Supporters club

A big warm welcome to all the supporters for tonight’s game. Especially we would like to welcome to all the Rochdale supporters who have made the trip up to the Keepmoat Stadium, I hope they enjoy their day out with us, and like the experience besides the result. We got a draw over at Spotland, with a great header from Kieran Sadlier in the closing minutes to salvage a point. We always enjoy the trip over to Rochdale, with a visit to the chippy opposite the away end a must.

Again this season we will be running coaches to all home and away games, the sheet with times and prices on are included in the programme but are subject to change. We have tried to keep the prices as low as we can but had to introduce a travel policy for under 16s who have to have a responsible adult travel with them. Fans who are 16-17-years-old need a consent form from their parents or guardians to travel. These can be downloaded from the Supporters Club website, on the bus or at the Supporters Club office based in the Club Doncaster Academy. Park 2 this season, so you can leave your car there.

You can join the Supporters Club on the bus and get discount straight away, or join online or at the supporters shop located in the Club Doncaster Academy. The price is £7 adult and £5 concessions. Call Paul on 07961727769 or Len on 01302 817347 for more details and bookings.

The North Branch also run coaches to most away games, from the Adwick, Carcroft, A19 corridor area. If you wish to travel with them call 07780316923. They are a great set of lads and lasses, and do a lot of raffles to support local charities. As in previous years the Supporters Club are having weekend trips away, the North Branch will be stopping in Blackpool for the Accrington game and the Retford Branch will also be stopping in Blackpool for the last game of the season at Bloomfield Road. Call Paul on 07961727769 if interested. Both trips will be £150, including two nights' bed, breakfast and evening meal. Not many places are left.

The next away game is away at Gillingham on Saturday February 15, dep Retford 8.15am Harworth 8.20am, Bawtry/Rossington 8.30am, Punches /Cantley lights 8.35am, Keepmoat Stadium 9am. The Main branch bus Wilfreda's yard 8.15am, Infirmary 8.45am, Keepmoat Stadium 9am. This will be followed by Shrewsbury on Saturday February 22, we will be leaving Retford 9.45am, Harworth 9.50am, Bawtry/Rossington 10am, Punches 10.10am, Keepmoat Stadium 10.30am. The Main Branch coach will be Wilfreda Adwick 9.45am, Infirmary 10.15am, Waterdale 10.20am and the Keepmoat Stadium at 10.30am.We are taking bookings also for the rearranged games midweek to Portsmouth and Bolton.

As always we will run the home match bus from Retford, Harworth and Rossington Styrupp and Labour club, times are 1pm (6pm) 1.20pm (6.20pm) and 1.30pm (6.30pm). Times in brackets are night games, and there is no need to book. For fans’ safety we will be picking up on the inner circle adjacent to Car The VSC and the Supporters Club are now involved the IAG in conjunction with the South Yorkshire Police, In a supporters-led initiative, to cut down on anti-social behaviour at games, how the policing of matches come about, trying to make it a more pleasurable experience going along to the games.

The Rovers show on Trax FM has now moved to a Friday night spot from 6pm til 7pm, with me and Mellony Sheperd talking all things Rovers and local nonleague football, well worth a listen.

On behalf of the Supporters Club our thoughts go out to the family of Olga Eagen from Harworth, who husband Barry passed away recently. They used to be regulars on our away travels. Also to the family of Jordan Sinnott who recently lost his life, it was good to see Rovers and the Belles donate shirts with his name on it along with lots of local non-league clubs.

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.

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.

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

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 a Supporters Board which meets on a regular basis during the season to discuss a very broad range of topics.

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