS MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

Home

Home

22

JOE WRIGHT

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Away

Away

LIAM MANDEVILLE STRIKER

MARKO MAROSI

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DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Sam Parry Training Alfie Moss

MIDFIELDER

Home

Retford Supporters Club

Away

BEN WHITEMAN

Tiberius Batchelor and Rossington Hall

Home

2

09

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

South Kirkby Post Office

The Farrell Family

STRIKER

MIDFIELDER

Away

Away

Home

Michael King

ANDY WILLIAMS

TOMMY ROWE

10

Home

Home

Away

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

The Wheatsheaf, Cirencester

Home

In Memory of Carl AKA Choco

JAMES COPPINGER

ALEX KIWOMYA

Sponsored by

Away

WILL LONGBOTTOM

Home

MIDFIELDER

Sponsored by

18

Sponsored by

ALFIE BEESTIN

STRIKER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Away

Away

Home

DEFENDER

Richard Royston

19

In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan

TYLER GARRATT

Home

JOHN MARQUIS

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

DRFC Supporters Club - North Branch

17

Sponsored by

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Away

Away

STRIKER

Home

Sewa Singh

April Thomas

Kent Blues

Home

ALFIE MAY

Sponsored by

Home

Home

16

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Away ANDREW BUTLER

DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

04

03

Away MATHIEU BAUDRY

LUKE McCULLOUGH

Away

Retford Supporters Club

15

Away

33

Away

3

FOOTBALL TO AMSTERDAM NEWS

Pick from a quality line up

the box 1-31.2. select June 2018 file > place (control +D)

4003. fans, days, 2 countries, select3the image you want 1 aim.

Help stop prostate cancer being a killer.

4. press open 5. press “fill frame proportionally” (top row) or use prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam solid white mouse to position manually.

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volupta tionsequas repudi sae volorectium faceaqu atiorum sit, nusciducit et qui as sinus.Orum remperem eariorio.

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Isn’t it time you joined the team?

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38

OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.

In the trade? It’s cheaper with Wickes TradePro. To sign up, download the App.

39

LOTTERY RESULTS – WK 52 All Rovers Alliance members are automatically entered into the weekly lottery, this week the following members have won prizes through their Rovers Alliance numbers.

Rovers Alliance Lottery winners 9254 William Orr £50 9280 Russell Bickerstaffe £25 9717 Paula Henman £25 9651 Malcolm Wordsworth

Med @ The Market meal 9250 David Beresford Grove Inn meal

Two £50 winners 8117 T Daines 9254 W Orr

Hyde Park Hatfield

Four £25 winners 9280 R Bickerstaffe 9717 P Henman 1679 J Walker 7860 B Roberts

Sprotbrough Moorends Bessacarr Doncaster

Sponsored prize winners 1687 M Walters Canal Tavern meal voucher 4437 J Clarke Cheswold The Rovers Alliance costs just £2.25 per meal voucher week and comes packed with numerous 1808 G Worsdale Corner Pin benefits, not only do members get entry meal voucher into the weekly lottery draw but they 7176 L Emmerson Hatfields meal are also entered into the annual Super 6757 A Smith Trades & Labour Club Jackpot Draw (with a guaranteed prize of meal voucher £10,000) and numerous draws for money 1975 S Jennings Eagle & Child can’t buy prizes. Other fantastic benefits meal voucher include 5% discount on season tickets 2316 D Carolan Ship Inn meal and 10% off all corporate hospitality 9651 M Wordsworth Med @ The packages.

Market meal 3839 R Horrocks Angel Inn For more information about the benefits meal voucher of joining Rovers Alliance, please e-mail 9250 D Beresford Grove Inn reception@clubdoncaster.co.uk meal voucher 6381 S Gillmartin Coleman’s Several other Rovers fans were also Pizzeria & Steak House Meal Voucher winners this week through their £1 lottery 4224 J Dickinson Woodfield membership, the full list of winners is as

Farm meal follows; 0564 Mr Forbes Blacksmith’s Arm meal Winning Number 1060 7768 L Martin Vintage Bar A Ganley, Armthorpe, wins £500 meal voucher Next week’s top prize £500 6382 J Gilmartin Two match tickets

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.

The latest from the

Communications team SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

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

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

x351

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!

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

x6 All of the Football Foundation funded natural grass pitches equate to an area that is SIX TIMES THE SIZE OF MONACO!

This is a festive programme, but we dedicate a big chunk at the start of the publication to a very serious subject.

could easily have filled more than the four pages we did. Those of us at the club who interact with Matty on a regular basis can see the real difference in him from before he had his week off to the Matty who comes in to training and matches now.

Mental health is something it is easy to overlook in this day and age. Work has always come with pressure, but with smartphones and social media there is The best way to show that is the picture often pressure to do ‘just a little bit more’. below, taken at the Cantley Park trainnig ground on Tuesday afternoon. That is the I certainly feel those pressures – this Matty we know and love. column was penned on a Tuesday evening when I could have been watching I would like to express my gratitude Emmerdale, or at the gym. to supporter James McMahon for contributing an And for all of us, article for today’s there are times programme as well. when we have to say no: we should I have never met be watching Zak James, but we have Dingle or pushing swopped some ourselves on correspondence the treadmill, since we spotted an because that alarming tweet of time to recover his on the way to the and recuperate away game at AFC is so vital.

Wimbledon.

This is a topic touched on in our player interview for today’s programme. It is probably the least we have discussed football in such a feature.

I debated whether to reply, but after learning about later events – which he discusses in the article – I am so glad that we did.

Matty went through a really tough time this summer when his brother passed away. Everyone at the club loves him, and it felt pretty natural for people to speak to him and let him know how much he meant to us at that time.

Printing constraints meant this programme had to be completed before Saturday’s trip to Bristol Rovers, hence why the fixture list and appearances page are not quite up to date: normal service will be resumed in Friday night’s programme.

Clearly it meant a lot to him, too. I spent the best part of an hour discussing mental Luke Thornhill health with Matty for the interview, and Club Doncaster media manager www.footballfoundation.org.uk

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Charity No: 1079309 Company No: 3876305

43

SUPPORTERS A good afternoon and a warm welcome to the fans, players and management of Northampton Town for today’s league one encounter, hope their fans had a safe trip up from the South Midlands today, and they enjoyed a brilliant Christmas. I hope all the Rovers fans have enjoyed their festive period with their families.

The next away game is at Peterborough United on New Year’s Day, and the bus times are in the programme.

Unfortunately we did not run the early bus to Bristol Rovers, but the Retford/ Harworth bus stopped off at the Old badger Inn at Easington near Gloucester for a pint and chip butty. I hope they enjoyed the stop.

We will be running a home match bus to the Rochdale game in the FA Cup from the Retford, Harworth and Rossington area. Pick-ups are 1pm from Kettlewells, 1.20pm Harworth Asda, and 1.30pm Rossington Styrupp and Labour Club.

If you live in the Retford, Harworth, Rossington area, why not use the Supporters Club home bus, which runs every home match at a very competitive price. If you live on Bawtry Road you can also use this service at £1 return.

It runs direct to the Keepmoat Stadium and back and there no need to book, just turn up. Please let us know if would like picking up on Bawtry Road - call 07961727769 for more information.

Our North branch also run coaches to most away games from Carcroft, Adwick,

44

and points along the A19 , a good active branch, it makes it much easier to travel if you live that way on call 07780316923 for more information.

Viking Supporters Co-Operative

We also run coaches for certain games from the Sprotborough area, and the travel club have pick ups in the Hatfield area. Please remember there is no alchohol is allowed on the coaches.

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.

Thanks to everyone who supported the Retford Branch Christmas raffle, with more than 60 prizes donated.

The winners are on the Rovers official website and fans social media.

We would like to go on record to thank the club for donating a Season Membership for next season for the draw.

The Supporters Club weekend away will be for the last game of the season, away ar Oldham on April 27-29.

Football is the national game, and football supporters are the lifeblood of the game.

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.

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.

We are looking at stopping at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport from Friday til the Sunday, cost will be about £125 per person, bed, breakfast and evening meal.

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.

The Branch Dinner dance this season will be Friday May 11 2018 at the Mount Pleasant Hotel.

As you may be aware the club hold two Meet The Owners events each year which meet the criteria set down by the EFL.

Rovers til I die

On top of that the club have initiated a Supporters Board which meets on a monthly basis during the season to

Paul Mayfield

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.

45

Travelling by car: From the A1, take the exit for the A47, taking the first exit at the roundabout, joining onto the A1260, before taking the third exit at the next roundabout. Follow Morley Road, before taking the first exit at the roundabout onto Celta Road. Turn left onto A15 London Road and the ground is on the right. There is a pay and display car park off London Road (turn right at the traffic lights after crossing the bridge over the River Nene, from the city centre and it is immediately on the right), plus limited street parking on side streets further up Oundle Road

Travelling by train: Peterborough Stadium is located a mile from the ground. It is reachable via the public bus service which departs a short walk from the station.

46 Travelling by train: The closest station to the ground is Shrewsbury station which is located just over two miles from the ground. There is a park and ride bus that runs from the train station towards the ground, as well as other public bus services which stop just a short walk from Montgomery Waters Meadow.

4.35PM

4.45PM

4.45PM

4.50PM

MILL/C

5.00PM

DRI

5.05PM

WATER/D

5.15PM

KEEP

8.45AM

8.45AM

8.50AM

9.00AM 9.05AM

9.15AM

£15.00 £22.00

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 £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 ADULT £14.00 £17.00

£15.00

£15.00

8.30AM 8.35AM

£16.00

CON

MEMBERS 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

ROSS

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

BAWTRY

Travelling by car: Follow the M1, M42, M6 Toll and M54 before joining the A5, then take a left, continuing on the A5. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto B4380 Thieves Lane, before turning left and the ground is on your right. Parking at the ground is restricted to permit holders, with street parking available.

HAW

Ground: Montgomery Waters Meadow Capacity: 9,875 (all seated) Phone: 01743 289177 Postcode: SY2 6ST

RET

Ground: ABAX Stadium Capacity: 14,084 (11,417 seated) Phone: 01733 563947 Postcode: PE2 8AL Rovers travel to Montgomery Waters Meadow to face Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One on Saturday January 20.

OPPONENT

Rovers travel to face Peterborough in Sky Bet League One on Monday January 1.

DATE

AWAY TRAVEL SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTURE TIMES

47

THURSDAY 14TH JUNE

R E T S A C N O D , M U I D A T S KEEPMOAT

Full Time

SUNDAY 17TH JUNE

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

OFFICIAL PARTNER

48

49 *IRI data MAT 26.03.16

ACTION REPLAY - ROVERS 1 OLDHAM 1

50

51

CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION

Rovers star Matty Blair congratulated the final Fit Rovers participants of 2017 as they found out combined they had lost an impressive 31.6kg.

The results from the evening topped off an impressive year for the Fit Rovers team, who have delivered five successful courses since the launch of the programme a year ago. Since then 130 men have lost a combined 63 stone, completed 226 hours of physical activity and shed 647.26cm from their waist circumference.

Matty said: “It’s great really that so many men across Doncaster have bought into this and are making a drastic improvement to their mental and physical health.

“I’ve been a couple of times now and I’m always impressed with how hard they work but also how interactive and tailored the sessions are.”

Matty presented ‘biggest loser’ Derek Bucknall with a signed Doncaster Rovers shirt for his impressive 1 and a

52

half stone shed since the beginning of the course. Tony Winstanley also won the Fit Rovers Award for excellent commitment.

Course facilitator Scott Copeland said: “The results really drill home what a huge difference Fit Rovers can make to anyone wanting to make lifestyle changes.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural year on the programme, we have had so many successful events and it has been a pleasure to be a part of.”

As part of the presentation, the group also celebrated their fantastic £1,625 (and counting) raised for Movember. As well as raising the funds for such a great course, the group had a lot of fun sporting their most adventurous moustaches, so as a thank you for their generosity, Matty also picked who he thought grew the best tache to win a watch presented by himself.

The next eight-week course will start on January 18, with courses throughout 2018.

To book onto one of the free courses, contact the team on 01302 764663 / fitrovers@clubdoncastefoundation.co.uk.

After successfully completing his bikeability course with Club Doncaster Foundation, a participant from the People Focused Group has now decided to borrow a bike long term from the bike library.

Connor is part of the PFG, Doncaster, a group using peer support methods and together they have learnt how to safely ride a bike on the roads.

He has now decided put the training into practice and borrow a bike to make journeys to work after securing paid employment at Debenhams through the Doncaster Council’s Ambition Project.

Connor said: “Doing the bikeability course has given me a lot of confidence both to cycle to work but also in a work environment. It’s great that I can borrow a bike free of charge from the bike library,

public transport can be quite expensive so it is saving me a lot of money and time.”

Aware of the recent change in his physical health, Connor also commented on the benefits from making a small lifestyle change.

He added: “I feel like I’m losing weight too, I think it is a mixture of my new active travel and being on my feet at work, so I’m pleased!”

Funded by Yorkshire Bank, bike libraries across Yorkshire allow anyone to borrow a bike and encourage physical activity free of charge.

If you are interested in borrowing a bike, all you need is photo ID and a £10 deposit, which will be refunded when you return the bike.

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 It is that time of the season in the football calendar when fixtures come thick and fast alongside the festive cheer. Despite a wonderful time of year for football fans across the EFL, the safety of supporters remains the number one priority.

While not wanting to dampen festive feelgood factor, supporters should be reminded that the threat level for the whole of the UK from terrorism remains at devere, meaning an attack is highly likely, and sadly we have seen from previous examples that crowded places such as football stadiums could potentially be a target.

As always, Rovers are continuing to work with the police and the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place to protect supporters. The club therefore encourage fans to enjoy all attended fixtures, but please remain alert and if you see

DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES anything that gives you cause for concern, tell a steward or member of staff. In an emergency always call 999.

Why not arrive in plenty of time and soak up all of the atmosphere on offer, whether that is in the Belle Vue Bar or Donny’s Kennel. At times, a search regime may be in place, so please be mindful that bags and stuffed coat pockets can cause delays. Where appropriate, minimise what you carry into the stadium.

In the event of a major incident inside the stadium, it is vital you listen to all club announcements and follow safety instructions. In the event of a terrorist incident outside of the stadium, the police advice is to ‘Run, Hide, Tell’. It is important to follow this advice and move quickly away from the stadium and to allow access for emergency services.

Do not wait around to film anything on your mobile.

Following the Football Association’s proposed re-structuring of the women’s leagues, the Belles have put in their application for a place in the new league.

The Belles’ current league position suggests that on footballing grounds they would deserve a place in Tier 1, but the financial criteria set for entry into Tier 1 are simply beyond the club’s means so we have applied for a Tier 2 Licence.

The Belles chair, Faye Lygo, commented that the process was rigorous, with emphasis on financial sustainability and development of players.

“We our proud of our coaching set up and our Development and RTC teams, which are producing some excellent talent.

“Our first team are having a strong season in WSL2 and are currently topping the table with an unbeaten run We have taken into account of League games, and off the pitch that teams who have there is lots going operated beyond their on too.

means have recently gone into liquidation or will not be seeking a license in the top leagues. We think our approach ensures the long term future of the Belles

She said: “We have taken into account that teams who have operated beyond their means have recently gone into liquidation or announced that they will not be seeking a license in the top leagues. We think our approach ensures the long term future of the Belles and we hope one day that performance on the field will trump money in the bank.

“The FA are currently consulting with the clubs as to the re-naming of the leagues. There is discussion on whether to follow men’s football or strike out with something new. Our philosophy at the Belles remains the same, with our

54

family ethos and a strong emphasis on development of women in football.

“We are working with our new sponsor UCFB, and we are already planning a big year to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2019.”

The Belles showed they can compete with the best on the field by pushing big-spending Manchester City all the way in a 3-2 Continental Tyres Cup defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Goals from Jess Sigsworth and Christie Murray meant the Belles gave double winners City a fantastic run for their money. Then the Belles strengthened their position at the top of WSL 2 with a 3-2 win over Sheffield FC, again on home soil, before the Christmas break.

55

1st Sub

2nd Sub

3rd Sub

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

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

1,696 736

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi

Mason Garratt Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason

Garratt Butler Garratt Butler Butler Butler1 Butler Butler

Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright

Butler Toffolo Butler Blair Blair Blair Blair Toffolo

Blair Blair Ben Khemis Kongolo Houghton Houghton Houghton Houghton

Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Kongolo Whiteman

Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Kongolo

Rowe Rowe Houghton Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe1 Rowe

May Mandeville Williams Williams Kongolo May1 May May

Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis May Marquis1 Marquis Marquis

Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Jones

Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock

Toffolo Mason Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Garratt

Ben Khemis Coppinger Blair Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Coppinger

Houghton Mandeville Houghton May Kongolo May Ben Khemis May Marquis Mandeville Kongolo Mandeville Whiteman Mandeville Ben Khemis Mandeville

Williams Williams Mandeville Mandeville Williams Williams Williams Williams

432 2,179 561 319

Longbottom Fletcher May1 May1 Mandeville Mandeville Scattergood

May Longbottom Williams Williams Williams Williams Longbottom

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 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

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 1-2 L 2-0 L

8,877 5,843 2,371 9,227 44,064 8,510 7,194 20,430

1,898 4,836 241 295 899

8 16 16 19 17 18 19

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

CT EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 CT

1-0 W 4-1 W 0-1 L 2-1 W 0-3 L 1-0 W 1-1 D

1,520 7,369 10,917 7,211 7,391 3,079 1,717

93 478 753 620 329 454 236

17 18 17 19 17 -

Marosi Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi

Mason Mason Mason Baudry Baudry Baudry Baudry

Alcock Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Amos

Fielding Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Alcock

Garratt Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Garratt

Walker Houghton Houghton Houghton Houghton Alcock Mason

Toffolo Whiteman3 Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Houghton James

Ben Khemis1 Coppinger Coppinger Blair Mason Kongolo Ben Khemis

Fletcher Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe Coppinger Beestin

Williams May May Kongolo Mandeville Rowe Mandeville1

Mandeville Marquis1 Marquis Mandeville1 Marquis Marquis Williams

Jones Jones Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Jones

Townrow Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Mason Horton

James Blair Blair Mason Garratt Garratt Prior

Prior Garratt Garratt Garratt Kongolo Whiteman1 Fletcher

Morris Fletcher Kongolo Fletcher Beestin Beestin Morris

Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Scattergood

Mandeville Mandeville Beestin Coppinger Williams

NOVEMBER Sat 4 Ebbsfleet United Sat 11 Rotherham United Sat 18 Fleetwood Town Tue 21 Wigan Athletic Sat 25 MK Dons Tue 28 Rochdale

3.00PM 12.30PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 7.30pm

FAC1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 CT

6-2 W 2,069 1-1 D 12,428 0-0 D 3,181 0-3 L 7,106 2-1 W 7,743 1-1 D(L4-5) 786

325 3,829 454 356 268 103

16 17 18 16 -

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi

Baudry Baudry Baudry Baudry Mason Baudry

Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Alcock

Alcock Wright Wright Wright Wright Toffolo

Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Garratt Garratt

Blair Blair Blair Blair Whiteman Blair

Houghton1 Houghton Houghton Houghton Houghton Mason

Kongolo Kongolo Kongolo Kongolo Kongolo Ben Khemis

Rowe2 Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe Whiteman

Coppinger2 Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Beestin

Marquis1 Marquis Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Mandeville1

Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Lawlor

Mason Alcock Mason Mason Baudry Butler

Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Toffolo Prior

Amos Whteman Whiteman Whiteman Blair1 James

Beestin Beestin Mandeville Beestin Beestin Morris

Ben Khemis Mandeville Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Rowe

Williams Williams Williams Williams Mandeville Scattergood

DECEMBER Sun 03 Scunthorpe United Sat 09 Oxford United Sat 16 Oldham Athletic Sat 23 Bristol Rovers Tue 26 Northampton Town Fri 29 Rochdale

2.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45pm

FAC2 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

3-0 W 5,251 1,877 0-1 L 6,7111 462 1-1 D 7,831 851

18 18

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor

Mason Mason Mason

Butler Butler Butler1

Wright Wright Wright

Garratt Toffolo Garratt

Blair Houghton Houghton

Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman

Beestin Beestin Beestin

Rowe2 Rowe Rowe

Coppinger Coppinger May

Marquis Marquis Marquis

Marosi Marosi Marosi

Alcock Baudry Baudry

Baudry Garratt Amos

Toffolo Kongolo Kongolo

Kongolo Ben Khemis Mandeville1 Mandeville May Longbottom Mandeville Ben Khemis Longbottom

JANUARY Mon 01 Peterborough United Sat 06 Rochdale Sat 13 Plymouth Argyle Sat 20 Shrewsbury Town Tues 23 Scunthorpe United Sat 27 Bristol Rovers

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM

EFL1 FAC3 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

MAY Sat 05

Wigan Athletic

5.30PM

EFL1

2 56

3 57

DNACARD

Appearances & Goals As of 17/12/2017

EFL FA Cup

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 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 7 4 0 59 10 0 ANDREW, Danny 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 46 0 0 AMOS, Danny 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 BAUDRY, Mathieu 6 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 2 0 37 8 5 BEESTIN, Alfie 2 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 6 5 0 11 8 1 BEN KHEMIS, Issam 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 6 1 1 6 1 1 BLAIR, Matty 13 4 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 18 4 1 66 4 4 BUTLER, Andy 22 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 27 1 2 157 2 12 COPPINGER, James 17 3 1 2 0 2 1 0 0 20 3 3 491 64 63 FIELDING, Reece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 FLETCHER, Jacob 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 GARRATT, Tyler 5 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 11 3 0 16 5 0 HORTON, Branden 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 HOUGHTON, Jordan 15 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 16 2 1 51 4 2 JAMES, Morgan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 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 10 9 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 15 10 1 15 10 1 LAWLOR, Ian 21 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 25 0 0 44 0 0 LONGBOTTOM, Will 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 1 MANDEVILLE, Liam 6 8 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 10 10 4 26 34 15 MAROSI, Marko 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 1 0 37 5 0 MARQUIS, John 21 0 6 2 0 1 2 1 0 25 1 7 73 1 33 MASON, Niall 16 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 22 4 0 63 5 0 MAY, Alfie 8 6 3 0 0 0 3 0 2 11 6 5 20 13 8 McCULLOUGH, Luke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 6 1 MIDDLETON, Harry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 45 34 0 MORRIS, James 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 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 2 0 0 2 0 ROWE, Tommy 21 0 1 2 0 4 3 1 1 26 1 8 82 2 4 SCATTERGOOD, Lewis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 TOFFOLO, Harry 11 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 14 3 0 14 3 0 TOWNROW, Keegan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WALKER, Tyler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 WHITEMAN, Ben 17 4 4 1 0 0 3 0 1 22 4 5 22 4 5 WILLIAMS, Andy 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 5 1 80 23 29 WRIGHT, Joe 22 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 25 0 0 48 4 0

58

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%

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FREE FIRSTDAY TRAVEL PASS

SAVE 9% WITH A GIFT CARD

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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 Ben TONER ASSISTANT REFEREES

MANAGER Darren FERGUSON

MANAGER Jimmy FLOYD HASSELBAINK

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 16 Jordan HOUGHTON 17 Matty BLAIR 18 Harry TOFFOLO 19 Alfie MAY 20 Tyler GARRATT 21 Will LONGBOTTOM 22 Alfie BEESTIN 23 Alex KIWOMYA 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) 37 Morgan JAMES 39 Danny AMOS

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 01 David Cornell (GK) 02 Brendan MOLONEY 03 David BUCHANAN 04 Yaser KASIM 05 Leon BARNETT 06 Ash TAYLOR 07 Billy WATERS 08 Sam FOLEY 09 Marc RICHARDS 10 Alex REVELL 11 Daniel POWELL 12 Leon LOBJOIT 13 Matt INGRAM (GK) 14 Sam HOSKINS 15 Dean BOWDITCH 16 Aaron PIERRE 17 Shaun MCWILLIAMS 18 Aaron PHILLIPS 19 Chris LONG 20 George SMITH 21 John-Joe O’TOOLE 22 Matt CROOKS 23 Joe IACIOFANO 24 Ryan MCGIVERN 25 James GOFF (GK) 26 Regan POOLE 27 Raheem HANLEY 29 Matt GRIMES 30 Luke CODDINGTON (GK) 32 Lewis MCGUGAN

David BENTON Paul THOMPSON FOURTH OFFICIAL Stephen WADE 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

Rochdale (H) Sky Bet League One Keepmoat Stadium Friday December 29 2017 // kick-off 3pm

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

Team Name (A) Sky Bet League One ABAX Stadium Monday January 1 2018 // kick-off 3pm