Rossington Main vs Doncaster Rovers 2013-14 by Rossington Main FC

CONTENTS 04 Club Honours 05 Club History 06 Manager’s Notes 07 Chairman’s Welcome 08 Sponsor The Main 10 Today’s Ballboys & Girls 12 The Main News 13 Upcoming Fixtures 14 The Main Men 16 Today’s Mascots 18 2012-13 Season Review

20 2012-13 Main Appearances 22 Football’s Faults 23 Half-Time Teasers 24 Today’s Visitors 29 We’ve Met Before 30 They Played For Both Teams 32 1919 Q&A 36 Up In 18 Seconds 38 The Language Of Football 39 Spectator Notice 40 Today’s Teams

ROSSINGTON MAIN ROSSINGTON MAIN IS A COMMUNITY CLUB RUN BY VOLUNTEERS. GREAT THANKS IS GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING President Vice President Chairman Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Programme Editor Website Editor

Gerald Murden Groundsman Raymond Hughes 1st XI Manager Carl Stokes 1st XI Assistant Ged Parsons 1st XI Coach Tommy Henderson 2nd XI Manager Dougie Lawton Glen Wilson Catering/Bar Manager Pete Murden Catering/Bar Manager

Ian Wilson Steve Lodge George Spears Dan Lodge Paul Colley Wendy Spears Joyce Billam

EDITOR’S WELCOME A FEW NOTES FROM PROGRAMME EDITOR GLEN WILSON Good evening and a warm welcome to Oxford Street for the start of a new season and this pre-season friendly with our near neighbours Doncaster Rovers. It is a great honour for the club to welcome the professional players, management, officials and supporters of Doncaster Rovers here this evening, and we are truly grateful to them for reviving the notion of community friendlies, and also for choosing to do so here at Oxford Street. Both Rossington and the Rovers face tough tests in the coming season, but we hope that tonight offers the starting point for successful campaigns for both sides. As many of you know this fixture also brings my two football worlds together as I have for the past year lived a double-life as programme editor for Main Issue, and also editor of the Doncaster Rovers fanzine popular STAND. Indeed, like many of you here this evening I was there at Brentford on the final day of last season for that most dramatic of conclusions and title victories. Whilst most Rovers fans in Griffin Park began celebrating from the ‘clang’ of Marcello Trotta’s penalty coming back off the crossbar I unfortunately didn’t have that luxury, as I was up in the Main Stand commentating for Rovers’ Player service. I’ve faced quite a few challenges in my life, but attempting to reign in emotions and speak something approaching evocative sense as Billy Paynter and Jamie Coppinger bore down on goal in that final minute will take some beating.

I think it is fair to say that tonight’s game perhaps won’t offer quite as much drama, but for the local community it is a great occasion and huge credit must go to the committee here and other volunteers who have made significant improvements to Oxford Street over the summer in readiness for this fixture. If this is your first visit to Oxford Street, or just the first time you have been here in some years we hope that you have enjoy your evening and will consider paying another visit again in the future. Grassroots football in this town depends on your support, so if you find yourself with a blank Saturday (or Tuesday evening) during the coming season, with Rovers away or without a fixture, then please do consider visiting us again. Why watch middle-age men whinging and getting excited about football on Soccer Saturday, when you can stand amongst a very similar group on our terraces and actually see a game being played as well? Sky Sports don’t need your support, local clubs like ourselves, Armthorpe, Askern and others do so please remember the football on your doorstep this coming season, rather than the product screening in your living room. Enjoy tonight’s game and we hope to see you again during 2013-14. Up the Main / Viva Rovers! Glen Wilson Programme Editor

Views expressed in this programme may not necessarily represent the views of Rossington Main FC.

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CLUB HONOURS Northern Counties East League

Wilkinson Sword Trophy Runners-Up 2010-11

Central Midlands Football League

Premier Division Champions 1984-85 | Premier Division Cup Winners 1984-85 Premier Division Runners up 1992-93 | Division 1 Champions 1987-88 Division 1 Cup Runners-up 1986-87, 87-88 | Reserve Division 1 Cup Winners 1987-88 Reserve Division 2 Champions 1986-87 | Reserve Division 2 Cup Winners 1986-87 Division 1 Sportsmanship Award 1986, 87, 88

Doncaster & District FA Challenge Cup Winners 2002-03

Doncaster & District Senior League

Champions 1944-45, 1999-2000 | Runners-up 2011-12 | Cup Winners 1944-45, 1999-2000 Premier Division Cup Winners 1973-74, 2010-11, 12-13 Premier Division KO Cup Runners-up 2005-06 | Division 1 Cup Winners 1997-98 Division 1 Cup Runners up 1985-86 1998-99 | Division 2 Runners up 1982-83

Doncaster & District Sunday Alliance League

Shield Winners 1990-91 | Shield Runners up 1989-90 Premier Division Champions 1986-87, 88-89, 89-90 | KO Cup Winners 1983-84, 89-90 KO Shield Winners 1986-87 | KO Cup Runners up 1988-89 | Division 1 Runners up 1992-93

Sheffield & Hallamshire Junior League Junior Shield Winners 1983-84

Doncaster & District Boys Sunday League

Under 18 KO Cup Winners 1991-92 | Under 18 Division 3 Runners up 1990-91 Under 18 West Champions 1999-2000 | Under 18 West Runners-up 2001-02 Under 18 Cup Winners 1998-99, 99-2000, 01-02 | Under 18 East Runners-up 1998-99 Under 17 League Runners-up 2008-09 | Under 17 Cup Runners-up 2008-09, 10-11

Bentley League

Shield Winners 1974-75, 78-79

Retford Sunday League Shield Runners up 1987-88

Sheffield & Hallamshire WRAGG League

Division 2a Champions 2000-01 | Division 1a Runners up 2001-02 League Cup Runners up 2004-05 Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards NCEL Division One Programme of the Year 2010-11, 11-12, 12-13

Italics denotes honours won prior to the 1998 merger by Rossington (Station) FC, formed in 1974

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CLUB HISTORY Like many local football clubs, the history of Rossington Main FC has been revised several times. Originally thought to have been formed in 1926, local knowledge has since revised this date to 1919 when ‘Rossington Colliery’ entered the Sheffield Association League, playing their fixtures on ground at the back of the Colliery offices. A club had competed under the Rossington Colliery name in 1917, but only since 1919 has the club been in continued existence. The club moved to Oxford Street in 1921, and just a few years later enjoyed their best ever run in the FA Cup reaching the 4th Qualifying Round in the 1924-25 season, where they were beaten 3-0 at Lincoln City. The club continued under the name Rossington Colliery for thirty years, enjoying its most successful season at the end of the Second World War when they did the ‘Doncaster Double’, winning both the Doncaster Senior League and Cup in 1944-45. Following the nationalisation of the mines in 1948, the club became known as Rossington Miners Welfare, and under this moniker lifted the Doncaster Senior League Premier Division Cup in 1974. In 1983, now known as Rossington Main, the club became founder members of the Central Midlands League, being promoted to the Premier Division as runners-up in their first season. The following year the club won the Premier Division title and completed a double with the Premier Division Cup. In 1991, following the erection of floodlights and a new Main Stand - which were christened with a friendly against Leeds United watched by around 1,200 - the club made the step up to the Northern Counties East League remaining in Division One ever since. In 1998, after lengthy negotiations, the club merged with near neighbours Rossington FC. Formed as Station FC in the 1970s (initially changing in a small building at the pub of the same name for games on the adjacent Tornedale field) they had begun in local Sunday football, but progressed rapidly, relocating to the Welfare and joining the Central Midlands League in 1986. Here they excelled early on, lifting nine awards in their first two seasons including the Division One title in 1987-88. Rossington FC continued to grow operating four teams; a Sunday side and an Under 18s team

flanking their 1st and 2nd teams in the Central Midlands League. But, despite growth and development on the field the club were unable to match the expectations of the Central Midlands League financially, and in 1998 they left the league; facilitating the merger. Immediately after the merger Main ran both an over 35s and an under 18s team to much success. The over 35s won several honours in the Wragg Sheffield & Hallamshire League whilst the under 18s enjoyed continued success in the Doncaster & District Boys League. The club’s reserves, competing in the Doncaster & District League, have also seen success since the merger. They achieved a League and Cup Double in 2000, and have reached the Cup final on four other occasions in the past decade. The early years of the 21st century weren’t as kind on the Rossington Main 1st team, but recently the club has enjoyed a revival of fortunes and reasserted itself at the heart of the community. In 2008 much work was done at Oxford Street to bring the club’s home back up to scratch, a job rewarded as the club hosted Doncaster Rovers,in a pre-season friendly; the gate receipts from which protected Main’s future. Further ground improvements have followed each summer as the club have looked to provide better facilities for players and supporters alike, most notable bring the new clubhouse enabling the club to bring in much needed revenue. There has been on-field progress too with Main reaching the final of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy in 2011. And in 2011-12 the club enjoyed its best ever season in the Northern Counties East League, breaking club goalscoring and points records to finish seventh, despite losing 11 members of the 1st team squad along the way. Rossington Main now operates two sides on a Saturday. The aims of the club are to provide a unified approach to football in the village so that there is a natural progression in the development of the game. The club strives to sustain competition at the highest possible level, to continue to provide excellent facilities for both players and spectators, to give opportunity for local players to progress, to reward loyalty and cater for the progression of football in the community of Rossington.

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MANAGER’S NOTES ROSSINGTON MAIN 1ST TEAM MANAGER STEVE LODGE GIVES HIS THOUGHTS AHEAD OF THIS EVENING’S GAME Welcome one and all to Oxford Street, home of Rossington Main.

potential that certain players have shown.

Over the past two and a half seasons I have had the pleasure of working with a great bunch of local people both on and off the field, and the strides forward we’ve made in making the club a much better institution in which to be involved gives us great satisfaction.

On to our pre-season game tonight against a Doncaster Rovers side, newly promoted to the Championship, who gave us all a tremendous last game to savour. Congratulations go to one and all at the club and I hope the success carries on with the appointment of the new manager Mr Paul Dickov, so long as he goes easy with me on the bench tonight... I’m sure he will.

On the football side of things we like to think we provide an environment that promotes a style of play that is easy on the eye and at the same time competitive, and though that isn’t easy to achieve all of the time, we hope we can carry on with the good habits. We have a very young squad which always shows loads of enthusiasm and heart whoever we are playing, both 1st and 2nd team alike. Promotion from 2nd team to 1st should always be a goal for any player and last season this happened on numerous occasions with some very promising results, giving me some serious thinking to do through pre-season and beyond to realise the

We all hope the game will be entertaining and enjoyable for everybody involved and we can keep the score down to a respectable tally. It’s a great thrill for our community club to entertain the Rovers tonight and I hope it will spur some more local people to come and watch us through the upcoming season, especially as the majority of our players are home grown Rossington lads. Thanks again for your continued support. Steve Lodge, 1st team Manager

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CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME CHAIRMAN CARL STOKES WELCOMES PLAYERS, OFFICIALS & SUPPORTERS TO OXFORD STREET Good Evening Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. It gives me great pleasure once again to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Doncaster Rovers to our humble Oxford Street ground. I and our committee here at Rossington Main would like to congratulate Rovers on their promotion to the Championship that was achieved in the most spectacular way at Brenford on the last day of the season. I bet most of us thought that would never happen again only for just that to occur in the Watford versus Leicester City match a few weeks later, ‘it’s a funny old game’. It was in 2008 pre-season when we last entertained Rovers at Oxford Street and by coincidence Donny had also just won promotion to the Championship then by beating Leeds United at Wembley by one goal to nil. As you can see by the photo quite a few of us from Rossington made the trip on that day. Tonight’s game, although classed as a pre-season friendly, is foremost a community game, through which our aim is to promote the game of football within the local villages. For this, I and all the members of our club are deeply thankful to all at Rovers for choosing Rossington Main to stage this game. Whilst giving thanks, I must thank all the local volunteers. Each summer they get

into their scuffs to prepare and improve the ground for the forthcoming season; without them there would be no club. Tonight’s ball-boys and girls are provided by Rossington Juniors Under 8s, 12s and 13s. The junior club has a very important roll to play in our community, giving youngsters the opportunity to learn our beautiful game. Again this section is completely run by dedicated volunteers, well done to you all, you know who you are. A large part of tonight’s Rossington side, and those of the past, have come from the village highlighting how much effort has gone into progressing lads though to play on the Main pitch and even go on to teams in higher leagues. All that is left for me to say is enjoy tonight’s game and good luck to both teams in their endeavors this season. Have a save journey home and thank you for your attendance.

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SPONSOR THE MAIN ROSSINGTON MAIN ARE A GRASS-ROOTS COMMUNITY CLUB WE WELCOME SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES Rossington Main is a volunteer run grass-roots club which has provided football opportunities to the local community for 94 years. To help us continue with our aims the support of local companies and businesses is vital, and we offer a wide range of opportunities for you to promote your company or offer support to Rossington Main during the 2013-14 season.

Match Day Sponsor

The following package for just £90: • 4 VIP match-day tickets • Meet in the Boardroom • Complimentary drink from the boardroom bar. • Complimentary match-day programmes • Directors box seating • Half-time buffet • Recognition of sponsorship in matchday programme • Recognition of sponsorship over PA System • Man of the Match Selection by you and Presentation to your choice • Every effort will be made by the Chairman and Committee to create a warm and friendly atmosphere in which you can entertain your friends, guests and clients.

Match Ball Sponsor

The following package for just £50: • 2 VIP match-day tickets • Meet in the Boardroom • Complimentary drink from the boardroom bar • Complimentary match-day programmes • Directors box seating • Half-time buffet • Recognition of sponsorship in matchday programme • Recognition of sponsorship over PA System

Manager Sponsorship (Season) £50 (Includes name in programme)

To discuss any of the options mentioned on these pages please speak to a member of the committee this evening or contact the club via Chairman Carl Stokes Tel: 07740 796320 Email: carlrstokes@btinternet.com Rossington Main FC, Oxford Street, Rossington, Doncaster, DN11 0TE 08 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

SPONSOR THE MAIN 1st Team Kit Sponsorship

Full 1st Team Kit Sponsorship £980. * Your company Logo on all kit * Includes 3mtr x 1mtr Pitch side Advertisement board artwork included. * Full page programme advertisement. * Free match day entry. * Complimentary match day programme.

Match Day VIP- Mascot

(ideal for birthday or special treat) The following package for just £25: • VIP match-day ticket • Meet in the Boardroom • Complimentary drink from the boardroom bar • Complimentary match-day programme • Directors box seat • Half-time buffet • Photo opportunities with the players

2nd Team Kit Sponsorship

Full 2nd Team Kit Sponsorship £580. * Your company Logo on all kit * Includes 3mtr x 1mtr Pitch side Advertisement board artwork included. * Full page programme advertisement. * Free match day entry. * Complimentary match day programme.

Match Day Programme Full page Advertisement £80 for 1 year £80 or £120 for 2 years. Half page Advertisement £50 for one year or £80 for 2 years.

Player Sponsorship (Season)

£50 (Includes name in programme within player profile)

Pitch side Advertising Boards

A great way to get your business seen by the wider community. 3mtrs x 1mtr £150 (includes the cost of the board and art work) Great Value!

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TODAY’S BALLBOYS & GIRLS OUR BALLBOYS & GIRLS TONIGHT ARE PROVIDED BY ROSSINGTON JUNIORS, HERE’S MORE ABOUT THE CLUB FROM SECRETARY LYNN EYVBOWHO Rossington Junior Football Club is part of Rossington Miners Welfare Scheme which exists for the provision of Sports, Social, Recreational and Learning activities to Rossington and the surrounding areas. The reason behind the club’s existence is the provision of an opportunity for juniors to play football for the sheer enjoyment of the sport. Additionally we provide opportunities for players to play to the best of their abilities. Club funding comes from our own fundraising activities such as raffles, sponsored walks, Christmas discos and fun days. All of the club’s officials, managers and coaches are volunteers who give their time and skills without expectation of personal reward, but are motivated by a common desire to provide this sporting opportunity to the youngsters.

managers and coaches are FA trained to at least Level 1, with some trained to UEFA B Level. We have two teams in each year group from under 7s to under 12s, then one team in the remainders. We also run a six week ‘mini kickers’ session for younger children. The Juniors act as a feeder club for Rossington Main with whom we enjoy excellent relationships, and also have strong links with academy teams who can progress children on to professional or semi-professional sides. In addition our football provision, we host Honours games, (Finals and Semifinals), for the Doncaster & District Junior Sunday Football League who we are affiliated to. They are a Charter League which means we have to keep

We provide training for youngsters in year groups from under 7s to under 18s. Within our Charter Status we also ensure all of our team

Rossington Juniors Under 8s

Back row: Dave Clark (Manager), Wayne Lewkowicz (Coach) Middle row: Owen Simpson, Oliver, Josh Lewkowicz, Dylan Watkin, Reuben Shaw, Kieron Blower Front Row: Troy Clark, Alex Swift, Sam Shaw, Archie Sieroczuk Not shown: Reece Mcmillan

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TODAY’S BALLBOYS & GIRLS our Charter Mark status by having an annual ‘healthcare’ check. The club currently has the FA Charter Mark status. In the future we hope to to achieve Community Charter Mark status by working with local schools and Rossington Main, as our partner organisations. This will bring with it opportunities to apply for funding

to enable us to expand our set-up to many more youngsters by increasing the number of teams, expanding the provision for girls and providing opportunities for youngsters with special needs. Tonight’s mascots are provided from our current under 8s, under 12s and under 13s teams.

Rossington Juniors Under 12s 2012-13 Division 1 Champions Back row: Luke Johnson, Mergin Redenica, Benjamin Johnson, Alex Kime, Joseph Swann, Jack Lewis Harvey, Drew Overton and Ethan Downing Front row: Joseph Hilton, Archie Banks, Jay Briggs, Brad Scollard and Conor Moffat

Rossington Juniors Under 13s Back row: Adam Cuncliffe, Jack Croot, Jack Johnson, Brendan Parker, Tom Priestly Front row: Grant Walker, Jordan Orchard, Sam Porter, Callum Bowser, Brandon Hilton, A.J Davy, Susso Torres, Kai Meakin

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MAIN NEWS CLOSE SEASON NEWS FROM ROSSINGTON MAIN & ACROSS THE NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST LEAGUE

MAIN ISSUE SCOOPS ANOTHER AWARD

Rossington Mainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matchday programme Main Issue has been named best in the division for a third consecutive season in the Annual Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards. Main Issue was voted the best of all sides in NCEL Division 1 and 48th nationally of over 1,000 submitted programmes. Editor Glen Wilson had managed to carry on the excellent work by predecessor Pete Murden who had won the award in 2010-11 and 11-12, to ensure a hat-trick of wins for Rossington. Unfortunately due to work commitments Glen has now had to step down as Editor following this edition of the programme.

NEW MANAGERS ABOUND IN THE NCEL

There have been a great number of managerial changes across our fellow NCEL clubs ahead of the 2013-14 season. Armthorpe Welfare have appointed Brian Johnston full-time following the departure of Leo Fortune-West, whilst in Division 1 Phil Harding and Lincoln Richards have taken over at Yorkshire Amateur, Julian Watts has left Hallam to take control of Shirebrook Town and Marcus Newell is the new man at the helm of Cleethorpes Town.

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UPCOMING FIXTURES DETAILS OF UPCOMING MATCHES INVOLVING ROSSINGTON MAIN AND FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT LOCAL FOOTBALL

In an ideal world we would publish our fixtures in this evening’s programme and encourage you to note them down so you can visit Oxford Street again during the season. Unfortunately at the time of printing the Northern Counties East League schedule had not been announced, so we can only encourage you to check our website, Facebook or Twitter (details of all three on page 16) for further details That said the 1st team do have further friendlies scheduled and we would welcome your support at all of them. Entry is free to all friendlies and the tea-hut and bar will be open for home games.

Date Weds 17 July Sat 27 July Thur 01 Aug

Fixture vs Shaw Lane Aquaforce vs Bentley Colliery vs Harworth Colliery Institute

Venue Home Home Away

Kick-Off 7:15pm 3:00pm 7:00pm

Whenever Doncaster Rovers are without a fixture, or away from home, do please consider a further trip to Oxford Street, over Soccer Saturday and the sofa. Rupert Murdoch doesn’t need your support, local grassroots football does.

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THE MAIN MEN INTRODUCING THE 2013-14 ROSSINGTON MAIN SQUAD Steve Lodge (Manager) Steve took over the reigns for the end of the 2010/11 season, leading the club to the Wilkinson Sword Trophy. Last season, Steve’s first full season in charge, was also successful as the first team broke a number of club records to achieve their best NCEL finish. A firm believer in club spirit, which is why most players and officials at the club are local. Ian Wilson (Assistant Manager) A former Wales youth and amateur international Ian also does an excellent job as club groundsman amongst other roles. Previously in charge of Rossington FC, he took that club from local Sunday football to the top flight of the Central Midlands League Jordan Wildey Young Jordan has asserted himself in the number one shirt for 2013-14 after some impressive displays in tough games after stepping up to the 1st team last season following the departure of Lee Appleby. He performed maturely and competently throughout a difficult campaign, is a fantastic shot stopper, agile and very confident. Bradley Billam Flying full back Brad continues to grow at left back; combining athleticism, confidence and consistency with a willingness to work forwards and backwards to become a valuable member of the Main squad. His attacking prowess was clear to see over the last couple of seasons as he has been credited with a large number of assists.

David Holvey 2011/12 Manager’s Player of the Year, Club Captain and longest serving player Dave always leads by example and his never say die attitude and loyalty to the club make him an invaluable asset. A great leader and robust defender Dave is also capable of pin-point long range passes that turn defence quickly into attack, unfortunately injury hindered his appearances in 2012-13. Shaun Pendleton Shaun was a stalwart in the side during the 2011/12 playing at both centre back and central midfield where he put in some great displays. Versatile and very professional in his approach, Shaun is a hard worker. His defensive attributes are as impressive as his offensive ones. A very strong passer of the ball, he can play a vital role in playmaking from deeper positions. He emigrated to Australia in the early part of last season, but is back and available tonight. Jonathan Cook A local lad, defender Jonathan made the step up to the 1st team last season and delivered some impressive performances, scoring a couple of important goals too. He will be hoping to contend for a more regular start this season. Scott Spencer Scott has been in and around the 1st team squad for the last two seasons. Another local lad, like Jonathan Cook he will be looking to make a bigger impact in the 1st team set-up this season.

Jonathan Mirfin Richard Spears Main’s 2011/12 Supporters’ Player of the Year. Very hard working, committed and energetic, Jonathan continues to impress at the Main with Richard played an important role in the consistent displays in the centre of midfield. club’s strong 2011/12 campaign and was also Jonathan rarely gives the ball away, starting a useful member of the squad last season, attacks and creating chances for his team scoring his first club goal against Pontefract. mates. The controlled midfielder is also useful Richard will no doubt look to continue working from free-kicks. hard to cement his place in the team. 14 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

THE MAIN MEN INTRODUCING THE 2013-14 ROSSINGTON MAIN SQUAD John Tunney John joinsedthe club from Yorkshire Main after several very successful seasons there. A versatile player who is equally capable of playing anywhere in defence or midfield. Danny Taylor Danny joined the club from Askern ahead of last season and can play across the midfield and at full back, is very confident in possession and looks after the ball well. Marcel Chipamunga Young local lad Marcel is made his first steps into senior football last season and quickly beame a fan favourite. A very skilful player Marcel has already shown the management team that he has bags of potential and willingness to learn. Ben Clark Young and enthusiastic with a good attitude to learning the game. wide man Ben is also beginning his second season in senior football. He is full of pace and positive running which will no doubt cause a problem for defenders. Niall Doyle As the Reserve team captain in 2011-12 Niall became an important part of the club, helping the Reserves to a close title race that season. In 2012-13 Niall made a permenent step up to the 1st team and put in a very impressive campaign scoring a number of key goals. Likes to keep the ball moving and push forward into goal scoring positions whenever possible. Nathan Fraser Another very versatile player who is naturally gifted, Nathan loves to attack and run at players and his creativity could prove important . Nathanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to play out wide, down the middle, up front and even at the back makes him a key squad member.

Brandon Fallon Brandon burst into the Main squad in March 2012. Tall, powerful and very quick and for such a young lad he fits in very well at this level. Another player for whom appearances last season were limited and we are waiting to see even more of Brandon this year.. Scott Maughan The clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall top scorer in 2011-12 as he made his return to football after some time away from the game. It proved very successful as he fired the Reserves into a title chasing spot. Scott is a natural finisher who comes alive around the penalty area and has chipped in with some key goals for the 1st team. Dean Thornton A former regular scorer for the Reserves, Dean returned to force his way into the 1st team last season. Dean is excellent with his back to goal and good in the air, but equally as effective running past the back four. A brave forward, atural finisher and confident in front of goal. Adam Wisdom Adam is blessed with pace and power and his physical attributes and appetite to work make him a handful for opponents. A threat running beyond defenders, really comes alive from close range, where he scored all of his Main goals. Ben Hunter Rossington lad Ben Hunter recently signed for another stint at the Main, having previously been with the club at the start of the 2011/12 season. A very talented footballer Ben spent several years in the USA, and was drafted by MLS side Columbus Crew in 2007. Although he was released by the Crew without making a first team appearance he had a successful stint in the USL Pro-League with Richmond Kickers before returning to Doncaster last summer. He had a brief spell with Matlock Town, but has now returned to Oxford Street.

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TODAY’S MASCOTS WE ARE DELIGHTED TO GIVE THREE LOCAL BOYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE MASCOTS FOR THIS EVENING’S GAME

JACK MAGSON

From: Rossington | School: Pheasant Bank Academy Plays for: Doncaster Rovers Academy Under 10s Jack started his football at Rossington at the age of 5 attending mini kickers and went on to play for Rossington Juniors under7s and 8s. He was scouted by Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United but continued to play for Rossington. He was eventually signed by Doncaster for the start of the 2012/13 season after attending a Mawson Sports Soccer School. He has currently been resigned for the upcoming 2013/14 season for Doncaster Rovers Academy under 10’s

TYLER EYRE

JOSEPH LANG

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2012-13 SEASON REVIEW The success of the 2011-12 season, in which we achieved a record number of both points and goals scored and matched our highest ever finish in the NCEL was always going to be a tough act to follow. We had lost a number of key players during that season, and more would leave us ahead of the season, seeking either a higher level of football, or a chance to earn a bit of money from the game. The result was progress into the 1st team for a number of lads from the successful 2nd team side, and it was always going to take time for these players to adjust to the step up in level. The season began with a 1-0 defeat at Selby that could effectively be seen as a microcosm of our campaign, a match in which we controlled long periods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly the first half â&#x20AC;&#x201C; only to lose 1-0 having failed to capitalise on our chances. As we exited the League Cup, FA Cup and FA Vase at the first hurdle all focus fell on the league with the first points coming by way of a determined fight-back for a 4-3 win at Hemsworth. Though we struggled at home there were encouraging points won away, as a 1-0 win at Shirebrook was followed by an impressive 1-1 draw at eventual champions Albion Sports.

After a run of four straight defeats brought concern in early November we went on an encouraging run into Christmas, losing just one of six matches, and that defeat came in the return game with Albion, even then though there were missed opportunities, such as the injury time equaliser conceded after we had twice led against Pontefract in the closing six minutes. Sadly that form did not continue into 2013 as we lost six of our next seven matches, with a dramatic 4-3 win at Grimsby providing both encouragement and much needed confidence as we began to look nervously over our shoulder. Some of those losses, such as the 1-0 home defeat to Louth were gravely unfortunate, others such as the 7-1 loss at Emley were sadly inexcusable.

Towards the end of March a run of home games brought us some much needed and impressive wins, a comprehensive 5-2 defeat of Yorkshire Amateur was followed by another 4-3 comeback win, this time over Hallam, to effectively ensure our safety from relegation, something which was guaranteed in early April as we secured a surprise 2-2 draw away at leaders What we struggled to find in those Athersley Recreation with a very early months though was consistency impressive performance that showed and so promising wins, such as a 3-1 the lads the potential they have. defeat of Grimsby Borough here at Four points from our final two games Oxford Street or the impressive 3-2 ensured a positive end to a testing victory at Yorkshire Amateur which season, and one which will have taught included a brilliant solo goal from our young side much about the league young Marcel Chipamungs, were often and level they are in. Hopefully 2012followed by one or two frustrating 13 will prove to be a transitional year, losses. between two successful campaigns. 18 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

2012-13 FINAL STANDINGS NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Albion Sports Athersley Recreation Louth Town Cleethorpes Town Pontefract Collieries Shirebrook Town AFC Emley Knaresborough Town Worsborough Bridge Ath. Teversal Clipstone Welfare Hallam Hemsworth M.W. Eccleshill United Bottesford Town Selby Town Grimsby Borough ROSSINGTON MAIN Dinnington Town Appleby Frodingham Yorkshire Amateur Askern Villa

P 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42

W 28 25 24 23 24 24 23 22 21 19 16 15 17 15 14 14 13 11 10 9 8 7

D 8 10 8 10 6 5 6 9 9 8 9 11 5 10 9 4 6 6 7 7 5 2

* 1 point deducted

L 6 7 10 9 12 13 13 11 12 15 17 16 20 17 19 24 23 25 25 26 29 33

F 121 101 91 108 88 91 111 81 89 95 70 76 69 79 77 66 54 57 58 56 55 47

A GD Pts 42 +79 92 52 +49 85 62 +29 80 63 +45 79 50 +38 78 64 +27 77 56 +55 75 55 +26 75 61 +28 72 66 +29 65 71 -1 57 72 +4 56 81 -12 56 67 +12 55 88 -11 50* 91 -25 46 74 -20 45 105 -48 39 102 -44 37 125 -69 34 120 -65 29 173 -126 23

DONCASTER & DISTRICT SENIOR LEAGUE; PREMIER DIVISION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Denaby United Sutton Rovers Bramley Sunnyside Shafton Villa ROSSINGTON MAIN South Elmsall United Serv. Bawtry Town Hemsworth Town Kinsley Boys South Kirkby Colliery

P 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

W 14 12 11 10 8 6 8 5 4 2

D 1 3 0 2 3 5 1 2 3 0

L 3 3 7 6 7 7 9 11 11 16

F 81 64 54 52 46 26 46 28 25 11

A 26 28 44 17 28 32 55 41 38 124

GD Pts +55 43 +36 39 +10 33 +35 32 +18 24* -6 23 -9 22* -13 17 -13 15 -113 6

Carcroft Village, Scawthorpe & Bentley Rhinos and Mexborough Town all withdrew; their respective records have all been expunged | * 3 points deducted

Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 19

MAIN APPEARANCES 2012-13 1 DATE OPPONENT 04 Aug Selby Town 07 Aug Teversal 11 Aug Atherton L.R. 14 AUG KNARESBOROUGH TN 18 Aug Hemsworth M.W. 25 AUG CLIPSTONE WELFARE 27 Aug Louth Town 01 Sep Congleton Town 05 Sep Shirebrook Town 08 SEP TEVERSAL 12 Sep Albion Sports 22 SEP GRIMSBY BOROUGH 25 SEP DINNINGTON TOWN 29 Sep Cleethorpes Town 06 OCT AFC EMLEY 09 OCT KIVETON PARK 13 Oct Yormshire Am. 16 Oct Pontefract Coll. 20 OCT ASKERN VILLA 27 Oct Hallam 03 NOV ATHERSLEY REC. 06 Nov Parkgate 10 Nov Worsborough B.A. 13 NOV BOTTESFORD TOWN 17 NOV SELBY TOWN 24 Nov Appleby Frod’ham 01 DEC ALBION SPORTS 08 Dec Dinnington Town 15 DEC PONTEFRACT COLL. 26 Dec Askern Villa 12 Jan Knaresborough T. 02 FEB LOUTH TOWN 09 Feb Teversal 12 FEB HEMSWORTH M.W. 16 FEB SHIREBROOK TOWN 23 Feb Grimsby Borough 02 MAR CLEETHORPES TOWN 09 Mar AFC Emley 16 MAR YORKSHIRE AM 19 Mar STAVELEY MW 26 MAR ECCLESHILL UTD 30 MAR HALLAM 06 Apr Athersley Rec. 10 Apr Eccleshill United 13 APR WORSBOROUGH B.A. 20 Apr Bottesford Town 27 APR APPLEBY FROD’HAM 04 May Clipstone Welfare

COMP NCEL LC 1 FAC EP NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL FAV 1Q NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL SHC1R NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL SHC2R NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL SHCQF NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL NCEL

RES. 0-1 1-2 2-4 0-3 4-3 1-4 0-1 0-3 1-0 0-5 1-1 3-1 1-2 2-3 0-3 4-1 3-2 0-4 1-1 1-2 0-2 2-1* 1-3 0-3 2-0 2-1 1-2 2-2 3-3 3-1 1-2 0-1 0-5 1-4 0-4 4-3 1-2 1-7 5-2 0-2 1-3 4-3 2-2 1-6 1-3 1-4 1-1 1-0

ATT. 94 68 38 95 97 47 120 118 71 51 30 59 61 103 64 51 30 43 53 79 81 65 49 56 121 20 65 43 48 50 178 38 53 50 105 42 74 71 64 50 35 76 111 31 63 47 59 55

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20 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

KEY

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Kilmartin

Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 21

FOOTBALL’S FAULTS CONTINUING OUR SERIES ON ALL THAT’S WRONG WITH FOOTBALL NO. 15 CLOSE SEASON EMPTINESS

I hate the close season. Not because of the lack of football to watch, no, quite often that is welcome relief, but because of what fills the void, the emptiness of close season football ‘news’. Only in football is nothingness expected to be reported on.

In theory football should really work like an artificial Christmas tree, unpacked for an accepted duration, and then when that time is up it is boxed away and forget about it until it’s season comes round again (in this metaphor World Cups represent those years when you have a row about who should take it down and you find yourself still sidestepping baubles in February). It’s time has been and gone, you don’t spend February to November speculating about what the tree is thinking, where you’ll put it next year, or whether next-door might try and tempt it to their loft. Through hype and infatuation of the game’s top level football has spurned an entire media industry which needs the game to function. Newspaper football desks are middle-aged Hollywood trophy wives and transfer rumours are their valium, taking the edge off the pointlessness of their existence. In the past there weren’t football reporters, only sports reporters, so in the summer these folk would be busily employed writing about batting averages and middle orders, Jeremy Bates shortcomings and the young man from Belgrave Harriers in the inside lane. Without this gainful employment however they are forced to wreak every last drop of a word count from a sport in which little to nothing is happening. There

is no sport to report on, and so stories have to be engineered. A transfer should be a straight forward piece of news; player X has joined club Y, but that won’t fill the supplements or the rolling news, so the papers spin and speculate and manipulate transfers from straightforward transactions to sagas and episodes. Rumours are reported as fact, players’ agents treated as reliable independent sources, and for all the substance to much of what is printed reporters may as well draw a player’s name from one hat, an amount from another and then chuck a dart at a map of Europe. “OK I’ve got… Theo Walcott… £15million… and the dart appears to be nearest to Marseille… let’s run it”. Earlier this summer Sky Sports had a flashing ‘Breaking News’ ticker scrolling across the screen proclaiming ‘Moyes arrives at Man Utd’. They even had exclusive footage of him going in a door in a suit. That’s a man turning up for work, at his new employer, at a pre-arranged and well publicised day and time. They spun this out for a day. A whole day. They speculated what his first task would be; negotiations with Wayne Rooney? Signing Leighton Baines. Not one reporter chose setting up his email signature or having a tour of where the toilets, kitchen and fire exits are. Call themselves journalists! So please, for the benefit of us all, stop talking about nothing, file yourself away in the loft and let us get on with things until we need you again. There really is nothing to see here, let’s just move on.

22 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

HALF-TIME TEASERS KILL TIME IN THE TEA-BAR QUEUE BY TESTING YOUR FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE WITH THIS QUICK QUIZ 1. What was the score when Rovers last visited Oxford Street in 2008? 2. Who scored a hat-trick in that game? 3. True or false, Main once wore a red & white hooped kit in homage to Rovers? 4. True or false, Main Groundsman Ian Wilson once played for Doncaster Rovers? 5. How many years are there between the formation of Doncaster Rovers, and the formation of Rossington Main? 6. Which aspect of our ground here at Oxford Street was previously housed at Rovers’ Belle Vue ground?

7. Which aspect of our ground here at Oxford Street was previously housed at Rovers’ Belle Vue ground? 8. Which former Rossington and Doncaster Rovers player scored for Falkirk in a Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers in 1999? 9. Which member of Doncaster Rovers 1997-98 side went on to become playermanager of Rossington Main? 10. Which former Rossington and Rovers player scored 40 goals for Notts County between 1996 and 1999?

Answers can be found at the foot of page 29

Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 23

TODAY’S VISITORS

INTRODUCING THIS EVENING’S VISITORS TO OXFORD STREET, CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE DONCASTER ROVERS Doncaster Rovers, as you are no doubt aware, arrive here at Oxford Street this evening off the back of a very successful 2012-13 campaign. Following the disappointment of a disastrous 2011-12 season which saw the club relegated from the Championship amidst a number of unpopular changes in structure and approach the club bounced back in hugely impressive style to return to the second tier at the first time of asking. The squad assembled by Dean Saunders in the close season and duly added to and moulded further by Brian Flynn, following the departure of his fellow Welshman in January, proved to be

be incredibly hard to beat in League One last season. That resoluteness and impressive team spirit saw Rovers reserve due reward for their efforts at the end of April as they secured not only promotion, but also the title, in those dramatic final seconds at Griffin Park. Since the close season Rovers have had a further reshuffle with the amiable Brian Flynn moving ‘upstairs’ to take a Director of Football role at the club, and coaches David Williams and the ever popular Lee Butler departing the club. The new man at the helm for Rovers, Paul Dickov, is a well-known figure in football, having played at the top level with both

24 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

TODAY’S VISITORS Manchester City and Scotland, and he has already moved to bring in his own team to aid his aims of ensuring Rovers are still a Championship side come this time next year. Joining Paul as Assistant Manager is Brian Horton, the experienced former Manchester City and Hull City manager, whilst former Oldham and Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard has taken over Butler’s mantle as goalkeeper coach. On the playing side there have also been a number of notable departures from the Rovers, not least goalkeeper Gary Woods who, having made 49 appearances in Rovers title-winning side, was released at the season’s end. Also exiting the Keepmoat Stadium in the summer months were midfielder Martin Woods, the Scotsman who scored a brace when Rovers last visited Oxford Street, has been plagued by injuries in recent years sadly limiting his opportunities in the Doncaster team, Lee Fowler, and youngsters Paddy Mullen and Jordan Ball. At the time of writing, though Rovers had been linked with and on the verge of making a number of additions to their side including Oldham defender Jean-Yves M’voto, Brentford midfielder Harry Forrester and Scunthorpe United’s Mark Duffy the only signing secured by Paul Dickov is the young Spaniard Marc de val Fernandez who joins from Real Madrid’s second string. No doubt Rovers early pre-season games at Frickley, Retford and now here have been something of an eye-opener for him.

1879 Formed by Railway Fitter Albert Jenkins 1888-89 Enter FA Cup for first time 1890-91 Join the Midland League, finish as runners-up 1896-97 Secure first Midland League title 1901-02 Elected to Football League and finish seventh, still the club’s highest ever finish. 1904-05 Relegated back to the Midland League 1921-22 Move from Bennetthorpe to Belle Vue 1923-24 Elected back into the Football League 1934-35 / 46-47 / 49-50 Division 3 North Champions 1958-59 Second successive relegation into 4th tier 1965-66 / 68-69 Lift the Fourth Division title. 1981-82 / 1983-84 Promoted to the third tier 1997-98 Relegated to the Football Conference 2002-03 Return to the Football League 2003-04 Division 3 Champions 2006-07 Win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and move to the Keepmoat Stadium 2007-08 Win the League One Play-Off Final 2012-13 Secure a dramatic League One title

Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 19

VISITORS’ PROFILES A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS EVENING’S OPPOSITION This being early pre-season, and this page having been produced even earlier in preseason, there is a fair chance we will have missed out some notable Rovers faces for 2013-14 from these profiles and for that we can only apologise. Do feel free to make up your own profiles for trialists and any other players we may have missed.

MANAGER: PAUL DICKOV

New Rovers manager Paul Dickov began his career at Arsenal in the early 1990s, before moving to Manchester City in 1996. Dickov made close to 200 appearances for the Maine Road club before going on to enjoy successful spells at Leicester City and Blackburn, making 10 appearances for Scotland in the process. Dickov became playermanager of Oldham in 2010, and received much praise during the Latics FA Cup run last season.

NEIL SULLIVAN

Unsurprisingly, the word ‘experienced’ often appears in descriptions of Neil Sullivan with the goalkeeper having made close to 600 appearances in a twenty-five year career. The 43-year-old joined Rovers from Leeds United in 2007, and played a vital part in the club’s promotion to, and subsequent four-year spell in the Championship. Sullivan made 28 appearances for Scotland and played in the 1998 World Cup finals, and previously played in the top flight with Wimbledon, Tottenham and Chelsea.

PAUL QUINN

The accomplished right full-back Paul Quinn joined Rovers from Cardiff last summer and was something of an unsung hero for the team in their League One campaign. Quinn spent three seasons with the Bluebirds (when they were still blue) having previously played for Scottish Premier League Motherwell with whom he made over 130 appearances.

JAMES HUSBAND

After impressing in the Rovers youth team James Husband signed a two and a half year professional contract with the club in January 2012, making his first team debut towards the end of that season. Last season Husband, still only 19, became a regular part of the 1st team set-up initially playing at left-back before enjoying a new lease of life on the left wing under Brian Flynn. 26 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

VISITORS’ PROFILES ROB JONES

Club captain, centre-half, 1st team coach and famed for being ‘indestructible’ amongst supporters Rob Jones has become something of a cult hero since joining Rovers last summer. The tall imposing defender is particularly strong in the air and contributed key goals in the club’s push to promotion last term. Jones joined Rovers from Sheffield Wednesday having previously played with Scunthorpe, Grimsby Town and Hibernian.

JAMIE McCOMBE

The other of Rovers’ ‘twin towers’ at the back McCombe also arrived at the Keepmoat last summer, joining from Huddersfield Town with whom he’d also won League One promotion. McCombe started his career with Scunthorpe before spells at Lincoln City and Bristol City.

TOMMY SPURR

The fourth member of Rovers first choice back-four last term, but unlike Quinn, Jones and McCombe, Tommy Spurr has actually been at the club two seasons rather than one having joined from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2011. Spurr made over 200 appearances for the Owls, but made the move across South Yorkshire when the Hillsborough club were relegated to the third tier. An athletic left-back also able to play on the left of midfield.

JAMIE COPPINGER

Rovers’ longest serving player, Jamie Coppinger is now beginning his testimonial year with the club having signed for Rovers from Exeter in 2004. The 32 year old midfielder is a skilful and intelligent capable of playing out wide, in the centre of midfield or as a supportive striker. Most keenly remembered for the incredible hattrick he scored in the 2008 play-off semi-final against Southend, Coppinger was the very fitting scorer of that winning goal in that final day showdown at Brentford last season.

KEY MAN: DAVID COTTERILL

Welsh international David Cotterill joined Rovers on a two year deal last summer following his release from Barnsley. Surprisingly still only 25 years old Cotterill is comfortable on either flank and proved a truly valuable asset for Rovers last season, not least for his dead-ball delivery. The midfielder provided the most assists of any player in League One last season and also scored ten goals, ensuring he was involved in just about half of the goals Rovers scored. Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 27

VISITORS’ PROFILES KYLE BENNETT

Quick and skilful Kyle Bennett joined Rovers from Bury in the summer of 2011. Injuries saw the young midfielder’s progress into the first team accelerated and his abilities were certainly not out of place during the club’s last stint in the second tier. There is still room for development in his game, but on his day he is a real prospect with a great eye for goal.

DAVE SYERS

A surprise signing when he joined from Bradford City last season David Syers proved a valuable addition to the Rovers centremidfield. A box to box midfielder full of energy and also capable of finding the net, Syers is also one of a rare breed, a footballer with a degree having read Classics at the University of Leeds.

PAUL KEEGAN

Irishman Paul Keegan joined Rovers in January 2011 from the League of Ireland where he had played for Drogheda and Bohemians. A combative midfielder Keegan struck a valuable partnership with Dave Syers in the early part of the last campaign.

MARC DE VAL FERNANDEZ

A new addition to Rovers, defensive misdfielder Marc de val Fernadez began his caree with Espanyol. He joined Real Madrid in 2009, spending last season on loan to second tier Olimpic de Xativa.

BILLY PAYNTER

Top scorer last season with 15 goals Billy Paynter joined the club from Leeds United a year ago and scored some vital goals for the Rovers, not least his brace at Crewe in April which turned a 1-0 deficit into a 1-0 win. Paynter made his name at Swindon, scoring 29 goals in one campaign for the Robins, and is always capable of popping up in the right place at the right time in the penalty area.

CHRIS BROWN

Doncaster born Chris Brown is the son of former Rovers favourite Alan Brown and initially spent time on loan at the Rovers during their 2002-03 Division 3 title season. His second spell with his hometown club has duly proved just as successful, with Brown scoring 11 times in last season’s promotion campaign. A great asset to the side Brown excels at holding the ball up and bringing Rovers’ midfield into the game. 28 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

WE’VE MET BEFORE 9th JULY 2008 ROSSINGTON MAIN 1 - 9 DONCASTER ROVERS

Holmes 4 | Hayter 10, Woods 19, 37, Coppinger 22, Heffernan 33, Wilson 40, Taylor 50, 84, 87 Five years ago Doncaster Rovers visited Oxford Street, like this summer, fresh off the back of promotion to the second tier. The committee at Rossington worked tirelessly to get the ground ready for the game to the extent that there was still a heavy smell of paint fumes hanging in the visitors’ dressing rooms when the Rovers team arrived. With their guests still woozy from the paint fumes Rossington took the lead through Lee Holmes, but Rovers, led by a classy Martin Woods brace, soon asserted the gap in class to lead 6-1 at the break. A second half Gareth Taylor hattrick wrapped up the scoring as Rovers eventually triumphed 9-1 in front of around 900 spectators. The biggest cheer of the day though came as Main’s keeper Lee Appleby saved a second half Rovers penalty from Waide Fairhurst.

Quiz Answers (from page 23): 1. Rossington Main 1-9 Doncaster Rovers, 2. Gareth Taylor, 3. True, Main adopted a red and white hooped away kit from 2008-2010, 4. False, 5. 40 (1919 - 1879), 6. Charlie Williams, 7. The central floodlight on the Main Stand side here at Oxford Street previously stood at Belle Vue, 8. David Moss, 9. Robert Debenham, 10. Gary Jones

Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 29

THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH TEAMS THERE IS A GREAT TRADITION OF ROSSINGTON MAIN PLAYERS GOING ON TO PLAY FOR DONCASTER ROVERS, HERE ARE JUST A FEW.

LES LIEVESLEY

Born in Staveley, Derbyshire in 1911, the son of Joe Lievesley who had played as a goalkeeper for Sheffield United and Woolwich Arsenal prior to World War 1. Having injured his arm during the Great War Joe Lievesley left Arsenal and returned to work as a miner at Rossington Colliery, whilst also turning out for the newly formed Rossington Main. Soon enough Joe’s son Leslie would join his father in the Main team to began his extraordinary football career here at Oxford Street. Les Lievesley’s teenage talent was soon noticed and he moved to Belle Vue, signing for Doncaster Rovers in 1929 where he continued his impressive exploits, scoring 21 goals in 66 games. Having impressed for the Rovers Lievesley was signed by Manchester United, but he failed to establish himself at Old Trafford, making just two appearances before signing for Chesterfield in 1933.

Lievesley’s stint with the Spirites was brief and he moved south later that year to join Torquay United. Playing as a defender for Torquay Lievesley made 144 appearances, and scored five goals for The Gulls between 1933 and 1937. After four

seasons in Devon Lievesley moved on again, joining another Third Division (South) side Crystal Palace. Lievesley would make over 80 appearances for The Eagles, scoring three goals, before the outbreak of World War II in 1939. When War broke out Lievesley hung up his boots to join the RAF as a squadron leader, and flew throughout the conflict, but come 1945 he chose not to return to London and instead took up a role as a coach in the Netherlands. Lievesley’s coaching talent led to him being scouted by the management of Torino and he joined Il Toro in 1947. Initially employed within the youth set-up, Lievesley was soon promoted to 1st team duty where he worked in partnership with the great Hungarian trainer Ernest Erbstein right up until May 1949 and the tragedy of Superga. The AC Torino team were on their way back from an exhibition game against Benfica in Lisbon on 4th May 1949, when the plane carrying the team crashed into the Basillica complex on Superga mountain to the north of Turin. All 31 people on board the flight were killed, including Les Lievesley.

30 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH TEAMS

KEN HARDWICK

Another miner, goalkeeper Ken Hardwick was born in West Auckland in 1934, but began his football career here at Oxford Street as part of the Main side during the Second World War. Ken made his Rovers debut on Boxing Day 1947 and went on to spend ten years at Belle Vue, keeping the great Harry Gregg out of the side for some time. Legend has it Ken was actually called up for the England under 21 side, although the offer was soon withdrawn when they discovered he was actually 30 years old. Fondly remembered as one of, if not the, best â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;keeper ever to have played at Rovers Ken made 308 appearances before joining Scunthorpe in 1953 having finally lost his place to Gregg. Ken spent three seasons with the Iron before playing one final campaign at Barrow.

BRIAN MAKEPEACE

Born in Rossington in 1931 Brian began his football career at Oxford Street as a teenage in the late 1940s. After a oouple of seasons with Rossington Brian moved to Doncaster Rovers initially spending time with their Junior and B teams before making his 1st team debut in a Division Two fixture against Blackburn Rovers at Belle Vue in February 1951. Originally a centre-half when a youngster Brian would go on to make the right back position his own at Rovers, where he played over 350 clubs across the next ten seasons. During that time Brian established himself as a firm favourite amongst Rovers fans and also became club captain. Despite his many appearances Brian never scored a professional goal before he was forced to retire from the game in 1961.

JACK TEASDALE

Rossington born Jack Teasdale makes up the trio of notable players who moved from The Colliery to Doncaster Rovers in the early 1950s. Born in 1929, Jack began his career here at Oxford Street following the Second World War. He made his Rovers debut at the end of the 1950-51 season but only really established himself in their side during the 1952-53 season, flourishing under Peter Doherty. A promising wing half he was forced to retire in 1956 due to an injury picked up whilst playing for a Football League XI in South Africa. Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 31

1919 Q&A AS RMFC WERE FORMED IN 1919 THE MAIN ISSUE’S INTERVIEW FEATURE ASKS 19 QUESTIONS AND FORMER ROSSINGTON MAIN & DONCASTER ROVERS PLAYER DAVID MOSS KINDLY PROVIDES 19 ANSWERS When was your debut for Rossington Main & who was it against? Not certain as it seems so long ago but I’m sure you will know and I will be very interested to hear when and who against. Due to the calibre of players at that particular time it was difficult to get a game! [embarrassingly we’re not sure either... answers to the tea-hut] What is your first footballing memory? Playing school football whilst at Holmescarr Junior School 1977-81. School football was very strong then and I remember playing in some very exciting games and Cup finals against other Doncaster schools, up against some good players too. I personally believe the demise of schools football in the past 10-15 years has been one of the many reasons why we don’t see as many young players produced. Schools football allowed players to play more freely and express themselves more than they ever would in club football. Who were the first team you played for? Holmescarr Junior School on a Saturday and Rossington All Stars on a Sunday as well. Which footballer would you say was your boyhood hero? I never really had a boyhood hero but Kevin Keegan was probably the first player I really admired. I can vaguely remember a tv programme on a Saturday morning where he would demonstrate how to perform various techniques that I would then go

away and practice. It’s my belief that something like this would be excellent for youngsters nowadays and a really good learning tool to see players such as Van Persie, Suarez, Torres and others demonstrating how to volley and shoot properly for example. As I was a Manchester United fan and a midfield player Bryan Robson was also a favourite due to his ability to get box to box defending and attacking, his goalscoring and his bravery. Which was the first professional game you ever watched? I think it was Doncaster Rovers v QPR in a 1985 FA Cup game; Rovers won 1-0 and David Harle scoring the winner. Who do you consider the greatest player in your position? As a midfielder I don’t think you can look beyond Iniesta and Xavi. Although only 5’7 their superior technique and football intelligence allows them to dominate opponents. However, after witnessing how Bayern Munich dominated Barcelona in recent Champions League games we may see a slight change as managers follow their model and going for bigger, athletic players, but ones who are also highly skilled, and intelligent like Barcelona’s. It will be very interesting to see how Pep Guardiola changes their playing style and the players he buys.

What is your most prized football possession? I haven’t really been fortunate to win many titles or cups in my career, though 32 | MAIN ISSUE | Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC

I have excellent memories from my playing career. Two games from my time at Falkirk that stick in my mind are the time I scored two goals against St Johnstone in a Cup Quarter final in 1997 and an equalising goal for Falkirk against Rangers at Ibrox in the semifinal of the Cup in front of 50,000 fans. What is your favourite ground you’ve played at (aside from Oxford St)? As an occasion Celtic Park in front of 60,000 fans was always special when playing for Dunfermline. During the period I was at Dunfermline from 1999 to 2001 Celtic had a very strong team under Martin O’Neill with excellent players such as Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, Lubo Moravcik, Neil Lennon, Johan Mjallby etc. so the stadium was always full. The Rangers team at the same time had players such as Giovanni Van Brockhurst, Jorge Albertz, Lorenzo Amaruso, Barry Ferguson so Ibrox was always full also with 50,000 fans. Home games for Falkirk when I played there at their old stadium at ‘Brockville’ was always a favourite as this is where I probably played my best football in my career and being captain and scoring lots of goals meant I was a favourite with the fans! This was not always the case during my career at other clubs! Who would you say is the best player you’ve played alongside? Kevin McAllister (ex Chelsea) was the right-winger when I was at Falkirk and must have provided crosses for 90% of the goals I scored. He was the old fashioned type of winger with lots of tricks who could take players on with ease and always seemed to find my head in the box.

And who do you consider the best player you’ve played against? I played against many good players and have mentioned some above already from my time in Scotland. I remember also whilst at Dunfermline playing a pre-season game against the excellent Arsenal side that included Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams amongst others. I was slow at the end of the game so ended up with Ray Parlour’s shirt as opposed to Vieira’s that I was after! I also played against a Liverpool team in a memorial game for a young lad from Harworth who had died, that contained Robbie Fowler, Jan Molby and Kevin Keegan who played as a guest. I will always remember how fast these players moved the ball via their excellent technique and football intelligence. Even though Jan Molby was not the most mobile or quickest his speed of thought was way ahead of others and I could not get near him! What is your proudest achievement in football? Seeing players I have managed and nurtured as Academy Director at both ...Swansea City and Crystal Palace develop into professional footballers and see them playing on Match of the Day on a Saturday evening. Players such as Joe Allen, Wilfried Zaha, John Williams, Victor Moses, Ben Davies, Nathaniel Clynne and Abdul Razak are probably some of the most exciting young players in the Premier League and between them have raised transfer fees totalling £45 million for Swansea and Palace respectively. Another proud achievement for me is making it as a professional player and still working in

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1919 Q&A CONTINUING OUR INTERVIEW WITH ROSSINGTON & ROVERS’ DAVID MOSS football today 24 years later, especially having been released at 18 at the end of my apprenticeship by Doncaster Rovers. I wasn’t blessed with great technical ability but always possessed, and will hopefully continue to have, great determination and mental strength to always work as hard as I can and never give up. I always tell young players I work with today that talent alone won’t guarantee them becoming a professional as talent is only a small part of making it as a professional player. In my coaching career I have seen so many really talented players that never made it as they were not prepared to work hard enough on the training field, in the gym, prepare for games properly, recover from set-backs or make the sacrifices required. Liverpool’s £15 million man Joe Allen, who I had at Swansea as a young player, isn’t blessed with great natural talent but has excellent professionalism about all he does and great mental strength. What was your favourite moment with Rossington Main? When I look back playing with friends and people I grew up with in the same village is special. Who was your Doncaster Rovers debut against? Having just ‘Googled’ it, 13th March 1992, a 1-1 draw versus Scunthorpe. What was your favourite moment of being at Doncaster Rovers? The favourite thing for me in my time at Rovers was playing for my hometown club, especially having initially

been released by them at 18. I still believe there can’t be many better feelings than running out for your home-town club, where you grew up, in front of family and friends. I always think a player will give that extra 10%. Of all the clubs you played for which do you consider your most enjoyable? Falkirk were my happiest times, between the ages of 27 and 29, from 1997-1999. I was the captain of a very good team and everything I touched (mainly with my head) during this period seemed to go in the net! I was always very popular with the fans and still am when I go there and regularly keep in contact with the ex-players and Directors of the club. Do you have any regrest from your playing career? Yes, not being born 20 years later and playing in the Premier League on £100,000 per week! On a serious note I do not have that many regrets other than having suffered so many injuries. I had four knee operations and also suffered a pelvic problem that kept me out for 7 months and all these definitely inhibited my development at key times . Other than that I always gave my best and prepared for games in the right way and as a professional I believe these are basics you should always do. Not being blessed with natural ability I always had to try and work harder than most, so was always first and last on the training field. What does your current role at Celtic involve? I am currently Head of Academy

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Scouting at Celtic Football Club. My responsibility is to oversee Scouting & Recruitment of all players 6-19 years. I still live in Rossington, I moved back in 2010 after I left Crystal Palace as Academy Director as they fell into administration when Simon Jordan was Chairman and Neil Warnock, Manager. My office is in Celtic Park where I am based 2-3 days of the week with the remainder of my week spent travelling the UK and Europe watching games. I employ 30 scouts, with the majority based in Scotland and Ireland.

28 when at Falkirk! When going full-time I had so much spare time, finishing at 2pm as opposed to 9 or 10pm after working 9-5 and then training, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I decided to study Sport Science at Falkirk College and embark on my coaching career by taking my badges and coaching young teams. Due to this varied and unique career in football, both planned by me and unplanned by events happeneing out of my control, I have been very fortunate to gain great experience; playing, coaching, managing, Sport Science, business and now scouting, which was the one aspect of football I had not had indepth experience in. Therefore the last 3 years at Celtic has allowed me to develop relationships with agents, clubs and contacts around the world. Any manager will tell you, you are only as good as the players you have at your disposal, so maybe the devastating news at the time of being made redundant at Palace was a positive in hindsight and meant to be! So, I see my next role in football either as a Director of Football, due to the experience I have across all aspects, or at the right time given the right opportunity and with the right Chairman (sensible and knows football) I will look to go into Management. However I will reiterate that you never know what’s around the corner in this game and things can change very, very quickly for both the best and worst.

Would you ever onsider going into football management? My objective was always to be a Manager and I thought this would be my next logical step after working as Academy Director at Swansea City and then Crystal Palace. However anyone working in football will tell you it is very difficult to plan your career ahead as there is so much out of your control, as the administration at Palace demonstrated. With everything going really well, in charge of one of the best Academy’s in the UK, I found myself out of work through no fault of my own. The offer to work for Celtic in a scouting role took me away slightly from management but in hindsight has been excellent for my career. You may not be aware but when I played I was the only player who combined playing professionally with working simultaneously. This dual career allowed me to gain 8 valuable Lastly, which other four players would years working in business at Lloyds make up your fantasy five-a-side of London and Kwik-Fit Insurance. team alongside yourself? I did this dual role at Doncaster, As a United fan; Peter Schmeichal, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe, and Partick Jaap Stam, Roy Keane & Eric Cantona. and did not go full-time until the age of Official Matchday Magazine of Rossington Main FC | MAIN ISUE | 35

UP IN 18 SECONDS IN 18 SECONDS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE 2012-13 SEASON DONCASTER ROVERS WENT FROM PLAY-OFF BOUND DESPAIR TO TITLE WINNING GLORY, HERE’S HOW THOSE WHO WERE THERE EXPERIENCED IT.

ROB JONES Rovers Captain

“It was almost written in the stars. I knew he was going to miss because of the pressure, three of them were fighting over who should take it and the lad who stepped up had only been on the pitch a few minutes. I must admit I didn’t envisage we would go down the other end and score within 20 seconds, but that summed up our season – these lads never give up.”

It’s a beautiful game this and crazy at times.” JAMIE BELL Rovers Supporter

“On the way to the game I’d said to others on the coach that I hoped it was 0-0 until the last five or ten minutes then Rovers score late so Brentford had little time to recover, but what happened was still unbelievable. With 95 minutes gone we seemed to be home and dry but no, penalty, disbelief. People stood motionless, a cruel blow? The 18 seconds that followed was bedlam; devastation to ecstasy. Many were celebrating so much they missed the goal.”

JAMIE COPPINGER Rovers Goalscorer

“When they get the penalty, you think the worst, you think another two weeks of training, the play-offs, and we’ve been there before in this position where we could’ve finished second and we missed out. But then the ball breaks from off the bar, and you go from praying for Sully to save the penalty to looking up and seeing Billy all by himself, and I just tried to keep up with him, thinking ‘Please pass it.’ We’d had a set-to in training about passing the ball to each other, so for him to set me up for the goal like that was so ironic. It’s what dreams are made of, you couldn’t write the script. I’d said to Dean Furman that if I scored in the last minute, my shirt was coming off – and that’s what happened. It came off, it disappeared into the crowd and I’ve not seen it since.”

BRIAN FLYNN Rovers Manager

“So close wasn’t it? You concede a penalty and you fear for the worst but thankfully it turned out brilliant. I would have been happy with the miss to be honest. Billy Paynter only went over the side to get out of the way and say a quiet prayer, but it came right in the end. It’s great for James Coppinger. Brilliant for him, who’s been a great part of this club. He nearly miscontrolled it as well didn’t he? It’s a beautiful game this and crazy at times.”

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UP IN 18 SECONDS GLEN WILSON Rovers Commentator

“Superstitious as I am, I haven’t watched a penalty involving ‘my’ team in twenty years. People have remarked how calm I was when the referee pointed to the spot, but in all honesty I had just resigned myself to the penalty being scored as I knew I had to watch it Thanks to a pillar in the middle of the Main Stand I couldn’t actually see which way Marcello Trotta struck it, just his foot make contact, then the ball emerged from the other side of the pillar with an encouraging thwack. I wanted to celebrate the moment Rovers cleared their lines, and had I not been leading the commentary I probably would have, but because I had to watch on, the break suddenly dawned on me, and then I just felt I was talking through to the inevitable. To watch the scenes of celebration at the Rovers end front on was incredible and a very privileged position, but I’d have given anything to have been among them.”

KEITH DERBYSHIRE Rovers Supporter

“I cannot say I enjoyed the game, too much tension, Wright- Phillips hits the post, half time comes. Second Half and Rovers holding their own. Ninety minutes up and I can’t watch anymore. Added time, on the upper tier concourse looking at the houses and the Rovers fans locked outside without a ticket I heard a loud shout, turned around, I thought Brentford had scored, but no, a penalty. I couldn’t look. A loud cheer from the away end, a shout “it hit the bar’” amd I turned around as Billy Payner passes to Jamie Coppinger, watched it cross the line and the rest is history; a moment I will cherish!”

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THE LANGUAGE OF FOOTBALL FOOTBALL IS NOW SO POPULAR IT ALMOST BOASTS A LANGUAGE OF ITS OWN. HERE’S TEN THINGS YOU ONLY HEAR IN RELATION TO FOOTBALL Expunged

I noticed this when writing out the Doncaster Senior League tables for the programme last season; clubs who cease to exist for whatever reason never have their results ‘removed’ or ‘deleted’ from a table, they are only ever ‘expunged’.

Come-and-get-me Plea

A term that should only be issued by hostages towards passing helicopters, or by young kids who’ve had enough of their first sleepover via a teery phonecall to their parents, but instead it has come to describe footballers who are desperate to make more money face bigger challenges.

Want-Away

If a player does issue a ‘come-andget-me-plea’ then that would mean that they are free to be described as want-away’. Footballers don’t look to move on, they don’t seek alternate employment, nor do they consider their options, instead they are ‘want-away’, like a toddler trying to make a grown up get rid of their empty food bowl.

Sitter

We’ve all used it to describe an easy chance, but with no knowledge of the origins, its just accepted that a wasted opportunity is a missed sitter. The only other occasion you can miss the sitter is if you’re an American child throwing objects at the nice girl from down the street who your parents have paid to keep an eye on you.

Aplomb

Aside from a well-struck finish, how many other things can you name that have ever been put away with ‘aplomb’? Cuttlery? Savings? ...No, exactly.

Adjudged

In the eyes of officials players are never ‘judged’, always ‘adjudged’; “He was adjudged to have handled”. Perhaps the extra ‘a’ helps give a sense of purpose.

Row Z

How often is Row Z actually the furthest from the field? And how many grounds actually have a Row Z for you to toe-end a ball into anyway? Wouldn’t ‘over the fence and into the allotments’ be a better description?

Fully (in relation to distance)

Only in football is ‘fully’ used in relation to measurements. “He shot from fully thirty yards”, because your inherent distrust of commentators means you will assume it was more like twenty-six.

Plumped

Often used round team selection - “Sir Alex plumped for Kagawa up front” but I can’t think of anything I’ve ever plumped for personally.

Hoof

Animals possess the plural, and you can be caught on one too, but only in football is hoof used as a verb, you can’t ‘hoof ’ things in everyday life, only footballs, and often in the direction of the aforementioned Row Z.

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SPECTATOR NOTICE THANK YOU FOR VISITING OXFORD STREET PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE FOLLOWING. The club committee, officials and all volunteers involved at Rossington Main have worked hard in recent years to establish a positive reputation for the club in both the local community and the wider footballing fraternity. We are tremendously proud that this club is appreciated as one which upholds the true values of grassroots community football, and that Oxford Street is seen as a welcoming and friendly ground to visit. We ask that you help us to maintain this reputation during your time with us at the ground, ensuring that all present have a positive experience - regardless of the match result - and leave more than happy to visit us at Oxford Street again. Football is, after all, a game to be enjoyed by players, spectators and officials alike. Rossington Main is a keen supporter of both the ‘Respect’ and ‘Kick It Out’ campaigns, as such foul, racial or obscene language will not be tolerated within the ground. Please respect the right of all

supporters, both home and away, to enjoy the game of football. In accordance with Oxford Street ground regulations please do not; • Ride bicycles in the ground • Smoke in the Main Stand or any club buildings • Stand in front of the seated areas • Allow dogs off their leads • Consume alcohol from glass containers at pitchside. • Enter the field of play before, during or after the game, other than at times necessitated for Health & Safety. All vehicles parked at Oxford Street are done so at the vehicle owner’s risk, though our shooting has improved in recent seasons. Thank you for supporting your local football team, and for purchasing this matchday programme.

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