Doncaster Rovers v Coventry City Official Matchday Magazine 2018/19 by Mark Hughesman

DONCASTER ROVERS vs COVENTRY CITY

SATURDAY 4TH MAY 2019 5.30PM | ISSUE 28 | Â£3 SKY BET LEAGUE ONE

/19 CLUB 2018 FOOTBALL S R E V O R STER OF DONCA MAGAZINE MATCHDAY L A I C I F F THE O

PROGRAMME SPONSOR

MAIN CLUB SPONSOR LNER ASSOCIATE CLUB SPONSOR Stoneacre Motor Group TECHNICAL KIT SUPPLIER FBT Chairman: David Blunt Major shareholders: Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Marion Watson, Gavin Baldwin Directors: Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Andy Watson, Gavin Baldwin Chief executive: Gavin Baldwin Commercial director: Jim Lord

FOOTBALL STAFF

Manager: Grant McCann Assistant manager: Cliff Byrne Goalkeeping coach: Paul Gerrard Physiotherapist: Jonathan Chatfield Club doctor: Dr Tim Douglas

CLUB STAFF

Director of finance: Richard Poole Head of administration & football operations: Mary Lally Head of stadium & operations: Marie Hepburn Head groundsman: Pete Needham Head of commercial: Jon Warburton 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, Sheila Lynch

CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION

Chair of trustees: Linda Tully Trustees: Gavin Baldwin, Nigel Brewster, Natalie Shaw, Allan Stewart, Rupert Suckling, John Wallbank Honorary ambassador: Stuart Highfield Executive director: Jim Lord Head of Foundation: John Davis NCS programme manager: Jan Budtz

08 05

Grant McCann

Junior Rovers

Gavin Baldwin

Action replay

Feature interview

Player sponsorship

Opta Stat Pack

Commercial

Head to head

Supporters liaison officer

Four to watch

Supporters club

Connections

Club Doncaster Foundation

Memorable match

League One stats

Numbers game

Fixtures and results

Development squad

Rovers roll-call

CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE Principal: Adi Turnpenny Deputy principals: Joe Burton, Ben Thompson

PROGRAMME

Contributors: Robbie Andrews, Clare Bailey, John Coyle, Jack Ireland, Paul Mayfield, Sophie Scargill, Jon Warburton, Alex Gibbings Photography: Phil Ryan, AH Pix, Heather King, Rex Features Design: Daniel Parker Amberley Court Associates www.aca-creative.co.uk

40 DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

"WE KNOW THAT IF WE COME OUT ON TOP IN OUR NEXT FOUR GAMES WE’LL HAVE ACHIEVED SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE CLUB"

GRANT McCANN GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME BACK TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM, I’D LIKE TO WELCOME MARK ROBINS AS WELL AS THE FANS, PLAYERS AND STAFF OF COVENTRY CITY WHO HAVE TRAVELLED UP TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM TONIGHT. We head into the match knowing we have a real opportunity, but there has been a sense of calm around the players and coaching staff during the week. We were not interested in results elsewhere, simply in making sure we prepared properly for tonight’s game and the three we hope will follow - we know that if we come out on top in our next four games we’ll have achieved something special for the club. The boys have shown real desire and application to get to where we are now - they had to show that again at Oxford last week and came away with a good point against an in-form side who were unbeaten in their previous eight games. As much as we want to put in a really polished performance in every game, the ability to grind out results in some of these final matches of

the season has also been important and stands us in good stead for what might lay ahead. The backing of our fans this season has been tremendous, and that continued again with more than 700 making the trip to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday. You have an important role today and moving forward, please show encouragement and patience when appropriate to help the lads over the line - I promise you they will give everything for you. Enjoy the game.

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"WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE NO MATTER HOW THE END OF THIS CAMPAIGN PLAYS OUT"

GAVIN BALDWIN GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME BACK TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM THIS EVENING, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE OWNERS, SUPPORTERS PLAYERS AND STAFF OF COVENTRY CITY WHO HAVE TRAVELLED UP. We head into tonight’s game with confidence after last weekend’s battling performance at Oxford United. We showed the determination to get something out of that game which give us a real sense of belief that we can not only secure a top six finish tonight, but have a real chance of progressing through them and sealing promotion. As we come to the conclusion of another season I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of the staff here at Club Doncaster, based both here at the Keepmoat Stadium and at our Cantley Park training ground. There is much more to a football club than the 11 players on the pitch at any one time, and it has taken a tremendous team effort to get to where we are now - and as we reflect on a season where we have pushed for promotion and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, been named EFL Family Club of the Year for the first time and seen real development behind the scenes

we can be assured that we have a bright future no matter how the end of this campaign plays out. On top of the Family Club of The Year award, we again reached the gold standard in the EFL’s Family Excellence scheme after outstanding feedback. Rovers are one of only three teams across the EFL who have achieved the EFL Family Excellence award every year since it began, and one of seven who have won the prestigious Gold Award every time since it was introduced. With Matty Blair also recognised as PFA Community Player of the Year in League One for the second season in a row, there is a lot of us to be proud of. On Monday night I was pleased to be able to join some of the coaching staff and Ben Whiteman at the Star Football Awards in Sheffield, where Ben Whiteman was chosen as the Free Press Player of the Season for Rovers. Ben has shown a tremendous application in his time

for the club and it is a well deserved award, while we were also joined by Sheila Edmunds, Sally Needham and Liv Cook from the Belles with Sheila collecting a special achievement award on behalf of the Belles, and Olivia named their Player of the Season. Given the Belles are joining the Club Doncaster family this season, it was fitting we could share a table and advance the cause of unity. There are a number of guests from the Belles at today’s game, please join us in showing them a warm welcome. I hope to see some of you tomorrow evening at our annual end of season awards then, fingers crossed, we’ll all be back here in a week or so for the play-offs. Enjoy the game.

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ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

Y T T A M R I A L B AFTER 45 LEAGUE GAMES, ROVERS KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO THIS AFTERNOON TO ENSURE THEY SECURE A PLACE IN THE SKY BET LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFFS. Getting three points on the final day of the regular season is all anyone is focused on, and Matty Blair believes the squad are ready to get the job done. “It’s a game that we’ve prepared for all week as we normally would and go into wanting to get one more win,” he says. “Last week’s draw at Oxford was a massive point for us and could turn out to be the deciding one if you look at it like that given the timing of it. “We want this afternoon’s game to be one we can enjoy and hopefully the fans will be the 12th man so to speak and guide us to where we want to be. “We need to make sure we go out there and get the three points, and with that we all need to enjoy the day and appreciate the season for what it’s brought. “I’ve got a few family and friends coming up for the game, a couple of people have messaged me and having them here will be special.”

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The game against Coventry City at the Keepmoat Stadium sees Blair go up against his hometown club, just another added incentive for the Rovers’ man.

Grant McCann has taken them from a season of consolidation to genuine contenders at the top end of the division.

Born and raised in the West Midlands, he has plenty of people to thank for the path his career has taken since being the age of 16.

Blair says while the season seems to have flown by, it is good to reflect on all the hard work that has gone in to put them in such a good position since the first day of pre-season.

“I’ll certainly enjoy it given that it’s against Coventry, and I hope the fans do as well because it’s the last one of the regular season,” he says. “I couldn’t have done what I’ve done in football without certain people, to say I’m going to play against Coventry means a lot to me as those people are from the same area. “I would really like to thank Mick Wyatt, Phil Headley, Steve Brassington, Val Thomas, they mean more to me than I could put into words. “Without them at the age of 16 and them installing the ethics of respect and work rate, as well as enjoyment of football, I wouldn’t be where I am now. “They make me appreciate my job every day, they were good enough to be at my brother’s funeral and just seeing them helped to put a smile on my face. “I would like to see them more often and share stories because they are football people just like I am, they gave me the platform to kick on.” With 90 minutes of football still to play, Rovers are already 14 points ahead of their total accumulated for the whole of the previous campaign.

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

“Myself and a few of the other boys have chats on how the season seems to fly by, but then when you think about it it’s been a real grind and effort,” he says. “To make the play-offs makes it all worth it, and it doesn’t seem like two minutes ago that we were all putting the work in in La Manga.

"THE GAFFER MADE IT CLEAR FROM DAY ONE OF JOINING THE CLUB WHAT HIS TARGETS WERE, AND THE LADS HAVE REALLY BOUGHT INTO THAT"

“The gaffer made it clear from day one of joining the club what his targets were, and the lads have really bought into that. “We saw a couple of teams promoted at our place last season and wanted that to be us this season, there is still a good chance we can get there. “I said it last season we always believed in ourselves as a squad, we’ve added some real quality which have turned us into contenders. “We’ve had a real belief this season and showed the qualities we have within the dressing room, now it’s about finishing it off in style.” Having been involved in a play-off campaign before, Blair believes Rovers have as good a chance as any if they make it into the top six. Hesays the scenario of potentially being four games from promotion is something for players and fans to be excited about, while accepting there are bound to be twists and turns along the way.

"WE’VE HAD A REAL BELIEF THIS SEASON AND SHOWED THE QUALITIES WE HAVE WITHIN THE DRESSING ROOM, NOW IT’S ABOUT FINISHING IT OFF IN STYLE" The key though is to stick together and to get the job done on the final day, and Rovers’ home form has meant a real bond has been formed when the side have played at the Keepmoat Stadium this season. “The excitement of the play-offs sees four teams fighting for two places at Wembley, and if we get there then we will go up against one of the teams who miss out on automatic promotion,” he says. “Whoever comes third may be disappointed and that may work in our favour psychologically but we’ll have to wait and see. “We’ll be giving everything to get the win this afternoon, and if we manage to do that then we will just prepare for the play-off campaign, whoever we get we will have to be at our best to beat them.” One big 90 minute performance is required for Rovers to guarantee their place in the top six, with the more experienced players in the squad needed to step up when it matters most. Blair has faith in his teammates, and knows what it will take to ensure that the season is extended for another few weeks. “We’ve got a squad that have a lot of promotions on their CV, and experience of playing in a playoff campaign before,” he adds. “I’m one of the lucky ones who has been there and done it, so I’ll be trying to encourage the lads that haven’t throughout the process. “The boys appreciate the fans and all the money they spend on supporting us, so we need them to give it everything on the final day.”

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01/05/2019

165x242_doncaster_rovers_v_coventry_city_2019_05_01

2018-19 STAT PACK DONCASTER ROVERS

MATCH FACTS

15.8

14.0

252

% GOALS TO SHOTS

RED CARDS

1.2

AV.GOALS PER GAME

468

386

219

CORNER KICKS

CLEAN SHEETS

1.2

573

AV.GOALS CONCEDED PER GAME

478

FOULS

GOAL TIMES CONCEDED

5 31-45

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

46-60

SCORED

16-30

1.3

GOALS CONCEDED

0-15

51.3

% SHOTS ON TARGET

49.8

SHOTS (EX. BLOCKED)

GOAL TIMES SCORED

Coventry have only won once in their 12 visits to Doncaster in the league (D5 L6), losing 2-0 on their last two trips.

YELLOW CARDS

1.6

GOALS

MATCH FACTS

2 50

Coventry haven’t completed a league double over Doncaster since the 2012-13 season, the only occasion they’ve achieved such a feat.

COVENTRY CITY

61-75

76-90

0-15

16-30

CONCEDED

31-45

46-60

61-75

76-90

HEAD TO HEAD DONCASTER ROVERS v COVENTRY CITY | COMPLETE RESULTS COMPETITION Football League

Grand Total

FOOTBALL LEAGUE - HOME LEVEL SEASON DATE 3N 1925 23/01/1926 2 1936 29/08/1936 2 1947 13/03/1948 2 1950 17/03/1951 2 1951 29/03/1952 2 2008 30/08/2008 2 2009 18/08/2009 2 2010 08/03/2011 2 2011 29/10/2011 3 2012 15/12/2012 3 2014 26/12/2014 3 2015 23/04/2016 FOOTBALL LEAGUE - AWAY LEVEL SEASON DATE 3N 1925 12/09/1925 2 1936 26/12/1936 2 1947 25/10/1947 2 1950 28/10/1950 2 1951 10/11/1951 2 2008 21/03/2009 2 2009 26/12/2009 2 2010 28/09/2010 2 2011 21/04/2012 3 2012 29/03/2013 3 2014 21/03/2015 3 2015 28/11/2015 3 2018 27/10/2018

H A N Total H A N Total

P 12 13 0 25 12 13 0 25

W 6 3 0 9 6 3 0 9

D 5 2 0 7 5 2 0 7

L 1 8 0 9 1 8 0 9

F 20 13 0 33 20 13 0 33

A 9 20 0 29 9 20 0 29

OPPONENT Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City

VEN H H H H H H H H H H H H

RES W D D W W W D D D L W W

F 8 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 2

A PENS SCORERS 1 Keetley T (3, 1 pen), Keetley H, Boardman, Emery, McConnell 1 Turner A 0 1 Harrison, Miller 0 Lawlor 0 Wellens 0 1 Hayter 1 Hayter 4 Brown C 0 Butler, Forrester 0 Rowe, Williams

OPPONENT Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City Coventry City

VEN A A A A A A A A A A A A A

RES L D L L W L L L W L W D L

F 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 3 2 1

A PENS SCORERS 4 1 Malam 1 3 Doherty 1 Tindill, Harrison 1 1 2 Sharp 0 Hayter (pen), Gillett 1 1 Wellens, Clarke-Harris, Forrester 2 Tyson (2) 2 Wright

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FOUR TO COVENTRY CITY

LEE BURGE TOP STOPPER

The Hereford-born stopper came up through the youth ranks with the Sky Blues. Burge spent time on loan at then-Conference National side Nuneaton Town for the second half of the 2012/13 season, making 17 appearances for the Boro before his return to the Ricoh Arena. It would be the 2016/17 season where Burge would start to cement his place as the Sky Blues’ number one, helping them to win the Football League Trophy, playing in the 2-1 win over Oxford United at Wembley Stadium. Burge would be on the winning side at the national stadium once again last season in the League Two play-off final as the Sky Blues returned to the third-tier at the first attempt with a 3-1 win over Exeter City last May.

LIAM KELLY MIDFIELD MAESTRO

The one-time Scottish international midfielder is the current Sky Blues skipper, and he is now at the end of his second season with the club. Despite coming up through the youth ranks at Milton Keynes, Kelly’s first taste of professional football came with Scottish side Kilmarnock, making his debut against Hamilton Academical in 2010. Kelly would help Killie to a shock Scottish Cup win in 2012 over Celtic, with former Rovers men Paul Heffernan and Dean Shiels also involved in the side. He would return to England in 2013 with Bristol City, before going on to join Oldham Athletic a year later, spending two seasons with the Latics. After an unsuccessful season with Leyton Orient in which the O’s were relegated, Kelly joined the Sky Blues in 2017, helping them to win promotion back to League One at the first attempt, playing the full 90 minutes at Wembley in the 3-1 win over Exeter City.

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

O WATCH JORDAN WILLIS DEFENSIVE ROCK

The defender is another one of the Sky Blues’ academy products, signing a professional contract with his hometown club in 2011. Willis made his debut in a 3-2 defeat against Southampton in the Championship, becoming the Sky Blues’ 10th youngest player in the club’s history. He would then go on to captain the side for the first time against Crewe Alexandra during the 2013/14 season and scored his first goal for the club in August 2016 in the EFL Trophy against West Ham United U23s. Like Burge, Willis has won twice with the Sky Blues at Wembley Stadium, captaining the side for their Football League Trophy win and scoring a stunning opener from distance in the League Two play-off final victory.

JORDY HIWULA DEADLY STRIKER

The former England youth international came up through the ranks at Manchester City before departing for Huddersfield Town in 2015. Hiwula spent much of his time with both City and the Terriers out on loan, notably with Walsall whilst with either club, and Wigan Athletic, also helping Bradford City and Fleetwood Town to the League One play-offs in successive seasons. Hiwula made a permanent move to the Ricoh Arena ahead of the start of this season, scoring his first league goal in October against Southend United. He also scored the winner when Rovers travelled to Coventry later on in October, grabbing the second goal in a 2-1 win for the Sky Blues. Hiwula, who also qualifies to play for Angola, has represented England at both under-18 and under-19 level, making two appearances for both and scoring once at each level.

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TWO LEFT-SIDED ATTACKING MIDFIELD PLAYERS MAKE UP THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ROVERS AND THE SKY BLUES, THE FIRST OF WHOM CAME THROUGH THE RANKS AT HIS HOMETOWN SIDE. GARY MCSHEFFREY signed his first professional deal with Coventry City in 1998, making his debut in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in February 1999, at the time becoming the youngest player to feature in the Premier League. During his first spell with the Sky Blues, McSheffrey also spent time on loan at Swedish side IK Brage, Stockport County, and Luton Town, helping the latter to the League One title in 2005. After 162 appearances and 53 goals for the Sky Blues, McSheffrey became a Birmingham City player in the summer of 2006. He scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 3-1 win over Preston North End in December that year, with Blues later going on to win promotion to the Premier League at the end of that season, with the feat repeated in the 2008/09 campaign as well. Loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Leeds United followed, with the latter seeing another promotion from League One in 2010, before a permanent move away from St Andrews, with a return to Coventry on an initial one-year deal. McSheffrey enjoyed three further years at the Ricoh Arena, taking his tally of Sky Blues appearances close to the 300 mark, before a brief spell with Chesterfield for the first half of the 2013/14. The second half of that season would be spent with Scunthorpe United, helping the Iron win promotion from League Two and spending a further year-anda-half at Glanford Park before a loan move down the M180 to the Keepmoat Stadium. He scored on his Rovers debut, grabbing the opener in what would turn out to be a 4-1 defeat away at Colchester United in March 2016, and despite relegation from League One, McSheffrey stayed on and made his move a permanent one that summer. Injury meant McSheffrey would make 12 appearances in the League Two season as Rovers returned to the third tier at the first attempt. After spells with Eastleigh, Grimsby Town and local side Finkley Athletic, McSheffrey has since returned to Rovers where he is now on the coaching staff working alongside both the Academy and development sides. The second connection between the two sides is one who enjoyed a very successful period in red and white, as MICHAEL MCINDOE was one of the key figures in Roversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success between 2003 and 2006. McIndoe began his career with Luton Town, before later going on to sign for Hereford United and then Yeovil Town, helping the Glovers to win promotion from the Conference alongside Rovers in 2003. He moved north to Belle Vue and he instantly became a fan favourite in South Yorkshire, being named as

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

Division Three Player of the Year, as well as being named in the Team of the Year in his first season as Rovers cruised to the Division Three title in 2004. He was top scorer in his second season with the club now in League One, and the Scotsman was named in the top five footballers of the year in The Times Football Yearbook in 2005 alongside players such as Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. His goals in the 2005/06 campaign helped Rovers to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, scoring against Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the remarkable run, and he was also named in the League One Team of the Year at the end of that season. Spells with Barnsley, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bristol City followed before his move to the Ricoh Arena in 2009, with his time with the Sky Blues being his last club in professional football, spending two years with Coventry, as well as a brief loan spell with Milton Keynes. After a long spell out of the game, McIndoe has since returned to playing football in his home country, beginning the season with Clydebank, before signing with Scottish League Two side Stirling Albion in late 2018. Alex Gibbings

MEMORABLE MATCH COVENTRY CITY

MARCH 21 2015

Rovers came from behind as they looked to keep their feint play-off hopes alive with a 3-1 win away at Coventry City back in March 2015. The win came following an awful start for the visitors, falling behind inside the opening five minutes, with Dominic Samuel breaking clear and firing low across Stephen Bywater and into the far corner to hand the Sky Blues the lead at the Ricoh Arena. Rovers looked to respond quickly to falling behind early, with Richie Wellens and Kyle Bennett both seeing chances missed from distance, before Abdul Razak stung the palms of Lee Burge in the Coventry goal with a powerful drive from distance. Chris Stokes then had the chance to put the Sky Blues 2-0 up, as he looked to loop a header over Bywater, however his floated effort flashed just past the far post, leaving both the Rovers defence and the stranded Bywater relieved not to be further behind. Two minutes later they were even closer to doubling their advantage, with Frank Nouble striking the post from six yards out after fending off the challenge of Reece Wabara. Nathan Tyson would have Rovers’ best chance just before the break, receiving the ball from Curtis Main and curling just past the far post, but after the interval, it would be long before Rovers were back in the game.

Wellens made a vital interception on the edge of the Sky Blues’ box, playing a one-two with Tyson before poking the ball under Burge to get Rovers back on level terms. 20 minutes later, Rovers would be ahead, with new loan signing Jonson ClarkeHarris breaking through the middle and baring down on goal. His initial shot was saved by Burge, but only parried back into his path, and he had the simple task of slotting into the empty net. Rovers would go on to seal the points

with seven minutes left, with Main’s burst down the right seeing him fend off the challenge of Stokes and pulling the ball back for Harry Forrester, with the midfielder smashing the ball home in front of the travelling Rovers fans. The Sky Blues did have one final chance to salvage a consolation goal late on, with John Fleck trying his luck from 20 yards out, however Bywater was alert to the effort, with the Coventry man’s effort not testing the Rovers keeper, and they saw out a crucial victory on the road.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Despite a great win on the road for Rovers, their very slight play-off hopes would be just that, as they could only rack up two wins from their final eight games, with back-to-back losses against Yorkshire rivals Bradford City and Sheffield United ensuring that Rovers would remain in Sky Bet League One, closing their season on a positive with a 5-2 win at home to Scunthorpe United on the final day. The following season would see Rovers relegated on the final day at home to Burton Albion, but they wouldn’t remain in League Two for long however, as they bounced back at the first attempt, finishing in third place. Coventry, after finishing 17th that season, would fare much better the following campaign, finishing just outside the League One play-offs in eighth, falling out of the play-offs for the first time all season in March 2016. The Sky Blues, like Rovers the season before, were then relegated to the bottom tier, finishing bottom of League One in 2017 following a dismal season, although they did win the Checkatrade Trophy the same year, bouncing back at the first attempt, this time via the play-offs, winning at Wembley for the second time in 13 months in a 3-1 win over Exeter City.

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THE

NUMBERS GAME THERE CAN’T BE MANY FOOTBALL CLUBS WHERE THE SQUAD NUMBER 26 IS ICONIC. THAT IS DUE TO ITS CURRENT OWNER, WHO HAS KEPT THE NUMBER SINCE JOINING DONCASTER ROVERS 15 YEARS AGO. THERE HAD BEEN PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE SHIRT, INCLUDING ONE AT THE OTHER END OF THE LENGTH OF CAREER STAKES TO THE PRESENT INCUMBENT. When squad numbers were first introduced by Rovers, at the start of the 2002-03 season, there wasn’t a No. 26. The first owner was the Northern Ireland international winger JON MCCARTHY (2002). McCarthy arrived on a trial basis after being released by Port Vale but after appearing in one game he left to join his former club York City. In March 2003 Rovers signed striker GREGG BLUNDELL (2003) from Northwich Victoria. An injury meant he didn’t make his debut until the final Conference game of the season, when he scored in a 4-2 win at Hereford United. He also appeared as a substitute in all three Play-Off games, being involved in the move that led to Francis Tierney’s Golden Goal. That took Rovers back into the Football League and Blundell scored on his League debut at Leyton Orient, though by then he had taken over the vacant No. 8 shirt. A Doncaster-born lad was the next No. 26. CHRIS BROWN (2003-04), son of former Rovers striker Alan, arrived on loan from Sunderland and made an instant contribution; scoring 10 times in 22 League appearances and helping Rovers secure the Division Three title. Brown returned permanently in 2011, but by then the No. 26 was very much taken and he sported the No. 9. In May 2004 Rovers boss Dave Penney paid £30,000 to secure the services of a winger from Exeter City. It was to prove to be outstanding value for money. JAMES COPPINGER (2004-date) had begun his career at Darlington and made an appearance in the Premier League for Newcastle United before spending two seasons at Exeter. He made his Rovers debut on 14th August 2004 in an away game at Bradford City. It was to be the first of a recordbreaking tally of over 600 appearances for Rovers. The James Coppinger story is also the story of the

ups and downs of Doncaster Rovers over the last 15 years. He played a key part in 2005-06 as Rovers reached the quarterfinals of the League Cup. He appeared in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Cardiff in April 2007, as Rovers won their first knock-out competition as a Football League club. He had a starring role as Rovers won the 2007-08 League One play offs, beating Leeds United 1-0 in a Wembley Final. Coppinger had helped secure Rovers big day out with a brilliant hat-trick in the second leg of the semi-final against Southend United. He was a regular member of the Rovers team that spent four seasons in the Championship between 2008 and 2012. After their relegation, it was Coppinger who scored the dramatic last-gasp breakaway goal that saw Rovers win 1-0 at Brentford and secure the League One title. He remained a regular as Rovers went from the Championship to League Two before bouncing back to League One. This season he participated in Rovers’ progress to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Managers and players come and go, but James Coppinger remains the constant. He has played for six permanent managers and he has played alongside 225 different Rovers team-mates. One day, of course, James Coppinger will play his last game for the Rovers. I am not a great fan of the practice of “retiring” shirt numbers, but in this case I’ll make an exception: it wouldn’t seem appropriate to have another No. 26 after Copps. JOHN COYLE

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CENTRAL LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT SQUAD FIXTURES 2018/2019 DATE OPPOSITION SEPTEMBER Tue 11 Grimsby Town Tue 18 Mansfield Town OCTOBER Fri 5 Everton NOVEMBER Tue 6 Sheffield United Tue 20 Notts County DECEMBER Mon 3 Blackburn Rovers Tue 18 Peterborough United JANUARY Tue 8 Notts County Tue 15 Rotherham United Mon 21 Everton Tue 29 Wigan Athletic FEBRUARY Tue 5 Grimsby Town Fri 8 Sheffield United Tue 12 Port Vale Tue 19 Mansfield Town Mon 25 Blackburn Rovers MARCH Tue 5 Morecambe Tue 19 Notts County Tue 26 Wigan Athletic APRIL Tue 2 Morecambe Tue 16 Port Vale Tue 23 Rotherham United

COMP

SCORE

GOALSCORERS

A H

CL CL

W L

3-2 Kiwomya, Beestin, Taylor 1-5 Beestin

PLC

0-3 -

H H

PLC CL

L L

1-3 Crawford 1-2 -

A A

PLC CL

D L

0-0 2-3 Blair, Taylor

H H H A

CLC CL PLC CL

L D D W

0-4 1-1 3-3 3-2

Watters Sadlier, May, Gibbons Rowe (2), Gibbons

H A A A H

CL PLC CL CL PLC

W L L W L

3-0 1-2 0-1 1-0 1-5

H A H

CL CL CL

A H A

CL CL CL

GD PTS

1 WIGAN

May (2), Longbottom Wright Wilks Watters

2 ROTHERHAM

3 DONCASTER

-3

4 PORT VALE

5 NOTTS COUNTY

-3

D W L

1-1 Boocock 2-1 Watters, Longbottom 0-4 -

6 MORECAMBE

7 MANSFIELD

-5

14 -22

L W W

0-3 4-3 Trialist (2), Boocock, Watters 3-1 Longbottom, Boocock (2)

8 GRIMSBY

All home fixtures will be played at Cantley Park Training Ground

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE UNDER 18 NORTH EAST FIXTURES 2018/2019 DATE OPPOSITION AUGUST Sat 4 Oldham Athletic Sat 11 Huddersfield Town Sat 18 Notts County SEPTEMBER Sat 8 Chesterfield Sat 22 Scunthorpe United Sat 29 Mansfield Town OCTOBER Sat 20 Rotherham United NOVEMBER Sat 10 Bradford City Sat 17 Lincoln City DECEMBER Sat 1 Hartlepool United Sat 15 Grimsby Town JANUARY Sat 5 Chesterfield Sat 26 Mansfield Town FEBRUARY Fri 1 Burton Albion Sat 9 Scunthorpe United Sat 23 Rotherham United MARCH Sat 2 Burton Albion Sat 16 Lincoln City Sat 23 Bradford City Sat 30 Grimsby Town APRIL Sat 6 Hartlepool United Sat 13 Oldham Athletic Sat 27 Huddersfield Town MAY Sat 4 Notts County

COMP SCORE GOALSCORERS H A H

YA YA YA

W D W

3-1 Walton, McGowan, Gibbons 1-1 Boocock 3-2 Watson, Boocock (2)

H A H

YA YA YA

D W W

0-0 4-0 Horton, Boocock (2), Barnett 4-2 Boocock (3), Mohammed

5-2 Gibbons (3), Watson, Boocock

A H

YA YA

L D

1-3 Smith 2-2 Boocock, Gibbons

GD PTS

2 GRIMSBY

3 BRADFORD

4 MANSFIELD

5 HARTLEPOOL

A H

YA YA

L D

A A

YA YA

W W

4-2 Watson, Gibson (OG), Gibbons (2) 3-1 Conradi, Boocock, Horton

A H A

YA YA YA

D W L

3-3 3-0 Boocock, Watson, Baldock-Smith 1-2 Potts

6 BURTON

7 LINCOLN

-4

H A H A

YA YA YA YA

-2

L W W W

0-2 3-1 2-0 3-0

8 CHESTERFIELD 9 ROTHERHAM

-6

10 OLDHAM

-2

11 NOTTS COUNTY

-6

12 SCUNTHORPE

22 -19 23

H A H

YA YA YA

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

L W W

2-3 Boocock, Watson 2-2 Boocock (2)

P 1 DONCASTER

Barnett, Greaves, McGowan Stainrod, Watson Boocock (3)

0-1 2-0 Walker, Boocock 2-1 Dimou, Hasani

13 HUDDERSFIELD 23 -41 11 All home fixtures will be played at Cantley Park Training Ground

ACADEMY

Rovers’ Academy are joint first in the country for educational frameworks and retention of apprentices according to the recent LFE performance report. In 2018, Rovers had an impressive 10 apprentices complete the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence educational framework among them among them current U23s captain Cody Prior – who has recently signed a contract extension - and the hugely promising Danny Amos. Rovers are joint first for retention of apprentices and framework with 100% of the club’s learners achieving their NVQs, coaching qualifications, and technical certificates. This means that every one of the Academy’s scholars earn an NVQ, a BTEC, and a Level Two coaching certificate. This puts Rovers ahead of LFE national average for retention (which is 96%) and education framework (which is 94%). Rovers have also increased the pro contracts awarded season-onseason and are above the national average for player conversion from

apprentice to pro-deals. The most recent evidence of this coming as first team manager Grant McCann handed our contracts to U18s players AJ Greaves, Myron Gibbons, Branden Horton and Rieves Boocock. Academy manager Tony Cook said: “Alongside the players’ holistic development which includes the football and the sports science, the education and welfare process is massive and Club Doncaster take that very seriously. “The attendance and achievement rate is paramount for our scholars to obtain and the support process from Tony Morton – who is the exeducation and welfare officer – and now Nathan Fawley - who is the new education and welfare officer - alongside Doncaster College and the LFE itself is crucial for our players’ development. “When you look at the pro-deals

we award, and then the number of scholars who go on to make their first team debut, that number is really high. The manager, Grant McCann, has proven that if the young players are good enough, he will give them a chance and we’ve seen that with Lirak Hasani making his debut at 16. Lirak is a local boy who joined us from Bessacar, a side who train just five minutes from Rovers training ground so it shows that there's a really opportunity for young men in Doncaster to reach their dream of playing for Doncaster Rovers. "Our players can see a clear pathway from U9s to the first-team but if professional football is not where our players are destined to end up, we also spend a lot of time making sure we have a very good exit strategy is in place to ensure that these young men are in the best possible position when leaving the Academy set up.”

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

Hello everyone! Welcome to our last league game of the season against Coventry City. It has been a good season and it is great seeing you all every matchday. Good to see my friend Kian at the Plymouth game a couple of weeks ago who had not been for a while. I even got my photo taken with him. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget I have my Twitter account @Donny_Dog_DRFC and email address donnydog@ clubdoncaster.co.uk if you want to see what I am getting up to. Special thanks to all our matchday mascots, group experiences and everyone who took part in my DDTV this season.

Enjoy the game! Donny Dog DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

AUTOGRAPH

MATTY BLAIR

TODAY'S MASCOTS

Happy 8th Birthday HARVEY Love Dad & Nanny & Grandpa

LIAM MILNE

Age: 8 Hobbies: Football, football and more football Fav Players: James Coppinger and Ben Whiteman

OLIVER NIXON

Age: 9 Hobbies: Football, football and more football Fav Players: John Marquis and Mallik Wilks

FINLAY BARRASS Age: 9 Hobbies: Football, tennis, surfing & Fifa on Xbox Fav Player: James Coppinger

JOSEPH EDWARDS

Age: 6 Hobbies: Football & drawing Fav Players: Andy Butler, Mallik Wilks & James Coppinger

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: Finley Atkin, Isaac Baguma, Matthew Blair, Louie Bowker, Alexei Burke-Lejeune, Lauren Frost, Harrison Gibson, Ruby Hardy, Max Hethershaw, Alfie Hindson, Romeo Jarvis, Charlie Kirsopp, Daniel Lightfoot, Cheyanne Margetts, Liam Milne, Jayden Moore, Layton Needham, Max Ramsden, Ava Stewart, Grace Tissington, Chloe Whalley, Harry Woolrich

Donny Dog

LUCY CUMMINGS

Age: 5 Hobbies: Playing football, cricket and watching Coventry Fav Players: Jack Grimmer and Lee Burge

DAISY CUMMINGS Age: 8 Hobbies: Playing football, cricket and watching Coventry Fav Players: Jack Grimmer and Lee Burge

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

score prediction

2-0

Erik the Viking score prediction

2-1

Free match ticket for birthday child + accompanying adult

Party bags Football cake Free match ticket for birthday child + accompanying adult

’S BprIG NNandYnumber £195 DONNY’S DRFC Shirt £31.95 with fDreeOname i n t e d. BIRTHDAY £95 BIRTHDAY BASH! BASH! Football shirt cake of your choice personalTotal ised time: to the 2clhours ub of your choice £45.

EXTRAS

Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Children £7 per head. Parties of 15 or more children subject to £15 charge for additional coach.

Up to 10 children

Football session and stadium tour

Free match ticket for birthday child + accompanying adult

TO BOOK

Up to 10 children

Football session and stadium tour Domino’s pizza Party bags

Football cake

Free match ticket for birthday child + accompanying adult

Call Club Doncaster on 01302 762562 or email dan.herring@clubdoncaster.co.uk

EXTRAS

DRFC Shirt £31.95 with free name and number printed. Football shirt cake of your choice personalised to the club of your choice £45. Children £7 per head. Parties of 15 or more children subject to £15 charge for additional coach.

TO BOOK

Call Club Doncaster on 01302 762562 or Minimumemail of £50 deposidan.herring@clubdoncaster.co.uk t when making a booking and ful amount must be payed before actual day of party. Minimum of £50 deposit when making a booking and full amount must be payed before actual day of party.

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

D E T I N U D R O F X O S R E V O R R E T S A C DON RIL 2019 SATURDAY 27 AP

ONE | SKY BET LEAGUE

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP 01 IAN

03 DANNY

04 LUKE

05 JOE

06 ANDREW

07 MALLIK

LAWLOR

ANDREW

McCULLOUGH

WRIGHT

BUTLER

WILKS

SPONSORED BY:

The Wheatsheaf, Cirencester HOME:

HOME:

In Memory of Tim Holt

Retford Supporters Club

HOME:

AVAILABLE

Tiberius Batchelor and Rossington Hall HOME:

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Supporters Club Main Branch

Irene Holt

AWAY:

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Sewa Singh

AVAILABLE

Retford Supporters Club

TRAINING KIT:

08 BEN

Peter Wall

11 ALISTER

Sewa Singh AWAY:

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12 TOM

WHITEMAN

JOHN

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SPONSORED BY:

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Dr Erskine

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Ian and Joy Miller HOME:

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AWAY:

Lauren & Holly Bytheway

AVAILABLE

South Kirkby Post Office

AVAILABLE

Allotts Chartered Accountants

Keith McGlone

ALFIE

HERBIE

MATTHEW

SPONSORED BY:

BEESTIN

KANE

BLAIR

TYLER

SMITH

ALFIE

WILL

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LONGBOTTOM

SPONSORED BY:

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HOME:

Donny Gnome On Tour Paul Mayfield

AVAILABLE

In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan

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Richard Royston

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AWAY:

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Ema Baxter

AVAILABLE

Jackie Farrell

AVAILABLE

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

22 KIERAN

24 SHANE

26 JAMES

SADLIER

ALEX

KIWOMYA

DANNY

AMOS

BLANEY

COPPINGER

WATTERS

SPONSORED BY:

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Daniel Calow

AVAILABLE

HOME:

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Max Pearson and C&K Decorators

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Johnson Environmental Consultants HOME:

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Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management

Stadium Stars Day Nursery

MAX

AWAY:

Archie Moss

South Kirkby Post Office

AVAILABLE

Goodnight Sleeptight Beds

AVAILABLE

29 RIAN

31 PAUL

32 CODY

33 LOUIS

44 AARON

GRANT

McLEAN

DOWNING

PRIOR

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McCANN

SPONSORED BY:

AVAILABLE

Susan Jubb Family Law

HOME:

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AVAILABLE

AWAY:

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DONNY

DOG

SPONSORED BY:

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONSORING YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER CALL OUR COMMERCIAL TEAM ON 01302 764665 DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

DONCASTER ROVERS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS PLATINUM+

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

AE SPINK HILTON GARDEN INN BRONZE Atherton Godfrey Solicitors Bidfood Big On Bounce Copyprint Dickies Workwear Effective Heating Fleet Cars Direct Frenchgate Shopping Centre Howarth Timber and Building Supplies Ignition Training Centre infiniti Media Group

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

iPort Academy Jenkinson Electrical Engineering John Hill Associates Keyhole Creative Lakeside Village Nuffield Health PD Fabrication Ltd Pristine Commercial Cleaning Services Signum Facilities Management Venatu Visit Doncaster YESSS Electrical

DONCASTER ROVERS

COMMERCIAL GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME BACK TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM AS WE HOST COVENTRY CITY IN OUR FINAL LEAGUE GAME OF THE SEASON.

It seems only two minutes ago since we were announcing the 2018/19 fixtures, but what a season we have had. Whatever the outcome, I’m sure you’ll agree we can be very proud of Grant McCann and his side this year. Our visitors have had a fantastic season themselves lingering around the edges of the playoff spots. With a lot at stake this afternoon, the atmosphere is set to be electric so fingers crossed it’s an exciting game. We are delighted to welcome tonight’s match sponsors, Polypipe. Polypipe are a manufacturer of plastic piping systems, for use in the residential, commercial, civils and infrastructure sectors. The piping systems are used for a variety of applications including drainage, plumbing, water supply, water management, cable management, heating and ventilation Also joining us are DC Training & Development Services Ltd who are this the matchball sponsor. They specialise in delivering training and development programmes including forklift truck, health and safety and customer services. They deliver all programmes to the manufacturing, warehousing and customer service sectors.

Today’s match programme sponsor is The Eve Merton Dreams Trust, which was founded in early 2011. It is a non-profit organisation that donates the money it raises to help create a Dream, or grant a Wish, for both patient & families impacted by terminal & serious cancer conditions. Eve Merton Dreams Trust have arranged a charity legends football match between Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United legends which will be played here at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday May 25. If you would like to book a ticket to the game, contact the Club Doncaster Box Office. Finally, a big welcome to Hessle Fork Trucks who are today’s associate match sponsor. For the past 50 years Hessle Fork Trucks have been providing handling and access solutions since its birth as a family firm in Hessle, East Yorkshire, in 1968. We hope all of our sponsors have a fantastic time with us in the Legends Club today, and let’s hope we can finish our campaign with a bang. If you would like to find out information for hospitality or sponsorship opportunities for the 2019/20 season, contact one of the commercial team on commercial@ clubdoncaster.co.uk / 01302 764665.

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

SAFETY Three points is not the only priority today. Making sure everyone goes home safe is the most important result. Over recent months we have been working closely with the police and the EFL to review security at the Keepmoat Stadium. Now we are asking you to do your bit. It is vital that everyone - players, staff and supporters - remains vigilant and reports any concerns to stewards or police. Attacks might be rare, and the chance of you being caught up in one unlikely, but the message is ACT #ActionCountersTerrorism. Rovers safety officer Sam Ramsden said:

AD-105x148-Football Foundation.indd 1

"We want everyone to enjoy today’s game at the Keepmoat Stadium but if you see anything that causes you concern, tell a steward or staff member. Please do not worry that you might be wasting our time. "The stewards are here to help keep us all safe so please be patient and cooperate with their instructions. When it comes to security it has to be a team effort and we are all players." Here's a quick reminder of what you can do to help keep yourself and others safe: • Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks • Minimise what you carry, fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground

• Be vigilant at all times and if you see anything suspicious, tell a steward right away • If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, call 999 • In an emergency, listen to the public address instructions and follow them • If told to evacuate, do so immediately, do not wait around to film events on your mobile • Move right away from the stadium as quickly as possible for your safety and to allow clear access for any emergency vehicles • Once you are safe, follow the local police force on Twitter for updates To find out more, visit gov.uk/ACT or @TerrorismPolice

29/07/2018 10:40

SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER DEAN MEDCALF GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND A WARM WELCOME TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM, AND ALSO TO ALL THE VISITING FANS FROM COVENTRY CITY. I would like to thank the fans who made the trip to Oxford last Saturday and to all the fans that have travelled to the away games this season. As this is our last game of the regular season, I would like to take a look back at some of the highlights of the 2018/19 season. On the opening day of the season, we travelled to Southend United. After an even first half, the second produced five goals and some goals they were too. The pick of the bunch was a great near post strike from Mallik Wilks. This game has to be up there with one of the best games of the season in my opinion. Another fanatic performance away from home was our 4-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. A fantastic 30-yard strike from John Marquis, two goals from Mallik Wilks including a brilliant solo goal and a far post header from Tom Anderson put the Rovers back in the play-off places in early December. There have also been some brilliant goals scored by the lads this season. John Marquis’s longrange goal against Bristol Rovers, Ali Crawford’s free-kick against Rochdale and Mallik Wilks' goal against Southend. However, my favourite has to be Herbie Kane's goal away at Chorley in the FA Cup. Seeing Kane pick up the ball out wide, cut inside on the edge

of the box and curl the ball in the far corner of the net was simply amazing and has to be the goal of the season in my opinion. One of my personal highlights of the season was our FA Cup run which resulted in a home game against Premier League club Crystal Palace. One of my favourite parts of my role as the SLO is helping to create relationships between Rovers and other clubs, and I believe we created a great relationship with the Eagles and their fans. Following the game, the club received some amazing feedback from the visiting fans due to the way they were treated on the day, how friendly they found the staff and supporters at the club and they had a lot of praise for the style

of the play. Many of the Palace fans said they had developed a soft spot for the club and that they would be supporting us in our bid for the play-offs. Again, thank you all for your incredible support this season. As always I hope you all enjoy tonight’s game, if you have any questions then please contact me on the usual SLO social media accounts, @SLO_DRFC on twitter, DRFC SLO on Facebook or you can email me at dean.medcalf@ clubdoncaster.co.uk. Rovers Till I Die Dean Medcalf Supporter Liaison Officer

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

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SUPPORTERS CLUB PAUL MAYFIELD

A BIG WARM WELCOME TO OUR FRIENDS FROM COVENTRY CITY, WHO HAVE HAD A FANTASTIC SEASON. TO THE SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE MADE THE SHORT JOURNEY UP THE M1 HOPE THEY HAVE A GREAT DAY AT THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM TODAY, BESIDES THE RESULT.

VIKING SUPPORTERS CO-OPERATIVE

Tonight’s game is important for us so hopefully we can go into the play-offs with a winning mentality and to finish the season on a high. Whatever happens no one can deny what a remarkable achievement this season has been. Season Memberships will be back on sale soon, remember you can also save up for that with the Supporters Club savings scheme, call in at the Supporters shop in the Club Doncaster Academy reception area for more details.

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.

There is still plenty to play for around the league and we still don’t know if we’ll be in the play-offs or who our opponents will be. If we reach the play-offs, please keep an eye on the club’s official media channels for bus time and prices for the away leg. We will be only taking phone bookings for the semifinals as the short time restraints, but if we do reach Wembley we will revert to buying coach tickets in advance. Please put all coach bookings through me for the time being, please only call after 6pm.

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.

On behalf of all the fans who have travelled with us this season, thank you for your continued support, and to all who have stewarded buses and sold tickets for us a big thank you. It was great to have 700 fans down braving the wind at Oxford last Saturday.

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.

The Retford branch of the Supporters Club are holding their end of season Dinner and Dance, and away player of the year awards at Ye Olde bell Inn at Barnby Moor near Retford on Friday May 10 (7.30pm start) with a free bus from the Doncaster area, tickets are priced at £25 and you can stop over at the hotel for £99 per room per night if interested. With the possibility of a play-off game the next day we cannot guarantee any of the current squad will be in attendance, but there will be a number of former players and current club staff in attendance. The Away Player Of The Season for the Retford bus is Herbie Kane, while the Harworth/ Rossington, Mark Hickling Trophy for away performances has been won by Mallik Wilks. Don’t forget to call in at the Supporters Club shop based in the Club Doncaster Academy, we sell all programmes and football memorabilia and are open until 30 minutes before kick off on matchdays. Enjoy the game. Rovers Till We Die Paul Mayfield

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. Martin O'Hara

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

FOUNDATION UP Rovers winger Matty Blair has been presented with a community award by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) in recognition of his ongoing support for the club’s official charity. After nominating Matty for his community involvement this season, Club Doncaster Foundation handed over the Community Champion Award 2018/19, on behalf of the PFA, before Rovers faced Accrington Stanley at the Keepmoat Stadium on April 23. The PFA Community Champion Award aims to raise awareness of the great support that PFA members provide to their club’s community activities during the season.

completed more player visits than anyone else in the club for the third year running.

This latest award comes just weeks after Matty was crowned EFL SkyBet League One Community Player of the Year for the second successive season. The award came as no surprise, as the Warwick-born player has continued to commit his own time to the Foundation.

As a regular speaker to students at Club Doncaster Sports College, he talks about the importance of hard work and life choices, drawing on his own experiences - both in breaking into the professional game late after coming through non-league and his personal experiences in 2017.

Blair has constantly lent his support to numerous Foundation educational programmes during the 2018/19 campaign, including health and wellbeing project, Fit Rovers, where he attends a minimum of three sessions per course, and the Rovers Roadshow programme.

Blair said: “I have always enjoyed getting involved in community work, and Doncaster are the best club I have been at for that by some distance.

The 29-year-old continues to go above and beyond for the local community, having become the Fit Rovers ambassador for 2018/19, which has seen his involvement in the project increase massively. Blair also supports multiple programmes linked to mental health, including Time to Talk Day and a variety of projects Doncaster Rovers have devised alongside mental health charity, Mind. The Foundation has seen an increase in Rovers player activity over the past 18 months, while Blair himself has

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

“They make it easy for me, and I am more passionate than ever to help because so many people at the club are giving up their time to help people from the area. The club’s support for me when I lost my brother was incredible, from my team-mates to the staff to fans. “The community of Doncaster has taken me in, they put a metaphorical arm around my shoulders and gave me support when it was needed, and no amount of my time could ever match that.” Rovers manager Grant McCann said: “Matty Blair is a pleasure to manage, he gives 100 per cent to

everything he does and shows a level of professionalism that is an example to anyone - whether a footballer or not. “You can see how much he means to everyone at the club, and his commitment to joining our staff on their community work is incredible. Matty’s dedication means he will leave a great legacy on and off the pitch for this football club.” Scott Copeland, Fit Rovers lead at Club Doncaster Foundation, reiterated what McCann had to say, commenting on Matty’s “genuine interest” in participants. He said: “For us it is massive to have the support of the club and Matty, who really goes above and beyond in his support of the course. “When Matty comes down he has a genuine interest in the participants, which gives us a different perspective, he has a brilliant empathy with the guys we encounter and can appreciate the struggles they have outside the sessions. “He makes himself available whenever needed, and sometimes just turns up when not requested. He just understands the whole Fit Rovers ethos and is a friend to all those on the course.”

DATE FIT ROVERS MANAGERS NAME SQUADS FOR PLAY ON THE PITCH Fit Rovers managers Jan Budtz and Tim Ryan have named their squads for the upcoming match which sees members of the Fit Rovers project gain the chance to grace the Keepmoat Stadium turf. Dubbed ‘revenge or repeat’, the match is a direct replay of 2018’s matchup, albeit with different members of the Fit Rovers project. Former Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz’s team won last year’s thriller in emphatic fashion, condemning Tim Ryan, another former Rovers player, to defeat. Seen as a showcase event for members of Fit Rovers, the unique opportunity tp play on the same pitch as their heroes rounds off the footballing year, allowing members the chance to play football alongside their course mates. Both managers have a plethora of players to choose from, with more to be added to bolster the squads in the lead up to the event. The match will take place on at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday June 2, with the winning side writing their names in the Fit Rovers history books. With the first of two training sessions set to take place on May 11, Jan has already set his sights on

retaining the Fit Rovers trophy. He said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Fit Rovers match. “Last year was really successful and proved to be a great day for all the men involved. Not many people get the chance to don the Rovers shirt in front of their family and friends at the Keepmoat Stadium. It’s a wonderful occasion. “I know Tim is looking for revenge from last year, but I’m confident my boys can keep hold of the trophy.” The 2019 squads are as follows: Team Budtz: Gareth Dawson, Ellis Bancroft, Prince Cuniff, Stephen Evans, Dave Perry, Ian Daines, Alan Smith, David Haith, Jon Robinson, Matt Harriman, Dave Sturdy, Charlie Longley, Brian Hindmarch, Mark Johnson, Tappi, Stuart Rowse, Graham Sutherland. Team Ryan: Leigh Major, Scott Mantovini, Jase McDonald, Alan Langton, Matt Oates, Jamie Dawson, Mark Metcalfe, Steve Vickers, John Hayes, Kevin Davies, John Barthorpe, Dave Wells-Burr, Mark Tinker, Dave Munroe, Reg Harries, John Hyde, Nigel Beardsley, Lee Rourke, Tony Winstanley.

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE P P 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 R

LUTON TOWN BARNSLEY PORTSMOUTH SUNDERLAND CHARLTON ATHLETIC DONCASTER ROVERS PETERBOROUGH UNITED COVENTRY CITY BURTON ALBION BLACKPOOL FLEETWOOD TOWN OXFORD UNITED ACCRINGTON STANLEY ROCHDALE GILLINGHAM BRISTOL ROVERS SHREWSBURY TOWN WYCOMBE WANDERERS AFC WIMBLEDON SOUTHEND UNITED PLYMOUTH ARGYLE WALSALL SCUNTHORPE UNITED BRADFORD CITY

P 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45

W 26 26 25 22 25 19 19 18 17 15 16 15 14 15 14 12 12 13 13 13 12 12 12 11

D 13 13 12 19 10 13 12 11 12 17 13 15 12 9 10 15 15 11 10 8 11 10 10 7

TOP GOALSCORERS

L 6 6 8 4 10 13 14 16 16 13 16 15 19 21 21 18 18 21 22 24 22 23 23 27

F 87 79 82 79 69 74 68 54 65 50 58 57 50 54 58 45 51 54 42 53 53 49 51 49

A 41 37 50 45 40 58 61 52 54 49 51 61 66 83 72 49 59 67 63 67 78 71 80 77

GD 46 42 32 34 29 16 7 2 11 1 7 -4 -16 -29 -14 -4 -8 -13 -21 -14 -25 -22 -29 -28

PTS 91 91 87 85 85 70 69 65 63 62 61 60 54 54 52 51 51 50 49 47 47 46 46 40

W D W D W W W D W D D W D L D L W L W L D L L L

D L W L W W W D D D L W L W L D D L D D L L D L

FORM L W W W W W W D W L W L D D W W W L L D D L D W W L L W L W W D W L W L D D L D L L L D L D L L

D W D D W L L L L W D W W W D L L W D W L L L D

L W L L W D W D W L W D W W L D D L W L L W L W

FIXTURES & RESULTS SATURDAY 27TH APRIL Accrington Stanley 5-1 Plymouth Argyle AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers Barnsley 2-1 Blackpool Burton Albion 2-1 Luton Town Fleetwood Town 0-0 Bristol Rovers Gillingham 0-2 Charlton Athletic Oxford United 2-2 Doncaster Rovers Rochdale 1-0 Southend United Scunthorpe United 2-3 Bradford City Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth Walsall 3-0 Peterborough United SUNDAY 28TH APRIL Coventry City 1-1 Shrewsbury Town TUESDAY 30TH APRIL Fleetwood Town 2-1 Sunderland Portsmouth 2-3 Peterborough United

PLAYER

TEAM

GLS

James Collins

Luton Town

John Marquis

Doncaster Rovers

Lyle Taylor

Charlton Athletic

Ian Henderson

Rochdale

Tom Eaves

Gillingham

Ched Evans

Fleetwood Town

Mallik Wilks

Doncaster Rovers

SATURDAY 4TH MAY Blackpool v Gillingham Bradford City v AFC Wimbledon Bristol Rovers v Barnsley Charlton Athletic v Rochdale Doncaster Rovers v Coventry City Luton Town v Oxford United Peterborough United v Burton Albion Plymouth Argyle v Scunthorpe United Portsmouth v Accrington Stanley Shrewsbury Town v Walsall Southend United v Sunderland Wycombe Wanderers v Fleetwood Town

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

FIXTURES & RESULTS DATE

OPPOSITION

COMP

SCORE

ATT

AWAY POS

STARTING XI

AUGUST Sat 4

Southend United

EFL1

3-2

7,147

591

Marosi

Wright

Butler

Crawford

Wycombe Wanderers

EFL1

3-0

7,122

414

Marosi

Mason Mason

Andrew

Sat 11

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Kane

Tue 14

Scunthorpe United

CC1

2-1

3,272

1,206

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Kane

Sat 18

Burton Albion

EFL1

0-1

3,129

1,031

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Kane

Tue 21

Shrewsbury Town

EFL1

0-0

6,943

331

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Kane

Sat 25

Portsmouth

EFL1

0-0

7,618

1,121

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Tue 28

Blackpool

CC2

1-2

3,188

192

Marosi Lawlor

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Kane Blair

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

T Anderson

Butler

Blair

T Anderson

Butler

T Anderson

SEPTEMBER Sat 1

Peterborough United

EFL1

1-1

7,060

Tue 4

Newcastle United U21

CTG1

1-3

1,544

115

Sat 8

Luton Town

EFL1

2-1

7,526

1,013

641

Sat 15

Walsall

EFL1

4-1

4,546

496

Marosi

Mason

Sat 22

Bradford City

EFL1

2-1

8,481

1,298

Marosi

Sat 29

Plymouth Argyle

EFL1

3-2

8,532

257

Marosi

Mason Mason

Marosi Marosi

Lund Mason

Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew

Wright Wright Wright Wright

Butler Butler

Kane Kane Kane Kane

Butler

Kane

Butler

Kane

Butler

Kane Kane

OCTOBER Tue 2

Accrington Stanley

0-1

2,327

546

Marosi

Mason

Sat 6

Fleetwood Town

EFL1

0-4

6,846

205

Marosi

Mason

Andrew Andrew

Wright

Butler

Tue 9

Grimsby Town

CTG2

EFL1

2-0

1,420

143

Lawlor

Lund

Horton

T Anderson

Blaney

Kane

Sat 13

Rochdale

EFL1

3-2

3,600

754

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

Wright

Butler

Crawford

Sat 20

Gillingham

EFL1

3-3

6,891

237

Marosi

Butler

Kane

Tue 23

Sunderland

EFL1

0-1

11,881

3,973

Marosi

Sat 27

Coventry City

EFL1

1-2

11,006

686

Marosi

Mason

Wright

Andrew

T Anderson

Mason Blair

Andrew Andrew

Wright Wright

Butler T Anderson

Kane Kane

NOVEMBER Sat 3

Charlton Athletic

Sun 11

EFL1

0-2

9,873

617

Marosi

T Anderson

FAC1

2-2

3,239

496

Lawlor

Mason Mason

Andrew

T Anderson

Wed 14 Notts County

Chorley

CTG3

2-4

915

193

Lawlor

Cummings

Amos

Sat 17

AFC Wimbledon

EFL1

2-1

7,843

362

Lawlor

Mason

Andrew

Tue 20

Chorley

H FAC1R

7-0

3,048

599

Lawlor

Mason

Andrew

Sat 24

Barnsley

EFL1

1-1

13,573

1,863

Lawlor

Blair

Andrew

Tue 27

Blackpool

EFL1

2-0

6,473

289

Lawlor

Mason

Andrew

Butler Butler

Kane Kane2 Crawford

T Anderson

Blaney

T Anderson

Butler

Kane

Butler

Kane

T Anderson Mason T Anderson

Butler

Kane

Butler

Kane

DECEMBER Sat 1

Charlton Athletic

FAC2

Lawlor

Mason

Andrew

T Anderson

Bristol Rovers

EFL1

4-0

7,356

364

Lawlor

Cummings

Andrew

T Anderson

Butler Butler

Kane

Sat 8 Sat 15

Scunthorpe United

EFL1

3-0

7,969

819

Lawlor

Cummings

Andrew

T Anderson

Butler

Kane

Sat 22

Oxford United

EFL1

2-2

7,425

470

Lawlor

Cummings

Andrew

T Anderson

Butler

Kane

Wed 26 Fleetwood Town

EFL1

0-3

2,908

tbc

Lawlor

Cummings

T Anderson

EFL1

3-1

4,791

272

Lawlor

Blair

T Anderson

Butler Butler

Kane

Sat 29

Andrew Andrew

T Anderson T Anderson

Butler

Kane

Butler

T Anderson

Butler

Gillingham

2-0

3,249

250

Kane

JANUARY 2019 Tue 1

Rochdale

EFL1

5-0

7,408

380

Lawlor

Blair

Andrew

Sun 6

Preston North End

FAC3

3-1

8,101

tbc

Lawlor

Blair

Sat 12

Wycombe Wanderers

EFL1

2-3

4,747

584

Lawlor

Andrew Andrew

Sat 19

Burton Albion

EFL1

2-2

7,202

318

Marosi

Blair

Andrew

T Anderson

Butler

Rowe

Sat 26

Oldham Athletic

FAC4

2-1

11,260

3,796

Marosi

Mason

Andrew

T Anderson

Downing

Kane

Lewis

Downing

Kane

Blair

Kane Kane

FEBRUARY Sat 2

Portsmouth

EFL1

1-1

17,800

480

Marosi

Andrew

T Anderson

Sat 9

Peterborough United

EFL1

3-1

9,627

1,760

Marosi

Lewis

Andrew

T Anderson

Tue 12

Southend United

EFL1

3-0

6,557

206

Marosi

Andrew

T Anderson

Sun 17

Crystal Palace

FAC5

0-2

14,010

3,001

Marosi

Lewis Blair

Andrew

T Anderson

Sat 23

Scunthorpe United

EFL1

1-1

6,255

1,898

Marosi

Blair

Andrew

T Anderson

Tue 26

Shrewsbury Town

EFL1

0-2

5,394

357

Marosi

Lewis

Andrew

T Anderson

Downing

Rowe

Downing

Kane

Downing

Kane

Downing

Kane

Downing

Kane

MARCH Sat 2

Charlton Athletic

EFL1

1-1

8,385

1,101

Marosi

Lewis

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Kane

Sat 9

AFC Wimbledon

EFL1

0-2

4,203

550

Marosi

Lewis

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Kane

Tue 12

Blackpool

EFL1

1-1

7,404

323

Marosi

Sadlier

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Blair

Fri 15

Barnsley

EFL1

0-0

11,710

3,653

Marosi

Blair

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Kane

Sat 23

Luton Town

EFL1

0-4

10,071

544

Marosi

Lewis

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Blair

Tue 26

Bristol Rovers

EFL1

4-1

6,907

323

Marosi

Blair

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Sadlier

Sat 30

Blair

Andrew

Butler

Downing

Sadlier

Andrew

Butler

T Anderson

Sadlier

Downing

Kane Kane

Walsall

EFL1

3-1

7,630

462

Marosi

Sat 6

Bradford City

EFL1

1-0

16,496

1,182

Marosi

Sat 13

Plymouth Argyle

EFL1

2-0

7,795

620

Marosi

Blair

Andrew

Fri 19

Sunderland

EFL1

0-2

34,287

2,326

Marosi

Blair

Butler

Downing

Tue 23

Accrington Stanley

EFL1

1-2

7,222

207

Marosi

Blair

Andrew Andrew

T Anderson

Downing

Sat 27

Oxford United

EFL1

2-2

9,000

709

Marosi

Andrew

Butler

Sat 4

Coventry City

EFL1

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

APRIL

MAY 17:30

Blair

Butler

Downing

Kane Kane

SUB 1 Whiteman

Amos

Blair

Lawlor, T Anderson, Kane, May

Blair

Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, May, Amos

Taylor

McCullough

Marquis

Blair

Taylor

May

Marquis

Taylor

Blair

T Anderson

May

Wilks Wilks

Marquis

Coppinger

Rowe

Kiwomya

Rowe

J Anderson

Taylor

May

Kiwomya

Beestin

Rowe

Coppinger

Rowe

Kiwomya

Wilks Wilks

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Rowe

Coppinger

Wilks

Whiteman

Rowe

Coppinger

Whiteman Whiteman

Blair

Whiteman

UNUSED

May

Whiteman

Marquis

SUB 3

Kiwomya Coppinger

Rowe

Coppinger

SUB 2

Marquis Marquis

Ben Khemis

Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, Amos Lawlor, McCullough, Anderson, Beestin Lawlor, Beestin, May, Lund Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, J Anderson Ogley, Lund, Horton, Gibbons

Wilks Wilks

Marquis

May

Beestin

Marquis

Horton

Mason

May

Lawlor, J Anderson, Kiwomya, Prior

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

May

J Anderson

Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, Prior

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

May

J Anderson

Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, Amos

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis2

May

Taylor

J Anderson

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis2

Crawford

May

Wilks

Marquis

May

Wilks

Marquis

Whiteman Ben Khemis

Whiteman Whiteman

Rowe

Blair Blair

Coppinger Coppinger Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, Taylor, Amos

Crawford

Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, J Anderson, Amos

Crawford

May

Beestin

Lawlor, T Anderson, J Anderson, Amos

Prior

Morris

Mason, Marosi, Greaves, Boocock

Taylor

Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, Horton

Blair

Coppinger

May

May Marquis

J Anderson

Wilks

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Crawford

J Anderson

Taylor

Lawlor, Beestin, May, Horton

Whiteman Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Marquis

J Anderson

May

Taylor

Lawlor, Crawford, T Anderson, Amos

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks Wilks

Marquis

J Anderson

Taylor

Whiteman

Taylor

Marquis

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

J Anderson

Blair

Longbottom

Beestin

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Whiteman

Crawford

Whiteman

Crawford

Whiteman Whiteman

Blair

Beestin

Lawlor, T Anderson, Beestin, J Anderson, Amos Beestin

Longbottom

J Anderson

Crawford

Lawlor, Beestin, Taylor, Blair, Ben Khemis, Lund

Blair

Coppinger

May

Wilks

Lawlor, May, Longbottom, Amos, Horton J Anderson

May

Jones, Crawford, Beestin, Amos Marosi, Crawford, Ben Khemis, Longbottom, Amos, Blaney

May Marquis

Mason May

Blair

Rowe

Jones, Andrew, Ben Khemis, Prior, Morris

Marquis

Crawford

Marquis

Rowe Rowe

Taylor

Coppinger

May4 May

Coppinger

May

Marquis

Rowe

Blair

Wilks

Marosi, Taylor, Amos, Cummings

Wilks

Marosi, Beestin, J Anderson, Cummings Marosi, Beestin, Amos, Blaney Marosi, Beestin, Taylor, J Anderson, Blaney

Whiteman

Blair

Rowe

May

Marquis

Crawford

Wilks

Taylor

Marosi, Beestin, Amos, Cummings

Whiteman

Crawford

Wilks2 Wilks

Rowe

May

Taylor

Marosi, Blair, J Anderson, Amos

Whiteman

Coppinger Coppinger

Marquis

Crawford

Marquis

Rowe

May

Blair

Marosi, Taylor, J Anderson, Amos

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Rowe

Blair

May

Marosi, Taylor, Amos, Blaney

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

May

Wilks

Marquis

Rowe Crawford

J Anderson

Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman

Crawford Crawford Rowe

Whiteman

Crawford

May

Wilks

Whiteman

Crawford

May

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks Wilks

Marosi, Taylor, Amos, Blaney, Prior Boocock

Marosi, Blaney, Lund, Gibbons

Marquis Marquis

Rowe

Coppinger

Taylor

Marosi, Amos, Lund, Boocock

Coppinger

Rowe

Sadlier

Marosi, Horton, Greaves, Lewis

Marquis

Mason

Rowe

May

Marosi, Smith, Greaves, Lewis

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Whiteman2

Sadlier

Coppinger

May

Marquis

Smith Blair

May Wilks

Jones, Mason, Sadlier, Greaves, Lewis Wright

Jones, Rowe, Craeford, Lewis

Whiteman

Blair

Smith

Wilks

Marquis

Crawford

May

Rowe

Jones, Butler, Sadlier, Coppinger

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Blair

Sadlier

Smith

Jones, Butler, Rowe, May

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Blair

Sadlier

Smith

Jones, Butler, Rowe, May

Crawford

Coppinger

May

Marquis

Sadlier

Rowe

Boocock

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Smith

Sadlier

Rowe

Jones, Butler, May, Lewis

Whiteman

Crawford

Smith

Wilks

Marquis

Butler

Coppinger

Sadlier

Jones, Blair, May, Greaves

Whiteman

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Blair

Rowe

May

Jones, Smith, Sadlier, Blaney

Whiteman

Blair

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Crawford

Smith

May

Jones, Rowe, T Anderson, Sadlier

Whiteman

Crawford

Rowe

Wilks

May

Smith

Coppinger

Kane

Jones, T Anderson, Beestin, Lewis

Whiteman

Rowe

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Crawford

Sadlier

May

Jones, T Anderson, Smith, Lewis

Rowe

Crawford

Wilks

Marquis

Smith

Sadlier

Hasani

Jones, T Anderson, Beestin, May

Wilks

Marquis

May

Beestin

Smith

Jones, T Anderson, Hasani, Lewis

Wilks

Marquis

Smith

Hasani

May

Jones, T Anderson, Beestin, Lewis

Whiteman

Coppinger 2

Jones, Wright, Butler, Lewis

Rowe

Crawford

Rowe

Crawford

Coppinger Coppinger

Rowe

Crawford

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

May

Beestin

Downing

Jones, Smith, Hasani, Lewis

Rowe

Crawford

Coppinger

Sadlier

Wilks

May

Beestin

Smith

Jones, Blaney, Hasani, Lewis

Whiteman

Rowe

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

May

Crawford

Smith

Jones, T Anderson, Sadlier, Lewis

Rowe

Crawford

May

Wilks

Marquis

Sadlier

Whiteman

Jones, Butler, Beestin, Smith, Lewis

Whiteman

Rowe

Coppinger

Wilks

Marquis

Sadlier

Jones, Crawford, Smith, May, Lewis

T Anderson

DONCASTERROVERSFC.CO.UK

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 APPS SUB GLS 24 AMOS, Danny 0 1 0 22 ANDERSON, Jermaine 1 8 1 12 ANDERSON, Tom 21 2 1 03 ANDREW, Danny 45 0 4 14 BEESTIN, Alfie 0 5 0 18 BEN KHEMIS, Issam 0 0 0 17 BLAIR, Matty 30 11 4 25 BLANEY, Shane 0 0 0 40 BOOCOCK, Rieves 0 1 0 06 BUTLER, Andy 38 1 1 26 COPPINGER, James 37 5 4 11 CRAWFORD, Ali 25 9 3 29 CUMMINGS, Shaun 4 0 0 31 DOWNING, Paul 16 0 0 30 FLETCHER, Jacob 0 0 0 41 HASANI, Lirak 0 2 0 35 HORTON, Branden 0 0 0 31 JAMES, Morgan 0 0 0 33 JONES, Louis 0 0 0 15 KANE, Herbie 36 1 4 23 KIWOMYA, Alex 1 2 0 01 LAWLOR, Ian 10 0 0 44 LEWIS, Aaron 7 0 0 21 LONGBOTTOM, Will 0 0 0 28 LUND, Mitchell 0 0 0 13 MAROSI, Marko 35 0 0 09 MARQUIS, John 43 0 20 02 MASON, Niall 19 1 0 19 MAY, Alfie 9 25 2 04 McCULLOUGH, Luke 0 0 0 34 MORRIS, James 0 0 0 32 PRIOR, Cody 0 0 0 10 ROWE, Tommy 18 13 5 22 SADLIER, Kieron 5 8 2 18 SMITH, Tyler 2 11 2 16 TAYLOR, Paul 1 13 1 27 WATTERS, Max 0 0 0 08 WHITEMAN, Ben 38 1 3 07 WILKS, Mallik 41 4 14 05 WRIGHT, Joe 14 0 2 TOTALS 496 124 73

EMIRATES FA CUP APPS SUB GLS 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 1 4 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 3 4 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 0 66 16 16

CARABAO CUP APPS SUB GLS 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 22 6 3

CHECKATRADE TROPHY 2018-19 TOTAL APPS SUB GLS APPS SUB GLS 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4 8 1 3 0 0 31 2 2 0 0 0 53 0 5 3 0 0 3 6 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 39 12 5 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 44 1 2 0 0 0 42 6 4 2 0 0 28 11 3 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 45 1 7 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 39 0 0 1 0 1 51 0 24 0 2 0 25 3 0 2 1 4 17 28 11 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 21 16 5 0 0 0 6 10 2 0 0 0 2 11 2 1 0 0 3 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 1 5 1 1 0 45 7 16 0 0 0 16 1 2 33 8 5 616 154 97

CAREER TOTALS APPS SUB GLS 4 3 0 4 8 1 38 2 4 59 0 5 30 20 3 8 3 2 125 20 10 2 0 0 0 2 0 214 5 16 550 72 69 29 11 3 5 0 0 18 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 45 1 7 6 10 1 105 0 0 7 0 0 3 8 1 39 8 2 87 5 0 149 1 65 110 10 3 44 48 20 102 10 1 0 2 0 0 3 0 123 18 30 6 10 2 2 11 2 3 16 1 0 0 0 85 9 12 45 7 16 76 6 2

ROVERS ROLL-CALL

ISSUE 28 v COVENTRY CITY

18+ only. Begambleaware.org.

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE Jeremy Simpson

DONCASTER ROVERS

COVENTRY CITY

ASSISTANTS Nick Hopton Shaun Hudson

MANAGER: Grant McCann 01 Ian LAWLOR 03 Danny ANDREW 04 Luke McCULLOUGH 05 Joe WRIGHT 06 Andrew BUTLER 07 Mallik WILKS 08 Ben WHITEMAN 09 John MARQUIS 10 Tommy ROWE 11 Alister CRAWFORD 12 Tom ANDERSON 13 Marko MAROSI 14 Alfie BEESTIN 15 Herbie KANE 17 Matthew BLAIR 18 Tyler SMITH 19 Alfie MAY

MANAGER: Mark Robins FOURTH OFFICIAL Graham Salisbury

01 Lee BURGE 02 Jack GRIMMER

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

03 Brandon MASON

Doncaster Rovers Football Club is determined to treat with equal consideration all supporters, regardless of 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 EFL) 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.

06 Liam KELLY

04 Jordan WILLIS 05 Tom DAVIES 07 Jodi JONES 08 David MEYLER 09 Maxime BIAMOU 10 Conor CHAPLIN 11 Jordy HIWULA 12 Junior BROWN 13 Liam O'BRIEN

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 stadium and prosecution. Anybody who appears to be under the age of 21 will be asked for ID. We appreciate supporters’ co-operation.

15 Dominic HYAM 17 Dujon STERLING 19 Jordan PONTICELLI 20 Tom BAYLISS

21 Will LONGBOTTOM 22 Kieran SADLIER 23 Alex KIWOMYA

21 Amadou BAKAYOKO 23 Luke THOMAS

MATCH SPONSOR

24 Bright ENOBAKHARE

24 Danny AMOS

25 Zain WESTBROOKE

26 James COPPINGER 29 Rian McLEAN

26 Jordan SHIPLEY

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

27 Jordon THOMPSON

31 Paul DOWNING

33 Corey ADDAI

44 Aaron LEWIS

34 Chris CAMWELL 37 Morgan WILLIAMS

ASSOCIATE MATCH SPONSOR

41 Sam McCALLUM 43 David BREMANG 44 Charlie WAKEFIELD

Club Doncaster and Doncaster Rovers treats discriminatory anti-social behaviour seriously and wants to ensure the enjoyment of the match for all. If you experience anti-social behaviour close to you, please report it to the nearest steward or police officer. We also offer and anonymous ‘safe text’ service to enable supporters to report their concerns quickly and easily by text message.

Please send a text with your location and the location of the offence – e.g. block, row, seat - to 07825012850 with one of the following:

• • • •

STAND (standing up) HPH (homophobic chanting) DRINK (drinking alcohol in view of the pitch) PYRO (use of or intended use of any pyrotechnic or smoke bomb)

• FOUL (language & behaviour) • SMOKE (smoking in the stadium) • RACISM (racist chanting & shouting)

Each message costs one standard text at your local rate.