Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool Matchday Magazine - 19/08/17

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE / ISSUE 2 / £3

ANDY BUTLER

CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND

DONCASTER ROVERS v BLACKPOOL Sky Bet League One Saturday 19th August 2017 3.00pm kick off

Club Doncaster

Main club sponsor Virgin Trains Associate club sponsor Stoneacre Motor Group Technical kit supplier FBT Eurpoe 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 Club secretary Mary Lally Stadium manager & 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 Dean Medcalf, Shelia Lynch CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION Chair of trustees Linda Tully Trustees Gavin Baldwin, Nigel Brewster, Jo Drapier, Allan Stewart, Rupert Suckling, John Wallbank Chief executive John Davis NCS programme manager Jan Budtz

YOUR SATURDAY MORNING, SORTED

JEFF’S, RUINED

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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, Heather King, Rex Features, Rob Terrace Design Sandile Somhedlwana, Hannah Moore Print Pinders of Sheffield

CONTENTS 05

DARREN FERGUSON

07

GAVIN BALDWIN

08

ANDY BUTLER

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 and 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

Listen to live games this season.

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Welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for our second home game of the season.

I’d like to welcome Gary Bowyer, and the Blackpool fans, players, staff and owners who have made the trip to South Yorkshire.

It is really pleasing to be able to write these notes on the back of a deserved victory at Ewood Park last Saturday.

Our performance was a mature and solid one where we had to be disciplined about what we did, both on and off the ball.

It was quite a tactical first half, but once the first goal went in we were very clinical.

I was delighted throughout the game.

The players looked confident and fit, with everyone knowing what they were doing, which is great credit to them. But we are only two league games into the season so no one will get carried away.

I hope to see plenty of you back on Tuesday night when we host Hull City in the Carabao Cup. Our first-round win at Bradford City came on the day we laid Dick Watson to rest. It was right that we celebrated his life and contribution during our first home game, but it was fitting we picked up a victory and why I dedicated it to his memory after what would have been a hard day for his family.

I have been pleased with the start to the season, the players are fit, hungry and really take on board what we are asking them to do.

It’ll be a hard game this afternoon, which starts a run of four games in 10 days, your backing can be a real help as we get through them.

Enjoy the game

The travelling support at Bradford City and Blackburn was fantastic, which was following on from a crowd of 7,500 against Gillingham.

The backing you have given me and my team throughout my time at the club has been fantastic and a real help.

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n a h c u s is ” y r “Bribe ugly word.

BUT... if you book direct with us we’ll give you FREE Wi-Fi on our east coast trains.

Thoughts of the chief executive

Welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for our second home game of the season.

I would like to welcome the fans, owners, players and staff of Blackpool and wish them a safe journey home.

We go into today’s game with real confidence after starting the season with three really positive performances.

Although we had to settle for one point from the visit of Gillingham on the opening day of the season, the display was a good one and we could easily have won.

Then we backed that up with great wins at Bradford and Blackburn. We showed real tenacity in both matches and, although we are being careful not to get carried away, we can have a quiet confidence that we can have a good season.

There has been a lot going on behind the scenes over the summer. You can see some of the fruits of that labour in what you hold in your hands right now, with a new-look programme intended to be as fans-focused as possible: so more pages on supporters’ information, the timetables for coaches to away games, lottery results and social media posts all added. I’ve had some positive feedback after our first edition.

We have also had fantastic feedback to the opening of Donny Dog’s Kennel in the Family Stand before the Gillingham game.

We want coming to a match to be a great experience for everyone, whether you sing your heart out from the back of the Black Bank or bring your young family. Our marketing manager Mark Hughesman

puts a lot of time and thought into making our Family Stand a really welcoming venue so our young fans have loads of activities and can take on Rovers players on our new PlayStations. If anything, I’m told it was a bit too welcoming as some of our younger fans wanted to stay in there instead of come out for the second half!

Our new DNA Card was one of our biggest events of the summer, and again I’ve been delighted at the feedback. The best bit for a good number of our fans is that it is free - it is part of your Season Membership, and our intention is that the savings you can make over the course of the campaign are more than the cost of your Season Membership to start with. The 25 per cent discount on advance Virgin Trains is one of the most popular deals, but there are regular savings to be made and I know plenty of people have A crowd of more than 7,500 for the visit of Gillingham was an incredible way to start the season off the pitch, and I hope those of you here today also witness a great game. We work hard to keep football as affordable as possible (we are quite proud of our £30 Season Memberships for anyone 17 and under), and with Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup game with Hull City priced at £10 for adults, £5 concessions and just £1 for those 17 and under I hope to see plenty of you back on Tuesday night as we take on the Tigers.

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#6

ANDY BUTLER As a seasoned professional, Andy Butler prides himself on taking care of his fitness levels at the start of another competitive season playing for his hometown club.

which meant I came back fitter than I ever have been. The older you get the more you look after yourself and realise how important it is to keep your fitness levels right up there.”

Butler, like all players, was given a training plan to keep his body ticking The commanding centre-back is keen on over after last season came to an end, but setting an example to the younger players reckos it is the extra work at the club, both on and off he does in his spare time the pitch.

“The big thing for me is which gives him the edge setting an ­example, on over other players.

“Copps and I are two of and off the pitch you have the older professionals “Most pre-seasons are like to give the younger lads within the dressing room for like, you get back and but we’re still at the front something to learn from” run for a while but they when it comes to running have changed a little bit groups,” he says. with the development of Sports Science,” he says.

“Ben Rome sets us a plan for the summer and we have to work towards our end “Players don’t tend to come back un-fit goal – I always see it as a challenge. If anymore, they come back fitter than what someone comes back fitter than me they were at the end of last season. then they’re going to start with the balls before me.

“Personally I enjoy going for a run, it gives me time to clear my head and I went to “The big thing for me is setting an the gym all the way through the summer example, on and off the pitch you have to

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PLAYER PREFERENCES give the younger lads something to learn from.”

“His deliveries into the box are hard to defend and when we played Grimsby last year we highlighted him as one of their key players so it’s good to have him with us now.

Rovers are unbeaten in three competitive outings so far this season, after a goalless draw against Gillingham and a convincing win at Blackburn sandwiched a 3-2 victory “I love going up for the long throws, me over Bradford City in the Carabao Cup first and Joe Wright end up battling with each round. other to get on the end of one but it’s good to keep getting in the box.

Butler believes starting off the season strongly can help to build momentum as “I knew Ben Whiteman from Sheffield they adapt to the quality of opposition in United, I saw him playing for Mansfield Sky Bet League One. last year as well and was impressed.

“Without getting carried away we’ve started the season off well, we deserved thethree points against Gillingham but a clean sheet was something to take from it,”he says.

“A few people might have thought that we would struggle in League One, but I believe we’ve got a good squad that is more than capable of being successful.

“We played some excellent stuff against Bradford and Blackburn, to go to those places and win says a lot about the ability and belief within the squad.”

New signings Ben Whiteman and Danny Andrew have featured in all Rovers’ competitive outings so far, and Butler has been impressed with the latter’s creativity, in particular the unique long throw he possesses.

“The new lads have been brilliant, Danny Andrew offers us a balance we didn’t have last year with his left foot,” he says.

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“He breaks up play and has an eye for goal which is always good to have.“ After bouncing back to Sky Bet League One at the first attempt with promotion last season, Butler believes the club as a whole is in a much better place than the last time they plied their trade in the third tier.

“In a weird sort of way I think the relegation helped the club as a whole both on and off the pitch, as it allowed everyone to re-evaluate the direction we wanted to go in and how to go about it,” he says.

“Everyone realised once we went down that we had to pull together, the gaffer has been brilliant since he’s been here and now the club is a lot closer.

“The strength in depth within the squad means that there is a competitive edge every day at training, everyone wants to win which keeps you on your toes.”

Butlerhas played alongside Joe Wright in all three of Rovers’ competitive games this season, forming an impressive-looking partnership.

We delved a little deeper into Andy’s psyche to give an insight into the person behind the footballer...

There is a decade’s age difference between the pair, and Butler hopes some of his experience rubs off on the younger Wright.

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“I try and help develop whoever I play alongside, I learn off them as well so it’s all about forming partnerships with the players in that backline,” he says.

“I know Joe’s strengths and weaknesses and he knows mine as well so I’d like to think that he can look to me as someone who can help improve him.”

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Butler has played in both a back three and back four in the past season and a bit, and the flexibility of the squad to adapt to different formations is considered a great strength.

“The gaffer wants us to get into different formations early on, because it’s a similar group to last year the players have really taken that on,” adds Butler.

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“We learnt throughout last year how to play in different ways depending on the opposition and he wanted to tweak a few things where he felt we could improve.

“As a team we pride ourselves on being competitive, we have John Marquis leading from the front and people have to buy into that otherwise they get left behind.”

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John Marquis believes the 3-1 victory at Blackburn shows Rovers have nothing to fear this season.

we are a good side, and everyone in that changing room is excited by the challenges ahead.”

Rovers’ No.9 got off the mark for the 2017/18 season with the opening goal in the victory, and reckons there is a real belief among his team-mates after two wins and a draw in their opening three games of the campaign.

The discipline of the Rovers players was a key factor in victory, something Marquis reckons will be crucial this season.

“When we got after them we showed we are a good side, we’ve got nothing to fear and can cause teams some real problems this season. We believe

“We’re going to have a lot of different games, we have nothing to fear looking at this performance and have to keep it going into the other games.”

He added: “We stuck to our gameplan, and it was a very professional performance. We kept our shape well He said: “Nothing is won or lost in the first when we didn’t have the ball. couple of games, but it was a professional performance and a big result away from “Buts and Joe Wright were immense in home. Any hangover people may have defence, as were the whole backline, thought there was from the end of last and were unlucky to concede via a season is not there. deflected goal.

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HEAD TO HEAD

COMPLETE RESULT TABLE COMPETITON FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

EFL Trophy GRAND TOTAL

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

P W D L F A H 20 6 6 8 21 28 A 20 2 4 14 21 48 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 40 8 10 22 42 76 H 2 2 0 0 6 2 A 1 0 0 1 1 2 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 3 2 0 1 7 4 H 1 0 0 1 0 1 A 1 0 1 0 3 3 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 0 1 1 3 4 H 2 0 2 0 3 3 A 1 0 0 1 0 1 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 3 0 2 1 3 4

48 10 13 25 55 88 17

AWAY TEAM

TOP STOPPER

DEFENSIVE ROCK

Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop signed on loan for the Tangerines this season, joining from Premier League Bournemouth on a season-long deal.

Allsop came through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion before moving on to Leyton Orient and then the Cherries in January 2013.

With the Cherries, Allsop helped to secure promotion to the Championship, missing out on the League One title to the Rovers on that dramatic final day. Allsop has found much of his time at the Vitality Stadium spent on the bench, but has made two appearances in the Premier League in the last two seasons. He is now in his fourth loan spell with clubs in both Leagues One and Two, with spells at Coventry City and Wycombe Wanderers proving to be his most successful stints so far.

Right-back Kelvin Mellor is starting his second season with the Seasiders, but he has made quite an impression at Bloomfield Road already.

Mellor started out his career with non-league Nantwich Town, spending one season there before signing with his hometown club, Crewe Alexandra, in 2008. He attracted interest from Championship clubs the following season, but stayed with his hometown club for another two years, before moving to Devon to join Plymouth Argyle in 2014. Two years later he made the move to Bloomfield Road.

He chipped in with four goals, including one in Rovers’ 4-2 defeat away at Bloomfield Road, as he helped the Seasiders’ to promotion at Wembley in May this year. He was then named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season, and won the Players’ Player of the Year at Blackpool.

RYAN ALLSOP

1

KELVIN MELLOR

2

DEADLY STRIKER Signed this summer by Gary Bowyer, Jimmy Ryan was immediately named captain by his new manager.

After winning the FA Youth Cup with Liverpool, Ryan has gone on to be a virtual ever-present at every club he has played for, establishing himself in midfield and quickly becoming a fan favourite wherever he has been. He first caught the eye at Accrington Stanley, earning a place int he PFA League Two Team of the Year in 2011, before a move to Scunthorpe United. He spent two seasons with the Iron before moving on to Chesterfield. He starred in Paul Cook’s side from midfield and helped them to reach the final of what was then the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, losing to Peterborough in the final at Wembley, before guiding them to the League Two title that same season.He departed for Fleetwood Town in 2015, before joining Blackpool this summer.

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JIMMY RYAN

14

MARK CULLEN

9

Striker Mark Cullen made a big impact on his early days as a professional footballer, scoring for Hull City in the Premier League in 2010. Last season saw him make an even bigger impression, scoring the winning goal at Wembley Stadium in Blackpool’s 2-1 play-off final victory over Exeter City.

After a few loan spells away from the Tigers, he moved to then-National League side Luton Town.

After helping them to promotion, he grabbed 14 goals the following season to end as Luton’s top scorer for their first season back in League Two. That earned him a move to Blackpool. He scored nine goals in his first season for the Seasiders which he followed up with the same number in the last camapign – before scoring a hat-trick in Blackpool’s first leg victory over his former club, Luton, to book the trip to Wembley.

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JOINT XI GOALKEEPER

MIDFIELDERS

Paul Gerrard

Richie Wellens

John Doolan

After playing close to 100 games for Everton in the Premier League, Gerrard moved to Nottingham Forest and became a first-team regular at the City Ground.

After two years with Forest, he had a loan spell with Blackpool before retirement.

Gerrard became goalkeeping coach at Oldham before moving to the Keepmoat Stadium in the same role.

Made his name at Bloomfield Road, playing almost 200 games for the Seasiders over six seasons with the club. A two-year spell with Oldham followed before he joined Rovers in 2007.

Wellens helped Rovers get promoted to the Championship and was highly rated during his time at the Keepmoat Stadium before a move to Leicester City

Joined Rovers in 2003 having previously played more than 100 games for both Mansfield Town and Barnet. The tough tackling midfielder helped Rovers gain promotion from the Conference in his first season and went on to make 84 appearances for the club as they made it back to back promotions and earned League One status along the way.

DEFENDERS

Sean Thornton

the Irish midfielder signed for Blackpool on loan, playing a handful of games before joining Rovers in the summer of 2005. Thornton played 59 times for the club, which included scoring a 35-yard effort against Premier League side Aston Villa in a League Cup Victory on his debut.

Reece Wabara

Andy Butler

A January 2013 loan at Blackpool from Man City was cut short, leading to him making a move to Rovers.

A Doncaster-born defender, Butler started his career with local rivals Scunthorpe in 2002. He spent six-years at Glanford Park, before signing for Huddersfield in 2008. It was during his time at the John Smith’s Stadium that he moved out on loan to Bloomfield Road, playing seven times for Blackpool as they won promotion to the Premier League. He then joined Walsall.

Alan Wright Started his career with Blackpool in 1989, playing close to 100 games over three seasons. Joined Rovers on loan in 2007

MIDFIELDERS Gary Brabin Brabin started his career at Stockport County before making the move to Rovers in 1994. The Liverpool-born midfielder became a key part of the side, operating

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in midfield and going on to score 11 goals in 59 appearances for the club.

He signed for Blackpool in 1996 where he again became a first-team regular, clocking up 50 games in the space of two seasons. Brabin made over 400 career appearances in total.

Started his career with Tranmere before making the move to Sunderland and helping them gain promotion to the Premier League. After 49 appearances,

STRIKERS Jason Euell

Nathan Tyson

Euell played close to 300 times in the Premier League before joining Blackpool via Southampton in 2009.

He made 36 appearances for the Seasiders, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in his two-year spell at Bloomfield Road.

Euell signed for Rovers on loan in 2011, and scored three goals in 12 appearances before a permanent move back to Charlton ahead of the 2011/12 season.

Had spells with Nottingham Forest and Derby before joining Blackpool in 2013. He had one season at Bloomfield Road before signing for Paul Dickov’s Rovers side.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

A goal for Blackpool against Rovers, while on loan with the Seasiders from Arsenal, persuaded then manager Sean O’Driscoll to bring him to the Keepmoat Stadium. He scored five goals in 14 appearances.

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MY WEEK: NCS CO-ORDINATOR Former Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz is still a familiar face at the Keepmoat Stadium as he organises Club Doncaster Foundation’s NCS courses MONDAY It is an early start on a Monday during NCS Summer, as we prepare for the national programme delivered here at Club Doncaster Foundation. The team and I get to the Keepmoat Stadium for 7.30am to set up ready for the arrival of a wave of 150 young people, who will embark on their three-week National Citizen Service programme. We make sure staff are all briefed, the check in tables are all sorted and that everything is ready for a busy departure morning. The young people then arrive, check in and set off for the first of three NCS weeks: the first exploring the depths of the Lake District, canoeing, abseiling and zip wiring through the forest before two more weeks of the programme allow the participants to challenge themselves back in their hometown. I’ll review the morning, updating our CRM system with all the participants who have begun their journey. It’s then an afternoon of meetings and logistic planning!

at the Lakes I will assist Sophie filming the activities before she goes off to interview young people and I meet the EFL Trust to assist in their visit.

WEDNESDAY Having slept over on site, filming is resumed for the second day of activities, this time looking at the water-based activity on Lake Windermere. A GoPro camera is used to capture unique footage and after another day of filming, I head back to the office to have a quick scan through emails. After work, my attention turns to training, I play between the sticks for Northern Premier League Premier Division side, Buxton FC, so work is done to prepare for the weekend’s fixture.

THURSDAY These mornings are for paperwork... and a lot of it! I spend until lunch sorting through the week’s agenda before heading to Doncaster Deaf Trust for another site visit. Here, a different group of young people will be on their second TUESDAY week, enjoying workshops and team This is another early start and a long building skills with organisations such drive to Hawkshead for a site visit to make as the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. I sure everything is going to plan over in engage with the facilitators to make the Lake District. I’ll travel there with our sure all the workshops are running media and communications co-ordinator smoothly and that everything is okay Sophie, who will take footage and photos for the day. It’s great to see the young to keep our social media updated and to people just as engaged with the create a video showcasing what we do. I’ll workshops on this week as they were make several phone calls on the way there with the Lake District activities. After my to organise for the week and to arrange visit at the Deaf Trust, I’ll head straight visits from the EFL Trust. When we arrive to a meeting with the head of extra

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curriculum at Doncaster New College to identify opportunities NCS can embed into their programme.

FRIDAY This is a day spent visiting the fanatstic work that is done throughout our community by our NCS participants.

On their third and final week of the programme, young people volunterily create and deliver a social action project of their own choice that helps an organisation or a charity. On a recent Friday, I managed to visit a brilliant project at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where young people had not only helped maintain their wards with paint work, cleaning and even organising important documents, but also raised an impressive £1,200 for the hospital. It’s an incredible feeling to visit the young people that are making such a difference across our Borough and brings me great pride that they are working so hard as part of their NCS programme. After the visit to several social action projects across Doncaster, I return to the office in time to greet the young people who have

returned from the Lake District back to Doncaster. I then have an important catch up with Jim Lord and John Davis, who run the Club Doncaster foundation, along with my NCS collegue Tom, where we discuss the vital action points from the week and try and shape the week ahead. With several waves happening at once, all in different locations, it’s vital that we keep on top of what’s happening and make sure we are prepared for any situation. By the end of the summer, we will have engaged with almost 600 young people across four waves. It is really rewarding being able to help shape these young people’s lives, and over the years we have helped thousands of people from the area to push themselves.

SATURDAY Unfortunately I can’t be at the Keepmoat Stadium on a Saturday for matchday as I have my own playing duties with Buxton. It was a privilege to play for Rovers, and I’m very lucky to still be able to play semi-professionally. I’ll meet the lads just before lunchtime to set off to our fixture, keeping an eye on any Rovers team news or announcements on the way. By the end of 90 minutes, I always hope it has been a win for both Buxton and Rovers!

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Words from the Academy manager

YOUTH/DEVELOPMENT TEAM FIXTURES YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE Sat Aug 5 Grimsby Town Sat Aug 12 Bradford City Sat Aug 26 Bury (YL Cup) Sat Sep 2 Sat Sep 9 Sat Sep 16 Sat Sep 23 Sat Sep 30

Scunthorpe United Mansfield Town Cup group match 2 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 2pm Tues Sept 19 Rotherham 2pm 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

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L 0-3 L1-2

Following a well-deserved summer break our schoolboy programme begins again this week.

Our U16 age group for the upcoming season have spent much of their summer holiday training alongside our youth team as we look to challenge them appropriately towards their aim of achieving a youth team contract at the end of the season. In the meantime our U9-U15 are looking forward to starting their season.

I have been sharing our Academy Vision, Philosophy, and mission statement with parents and the young players during the past week and would like to take this opportunity to share these with our supporters.

• We aim to develop two players each year for the first-team squad, developing well rounded individuals through the education provision provided. It is important for us to produce players that are essentially good people as well as good players’ Academy Philosophy • To develop technically gifted, competitive, decision making winners. We train to develop and play to win.

Academy Mission Statement • To attract, develop, motivate and retain the best natural talent by providing the best possible experience to create players of value.

The potential of this football club is exciting and I certainly want to aim high.

We have so much to be proud of and Academy Vision the commitment of everyone involved • Our Academy is the destination of choice will certainly give us a great chance to for the best seven-to-18 year olds locally progress towards achieving our vision. and regionally. We recruit the potential and provide the multi-disciplinary programme required to see the potential realised.

The U18s have had, in terms of results, a frustrating start to the season.

In their first game the youngsters lost 3-0 to Grimsby, conceding to goals in injury time to give an unfair reflection of the game itself. Rovers youngsters dominated possession for long spells, putting their opponents on the back foot for much of the game however they were made to pay for poor defending for all three goals while also being guilty of spurning a number of openings themselves.

The second game of the season at Bradford saw the team 2-0 down at half time before a much improved second half performance resulted in Rovers pulling a goal back through Matty Overton. Despite putting the hosts under pressure for much of the second half Rovers were unable to score again, despite creating opportunities including a missed penalty.

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TEN YEARS AGO: DONCASTER ROVERS IN SEASON 2007-08. Part 2 Three days after the home draw with Millwall Rovers registered their first win and goals of the campaign in the League Cup against League Two side Lincoln City.

rounded James O’Connor and Sullivan to slot home. O’Driscoll responded by sending on Lewis Guy and McCammon for Coppinger and Wilson, but Rovers tended to lose their shape and resorted increasingly to long-ball tactics.

Rovers were not troubled by their lowly opponents and after James Hayter scored his first goal for the club on 23 minutes, Richie Wellens did likewise soon after half time.

Bournemouth’s defence stood firm and Rovers had suffered their first home reverse of the campaign.

Paul Heffernan and Mark McCammon also opened their accounts for the season, a late Lincoln consolation goal making it 4-1. Rovers’ “reward” was a second round tie away at Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

On Saturday August 18 2007 it was back to League action with a trip to Hartlepool United. Sean O’Driscoll fielded the same side that had played Millwall a week earlier with Brian Stock and J.J. Price still absent.

Rovers gave a rather listless and disjointed first half performance and it came as little surprise when they fell behind after 43 minutes, with Godwin Antwi heading in via the crossbar.

In the second half McCammon replaced Heffernan and Rovers improved, levelling with around 20 minutes left when a James Coppinger cross was met by Hayter’s fine diving header which beat former Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz.

The home side scored the deciding goal after Mark Wilson was adjudged to have

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On Tuesday August 28 Rovers made the long trek to Home Park, Plymouth, for their second round League Cup tie. Mills, a late substitute in the Bournemouth game, made his first start in place of Greer while Sean McDaid replaced Wilson, playing on the left of midfield.

fouled James Brown in the area. Richie Barker scored from the penalty and although Hartlepool’s Elliot was sent off by fussy referee Mike Dean they hung on for a 2-1 win.

Before the visit of O’Driscoll’s former club Bournemouth to the Keepmoat Stadium the Rovers boss dipped into the loan market, bringing in Manchester City centre-back Matt Mills on a sixmonth deal. Mills had enjoyed several loan spells, including one under O’Driscoll on the south coast and was highly rated.

The deal represented something of a coup for Rovers. Despite Mills’ arrival,

O’Driscoll kept faith with the starting XI from the trip to Hartlepool, Gordon Greer continuing to partner Adam Lockwood at the back. Rovers started well enough and it came as no surprise when they took the lead after 24 minutes, Martin Woods’ corner being headed in by Greer at the near post.

Five minutes later Bournemouth were level when Max Gradel’s flighted cross deceived Neil Sullivan and nestled in a corner of his net.

Rovers struggled to make much impact on their Championship opponents and trailed after 15 minutes when Sylvain Ebanks-Blake shot home from the edge of the area.

A triple half-time substitution and a tactical switch led to an improved second half but Rovers could not find the net and Luke Summerfield’s late free kick, which went through a poorly-formed wall, condemned Rovers to a 0-2 defeat.

No wins from three League games and an early Cup exit was not the kind of start that fans had anticipated and the team now faced a difficult-looking trip to Swansea City the following Saturday.

Worse was to follow just after the interval, when Jo Kuffour robbed Greer then John Coyle

27

Hello everyone, Welcome to our game against Blackpool and thank you for making the journey. It has been a good start to the season so let’s carry on.

Thank you to everyone who helped me open my kennel. It was fantastic seeing so many of you playing on FIFA. I received a fantastic photo of Max the dog who was in a fancy dress competition, thank you Matthew Butler!

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON QUALITY TRAINING WEAR, TRAIN LIKE THE STARS WITH FBT’S LATEST TRAINING RANGE

On Tuesday we take on Hull City in the EFL Cup so hope to see lots of you again.

Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter – look for @donny_dog_drfc!

Donny DOg

SHOP OPEN 10AM - 4:25PM MONDAY - SATURDAY MATCH DAYS 10AM UNTIL KICK OFF AND 20 MINUTES AFTER THE MATCH. GET IN TOUCH VIA 28

01302764667 WWW.CLUBDONCASTERSHOP.COM

Frenchy and Tyler Walker came to visit!

My friend Max!

I said hello to the kids at our summer camp!

29

30

31

Today’s Mascots SEASON MEMBERSHIPS 2017/18

JAMES CRAMPTON

Age: 8 Hobbies: karate and football Favourite Player: Brad Potts

JAMIE GARRITY

Age: 7 Hobbies: football Favourite Player: Ian Lawlor

Happy Birthday Joshua Bargh Katy Bawden Max Booth Joli Bracken Matthew Bradley Kian Bushell Harry Cairns Daniel Calow James Clarke Henry Coupe Caleb Dale Jamie Garrity Charlie Greenough Luke Hackett Lincoln Hames George Kent Ashley Lowe Cohen Neil

Erin Neil William Parkinson Keira Peace Harvey-Lee Reynolds Erin Ryan Deacon Shawcroft Evie Souter Liam Stothard Seth Swindin Daniel Teasdale Stephen Tuffrey Chloe Turner Luke Utting Hayden Wallace Rhys Warren Dainton Wilson Thomas Worley

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

IT’S IN OUR DNA

Donny’s Score Prediction

2-0

Erik’s Score Prediction

3-2

SILVER MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY A Adult £399 Senior £309 22-24 £284 18-21 £199

CATEGORY B Adult £359 Senior £259 22-24 £239 18-21 £159

£9.04 per game

CATEGORY C Adult £339 Senior £249 22-24 £219 18-21 £149

£16.31 per game

JUNIORS 17 and Under £30

£18.14 per game £14.05 per game £12.91 per game

£11.77 per game £10.86 per game £7.22 per game

SILVER + MEMBER

£150 SHIP

BOLT-ON (LEAGUE GAME S ONLY) T & C’s apply

£15.41 per game £11.31 per game £9.95 per game £6.77 per game

Bolt on includes: - DRLFC Season Ticket - Car Parking - Replica Shirt

YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BUY OFF SALE ON

01

SEPTEMBER - Programme - Discount on selected events - Half time draw - DNA Card - Big Screen message

Call 01302 762576 click tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk Figures correct as of Friday 18th August 2017

OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF DONCASTER ROVERS Platinum+ partners

COMMERCIAL Welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for our second home game of the new season. Its always a busy time of year for fixtures and they are coming thick and fast for Rovers with the addition of the midweek cup ties.

The Seasiders have joined us back in League One after an exciting play-off final at Wembley, beating Exeter 2-1 and becoming the most successful team in English play-off history, winning five out of the eight finals they have been involved in.

Platinum partners

partners Gold partners

Silver partners

HSR Law Solicitors

Eric Twigg Foods

The Horse Bit Shop

John Mee Construction

promotion back to League One. They will enjoy a three course fine dining experience alongside a host of other benefits including stadium tour, advertising, PA announcements, executive seats and a signed shirt presented by their chosen Man of the Match.

Our match sponsor today comes in the form of Daniel Calow and Friends.

Daniel is the son of Darren Calow, close friend of the club through DC Training and Development Services.

We are taking hospitality bookings for all home fixtures this season.

Starting from £50+VAT per person, you can enjoy matches in style with a car parking space, drinks reception, three course dining, complimentary programme and teamsheets, waitress service, cash bar, executive seats and Man of the Match presentations.

We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support given by the Calow family and are extremely happy that their support was rewarded with

If you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact a member of the team on 01302 764665 or email commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk.

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

Our match sponsors and the Sheffield Wednesday friendly were Universal Office Products. They chose Matty Blair as their Man of the Match.

Match sponsors Albermale Homes presented Man of the Match Niall Mason with his winner’ Champagne after the Gillingham game.

Niall returned the favour by presenting Albermale Homes with their match sponsor’s signed shirt.

35

PLAYER SPONSORS Ian LAWLOR

01

Sponsored by

02

Craig ALCOCK

Sponsored by

Danny ANDREWS

03

Matty BLAIR

17

Alfie MAY

19

Tyler GARRATT

20

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Away

Away

PETER AND NICK VUCKOVIC

Home

Home

Home

Home

Away

Away

Away

Away

In Memory of Tim Holl

Luke MCCULLOUGH

04

Sponsored by

05

Mathieu BAUDRY

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Away

Away

The Farrell Family

07

Sponsored by

Niall MASON

In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan

Retford Supporters Club

Andrew BUTLER

06

Will LONGBOTTOM

Sponsored by Home

Johnson Environmental Consultants

Away

In Memory of Carl AKA Choco

DRFC Supporters Club - North Branch

08

Sponsored by

John MARQUIS

Richard Royston

21

Sponsored by

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Sewa Singh

April Thomas

Rodney KONGOLO

South Kirkby Post Office

09

22

Sponsored by

Alex KIWOMYA

23

Sponsored by THE WHEATSHEAF CIRENCESTER

Home

Home

Away

Away

Harry MIDDLETON

Sponsored by

Alfie BEESTIN

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

24

Sponsored by

Mitchel LUND

Home Away

South Kirby Post Office

25

Sponsored by

James COPPINGER

26

Sponsored by Daniel Calow

Home

Home

Home

Away

Away

Away

Tommy ROWE

Michael King

The Farrell Family

10

Sponsored by

Andy WILLIAMS

11

Sponsored by

Ben WHITEMAN

12

Home

Home

Away

Away

Issam Ben KHEMIS

27

Reece FIELDING

Home

Max Pearson

Away

Goodnight Sleeptight Beds

29

Tyler WALKER

32

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

Home

Away

Away

TIBERIUS BATCHELOR AND

Home

Retford Supporters Club

Away

South Kirkby Post Office

Marko MAROSI

13

Sponsored by

Home

Dr Erskine

2

Away

ROSSINGTON HALL Home

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Away

Liam MANDEVILLE

14

Sponsored by Home

Joe WRIGHT

15

Louis JONES

Louis JONES

Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management

Away

Irene Holt

33

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Pegler Yorkshire

Away

Away

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Away

Keith McGlone

Darren FERGUSON

Donny DOG

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Away

Away

STADIUM STARS DAY NURSERY

Home Away

3

NEWS East Stand sponsor Donasonic has committed its support to the club by becoming an official platinum partner of Club Doncaster.

Jon Warburton, commercial manager at Club Doncaster, said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the continued support from all of our partners this summer, but there is no doubt that the official partner package has captured the imagination.

Donasonic, who are a company specialising in the design and manufacture of waste recycling machines, have been involved as a key club partner since 2013.

“Donasonic have been an absolute stalwart of support for the club for

Through the club’s new official partner package, the Doncaster based company will continue the association for a further year.

“It has meant a great deal to our company to be able to support Doncaster Rovers as we have done over the past few years”

Sean Cassidy, director at Donasonic, said that he company was excited about the new partnership opportunity at Club Doncaster.

Extending the partnership comes as both companies are expanding their reach.

He said: “It has meant a great deal to our company to be able to support Doncaster Rovers as we have done over the past few years.

“This new partnership with the club comes at an exciting time for us, as we further our work in South East Asia to provide innovative waste recycling solutions.

“We have recently completed the installation of the largest municipal solid waste sorting plant in Thailand.

“Now we are working with the government in Jakarta, Indonesia, to

38

more than four years now, making a real contribution in that time.

install what could potentially be Asia’s largest waste to energy power plant, with 1,200 tons of waste sorted every day.”

Silver and Bronze, all giving partners the opportunity to support the club in a way that works for them.

The new official partnership package with Club Doncaster has five distinct levels, from Platinum +, Platinum, Gold,

With more than 40 official partners signed up for the 2017/18 season already, the future is looking very bright for the club.

“And we are very grateful that they have extended their association with us, as they themselves enter an exciting new chapter for their business.”

To find out more about becoming an official partner at Club Doncaster, email commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk or call 01302 764665 to speak to a member of the team.

39

Win

LOTTERY RESULTS 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 9195 Edwin Burton £25 xheque 9595 Mrs C Barkworth Grove Inn Meal Voucher 9318 Michael Johnson Coleman’s Pizzeria Meal Voucher 9623 Nigel McClay Woodfield Farm Meal Voucher 9616 Michael Hargreaves Blacksmith’s Arms Meal Voucher 9374 Lucy Batchelor Vintage Bar Meal Voucher

Winning Number – 5862 M Andrews, Balby, Wins £500 Next week’s Top Prize £500 Two £50 Winners 6968 E Sadd, Carcroft 1956 A Jepson, Doncaster

Four £25 Winners 8129 G Kirby, Scawthorpe 3526 K Hudson, Retford 8838 J Malee, Wheatley 9195 E Burton, Scawsby

tickets

Sponsored prize winners 0791 S Highfield, Canal Tavern

Meal Voucher 6098 K Kelly, Cheswold Voucher 0328 D Churchill, Corner Pin Voucher The Rovers Alliance costs just £2.25 per 5797 K Walton Hatfields Meal Voucher week and comes packed with numerous 6496 M Doran , Trades & Labour Club benefits, not only do members get entry

Meal Voucher into the weekly lottery draw but they 1462 B Heath Eagle & Child Meal are also entered into the annual Super Voucher Jackpot Draw (with a guaranteed prize of 6659 J Swaby Ship Inn Meal Voucher £10,000) and numerous draws for money 6790 C Leonard, Med @ The Market can’t buy prizes. Other fantastic benefits

Meal Voucher include 5% discount on season tickets and 5324 J Turner Angel Inn Meal Voucher 10% off all corporate hospitality packages. 9595 C Barkworth, Grove Inn Meal Voucher For more information about the benefits 9318 M Johnson Coleman’s Pizzeria & of joining Rovers Alliance, please e-mail

Steak House Meal Voucher reception@clubdoncaster.co.uk . 9623 N McClay Woodfield

Farm Meal Voucher Several other Rovers fans were also 9616 M Hargreaves Blacksmith’s Arm winners this week through their £1 lottery Meal Voucher membership, the full list of winners is as 9374 L Batchelor Vintage Bar follows;

Meal Voucher 6738 C Clarke 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 Welcome to the second edition of DNA: the new look matchday programme for the 2017-18 season.

people like John Coyle, Alex Gibbings, Paul Mayfield, Martin O’Hara and Alan Roberts.

We put a lot of thought into the matchday programme and over the summer I often found myself wishing I could add even more pages to fit everything in. We’ve tried to add features smartly, though, football club’s are busy at the best of times and we want to ensure we can deliver a good programme on a consistent basis.

Accompanying Rovers players on community visits is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job, and in pre-season you have bought your fresh fish or fruit and vegetables off one of them in Doncaster Market.

This player visit was a bit different from our norm – not least because we accidentally sent some of the players to an industrial park thanks to a wonky satnav as we had the full squad there in one go rather than just a couple.

While we have a team of three fulltime staff members working on media for Club Doncaster, we could only produce this programme with the help of contributors who give up their time and effort for free.

They should already know how much I value their contributions, but I’d like to place on record my thanks to

42

The players were great sports, as always, and you can check out some of the highlights on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/ DoncasterRoversOfficial.

Luke Thornhill Club Doncaster media manager

43

SUPPORTERS Official Supporters Club Good afternoon, and a big welcome to the Keepmoat Stadium for our second home league game of the season.

We were unlucky not to win against Gillingham, but had a great victory in the Carabo Cup against Bradford City and again at Blackburn Rovers. We hope the Blackpool fans have had a good trip over the M62.

Thanks to Darren Ferguson, Gavin Baldwin, Andy Butler and Alfie May for attending the Supporters Club’s AGMs at the North and Main branch. The Retford Branch are holding their AGM at Retford United’s Cannon park on Leverton Road, Retford DN22 6QF on Thursday September 14 at 7.30pm - all fans are welcome and there will be a buffet.

The Retford branch are also doing a boat trip down the River Don on Sunday September 10, leaving Sprotborough at 2.30pm, cost is £10 per person inc pie and peas, children are welcome to come along, for what should be a great day.

Call Paul for details and bookings.

The next away game is at Wimbledon on Saturday August 26, bus fares and times are listed later in the programme for the season, followed by Northampton on Saturday September 9.

We will also be running a coach to the Checkatrade Trophy game at Grimsby Town - provisional departure times will be Retford 4.45pm, Harworth 4.55pm, Rossington 5.05pm, Punches 5.10pm,

44

Infirmary 5.15pm and Keepmoat 5.30pm fare will be £12 and £11 for members – add £2 for non-members. Our North branch also run coaches to most away games from Carcroft, Adwick, and points along the A19 , a good active branch, it makes it much easier to travel if you live that way – call 07780316923 for more information.

We also run coaches for certain games from the Sprotborough area, and the travel club have pick ups in the Hatfield area.

You can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches or at the Supporters Club shop which is situated in the Club Doncaster Academy (away end) open before home matches, you can also book on the coaches.

You can also book by calling Paul on 07961727769, or you can download a form on doncasterroverssupportersclub.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 memorabilia.

Finally our thoughts and best wishes go to the family of Matty Blair, after the loss of his brother Ross: it shows they type of person he is to play against Gillingham. Thanks to all the fans who also attended Dick Watson’s funeral a week last Tuesday.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Mayfield

Viking Supporters Co-Operative So we are three games into the new season and we’ve started relatively strongly which is always key at the onset of fixtures.

First and foremost, the VSC board would like to give credit where credit is due, following on from the very impressive recruitment that the board sanctioned for Darren Ferguson last season with the signings of Jordan Houghton, Niall Mason, John Marquis, Matty Blair, Tommy Rowe, Ian Lawlor and Alfie May, and the subsequent success this yielded, it has once again been very refreshing to see that the same has applied this year.

Securing Mason on a permanent, Ben Whiteman, Rodney Kongolo, Issam Ben Khemis and Danny Andrew look to have certainly upped the ante once more. Add to that the very highly rated (yet unlucky) Alex Kiwomya to the fold and it becomes clear that the board’s vision for the future is well underway - we have the makings of what looks like a very decent squad (at least) on paper for this coming campaign.

Secondly, Darren, Gavin Baldwin and the coaching team have clearly worked hard on bringing these players together to perform well as a unit - the first three results have been very positive and bar an exceptional display from the Gillingham keeper we could have started with three straight wins. The Bradford cup result and last weekend’s win at Blackburn certainly put out a marker to the rest of the league that ‘the likes of Donny’ could have a very good season. Here’s hoping!

And finally, the VSC would like to say a couple of heartfelt goodbyes.

We were proud and honoured to be invited to Dick Watson’s funeral last Tuesday - as Terry and Andy said in their eulogies and tributes, Dick gave so much joy to thousands of Rovers fans who were probably unaware of his behind-thescenes impact.

Dick became not only a vital cog in the successes at DRFC on his time on the board of the club but also a full-fledged Rovers fan - our thanks go to him and our condolences go to his family.

We would also like to wish Liam Scully the very best of luck in his new role at Lincoln City. For those unaware of Liam and his various roles with the club, he started as out as a raw fresh-faced youngster at Belle Vue working with Mark Cooper under the guidance of Eric Randerson and Richard Bailey within the early days of the ‘Rovers in the community’ scheme before working his way up the ranks to become, in essence, Gavin’s right-hand-man.

He’ll be missed too. Good luck Liam on your new journey As ever, here’s to a great season!

The VSC board

45

Travelling by train: Norbiton station, which is closest to the ground, is currently closed due to South West Trains works being carried out. The next closest station is New Malden, which is a little over a mile walk from the ground.There is also a bus service from New Malden station to the ground.

46 Travelling by train: The nearest train station to the ground is Cleethorpes, which is a mile walk from the ground.

There is also a bus service that runs to towards the stadium.

4.45PM

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

4.35PM

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

4.30PM

ROSS

Travelling by car: Take the M18 north then turn onto the M180 which becomes the A180 once you get past the Barnetby Top junction From the A180, take the third exit at the roundabout, continuing on the A180. At the next two roundabouts, take the second exits, this will take you on to A180 Cleethorpe Road. Continue straight onto A180 Grimsby Road, before turning left on to Imperial Avenue, and the ground is on your left.

BAWTRY

Travelling by car: Follow the M1 and M25 to the A3, taking the exit at Junction 10 from the M25. Carry on to the A3 on the Kingston Bypass, before turning left on to South Lane, going straight over two roundabouts. Continue, before turning left again onto A2043 Kingston Road, and the ground is on the left.

HAW

Ground: Blundell Park Capacity: 9,052 (all seated) Phone: 01472 605050 Postcode: DN35 7PY

RET

Ground: Cherry Red Records Stadium Capacity: 4,850 (2,265 seated) Phone: 020 8547 3528 Postcode: KT1 3PB

OPPONENT

The first group game in the Checkatrade Trophy sees Rovers face Grimsby at Blundell Park on Tuesday August 29.

DATE

Rovers travel to the capital to face AFC Wimbledon in Sky Bet League One on Saturday August 26.

08/08/17 Brad City EFL Cup

MEMBERS

AWAY TRAVEL SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTURE TIMES

47

ACTION REPLAY - BRADFORD CITY

Full Time

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 - BLACKBURN ROVERS

50

51

CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION

Children from across the Doncaster Borough have the opportunity to replicate their heroes this summer with a series of football development courses based at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Delivered by fully qualified UEFA B and Level 2 coaches, the courses include three days of football, a pitch side presentation, a stadium tour and even a chance to have a meet and greet with Donny Dog. Four successful courses have already been delivered at the Keepmoat Stadium but there is still time to book onto the fifth and final course starting this Tuesday August 22.

Community officer for schools development Dean Sharp said: “Throughout the summer we have been offering Doncaster children the opportunity to develop their skills here at the Keepmoat Stadium.

“Using our highly qualified coaching staff we have progressed each participant

to achieve their best. We hope that our facilities can inspire these children to continue playing football and reach their potential.

After a short summer to coincide with the 2017/18 EFL campaign, Fit Rovers is back and ready for another season of incredible results.

“We want our sessions to be fun so the participants enjoy them, but it would be great if one of these children could make a journey all the way to the first team one day.”

The eight-week healthy lifestyle course based at the Keepmoat Stadium provides men across Doncaster with the chance to make dramatic changes with weekly interactive workshops and exercise sessions tailored to every individual.

The courses are for children aged 7-9 and 9-11 and cost just £30 for three full days of football including the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Children must wear shin pads while on the courses and have a change of footwear and a packed lunch with them ready for a 9am start.

Children can be collected at 3:30pm at the end of each day.

To book onto the fifth and final course of this summer here at the Keepmoat Stadium, contact the Box Office on 01302 762576.

The first three courses engaged with 86 men and between them they lost an astonishing 41 stone 13lb lost with 424cm lost from their combined waist circumference.

Course facilitator Scott Copeland said: “We’re delighted with how well the community has responded: the fourth course had been filled for some time with

some participants waiting a couple o,f months for their opportunity.

“We hope we can continue to emulate the results from previous courses, but most of all that the participants enjoy the course and become Fit Rovers veterans.

“The offering to vets has never been so good with circuits sessions, weekly football sessions, 11-a-side friendlies and social events throughout the year. Course dates for the rest of the season have been planned and places are likely to go fast so I would encourage people to get in touch.”

For more information on how to join this fantastic opportunity at the Keepmoat Stadium, contact our team by calling 01302 764665 or email us at fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.

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

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DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES

CLUB DONCASTER Richard Horne feels Doncaster Rugby League still have plenty to work on after picking up their first win of the Kingstone Press League One Super 8s with a 30-22 victory over Whitehaven.

Late tries from Kieran Cross and Charlie Martin sealed the two points at the Keepmoat Stadium last weekend, and Horne says the performance merited a positive result.

He said: “We turned up with some real grit and determination in defence and we scrambled well when they had the ball.

“We make games so hard for ourselves with handling errors in key areas, and then on the back of that when we do complete, we’re giving away too many penalties. Having said that, I thought we were the better team out there and threw a lot at them, we just didn’t have

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enough of the ball to win the game more comfortably.”

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

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

The Dons face Workington next up in the Super 8s and Horne believes they can go into tomorrow’s game full of confidence.

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)

He added:“We scored some nice tries and just need to make sure we’re smarter when we’re defending against the bigger sides.

“Beating teams at the top end of the table is the direction we want to go in, we want to make sure we’re in the top five come the end of the season so what we’ve got a chance of getting promoted.

The Belles are offering an early bird scheme on all season tickets purchased

by Friday September 15 , plus a 20 per cent discount for anyone on record as having purchased a season ticket for the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.

“We want to try and improve each week and I feel like we’re doing that, we look dangerous when we have the ball we just need to make sure we get it more often.”

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.

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1st Sub

2nd Sub

3rd Sub

FIXTURES Date

Opp

K/O

Comp Score Att

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

Away

Pos

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

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

EFL1 0-0 D 7,512 568 EFLC 3-2 W 3,175 388 EFL1 3-1 W 12,223 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 CT

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

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

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

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

3.00PM 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

13 - 7

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor

Blair Andrew Wright Butler Mason Whiteman Coppinger Rowe Mandeville Marquis Marosi Alcock Garratt Kongolo Beestin Longbottom May Garratt Butler Wright Mason Andrew Kongolo1 Whiteman1 Rowe May1 Marquis Marosi Alcock Fielding Prior Beestin Fletcher Longbottom 1 Mason Andrew Wright Butler Whiteman Blair Coppinger1 Rowe Mandeville Marquis Marosi Alcock Garratt Khemis Kongolo May1 Williams

MAY Sat 05

56

57

DNACARD

Club Doncaster

STACKED WITH HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL DISCOUNTS INCLUDING

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.

Click & Collect

Order by phone 0330 123 4123

Same day & choose your hour delivery

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 discount sare subject to change and terms and conditions

REFEREE Robert JONES ASSISTANT REFEREES Barry GORDON Paul GRAHAM 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

MANAGER Darren FERGUSON

MANAGER Gary BOWYER

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)

BLACKPOOL 01 Ben WILLIAMS (GK) 02 Kelvin MELLOR 03 Andy TAYLOR 04 Jim McALISTER 05 Clark ROBERTSON 06 Will AIMSON 07 Kyle VASSELL 09 Mark CULLEN 10 Max CLAYTON 11 Armand GNANDUILLET 12 Nick ANDERTON) 14 Jimmy RYAN 15 Sean LONGSTAFF 16 Curtis TILT 17 Viv SOLOMON OTABOR 18 Danny PHILLISKIRK 19 Jamille MATT 20 Ollie TURTON 21 Bright OSAYI-SAMUEL 23 Colin DANIEL 24 Callum COOKE 25 Myles BONEY 26 Ryan ALLSOP 29 Peter HARTLEY 30 Nathan DELFOUNESO 36 Raul CORREIA 37 Christoffer MAFOUMBI

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

Hull City (H) Carabao Cup second round Keepmoat Stadium Tuesday August 22 2017 // Kick-Off 7:45pm

AFC Wimbledon (A) Sky Bet League One The Cherry Red Records Stadium Saturday August 26 2017 // Kick-Off 3pm