Doncaster Rovers v Portsmouth - Official Matchday Programme by Mark Hughesman

MATCHDAY vs PORTSMOUTH . Saturday 21st August 2021 . Sky Bet League One . KO: 3.00pm

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DONCASTER ROVERS FC MAIN CLUB SPONSOR LNER

CONTENTS

ASSOCIATE CLUB SPONSOR Stoneacre Motor Group TECHNICAL KIT SUPPLIER Elite Pro Sports Chairman: David Blunt Major shareholders: Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Gavin Baldwin Directors: Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Gavin Baldwin Chief executive: Gavin Baldwin FOOTBALL STAFF Manager: Richie Wellens Assistant manager: Noel Hunt 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 groundsman: Andy Thompson Head of commercial: Jon Warburton Ticket manager: Tracy Bawden Chief operating officer: Shaun Lockwood Marketing manager: Mark Hughesman Supporter liaison officer: Dean Medcalf 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 Chief executive officer: John Davis NCS programme manager: Tom Foy CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE Principal: Adi Turnpenny Deputy principals: Joe Burton, Ben Thompson PROGRAMME Contributors: Robbie Andrews, Dan Breslin, Jon Warburton, Mark Hughesman, Hayley Ford, Sophie Scargill, Gavin Hepworth, MATCHDAY John Coyle, Abi Rodwell Photography: Phil Ryan, AH Pix, Heather King, Rex Features Design: Daniel Parker Published by: ACA Creative Limited www.aca-creative.co.uk vs PORTSMOUTH . Saturday 21st August 2021 . Sky Bet League One . KO: 3.00pm

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13 05

Richie Wellens

Ben Close

Player Sponsorship

Foundation News

Donny Kicks

Portsmouth

On This Day

Fixtures & Results

Academy Update

IN CHARGE:

RICHIE WELLENS GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE AND WELCOME BACK TO THE KEEPMOAT STADIUM. I’d like to begin by welcoming Danny Cowley and the players, staff, directors, and supporters of Portsmouth to this game. We know we face a difficult test this afternoon – Portsmouth are a big club, have made some impressive signings this summer, and have had an excellent start to the campaign. We know that they will ask a lot of questions of us but being on our own pitch with the fans behind us will give us an advantage. Because of programme deadlines, I am writing these notes on Sunday – before we go to Accrington Stanley - but I’ve seen real improvements in the team over the past week and I hope you're seeing that too. We’re a new squad but everyone’s gelling really well and the messages we’re giving at training are starting to translate onto the pitch. Losing games hurts, but we’re playing the right way and the signs of improvement are there, I’m confident performances will soon turn into wins. We’re still not where we would have wanted to be at this point of the season in terms of time spent together on the pitch and minutes in legs of key players but we’re catching up really quickly and that is down to the hard work of the players and staff here. Finally, I want to thank you for your support. Nearly 2,000 of you joined us at Sheffield Wednesday and you were amazing throughout. We need your support to help us give the extra 10% again today.

WE’RE A NEW SQUAD BUT EVERYONE’S GELLING REALLY WELL AND THE MESSAGES WE’RE GIVING AT TRAINING ARE STARTING TO TRANSLATE ONTO THE PITCH

Thank you, Richie

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CLOSE QUARTERS

WORDS: Abi Rodwell

THE 2021/22 SEASON SIGNIFIES A NEW ERA FOR DONCASTER ROVERS’ NEW NUMBER EIGHT, WHOSE MOVE SOME 200 MILES NORTH OF THE CLUB HE WAS BORN OVERLOOKING AND GREW UP SUPPORTING IS SOMETHING TO BE ADMIRED.

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IT'S MY INTENTION TO PLAY EVERY WEEK FOR THIS CLUB AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO THAT IF I STAY FIT, SO I'M DETERMINED TO PUT IN GOOD PERFORMANCES EACH WEEK AT THIS LEVEL TO PROVE MYSELF

Born overlooking Fratton Park, a young Ben Close used to pay to watch Portsmouth play. In fact, he was in the stands on the day Pompey famously won promotion to the Premier League in 2003 under Harry Redknapp, as well as being amongst the 89,000 at Wembley as an 11-year-old for their memorable FA Cup win in 2008. Six years later he was making his debut for his boyhood club, before going on to win at Wembley with Pompey himself in the 2019 EFL Trophy Final - a day that Close has previously described as "the best day of his life." There's no doubt that the Portsmouth-born midfielder has memories to cherish from his time on the south coast. Pompey were his team of choice, but this season marks a new era for the 25-year-old, a fresh start. In Richie Wellens’ appointment to the Keepmoat Stadium, a new challenge awaited for Close – who was Rovers’ first summer signing ahead of the new season - and it’s one he’s ready to grasp with both hands. "Coming here to Doncaster naturally felt like the right next step in my career," says Close, when asked about his move to Rovers. "I'm settling in really well, it's been a good pre-season and for me personally it's been a pretty good start to the season in the sense that I've at least been playing games. "In previous seasons that hasn't been the case. I'm really happy to be back playing and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season. "The lads have made it really easy for me here, it's a good group with a great dynamic. When you've been at one club for so long, you can't underestimate being welcomed like I have."

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Having made almost 200 appearances for his boyhood club, Close saw his chances limited last season which paved the way for him to consider his options, so when a new opportunity arose 200 miles north, there was only one destination for the midfielder.

one over on them” and leave the Keepmoat Stadium with all three points.

"The manager showed great interest in me as a player," he continues.

"I'm incredibly excited to play them to be honest, I'll always look forward to playing against them. Hopefully I'm going to be playing this afternoon, I really want to help the team produce a good performance and get a good result. We want the three points.

"I really agree with the way in which he wants to play and I feel he can improve me as a player. He was an excellent player who played in a similar position to me so can have a positive impact on my career from here. "The way in which he gets his team playing football was a massive reason for me coming to Rovers. It just felt right and everything combined made it an easy decision." In leaving Fratton Park, a 14-year association with his boyhood club ended, a club that understandably holds a special place in his heart. "I always knew the day would come when I would leave Portsmouth. It's very rare that players only have one club for the entirety of their career these days. "It felt like the right time to move, Doncaster felt like the right move for me and it was something I always wanted to happen as soon as I knew of the interest." It's no surprise then that he is looking forward to facing his former club today, and he'd love nothing more than to “get

"It was obviously a fixture that I looked for straight away when the fixtures were released," he admits.

"It would be nice to get one over on the club that I grew up playing for where I still have so many friends and family." When asked who his family would be supporting on Saturday, he smiles. "Doncaster, there's no doubt about that," Close responds. "They're all Doncaster Rovers fans now!" Now the aim for the 25-year-old is regular first-team football,as he looks to play a key role in Rovers’ season as Richie Wellens’ side look to work their way up the League One table. "Playing regular first-team football was massive for me, that was really important when I was looking to move. I played a lot of games for Portsmouth and it was only last season when I wasn't involved as much. As a footballer that's never a nice feeling and you can't go through season after season not playing regular football. "It's my intention to play every week for this club and I feel like I can do that if I stay fit, so I'm determined to put in good performances each week at this level to prove myself. "Ultimately, as players, we want hundreds of league games under our belt when we finish our career and I'm no different." With League One arguably as competitive as it has ever been, Close is aware of the task ahead for Rovers, who are looking to get their first win of the campaign this afternoon. “There are no easy games in this division. I think this year is the toughest it’s been for a long time. There are lots of big clubs with big budgets and big players. It’ll be the most competitive League One I’ve played in because of that. “We’ve been disappointed not to get the results we’ve wanted so far, but some of the spells that we’ve had in the recent games have been very good and we’re starting to create more chances which is positive. “It’ll take time but as long as we show that we’re going in the right direction, performances and results will start to come. “It’s not going to happen overnight, we need to be patient but we also know as players that we need results. We understand that and will keep working hard on the training pitch to ensure that the results come.”

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FOUNDATION NEWS WELCOME CLUB DONCASTER TITANS Club Doncaster Titans was founded by Darren Warner in 2014. Darren sadly passed away earlier this year after a long illness. The club identified a big gap in football provision in the Doncaster area and provided a place for people with disabilities and mental health issues to play and enjoy football. A partnership with Club Doncaster Foundation was forged in 2016 with the Foundation provide active support to Club Doncaster Titans including celebrating the club and inviting them to today’s match against Portsmouth. The club follows the ethos of ‘Ability Counts’ and more recently ‘Football for All’, which are key objectives of the FA’s strategy for developing football for people who experience barriers to accessing the game. Club Doncaster Titans are fully committed to supporting any player, disabled, non-disabled or those who suffer from any type or degree of mental health. There are a number of ways that players can enjoy football with the Titans. Anyone can just turn up and play in the regular, structured and fun training sessions or – for those who enjoy competition – there are teams of registered players who compete in leagues and various tournaments nationwide.

The sessions aim to increase confidence, self-belief, physical fitness and overall health and well-being while also offering the chance for any players to follow their own development pathway, whether that is into our league teams, mainstream teams, or coaching development. The club is England Football affiliated, and they are proud to be recognised as a two-star club due to our additional provision for our recently formed ladies' team. The Titans board said: “We would also like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to all our coaches and recently formed committee members, who give up a large amount of their own time to ensure the continued and smooth running of the club.” You can find out more information about the Titans including sessions, teams and how to join at www.clubdontastertitans.com

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Donny is planning a few away trips this season but needs help to find out where he is going? Draw a line from the badge to the spot where you think they are in the country. We’ve started you off by pointing to Sunderland (we think!!).

Hello everyone, Welcome to today’s game against Portsmouth. It is good to see you all again and I know many of you are excited to be back. Did you see me and my friend Percy the Penguin at the last game. I always have fun racing against my friends (I even scored two goals!!). Today I will be back in the net facing penalties with my friends from Doncaster Titans at half time. Enjoy the game! Lots of Woof! Donny Dog Donny’s Score prediction

1 0

Can you help Donny find his way to the goal?

ETHAN GALBRAITH

HOW WELL DO YOU

KNOW...

PONTUS G R E B L H A D 1. Which club did we sign Pontus from?

YOUR ANSWER

2. Which country does POntus represent? YOUR ANSWER

3. How old is Pontus? YOUR ANSWER

4. What squad number does Pontus wear? YOUR ANSWER

5. How tall is Pontus in metres and centimetres? YOUR ANSWER

6. Name two other teams who Pontus has played for? 7. Where was Pontus born?

YOUR ANSWER

YOUR ANSWER ANSWERS (DON’T CHEAT) 1) Watford; 2) Sweden; 3) 22; 4) 12; 5) 1 metre 94 cms 6) Choose from Älvängens IK, IFK Göteborg, Watford, Emmen and BK Häcken; 7) Älvängen

Happy 7th Birthday Harper from Mummy, Daddy, Bodhi, Harlow and family xxx

IN OPPOSITION:

PORTSMOUTH MEET THE BOSS:

DANNY COWLEY

A man who seems to have been around for years, however at the age of 43 Danny Cowley is one of the EFL’s youngest managers. Cowley started as a player in non-league circles representing Barking, Romford, AFC Hornchurch and Brentwood to name but a few, however injury cut his playing career short. An assistant manager role at Concord Rangers followed, who at the time were playing in the Essex Senior Football League, and it wasn’t long before Cowley took on the role of first-team manager. Three promotions during his tenure took Concord to the National League South, before Cowley moved on to manage Braintree Town in 2015/16 where, in his first season at the club, they achieved their highest-ever finish of 3rd place in the National League. His success at Braintree didn’t go unnoticed as Lincoln City came calling in the summer of 2016, and he was to have similar success at the Imps. In his first season, Cowley

guided Lincoln back to the EFL as National League champions, as well as achieving great success in the FA Cup, where the Imps reached the Quarter-Finals, eventually losing out to Arsenal. Upon their return to the EFL, Lincoln were victorious in the EFL Trophy in 2018 in what was their first-ever Wembley Stadium appearance, and the 2018/19 campaign saw them promoted to League One. Huddersfield Town came calling for Cowley and he joined the Championship side in September 2019 however, despite a promising things didn’t quite progress as planned and although the Terriers remained in the Championship, they parted company in July 2020. In March 2021, Cowley was appointed manager at Pompey where he will be hoping to guide them back to the Championship. With 12 games under his belt last season and a win percentage of 50%, Cowley has had some time to identify the challenges that lie ahead coming into this season.

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NEW TO POMPEY:

SUMMER SIGNINGS

CONNOR OGILVIE

Signed from Gillingham, where he had been for the previous four seasons, Ogilvie initially joined the Gills on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, until they made it a permanent move in May 2019. The versatile 25-year-old can play at the heart of the defence or as left back.

SHAUN WILLIAMS

Dublin-born Williams joined Pompey from Millwall where he made over 250 appearances for the London club. The 34-year-old defensive midfielder is sure to add experience to the squad, having also been capped by the Republic of Ireland on three occasions.

CLARK ROBERTSON

The 27-year-old Aberdonian centre-back joined from Donny’s local neighbours Rotherham United in the summer, having previously played for Aberdeen and Blackpool.

KIERON FREEMAN

Having previously been on loan at Portsmouth in 2016, the Welsh

right-back re-joined having left Swansea City in the summer. The 29-year-old has spent much of his career at Sheffield United where he made over 100 appearances between 2015-2020. He has also been capped once by Wales.

RYAN TUNNICLIFFE

The 28-year-old midfielder was raised through the youth ranks of Manchester United before joining Fulham in 2014. Having played in the Championship throughout his career, he joined from Luton Town in the summer and will be hoping for a quick return to the second tier with Pompey.

JAYDEN REID

Another player who came through the youth system of Manchester United and also Swansea City, Reid was signed professionally by Birmingham City in 2019, but having only made a handful of appearances in his time the forward will be looking to push on, down on the south coast.

GAVIN BAZUNA

The 19-year-old Dublin-born keeper joins Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City for the season, though he is yet to make a first-team appearance at the Etihad. Bazuna spent time on loan at Rochdale last season, making 29 league appearances. During 2021 he was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad and now has four caps to his name.

GEORGE HIRST

Shaun Williams

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The 6ft 3 forward signed on loan from Leicester City where he’s twice appeared in the Premier League. With plenty of South Yorkshire connections, Sheffieldborn Hirst started his career at Hillsborough, where his dad David was also a big hit, and spent last season in the Championship on loan at Rotherham United.

SHARED 5-A-SIDE CURTIS MAIN 2014-16 DRFC 58 GOALS 11 2016-17 PFC 23 APPS 6 GOALS

ENDA STEVENS 2013-15 DRFC 46 APPS 1 GOAL 2015-17 PFC 99 APPS 7 GOALS

JOE LAIDLAW 1976-79 DRFC 128 APPS 27 GOALS 1979-80 PFC 60 APPS 19 GOALS

JOHN MONCUR 1986 DRFC 4 APPS 0 GOALS 1989 PFC 7 APPS 0 GOALS

JOHN MARQUIS 2016-19 DRFC 153 APPS 67 GOALS 2013-14 & 2019-21 PFC 103 APPS 35 GOALS

WE'VE MET BEFORE PORTSMOUTH

WORDS: John Coyle

DONCASTER ROVERS HOME LEAGUE RECORD V PORTSMOUTH: DATE

VENUE

17/10/1978

Belle Vue

RESULT GOALSCORERS L 2 3 Laidlaw, Bentley

26/10/1979

Belle Vue

W 2 0 Lister, Warboys (pen)

05/12/1981

Belle Vue

D 0 0

30/04/1983

Belle Vue

L 0 2

12/02/2011 Keepmoat L 0 2 14/04/2012 Keepmoat L 3 4 Beye, Robert, Coppinger 16/03/2013 Keepmoat D 1 1 Brown C 05/01/2017 Keepmoat W 3 1 Marquis (2), Rowe

Portsmouth joined the Football League in 1920, along with the rest of Southern League Division One, becoming founder members of Division Three. A year later the division was redesigned as Division Three (South). In 1923 Rovers joined the League as members of Division Three (North). The clubs did not meet until January 1947, by which time Portsmouth had spent 13 seasons in Division One and won the FA Cup in 1939. Rovers were top of Division Three (North) when the FA Cup Third Round tie was played in front of a Belle Vue crowd of 24,129. Portsmouth raced into a 2-0 lead after 18 minutes, goals coming from Jack Froggatt and former Rover Cliff Parker. Jackie Kirkaldie pulled one back for Rovers before the interval but Froggatt’s second appeared to settle the tie. Rovers skipper Paul Todd had other ideas scoring on 77 minutes to set up a thrilling finish, but Portsmouth held on for a 3-2 win. The clubs met again in the FA Cup in the 1951/52 season, with Portsmouth winning a Fifth-Round tie 4-0 at Fratton Park – the first time Rovers had reached the Fifth Round. The first League encounter didn’t come until October 1978 at Belle Vue. Jeff Hemmerman twice put Portsmouth in front only for Joe Laidlaw and Dave Bentley to make it 2-2. With seven minutes left Peter Denyer made it 3-2 for the visitors, and this was the final score. The Division Four clash attracted a crowd of 2,480, about 10% the size of the 1947 crowd.

17/10/2017 Keepmoat W 2 1 Mandeville,Burgess (og) 25/08/2018 Keepmoat D 0 0 05/10/2019 Keepmoat L 1 2 James 02/03/2021 Keepmoat W 2 1 James, Okenabirhie

Rovers’ first win over Portsmouth came in October 1979, on a Friday night at Belle Vue. The visitors were top of Division Four and the M1 was packed with several thousand Pompey fans who formed part of a season’s best crowd of 9,801. Steve Lister put Rovers in front two minutes before half time and soon after the break Alan Warboys hammered in a penalty. Rovers won 2-0 but Portsmouth had the last laugh, sealing promotion on goal difference (aided by a 2-0 win over Rovers in the Fratton Park return game). Moving into the 21st Century, Rovers and Portsmouth have been familiar opponents. Portsmouth enjoyed their first three visits to the Keepmoat Stadium with two wins and a draw. Rovers eventually broke their duck in January 2017, as both sides battled for promotion from League Two. Rovers produced a splendid performance in front of the Sky TV cameras to win 3-1 with goals from John Marquis (2) and Tommy Rowe, players likely to be in opposition this afternoon. Coming up to date, Rovers completed a double over Portsmouth last season for only the second time ever, Reece James scoring at both Fratton Park and the Keepmoat Stadium. Here’s hoping someone else can seize the moment for Rovers today.

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ON THIS DAY 21ST AUGUST

WORDS: John Coyle

Mark Hawthorne (second from right, back row)

This day in 1979 saw the birth of MARK HAWTHORNE in Sunderland. The young defender was only 18 when he made his league debut for Rovers on 28th December 1997 at Brisbane Road against Leyton Orient.

In October 1965 he moved on to Bradford Park Avenue where he played alongside the prolific Kevin Hector. His final league club was Hartlepool United, having signed in February 1967 by the club’s then manager, Brian Clough.

Hawthorne had the traumatic experience of playing in a team that lost 0-8, Rovers’ biggest league defeat in what was a miserable season. He went on to make eight appearances, one coming in a 1-0 win over Hull City. He later played for Grantham Town.

Albert Broadbent’s record for Rovers was 231 appearances and 43 goals. In his overall professional career, he made 533 appearances and scored 107 goals. He died in 2006, aged 72.

A more notable career was enjoyed by a player born on 20th August 1934, ALBERT BROADBENT. Broadbent was a talented, if at times mercurial, inside-forward who started his career in 1953 with Notts County, before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday (where he won a Division Two Championship medal) and Rotherham United. He joined Rovers in July 1959 and enjoyed his best season for the Belle Vue club in 1960/61, playing in every league game and scoring 13 goals. In November 1961 he was transferred to Lincoln City, but he re-joined Rovers two years later, playing alongside the likes of Colin Booth, Alfie Hale and the returning Alick Jeffrey.

Possibly the most memorable game played by Rovers on this day came in 1965, when they opened their Division Four campaign against Lincoln City. Rovers were expected to do well and a crowd of 11,566 was not to be disappointed. Graham Ricketts, Laurie Sheffield (on his debut) and Alick Jeffrey had Rovers 3-0 up at the interval and Sheffield added a second in the second half for a 4-0 victory. Rovers ended the season as Champions of Division Four.

Albert Broadbent

Nine years ago, on this day in 2012, Rovers enjoyed a 2-1 win over Bury, with Kyle Bennett and Chris Brown scoring. Again, Rovers went on to be champions, this time of League One. Maybe a win on this day is a good omen.

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Giving Football Back to Small Business At eBay, we know small business and football clubs used to be like chips and gravy, two peas in a pod – a match made in community heaven. Ironmongers, ship workers, spring makers and cobblers, all formed clubs which decades later are still prospering. But nowadays, you’d think it was all eyewatering transfers, Super Leagues and mega sponsors, detached from the humble origins of our historic clubs.

That’s why eBay are proud to support 300,000 small businesses who help power EFL clubs nationwide. We’ll be donating our advertising space to a lot of these businesses – on match day hoardings, around grounds and beyond – throughout the coming season, to ensure they can continue to thrive in our local communities. So, join us in giving your support to Small Business Power, because today, they need us more than ever.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

ON THIS DAY 21ST AUGUST

WORDS: John Coyle

ROVERS RESULTS ON THIS DAY: LEVEL SEASON

OPPONENT Mansfield Town

H/A RESULT A

ATT GOALSCORERS

1948/49

D 2 2

16,749 Bennett, Calverley

1954/55

Liverpool

1965/66

Lincoln City

L 2 3

49,751 Lawlor C (2)

W 4 0

1971/72

Workington

L 0 2

11,566 Sheffield (2), Jeffrey, Ricketts 2,394

1976/77

Southport

D 2 2

1,964 Laidlaw, Sibbald (og)

1979/80

Halifax Town

D 1 1

2,519 Warboys

1993/94

Carlisle United

D 0 0

2,575

1999/00

Woking

W 3 1

2,358 Maamria (2), Newell

2001/02

Leigh RMI

W 2 0

2,433 Whitman, Kelly (p)

2004/05

Tranmere Rovers

D 0 0

6,040

2010/11

Cardiff City

L 0 4

24,027

2012/13

Bury

W 2 1

6,380 Bennett, Brown

2018/19

Shrewsbury Town

D 0 0

6,943

DONCASTER ROVERS vs SHREWSBURY TOWN

TUESDAY 21ST AUGUST 2018 7.45PM | ISSUE 02 | £3 SKY BET LEAGUE ONE

2018/19 L CLUB FOOTBAL ROVERS NCASTER E OF DO MAGAZIN TCHDAY ICIAL MA THE OFF

PORTSMOUTH ON THIS DAY: (LAST 25 YEARS) LEVEL SEASON 2

1999/00

1 2

OPPONENT

H/A RESULT

ATT GOALSCORERS

Stockport County

W 2 0

15,002 Miglioranzi, Allen

2004/05

Charlton Athletic

L 1 2

25,204 Berger

2010/11

Preston North End

L 0 1

9,666

2012/13

Colchester United

D 2 2

4,335 Rodgers, Obita

2018/19

Bristol Rovers

W 2 1

9,073 Evans, Curtis

To view the programme from our very first encounter with Portsmouth, please click the image if viewing digitally:

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FIXTURES & RESULTS DATE

OPPOSITION

COMP

RES/KO

ATT

AWAY POS

2021/22

STARTING XI

AUGUST Sat 7

AFC Wimbledon

EFL1

1-2

6,419

612

Dahlberg

Knoyle

Anderson

R Williams

Rowe

Tue 10

Walsall

CC1

0-0*

2,384

310

Dahlberg

Knoyle

Anderson

R Williams

John

Sat 14

Sheffield Wednesday

EFL1

0-2

24,738

tbc

Dahlberg

Knoyle

Anderson

R Williams

Rowe

Tue 17

Accrington Stanley

EFL1

0-1

2,223

463

Dahlberg

Knoyle

Anderson

R Williams

Rowe

Sat 21

Portsmouth

EFL1