Doncaster Rovers v Southend United Matchday Magazine

DONCASTER ROVERS v SOUTHEND UNITED Sky Bet League One Saturday October 7, 2017 3pm kick-off

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE / SEASON 2017/18 / ISSUE 8 / £3

ALFIE MAY

BUILDING BLOCKS

YOUR SATURDAY MORNING, SORTED

JEFF’S, RUINED

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Main club sponsor Virgin Trains Associate club sponsor Stoneacre Motor Group Technical kit supplier FBT Europe Chairman David Blunt Major shareholders Terry Bramall, David Blunt, 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 Fitness coach Ben Rome 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 Executive director Jim Lord Head of FoundationJohn Davis NCS programme manager Jan Budtz CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE Principal Adi Turnpenny Deputy principals Joe Burton, Ben Thompson PROGRAMME Contributors Robbie Andrews, Clare Bailey, Dan Breslin, John Coyle, Ryan Daly, Alex Gibbings, Sophie Scargill, Paul Mayfield, Nicola Moran Photography Phil Ryan, AH Pix, Stephen Connor, Dave Hiskey, Heather King, Rex Features, Rob Terrace Design Sandile Somhedlwana, Hannah Moore Print Pinders of Sheffield

CONTENTS 05

DARREN FERGUSON

07

GAVIN BALDWIN

08

ALFIE MAY

17 OPPOSITION 29

JUNIOR ROVERS

34 COMMERCIAL 42

SUPPORTERS

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A word from the manager

Darren Ferguson Good afternoon. I’d like to welcome Phil Brown and the Southend supporters, players, staff and owners who have made the trip up from Essex.

It was a good win on Tuesday, with a very young team - the average age of the side that finished the game was 19. There was some real energy about the side, a good clean sheet and plenty of positives.

The biggest thing from that match is the development of the young players as they took part in a good team performance.

The Checkatrade Trophy has worked well for us, and over the past couple of seasons we have been able to gain valuable experience for players which really aided their development.

The young players won’t forget that game. It is a tournament where if you get through the early stages it can really capture the imagination. The fans who were here on Tuesday night will have seen a good performance, and I hope left feeling positive about our future as a club.

We have performed really well for large periods of the games against Shrewsbury and Bradford, but let ourselves down with lapses in concentration. Both of those are really good sides who are going to be right up there come the end of the season, but we feel we should have got something out of both games.

I am going to keep drumming the importance of concentration into players, as that is what makes the best players stand out.

The backing at Bradford was again fantastic, as it has been all season home and away. Your support can prove vital as we look for the win today which can push us up the table.

Enjoy the game.

It was pleasing to get a win in front of our home fans, and we want to do that again in the league after a couple of frustrating results.

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W AT C H A F I L M

K N I R D A H AV E

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

(Maybe they’re daydreaming back at

you. Deep!)

Thoughts of the chief executive

Gavin Baldwin Good afternoon and welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for today’s visit of Southend United. I’d like to welcome the owners, fan, players and staff of the Shrimpers and wish them a safe journey home.

I am sure everyone in the stadium today would like to see Rovers a little higher in the table, but we should not let the defeats against Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City cloud our judgement too much. They followed mightily impressive performances at Arsenal and Plymouth Argyle, and themselves were followed up by a good showing in the 1-0 win over Sunderland U21.

The Checkatrade Trophy is a tournament which our manager Darren Ferguson has really used to our advantage, and for so many players to get competitive first-team debuts in the fixture was very encouraging. Jacob Fletcher, Tyler Walker, Morgan James, Cody Prior and James Morris all more than held their own against a Black Cats side that had much more experience - Jack Rodwell cost the club £10million when they signed him from Manchester City!

every time I head down to the training ground can now be seen in some tangible results.

This all gives me great confidence for the rest of the league season. There were plenty of encouraging signs even in defeat against Shrewsbury and Bradford, which followed some truly top-class showings at Arsenal and Plymouth, and so long as we continue working hard then we can expect to be moving back up the table.

A reminder that the Big Bang will take place on Friday November 3 this year.

Tickets are available now from our Box Office for just £3 (or £2 if you have a DNA Card).

Enjoy the game.

Add to that the call-up for Danny Amos to the Northern Ireland U19 side - he has been in Poland with them all this week - and the Academy staff led by Kieran Scarff can take a lot of credit.

As a club we have put a lot of focus on our Academy since Darren’s arrival as manager, and the progress that I can see

07

8

#19

ALFIE MAY Alfie May has had to work hard for the success he has had in a Doncaster Rovers shirt over the past 10 months or so. This time last year, the diminutive front man was a builder working for a business owned by his brother, still plying his trade in the lower echelons of non-league with Hythe Town.

so I just had to get on with it. There were some days when I would play on a Tuesday night and then be up at 5:30am on a Wednesday morning for work so it was tough.

“I didn’t have too many trials as a youngster, I had offers from Stevenage and Gillingham before I signed here but, once I knew Doncaster were interested, I knew they were the club for me.”

But the late nights and early mornings eventually paid off for May when Darren Ferguson snapped him up in January, and he has not The 24-year-old scored looked back since. three goals in the latter “There were some days stages of last season, and when I would play on a “I didn’t think I was has already gone on to net Tuesday night and then going to make it as a five times in the 2017/18 be up at 5:30am in the professional and that campaign, something he morning for work” I would stay as a nonbelieves is due largely to league player, but it feels his first ever pre-season great and I just want to in professional football. keep going to do the best for the team,” he says.

“The pre-season has helped me massively,” he says.

“It was difficult getting little reward for playing, but with working for my brother’s “The coaching staff have helped me in business I didn’t want to let him down becoming a better player, and I’ve learnt

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to adapt my game to benefit the team. It has made me a lot sharper, it’s developed me mentally as well – now I understand what’s going to happen during a game and can play on the front foot.

“I’m not the biggest striker but I use my body quite well and try to make it hard for defenders, working hard in the gym has made me a lot stronger.”

can improve each other’s game with more time on the pitch.

“When you click with someone you both go into the game with confidence, we know how each other works and a run of games together can only improve us as individuals and as a strike partnership,” he says.

May was seen as something of an impact player at the start of the season after scoring a number of goals coming off the substitute’s bench.

“Confidence and concentration are big for me. I feel like I’ve taken a lot on board to make my game improve, I love scoring goals and I’ve managed to do that so far this season.

But that is something that does not faze the front man, who is happy to do a job for the team whether he is picked from the start of a game or not.

“I’ve said before that the simple fact is the goal doesn’t move, on any pitch it’s always in the same spot so if I get in the right areas I know I can put the ball in the net.

“Every player wants to start games but it’s down to the manager and I had to keep working hard, even when I’m on the bench I just get my head down and try and do as well as I can when I’m on the pitch,” he says.

“When it does click we know that with the chances we create that we will score plenty of goals, with players such as James Coppinger and Tommy Rowe in midfield we have goals around the team.”

“All of the strikers were good with me when I first came in, they are all different so I can learn from them all and take that into my own game.

“Knowing the gaffer has the belief in me is big for my confidence, whether I’m starting or on the bench I want to do my best.”

After striking up a partnership with last season’s top scorer John Marquis in recent weeks, May is confident that they

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Rovers are still looking for their first home league win of the season after three draws and two defeats, with the Keepmoat Stadium still to become the fortress it was during the short stay in Sky Bet League Two. May reckons that getting back to the consistent home form of last season will see Rovers climb the league table sooner rather than later.

“We haven’t played badly too often this season, it’s the finer details where we

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS need to improve and, once we do that, I’m sure we’ll have a successful season,” he says.

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

“We want to score goals so it’s frustrating when we don’t, we scored so many goals last season so it’s about handling the step up against better defences.

OR

“We’ve got to stop leaking goals after going in front, we talk about it at length in the meetings we have and are always looking for ways to get better.

“Winning at home is important as the supporters will keep turning out each week, we need them behind us as much as possible.”

OR

On a personal level, May is just enjoying being a professional footballer after waiting so long for his chance to come, and is continuing to learn from Darren Ferguson and the rest of the Rovers coaching staff.

“In my head I’ve set myself a target privately for the season, but I’m just taking it game by game so I just want to score as many goals as possible to prove I can cut it at this level,” he adds.

“It’s easier to get away with a few things in non-league and it’s totally different to what goes on here, I’m really grateful to have this opportunity.

“I want to prove to the coaching staff that the work they are putting in behind the scenes is improving me as a player and that’s the way of me paying them back.”

OR

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ABC 11 11

NEWS

Doncaster Rovers youngster Danny Amos is part of the Northern Ireland U19 squad for their current European Championship qualifying tournament.

The 17-year-old defender featured in several of Rovers’ matchday squads in the 2016/17 campaign, making one first-team appearance.

He is with Stephen Frail’s U19 side for the tournament, which is being staged in Poland, with the aim of finishing in the top two in order to reach the final round of qualifying.

Rovers head of Academy Kieran Scarff said: “This is an excellent reward for Danny’s hard work, he can be hugely proud of this call-up and we all wish him well as he heads to Poland for the week.

This is a sign of the real progress we’re

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making as a club and is recognition for the level of work being carried out within the Academy.

“The addition of a development squad this season, alongside the daily work with the first team players and support from academy and first team staff is helping lads like Danny progress and test themselves against senior players.”

U18 coach Paul Stancliffe said: “I’m proud and pleased for him - he’s done all the work himself.

“As a coach you can put things into player’s minds, you work on their technical abilit,y but at the end of the day it’s what they want to do, if they want to take things on board they’ve got the attitude to do it and, to be fair, Danny does. He’s got a great attitude.”

Midfielder Issam Ben Khemis was delighted to get his first senior goal for the club in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Sunderland U21 on Tuesday.

The Frenchman, who signed for Rovers after impressing on a trial period at the start of the season, saw his left-footed curler nestle in a top corner of Mike Domingues’ net after 70 minutes.

He said: “It was a really good game, with a youthful team but we worked hard and overall, it was a good game and it was good to get the win.

“I am happy to get my first goal for the club, Liam Mandeville provided me with a good assist and I think it was very important to get the three points. We have a good group of players, at the moment the results have been difficult

but we are sticking together and we will turn it around.”

Since moving to England, Ben Khemis has relied on fellow countryman Mathieu Baudry and the 21-year-old has said that he dedicated his celebration to his team-mate.

He added: “The celebration was for my friend Mathieu Baudry as we are looking to go and watch some NFL, and some of the players celebrate like that.

“He has helped me to settle into Doncaster which is important for me, because sometimes it is difficult coming over to a new country, learning the language and culture.”

You can watch Issam’s interview in full at doncasterroversfc.co.uk or at YouTube.com/DoncasterRoversOfficial.

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NEWS

Andy Butler has promised Rovers’ players will stick together as a team as they look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat at Bradford City.

Rovers were beaten 2-0 at the Northern Commercials Stadium, a second defeat in five days, and were again undone by two headed goals late in the first period.

Butler said: “We are not that far away, the games we’ve lost are through individual mistakes which have cost us - but we win together as a team and lose together as a team. We score and defend as a team, so we need to stick together.

“It is a results-based game. We want to say we’ve won the game and played well putting those two things together is what we need to do. We have to brush it off and

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get ready for Southend on Saturday. We can’t dwell on it, we need to get on with it and get a result.”

The match at Bradford was a frustrating one for Rovers, and Butler felt his side’s performance in the second half was encouraging.

He added: “In the second half I thought we were the dominant team, but just couldn’t find the goal which would get us back into the game.

“Marko’s only had one save to make other than the goals, and I know we keep saying it but it really is fine margins.

“We had a couple cleared off the line, and, if one of those go in it’s a different game completely.”

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HEAD TO HEAD

COMPLETE RESULT TABLE COMPETITON FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FA CUP

FL Play Offs

EFL Trophy GRAND TOTAL

P W D L F A H 15 8 3 4 17 11 A 15 4 2 9 16 29 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 30 12 5 13 33 40 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 1 1 0 0 5 1 A 1 0 1 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 1 1 0 5 1 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

33 14 6 13 39 41 17

AWAY TEAM SOUTHEND UNITED

TOP STOPPER No stranger to his manager, former Hull man Oxley joined Southend in the summer of 2016 after a Scottish Cup win with Hibernian the season before.

Signing for the Tigers in 2008, Oxley spent eight years in East Yorkshire but needed a number of loan moves to get first-team football. A season on loan, followed by a permanent move with Hibs in 2015 saw Oxley start to establish himself as No.1 with the Edinburgh club, and was a major part of helping the club to reach two major finals in the same season.

He moved to Essex in 2016, signing a two-year deal with the Shrimpers, and quickly established himself as the club’s first choice goalkeeper.

MARK OXLEY

1

MIDFIELD MAESTRO A man with a wealth of Premier League experience, winger Kightly signed for Southend this summer, immediately making an impact on his return to Roots Hall.

After initially starting out with the Shrimpers, Kightly found early success in non-league with Grays Athletic, which earned him a move to Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, initially on loan in 2006, before making the move permanent in January 2007. He helped them them reach the Premier League in 2008, before signing with Stoke City in 2012, after Wanderers’ relegation from the top flight.

After three years with Burnley, whom he joined in 2014, Kightly returned to Southend this summer, and scored the winner against Blackburn on his debut.

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MICHAEL KIGHTLY

7

DEFENSIVE ROCK West Ham United academy product Anton is Southend’s skipper this season.

After spending six years with the Hammers, and earning a runners-up medal in the 2006 FA Cup final, Ferdinand moved to Wearside to join Sunderland in 2008. Three years later, he moved back down south to Queens Park Rangers, and was a key part of the side that stayed in the Premier League in 2012.

5

ANTON FERDINAND

After a brief loan spell with Bursaspor, followed by a permanent move to Antalyaspor, Ferdinand returned to England with Reading in 2014. Two years later and Ferdinand found himself in Essex, signing a one-year deal with the Shrimpers, before signing a new contract in the summer, and being made Phil Brown’s captain, taking over from John White.

DEADLY STRIKER Another man with Premier League experience, Simon Cox signed for Southend in 2016, following his release from Reading.

SIMON COX

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Starting out with the Royals, he spent much of his time away from the Madjeski, and instead found success with Swindon Town on loan initially, before a permanent move to Wiltshire the following season.

With the Robins, Cox scored 43 goals in the two seasons he was there, which got him a move to West Bromwich Albion where he helped them to earn promotion back to the Premier League.

Cox joined Nottingham Forest in 2012, before rejoining Reading two years later, but again struggled with his hometown club, and spent a short period on loan at Bristol City. He signed for Southend at the start of last season and has been a key player.

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JOINT FIVE-A-SIDE GOALKEEPER Mark PRUDHOE Played for 17 different clubs during a distinguished career in the EFL. He came through the ranks at Sunderland before a move to Walsall in 1984. It was during his time there that he made a loan move to Rovers, and played a handful of games at Belle Vue before other loan moves saw him turn out for Sheffield Wednesday, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United. A permanent move to Carlisle followed but it was after a move to Darlington in 1989 that Prudhoe really established himself as a first choice shot-stopper. He made close to 150 appearances throughout his time in the north-east before signing for Stoke City. Joined Southend,where he made his final professional appearances, in 1999.

DEFENDER George FRIEND Started his career at Exeter and excelled in the lower leagues before a big money move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008. The full-back struggled to hold down a regular first team spot at Molineux and, after loan spells with both Southend and Scunthorpe United, signed permanently with Sean O’Driscoll’s Doncaster side in the summer of 2010.

Three seasons with Rovers followed in the Championship before relegation meant he moved on to Middlesbrough.

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Friend was awarded the captaincy shortly after arriving at the Riverside Stadium and guided his side to promotion to the Premier League in the 2015/16 campaign.

MIDFIELDERS John SPICER The versatile midfielder started his career with Arsenal before a loan move to Bournemouth became permanent in 2005. After just a year with the Cherries he signed for Burnley for a fee of £35,000.

He played almost 70 games during his time at Turf Moor before signing for Doncaster upon their promotion to the Championship in 2008. The move saw him reunited with manager Sean O’Driscoll, whom he had previously worked under during his time at Bournemouth. Spicer had three successful seasons with Rovers before injury cut short his stay in South Yorkshire, he went out on loan to Leyton Orient before permanent moves to Notts County and Southend United followed.

for Leeds United but couldn’t repeat the goal scoring form which earned him the move to Elland Road, and eventually signed for Doncaster in 2012. Paynter helped Rovers earn promotion back to the Championship, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Theo ROBINSON

Known for his pace and ability to get in behind defenders, Theo Robinson started his career at Watford. After struggling to break through into the first team at Vicarage Road, Robinson moved out on loan to Southend and impressed enough during his short stint there to earn a permanent move to Huddersfield in the summer of 2009. Three seasons at the John Smith’s Stadium included loan moves to both Millwall and Derby, STRIKERS before he signed permanently at Pride Park in 2011. After scoring Billy 18 goals in 67 appearances for the Rams, Robinson PAYNTER signed for Doncaster and made an immediate impact, scoring Started his career at Port Vale and went on to make 144 appearances at Vale Park, in his opening two matches scoring 30 goals. A move to Hull followed for Paul Dickov’s side. Since before he signed for Southend in 2006. His leaving Rovers he has had spells with Motherwell, spell at Roots Hall was not as successful Port Vale and as he would have hoped for, as he failed Lincoln City, to score in his solitary season with the before club. Paynter’s career reignited after re-signing signing for Swindon Town, the front-man for Southend formed a strike partnership with Charlie on a permanent Austin as the Robins reached the League deal in One play-off final, only to be beaten 1-0 January 2017.

by Millwall at Wembley. He then signed

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MY WEEK Keeping a full squad of players and coaching staff fed is no easy task, Sam Turner and Vicky Keighron talk us through how they do it MONDAY We come in at 8am to get breakfast ready and put the latest food delivery away.

Breakfast is things like poached egg, muffins, beans, scrambled egg, porridge, fresh fruit and Actimel.The players come and help themselves once they have got changed. Once the players go out to train we clean up and put the pots away, then prepare for dinnertime.We always have chicken, fish and pasta, as well as jacket potatoes and plenty of vegetables. Vicky does a fresh salad bar every day too. We go through the menus with the nutritionist to make sure everything is as it should be. The first-team and youth team get the same food, but the kids have to wait til the senior players have eaten. We have to keep an eye on some players who sometimes try and sneak a second main!

TUESDAY If we have a late game we prepare a pre-match meal, which is things like scrambled egg, plain chicken, pasta, broccoli and jacket potatoes.

THURSDAY The players are allowed a pudding on this day, as the nutritionist reckons once a week it’ll do them good. John Marquis buys us a big bar of Galaxy once a week in return for us making his favourite sticky toffee pudding.

FRIDAY This is the day before a match, so they have plenty of carbohydrates like pasta

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so they have energy for the game. We also make sandwiches for the manager’s office the next day, and prepare packup - sandwiches, fruit and flapljacks - if the team are playing away.

MATCHDAY We are always down at the Keepmoat Stadium cheering on the lads. The players at the moment are brilliant and wo nderful to work with. If it’s a late kick-off we occasionally have to prepare a pre-match meal.

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

YOUTH TEAM FIXTURES YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE 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

Cup group match 3 Hartlepool United Notts County

Sat Nov 4 Sat Nov 11 Sat Nov 18

Cup group match 4 Rotherham United Lincoln City

CENTRAL LEAGUE Tues Sept 5 Bradford City L 1-2 Tues Sept 19 Rotherham L 0-4 Tues Oct 10 Walsall (CL Cup) 2pm *Wed Oct 18 Port Vale 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

*Fixture rearranged from Wednesday October 4.

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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Words from the Academy manager

KIERAN SCARFF The development and progression of our young players is, of course, the priority for all staff. Over the past couple of weeks there have been some excellent examples of player progression through our Academy programme.

We have recently offered scholarships to five of our current Under 16 squad. I am delighted to say that Lirak Hussani, Jack Watson, Josh Wicks, Ben Blythe and Junior Smith have all accepted the offers made to them and will join the full-time ranks once they have finished their GCSEs next summer.

On Tuesday night five players made their first team debuts with four of these being current youth team players. Tyler Walker, Jacob Fletcher, James Morris, Cody Prior and Morgan James can be rightfully proud of their performances as can Reece Fielding in only his second start.

In addition, we have seen Danny Amos,

one of our youth team players, called into the Northern Ireland Under 19s squad for their UEFA European qualifying games in Poland. Danny was due to be starting in the first game against Poland on Wednesday and will also experience games versus Germany and Belarus. This is an excellent opportunity for Danny and full deserved.

So many of our staff will have supported these players through their footballing and personal development and should be proud of the part they have played and continue to play. We have a dedicated, experienced and hard working group of staff who I know will continue to support all our players to ensure the opportunities, experiences they receive and memories they create will be positive.

Paul Stancliffe felt like he was telling the same old story as Rovers’ U18 side were undone by conceding two early goals against Chesterfield. James Morris’ goal proved in vain as two early strikes from the young Spireites sealed the win.

Stancliffe said: “I felt like we could’ve at least got a point out of it, there were a lot of positives in the second half but I am saying the same things week in, week out. We have spells in the game and we don’t concentrate well enough and we concede in those spells - other teams probably do the same, but they don’t concede. We’ve got to toughen up because it’s the same story every week.”

Marshall Willock headed in from an early corner, and just two minutes later a cross was put into Rovers’ box and it found Robbie Foster at an open left post who was on stand-by to just tap it in from close range. After this point, though, Rovers took control of the game and really dominated. pulled a goal back through James Morris after Rilwan Olasun made a good run into the box then played the ball into forris who had space to turn, shoot and then score.

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TEN YEARS AGO: DONCASTER ROVERS IN SEASON 2007-08. Part 6 On Saturday October 20, 2007, Rovers faced a tricky away trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, one of the early pace setters in League One. Rovers fielded the same side that had beaten Huddersfield Town the previous Sunday, although they were boosted by the return of J. J. Price and Lewis Guy to the bench.

The game was a cagey affair, with few chances created, although on another day Rovers might have enjoyed victory.

With 11 minutes left Mark Wilson’s shot rattled the home crossbar and then James Hayter had a shot blocked, apparently by the hand of a defender. Neil Sullivan had to tip over a late header from Holt, but Rovers were good value for their point from a 0-0 draw.

Off the field it was announced that chairman John Ryan and major investors Terry Bramall and Dick Watson would henceforward be equal controlling shareholders, a sign that the local businessmen whom Ryan had brought in were taking a greater role in the club.

On the field, Rovers had a midweek tie in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy against Oldham Athletic at the Keepmoat Stadium. Sean O’Driscoll rang the changes with Price, Guy, Paul Green and Gareth Roberts all starting. Martin Woods and Steve Roberts, both on the way back from injury, were on the bench.

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Oldham generally had the better of things in the first half, but a tactical change which saw Rovers move to a back three produced an improved second half performance.

Price put Rovers ahead fter 55 minutes when he headed home a cross from the left, and 20 minutes later Green doubled the lead when shooting home from James O’Connor’s pass.

Substitute Woods sealed the result when he added the third shortly before full-time after latching onto a ball from Guy.

At the interval, Price replaced Sean McDaid and the switch soon paid dividends. After 52 minutes Price latched onto Gareth Roberts’ free kick and after his shot was blocked Richie Wellens forced in the opening goal (above).

The Os were soon level, though, with Ibehre rounding off a sweeping move from close range after Chambers had lobbed the ball over Sullivan. After 68 minutes the turnaround was complete when Purches cut in from the right and fired low past Sullivan to put the visitors in front.

Within a minute Purches had turned from hero to villain, when he was caught in possession by Guy. He fed Price and the substitute levelled the scores from 10 yards.

Rovers’ final game of October pitted them against Leyton Orient on the final Sunday of the month, the fixture moved due to a race meeting.

Gareth Roberts and Guy in place of Gordon Greer and the virus-hit James Coppinger were the two changes from the Forest game. The visitors from London had enjoyed an impressive start to the season and were above Rovers in the League table. They demonstrated their credentials by having the better of a goalless first period in what was a game of decent quality.

At 2-2 with time remaining the game was there to be won, and it was Rovers who struck the decisive blows. On 83 minutes a Rovers free kick found Green whose shot was blocked by Nelson and fell to Hayter who scored with an overhead kick.

Five minutes later, with Orient seeking a leveller, Rovers broke and the ball found Wellens who shot past Nelson from 15 yards to seal the victory. The win put Rovers just outside the top six and sent them in good spirits into November, where four tricky away trips awaited.

John Coyle

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

Hello everyone, Welcome to today’s game against Southend United and thank you for all of you for travelling today. When I came out of the tunnel and saw the lights shining down it was a moment I will never forget.

One of the best stadiums I have been to and I have been to quite a few now!

I must say a big thank you to the little boy who gave me his Rovers flag: sorry I do not know your name! Our very own Paul Mayfield from the Supporters Club recently became a grandad, I’d like to welome Iris to the Rovers family!

Donny DOg

With my friends Gunnersaurus and Oliver at Arsenal!

Iris Mayfield!

29

30

31

Today’s Mascots

Harry Bodle

Age: 7 Hobbies: football, cricket, running, cycling and horse riding Favourite playesr: Matty Blair & Alfie May

ben hays

Age: 7 Hobbies: fo otball and sw Favourite pl imming ayers: Jam es Coppinge r& Marko Mar osi

ZAck Skinn

Age: 7 Hobbies: football Favourite player: John Marquis

Happy Birthday Ismaeel Ahmed Jenson Anderton Rae Atkin Cian Bakley William Black Darcy Bray James Broomfield Henry Burkitt Miles Chapman Alfie Churchill Dilan Clarke Leighton Critchlow Aidan Dixon Harry Ennis Oliver Heeley Caleb Hibbett Harrison Hird Katy James

Harleigh Jones Miller King Reuben Lindsay Charlie Oleisky Konstantinos Papazoglou Jolie Richards Isla Rowe Billy Rushden Zack Skinn Ethan Sullivan Owen Turner James Warriner Kieran Westmoreland Macauley Winder Bailey Winterman Martha Wood

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

jake skinn

Age: 11 Hobbies: Footb all Favourite pla yer: Alfie Ma

y

Donny’s Score Prediction

2-0 Erik’s Score Prediction

3-1

MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

Doncaster Rovers offer match day experiences open to local sports clubs and children’s groups to experience life behind the scenes on a match day. For just £250, the package incudes: ∙ 10 x junior and 2 x adult tickets ∙ stadium tour, inc. changing rooms ∙ training session ∙ photo and write up in the programme plus five complimentary copies ∙ pre-match activity such as flag bearers or high five line up ∙ half-time activity such as penalties v Donny Dog or play on the pitch. ∙ discounted adult tickets available as part of package We also offer mascot and escort a player packages for children aged 5-13. Here,

you can meet the players pre match in the changing rooms, experience a VIP mini stadium tour, have your picture in the programme and walk out with a first team Rovers player! Prices start at £30 per child.

So whether you are celebrating a birthday, a recent team success or would just like a great value day out with lots of fun, contact Nicola on 01302 764665 or email nicola.moran@clubdoncaster.co.uk.

33

OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF DONCASTER ROVERS Platinum+ Partners

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

HSR Law Solicitors

Eric Twigg Foods

The Horse Bit Shop

John Mee Construction

8Point8

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

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

John Hill Associates Keid Consulting YESSS Electrical Bidfood CAST IFS Risk Solutions

Dickies Workwear Frenchgate Fleet Cars Direct TaskMaster Jenkinson Electrical Engineering

l

COMMERCIAL Welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium.

It was a disappointing end to the Shrewsbury game, but there was a lot to take from the performance against a side who are yet to lose this season. We go into this game against Phil Brown’s side with only a few points separating both teams. We welcome his staff, players and fans here today. Let’s get behind the team and hope to be celebrating three points after 90 minutes.

Why not treat yourself to hospitality seats when Portsmouth visit in our next Sky Bet League One game on Tuesday October 17, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Match ball sponsors PD Fabrications with Tommy Rowe after the Shrewsbury game

For just £75+VAT you can enjoy the game from an executive seat, with reserved car parking, three-course dining, drinks reception, complimentary programme and team-sheet and a chnce to see the Man of The Match celebrations after the game.

To book hospitality or sponsorship packages, please call a member of the team on 01302 764665 or email commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk.

Tommy Rowe was our Legends’ Club Man of the Match at the Shrewsbury game and is pictured here with Chris Keogan

Match Sponsors against Shrewsbury Town were Speedclad. They are pictured here with their Man of the Match, Andy Butler.

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PLAYER SPONSORS

IAN LAWLOR

CRAIG ALCOCK

GOALKEEPER

DANNY ANDREW

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

PETER AND NICK VUCKOVIC

Home

Home

In Memory of Tim Holl

01

Away

02

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Jackie Farrell

05

Home

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

06

Away

DRFC Supporters Club - North Branch

JOHN MARQUIS STRIKER

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Home

Away

08

11

DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Away

Sponsored by

Home

12

LIAM MANDEVILLE STRIKER

MARKO MAROSI GOALKEEPER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

Home

Home

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DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch

Dr Erskine

Irene Holt

Away

14

Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management

Away

JOE WRIGHT

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sam Parry Training Alfie Moss

MIDFIELDER

Home

Retford Supporters Club

Away

BEN WHITEMAN

Tiberius Batchelor and Rossington Hall

Home

Away

09

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

South Kirkby Post Office

The Farrell Family

STRIKER

MIDFIELDER

Away

Away

Michael King

ANDY WILLIAMS

TOMMY ROWE

13

Sponsored by

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

2

DEFENDER

NIALL MASON

RODNEY KONGOLO

10

Away

Away ANDREW BUTLER

Sewa Singh

April Thomas

07

03

Away

DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

Away

Retford Supporters Club

MATHIEU BAUDRY

LUKE McCULLOUGH

04

Home

South Kirkby Post Office

15

Away

MATTY BLAIR

JORDAN HOUGHTON

HARRY TOFFOLO

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

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Kent Blues

Home

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16

17

Away

STRIKER

Sponsored by Johnson Environmental Consultants

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Richard Royston

20

ALFIE BEESTIN

Home

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Away

21

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Daniel Calow

The Wheatsheaf, Cirencester

22

Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield

Away

23

ISSAM BEN KHEMIS MIDFIELDER

Away

South Kirby Post Office

Max Pearson

26

REECE FIELDING

Away

Goodnight Sleeptight Beds

TYLER WALKER

DEFENDER

DEFENDER

Sponsored by

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Sponsored by

Home

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Keith McGlone

27

Home

Home

Home

Away

MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

Sponsored by

In Memory of Carl AKA Choco

JAMES COPPINGER

ALEX KIWOMYA

MIDFIELDER

Away

WILL LONGBOTTOM

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Jackie Farrell

18

DEFENDER

STRIKER

Away

Away

Home

TYLER GARRATT

ALFIE MAY

19

In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan

Away

LOUIS JONES GOALKEEPER

Sponsored by

Pegler Yorkshire

29

Away

DARREN FERGUSON MANAGER

32

Away

DONNY DOG MASCOT

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Home

Home

Away

Away

Stadium Stars Day Nursery

Home

33

Away

3

NEWS

Staff at Coleman’s Pizzeria & Steakhouse and The Blacksmiths Arms in Everton can now take advantage of the great offers on the DNA Card after being gifted membership of the scheme by business owner John Coleman.

The DNA Card offers discounts with a range of national firms, which the staff at Coleman’s will now have access too.

John said: “It made perfect sense to reward my hard-working employees with the DNA Card, which means they can get some great benefits. We’ve worked with Club Doncaster for some time. The DNA Card is an exciting step in their development and I’m delighted to support them.”

DNA co-ordinator Lauren Wright said there has been a vast amount of

38

interest from local firms who want their employees to benefit from the DNA Card.

She said: “I’d like to thank John for being the latest to sign up his staff to the DNA Card, and I ham sure they will make the most of the offers. I’ve been speaking to many companies who recognise their staff would benefit from the DNA Cards, and any other firms who would like to find out more can get in touch on lauren. wright@clubdoncaster.co.uk or calling 01302 764665.”

DNA Card deals include 25 per cent off any advance bookings with Virgin Train East Coast and discounts off major brands such as Costa, Starbucks, iTunes, Amazon and several leading supermarket chains.

The DNA Card is complimentary for all Season Membership holders at Rovers, as well as available separately for £20.

Pick from a quality line up

Isn’t it time you joined the team?

Always cheaper on quality trade brands with Wickes TradePro. *Wickes TradePro members get 10% off purchases in-store and online. The Wickes TradePro discount does not apply to purchases of Showroom Kitchens and Bathrooms, Gift Vouchers, or Delivery charges. For full terms & conditions please visit www.wickes.co.uk/trade/terms-conditions.

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

39

LOTTERY RESULTS – WK41 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 9647 Terry Williams Canal Tavern meal voucher 9713 David Haxby Cheswold meal boucher 9686 Michael Woffindin matchtickets 9290 David Jackson Hatfields meal voucher 9702 Ashley Boothman Eagle & Child meal voucher 9581 Julie Moulds Ship Inn meal voucher

Two £50 winners 0184 B Bradbury 4694 T Kitchen

Doncaster Doncaster

Four £25 winners 2095 R Drohan 0101 M Bateman 5364 J Breslin 6840 D Baker

Doncaster Wheatley Sprotbrough Cantley

Sponsored prize winners 9647 T Williams Canal Tavern meal voucher 9713 D Haxby Cheswold meal voucher 5180 C Fry

Corner Pin meal voucher 9290 D Jackson Hatfields meal voucher The Rovers Alliance costs just £2.25 per 6838 K McEwan Trades & week and comes packed with numerous Labour Club benefits, not only do members get entry meal voucher into the weekly lottery draw but they 9702 A Boothman Eagle & Child are also entered into the annual Super meal voucher Jackpot Draw (with a guaranteed prize of 9581 J Moulds Ship Inn £10,000) and numerous draws for money meal voucher can’t buy prizes. Other fantastic benefits 0879 M Jarvis Med @ The include 5 per cent discount on season

Market meal voucher tickets and 10 per cent off all corporate 8884 T Hutchkinson Angel Inn hospitality packages. meal voucher 2821 G Garnett Grove Inn For more information about the benefits meal voucher of joining Rovers Alliance, please e-mail 7001 K McGlone Coleman’s reception@clubdoncaster.co.uk Pizzeria & Steak House meal voucher 6932 C Humphries Woodfield Several other Rovers fans were also

Farm meal voucher winners this week through their £1 lottery 7142 G Parker Blacksmith’s membership, the full list of winners is:

Arm meal voucher 4262 L Lowther Vintage Bar Winning number – 8704 meal voucher D Whittle, Wheatley, wins £500 9686 M Woffindin Two Next week’s top prize £500 complimentary 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

42

SUPPORTERS

It was an emotional return to Doncaster Rovers for supporter Barry Johnson who visited the Keepmoat Stadium for the first time in his life after moving to Australia in 1968.

Barry moved Down Under due to his dad taking a new job, which dented any chances of him progressing any further with Doncaster Rovers juniors.

Friend Stewart Summerell was shocked to see his old companion knock on his front door out of the blue, so he thought he would return the favour and surprise him with a tour around the ground which was delivered by head of communications Shaun Lockwood.

“He thought he was just going to have his picture outside the ground and as soon as I told him he was having a tour he just broke down,” said Stewart.

“Barry just couldn’t contain himself, it was a real shock to him, we were taken round the changing rooms and out of the tunnel and into the ground itself, where he had his picture taken by his wife. We

used to go to games together at Belle Vue, we used to stand in the old Rossington end and everything behind there used to be open fields, we used to go and watch the first half of Doncaster United before heading over to watch the Rovers.”

Stewart also took Barry to places such as he Market and to the site where Belle Vue used to be, but nothing compared to the experience of visiting the Keepmoat Stadium for the first time.

“I could not thank the club enough because I just thought that we would turn up, have a picture and just have a quick glance in, but the staff at Club Doncaster went above and beyond to make this a special day for us,” added Stewart.

“I think if times were different back then he would have been tempted to take the gamble and try and win himself a contract, but it was different back then and he had to go with his mum and dad.

I have been around the stadium a few times but to see Barry’s reaction made it all worth while for me, because the club means so much to him.”

43

SUPPORTERS Official Supporters Club A good evening and a big welcome to the Keepmoat Stadium for todays league one encounter. We hope their fans have had an incident free journey from Essex.

It was disappointing to lose to Shrewsbury, where we should have scored foir in the first 20 mins, but we had a great victory on the road at Plymouth, where we took plenty of fans, some having a brilliant stopover in the naval town. And for anyone who took advantage of the flight to the game via Newquay, what an experience.

What a day everyone had at Arsenal and, despite a few incidents, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a pity that two of the buses hit a badly positioned bollard, and ripped the side of one of the buses off and the other getting a puncture. This, coupled with closures on the A1 and M1, meant some fans did not get back to Doncaster until after 4.30am!

Thanks to everyone who travelled on the coaches, and all that helped to make a memorable day. To take 5,000 fans away midweek, and on a school day, is something we can all be proud of.

The next away game is at Charlton Athletic next Saturday, bus fares and times are listed in the programme for the season. You can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches and automatically get your reduced travel on the day. Prior notice that for the game at Bristol Rovers on Saturday December 23, we are hoping to stop off at Cirencester on the way down

44

so the departure times will change.

Our North Branch 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 on 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. Don’t forget we do run a Bus to all home games from Retford to the Keepmoat Stadium, stopping at Harworth, Rossington and along the main route down Bawtry Road so put your hand up to stop us – fares are very reasonable too.

You can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches or at the Supporters Club shop which is situated in the Club Doncaster Academy before home matches. You can also book on the coaches there or call Paul on 07961727769, or you can download a form at doncasterroverssupportersclub.com.

Christmas draw tickets will be on sale soon, we could do with people to help sell draw tickets for us in different parts of ground, and any donations of raffle prizes will be gratefully accepted.

If you need any old programmes from any Rover’s games, the Supporters Club shop has a vast variety stretching over the past 40 years.

Paul Mayfield

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

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

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

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

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

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

IRWT Martin O’Hara

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

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

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

45

AWAY TRAVEL

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

Rovers’ next away league game sees them travel to Bury in Sky Bet League One on Saturday August 28.

Ground: The Valley Capacity: 27,111 (all seated) Phone: 0208 3334000 Postcode: SE7 8BL

Ground: Energy Check Stadium Capacity: 11,840 (all seated) Phone: 0161 7644881 Postcode: BL9 9HR Travelling by car: Take the exit at Junction 2 of the M66, heading towards A58 Bury/Heywood. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto the A58 Rochdale Road, then turn left onto B6219 Heywood Street, going over the first roundabout, then taking the second exit at the next two roundabouts. Carry straight on and the ground is on the left. There is street parking around the ground, but in the roads immediately next to it there is a residents permit scheme which applies on matchdays.

Travelling by car: Merge on to North Circular Road, and take the A12 slip road towards central London, before taking the fifth exit at Redbridge Roundabout.

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

Parking is limited to permit holders. The nearest street parking is as you come off the A2 on to the A206 prior to the Rose of Denmark pub, with street parking also in the industrial estates close to the ground.

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

46

Travelling by train: To get to the Energy Check Stadium, you should use the Metrolink Tram Line C from Manchester Piccadilly, changing at Bury to Bury Interchange. From there you take Line D to the Gigg Lane stop which is a twominute walk from the ground.

DATE

OPPONENT

RET

HAW 4.35PM

4.45PM

BAWTRY

ROSS 4.45PM

4.50PM

MILL/C

DRI 5.00PM

5.05PM

WATER/D

KEEP 5.15PM

8.45AM

8.45AM

8.50AM

9.00AM 9.05AM

9.15AM

£15.00 £22.00

CON

Wigan Athletic

Oxford United

Bristol Rovers

21/11/17

09/12/17

23/12/17

4.30PM

3.35PM 3.45PM

8.15AM

28/04/18

MK Dons

£23.00

Gillingham

9.05AM 9.15 AM

14/04/18

8.50AM 9.00 AM

8.40 AM 8.50 AM 8.55AM

9.00 AM

1.00PM

6.00PM

Home Bus Sat

Home Bus Night

6.20PM

1.20PM -

6.30PM

1.30PM

6.35PM

1.35PM

-

-

-

-

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

6.45PM

1.45PM

NOON

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

8.15 AM 8.25 AM 8.35 AM 8.35 AM

£15.00

£15.00

£22.00

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

8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM

07/04/18

£18.00

£26.00

Blackpool

4.15 PM

30/03/18

4.05PM

7.50 AM 8.00 AM 8.05AM

3.45 PM 3.50PM 4.00PM

Southend United

3.30PM 3.35 PM 3.45 PM

7.30 AM 7.35 AM 7.45 AM 7.45 AM

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

12.50PM 13.00 PM £11.00

£15.00

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

Walsall

13/02/18

£16.00 £20.00

9.15 AM £23.00

9.45 AM

3.50PM 4.00 PM 9.35AM

10/03/18

Portsmouth

03/02/18

£15.00

24/02/18

Scunthorpe Utd

Shrewsbury Town

06/01/18

20/01/18

£13.00

9.50 AM 10.00 AM 10.05AM 10.15AM £16.00

9.05 AM 9.15 AM 9.15 AM 9.20 AM 9.30 AM

3.20 PM 3.30 PM 3.30 PM

NOON

£29.00

9.15 AM £22.00

11.20AM 11.30AM

9.05AM

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

9.00AM

3.15PM

9.30 AM 9.35 AM 9.45 AM 9.45 AM

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

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

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

7.15 AM

4.35PM 4.45 PM

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

Fleetwood Town

18/11/17

4.20PM

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

Bury

28/10/17

4.15 PM

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

4.00PM 4.05 PM 4.15 PM

01/01/18 Peterborough Utd

Bradford City

Charlton Athletic

30/09/17

14/10/17

Rochdale

Plymouth Argyle

12/09/17

23/09/17

£18.00

ADULT

£20.00 £17.00

£17.00

£24.00

£17.00

£25.00

£12.00

£20.00

£28.00

£18.00

£12.00

£17.00

£25.00

£22.00

£18.00

£18.00

£17.00

£24.00

£15.00

£31.00

£14.00 £17.00

£14.00

£20.00

£14.00

£21.00

£10.00

£16.00

£24.00

£15.00

£10.00

£14.00

£21.00

£18.00

£15.00

£15.00

£14.00

£20.00

£12.00

£27.00

£14.00

£18.00

£24.00

£16.00

£16.00

£22.00

£16.00

£24.00

£13.00

£18.00

£26.00

£17.00

£13.00

£18.00

£23.00

£20.00

£17.00

£17.00

£16.00

£22.00

£14.00

£29.00

£16.00

£17.00

£22.00

£16.00

£17.00

CON

NON-MEMBERS

£14.00 £17.00

£15.00

£15.00

8.30AM 8.35AM

£16.00

ADULT

£12.00 £15.00

AFC Wimbledon

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

4.30PM

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

26/08/17

12/08/17

08/08/17 Brad City EFL Cup

MEMBERS

SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTURE TIMES

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ACTION REPLAY - BRADFORD 2 ROVERS 0

48

Full Time

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

OFFICIAL PARTNER

49 *IRI data MAT 26.03.16

ACTION REPLAY - ROVERS 1 SUNDERLAND U21 0

50

51

CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION

Almost 600 young people from across the Doncaster Borough celebrated their NCS graduation at the annual Club Doncaster Foundation event.

social action projects stand out for me, the impact they have made is incredible.

“584 young people is the largest programme we have delivered so there was a little bit of pressure to make the whole experience as good as previous years, but everyone involved went above and beyond.”

An evening of awards, memories, music and food recognised a fantastic summer of success for the participants, who have spent three weeks of physically and mentally enduring challenges, along with a 30-hour voluntary community social The NCS summer programme allows action project. young people to escape their comfort zones, embarking on an adrenaline filled There to help them commemorate adventure in the Lake District. They the night were Doncaster Rovers duo try their hand at activities such as rock Alfie May and Liam Mandeville, who climbing, kayaking, hiking and archery. were on hand to award them with their graduation awards. Alfie said: “It was a They then return for workshops delivered great night and it was really interesting

by Dame Kelly Homes Trust and then to hear how much of a fantastic impact finally volunteer in a range of social action the guys had made through out the projects to impact on their community. community, they should be proud.”

NCS is open to all 15-17 year olds in the NCS programme manager Jan region and the Club Doncaster Foundation Budtz was delighted with the evening. will begin recruiting in November for the next adventure, taking place in summer He said: “It was great to see all the 2018. To find out more information go to graduates having fun and celebrating www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk or such a phenomenal summer. Their phone 01302 764663.

52

CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE

Club Doncaster Sports College are now accepting applications for the 2018/19 academic year.

those with a passion for sport and media to develop their skills in a professional environment.

Studying in the heart of the Keepmoat Stadium, 16-19 year olds can choose from level 2 and 3 sports programmes as well as the new level 3 media course. The College also hosts higher education courses in sport and exercise sciences.

To find out more information, an open evening will be held on Thursday October 12 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The evening will be on a drop in basis from 4.30-6pm and allows anyone interested to speak to staff and find out more about the courses available.

Partnering with Doncaster Rovers FC and Doncaster RLFC, the college offers specialist extra-curricular academies in football, rugby and media, enabling

Students can also apply online at http://www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/ sports-college/apply-online

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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CLUB DONCASTER Dons chief executive Carl Hall is confident of bringing top-class sport to Doncaster as part of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Carl, along with Club Doncaster chief executive Gavin Baldwin, Club Doncaster commercial director Jim Lord, Doncaster Council chief executive Jo Miller, Doncaster Chamber chief executive and businessman Nigel Brewster met with the tournament organisers as one of 30 venues hoping to stage some of the tournament.

The Keepmoat Stadium has been associated with rugby league as home to

54

the Dons since it was opened a decade ago, and is now established as a regular home of a Challenge Cup semi-final.

Carl said: “The most recent semi-final at the Keepmoat Stadium saw the ground packed to the rafters and a great atmosphere as Hull and the Rhinos battled it out for a place in the final at Wembley.

“We have had great feedback from the RFL every time they have come to use our facilities, and this will stand us in good stead as we look to show we can play a big part in what will be a huge tournament.”

DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES A late Millwall equaliser meant the Belles had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium, despite goals from Rebecca Rayner and Rhiannon Roberts.

Ashlee Hincks gave the Belles something to worry about in the fifth minute, opting to go for goal from a free-kick from out wide, but her attempt bounced back off Jules Draycott’s crossbar.

The Belles took the lead in the 18th minute after Jess Sigsworth’s cross causes Sarah Quantrill problems, with the keeper’s punch cannoning back off Rayner and into the net.

Leanne Cowan found herself with time and space as a loose ball came her way in the Belles box and must have thought she had scored with a sweet strike to a bottom

corner, but Draycott got down superbly to deny to Millwall wing back.

The end-to-end stuff continued as Belles captain Leandra Little got forward to meet a corner ball with a dangerous header that flew just over the bar – and her centre-back partner Roberts went one better three minutes later, doubling the lead with a fine finish off Chloe Peplow’s crossed free-kick.

Millwall kept on the pressure on and pulled one back just before half time, with Charlie Devlin’s strike deflected past Draycott.

The second half was a much cagier affair lacking in real chances, and the visitors levelled when Hincks raced onto a ball over the top and poked past the onrushing Draycott.

55

FIXTURES / RESULTS Date

Opp

K/O

Comp

Score Att

Away

Pos

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

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

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

EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 CT

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

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

568 388

13 6 8 12 -

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi Lawlor Marosi

Mason Mason Mason Mason Alcock Mason Alcock

Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Garratt

Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright

Butler Garratt Butler Butler Blair Butler Butler

Blair Garratt Blair Blair Ben Khemis Blair Ben Khemis

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

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

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

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

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

1,696 736

8 16 16 19 17 18 19

Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi

Mason Garratt Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason

Garratt Butler Garratt Butler Butler Butler 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

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

1-0 W 1,520

Marosi

Mason

Alcock

Fielding

Garratt

Walker

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

12.30PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

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

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45pm

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

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

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

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

3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

MARCH Sat 03 Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24 Fri 30

Bury Southend United Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

APRIL Mon 02 Sat 07 Sat 14 Sat 21 Sat 28

AFC Wimbledon Gillingham MK Dons Oxford United Oldham Athletic

3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1

Wigan Athletic

5.30PM

EFL1

MAY Sat 05

2 56

432 2,179 561 319

4,836 241 899 93

1st Sub

2nd Sub

Whiteman Whiteman1 Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Middleton

Coppinger Kongolo1 Coppinger1 Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Kongolo

Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe1 Rowe Beestin

Mandeville May1 Mandeville Mandeville May1 May Mandeville

Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis1 Marquis Marquis Williams1

Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Lawlor Marosi Ogley

Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Butler Alcock Mason

Garratt Fielding Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Prior

Kongolo Prior Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Mason Ben Khemis Townrow

Beestin Beestin Kongolo Kongolo Beestin Kongolo Fletcher

Longbottom Fletcher May1 May1 Mandeville Mandeville Scattergood

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 May May May

Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis May Marquis 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

Toffolo

Ben Khemis1

Fletcher

Williams

Mandeville

Jones

Townrow

James

Prior

Morris

3rd Sub

May Longbottom Williams Williams Williams Williams Longbottom Williams Williams Mandeville Mandeville Williams Williams Williams Williams

3 57

Appearances & Goals As of 3/10/2017

EFL Checkatrade Trophy

Carabao Cup

Career totals 2017/18

Rovers total

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

ALCOCK, Craig 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 3 1 0 55 8 0 ANDREW, Danny 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 BAUDRY, Mathieu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 6 5 BEESTIN, Alfie 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 6 4 1 BEN KHEMIS, Issam 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 BLAIR, Matty 8 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 1 0 58 1 3 BUTLER, Andy 11 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 14 0 1 144 1 11 COPPINGER, James 9 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 9 2 1 481 63 61 FIELDING, Reece 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 FLETCHER, Jacob 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 GARRATT, Tyler 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 6 1 0 11 3 0 JAMES, Morgan 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 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 4 6 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 8 6 1 68 6 1 LAWLOR, Ian 10 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 31 0 0 LONGBOTTOM, WIll 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 1 MANDEVILLE, Liam 4 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 6 6 0 22 30 11 MAROSI, Marko 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 1 0 35 5 0 MARQUIS, John 11 0 4 0 0 0 2 1 0 13 1 4 61 1 30 MASON, Niall 10 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 13 2 0 54 3 0 MAY, Alfie 5 6 3 0 0 0 3 0 2 8 6 5 17 13 8 McCULLOUGH, Luke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 6 1 MIDDLETON, Harry 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 45 34 0 MORRIS, James 0 0 0 0 1 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 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 ROWE, Tommy 8 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 11 0 1 67 1 17 TOFFOLO, Harry 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 3 2 0 TOWNROW, Keegan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WALKER, Tyler 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 WHITEMAN, Ben 10 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 13 1 1 13 1 1 WILLIAMS, Andy 2 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 34 3 1 79 21 29 WRIGHT, Joe 11 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 38 4 0

58

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REFEREE Darren HANDLEY ASSISTANT REFEREES

MANAGER Darren FERGUSON

MANAGER Phil BROWN

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)

TEAM NAME 01 Mark OXLEY (GK) 02 Stephen HENDRIE 03 Ben COKER 04 Anthony WORDSWORTH 05 Anton FERDINAND 06 Michael TURNER 07 Michael KIGHTLY 08 Michael TIMLIN 10 Marc-Antoine FORTUNE 11 Stephen MCLAUGHLIN 12 Amadou BA 15 Rob KIERNAN 16 Dru YEARWOOD 17 Jermaine MCGLASHAN 18 Ryan LEONARD 19 Jack BRIDGE 20 Michael KLASS 22 Ted SMITH (GK) 24 Jason DEMETRIOU 27 Harry KYPRIANOU 31 Theo ROBINSON 42 Elvis BWOMONO 44 Josh WRIGHT 48 John WHITE 35 Nile RANGER

Richard BARTLETT Richard WILD FOURTH OFFICIAL Sebastian STOCKBRIDGE 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.

Next Up

Charlton Athletic (A) Sky Bet League One The Valley Saturday October 14 2017 // kick-off 3pm

Portsmouth (H) Sky Bet League One Keepmoat Stadium Tuesday October 17 2017 // kick-off 7.45pm