Issuu

Chris 10 Minutes with Doidge

Playing against Europe’s finest, swapping the law for goals and getting in the zone with a bit of Adele, get to know Rovers’ goal machine Christian Doidge ahead of our clash with York City.

Best moment in football so far?

“It would have to be the promotion that we got, Forest Green at Wembley that was right up there.”

Best players you’ve played with or against?

“With, Ethan Pinnock at Forest Green, he was an amazing player. Matty Cash, I played with him at Dagenham & Redbridge and then some of the Hibernian boys like Aiden McGeady.

“Against, Ollie Watkins. We played Aston Villa last year in Europe [with Hibernian] and plenty of them boys were top boys.”

Ground you’ve played at with the best

“Probably Ibrox but then even playing at Easter Road in the Edinburgh derby or at Tyne Castle were amazing.”

Best goal you’ve seen live?

“I’d have to say Liam Sercombe’s this year. I haven’t seen many from that far out.”

Footballing hero?

“I had a few to be honest. I had [Ryan] Giggs because of the Welsh connections and supporting Manchester United but then I loved Ruud van Nistelrooy growing up. The goals he scored is something I admired.”

Hobbies outside of football?

Golf, paddle. The boys love it here and we get a game in every now and again.”

What job would you have if you weren’t a footballer?

“I was in the police force when I was younger, but I couldn’t see myself doing that now. I think I’d go with agencies.”

Teammates you’d least like to be stuck on an island with?

“There’s a few to be honest! Manny [Osadebe], Charlie McCann they’d be a nightmare!”

Opposition The

Rovers welcome league leaders

York City to Nailsworth for the first time since 2016.

Rovers came from behind to defeat the Minstermen 2-1 in that game thanks to goals from Rhys Murphy and Matt Tubbs, who netted a 90th minute penalty.

Last season City almost fell victim to relegation, surviving by just a single point. but fortunes have turned around drastically at the York Community Stadium with the Minstermen sitting top of the league, a point above Steve Cotterill’s side.

This turnaround has been led by manager Adam Hinshelwood who has led his Minstermen to a current impressive 12-game unbeaten run in the league dating back to the end of August.

Their latest run extending victory came in a thrilling 5-3 encounter with Hartlepool United making that four straight wins in the league.

Manager Hinshelwood joined the club back in February from National League South

Worthing with his attacking mindset the selling point for a new look team.

To bring to life his attacking plan, Hinshelwood acquired the services of his former striker Ollie Pearce from Worthing who had scored 46 goals in 51 appearances for Worthing last season.

Pearce was a sought-after striker for many clubs during the summer and has superbly acclimatised to a higher division scoring nine goals in his first 17 league games for the club.

Alongside Pearce, Hinshelwood also reunited with right-back Joe Felix whilst also improving his squad with talent all over the pitch.

Wide-man Tyrese Sinclair (Rochdale) and Ricky Aguiar (Swindon Town) bolstered the attacked whilst Alex Hunt arrived from Grimsby Town to solidify the midfield.

23-year-old goalkeeper, Harrison Male also made the jump up from National League South Dorking Wanderers and has impressed from start keeping seven clean sheets in 14 league games.

Established

York City was formed in 1922, and prior to their election to Division Three North of the Football League in 1929, played in the Midland League. They remained in the Northern Section until 1958 when they became one of the original members of the Fourth Division.

Crest

Today’s badge was released in July 2002 after the arrival of John Batchelor, who saved the club from bankrupcy and withdrawal from the Football League. The new badge was launched to modernise the club and attract new interest.

Stadium

Planned since 2006 and opened in 2021, the LNER Community Stadium is a state of the art, 8,500 capacity facility built to Championship standards. Owned by the City of York Council, the stadium is home to York City FC and York RLFC Knights.

M N T R E I S E M N

Turn your passion for football into a career with the University Campus of Football Business where you can study a wide range of courses with access to iconic stadiums and global summits .

Over 90%* of UCFB graduates find fulltime employment within 6 months of graduating with two thirds of those working in football and sport

* UCFB internal Graduate Census undertaken 6-9 months after course completion (45% response rate)

UCFB alumni have worked in each of the 20 Premier League clubs and over 50 of the 72 EFL clubs

The course has been exceptional for learning so many skills within the industry. The lecturers and module leaders have all really guided me on my journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without the help that UCFB has given me.

Rio

Rosenberg

BA (Hons) Football Business and Media student and Women’s Content Creator at Chelsea FC