THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE / SEASON 2017/18 ISSUE 10 / £3 PROGRAMME SPONSOR
DONCASTER ROVERS v WALSALL Sky Bet League One Saturday October 21, 2017 3pm kick-off
YOUR SATURDAY MORNING, SORTED
JEFF’S, RUINED
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Main club sponsor Virgin Trains Associate club sponsor Stoneacre Motor Group Technical kit supplier FBT Europe Chairman David Blunt Major shareholders Terry Bramall, David Blunt, family of Dick Watson Directors Terry Bramall, David Blunt, Andy Watson, Gavin Baldwin Club director Stuart Highfield Chief executive Gavin Baldwin Commercial director Jim Lord FOOTBALL STAFF Manager Darren Ferguson Assistant manager Gavin Strachan Goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard Fitness coach Ben Rome Physiotherapist Joe Sharp Club doctor Dr Tim Douglas CLUB STAFF Head of administration & football operations Mary Lally Head of stadium & operations Marie Hepburn Head groundsman Jim Davison Director of finance Richard Poole Head of commercial affairs Andrew Whitham 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, Shelia Lynch CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION Chair of trustees Linda Tully Trustees Gavin Baldwin, Nigel Brewster, Natalie Shaw, Allan Stewart, Rupert Suckling, John Wallbank Executive director Jim Lord Head of FoundationJohn Davis NCS programme manager Jan Budtz CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE Principal Adi Turnpenny Deputy principals Joe Burton, Ben Thompson PROGRAMME Contributors Clare Bailey, Robbie Andrews, John Coyle, Ryan Daly, Alex Gibbings, Sophie Scargill, Paul Mayfield, Nicola Moran Photography Phil Ryan, AH Pix, Stephen Connor, Dave Hiskey, Heather King, Rex Features, Rob Terrace Design Sandile Somhedlwana, Hannah Moore Print Pinders of Sheffield
CONTENTS 05
DARREN FERGUSON
07
GAVIN BALDWIN
08
JORDAN HOUGHTON
16 OPPOSITION 29
JUNIOR ROVERS
34 COMMERCIAL 42
SUPPORTERS
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CLUB DONCASTER
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 an 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: FOUL (language & behaviour) SMOKE (smoking in the stadium) RACISM (racist chanting & shouting) 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) Each message costs one standard text at your local rate.
Listen to live games this season. EFL.com/iFollow
A word from the manager
Darren Ferguson Good afternoon, and welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for the visit of Walsall. I’d like to welcome Jon Witney, as well as the supporters, players, staff and owners of the Saddlers. We know they will come and look to make it difficult for us today, and they are unbeaten in their past three games, but we have plenty of belief ourselves after Tuesday night’s win over Portsmouth which means we have won our past three home competitive games. The players showed a lot of character to win on Tuesday, and we really had to dig in at times. We had a fantastic start which set a real platform, with two goals in the first five minutes. We caused them all sorts of problems in the opening 20 minutes or so, which set us up - and we showed a real resilience to make sure we saw out a deserved victory against a team who have been playing very well. We actually had eight first-team players missing, so the players deserve credit for toughing it out.
home, and if we get a victory today our points table would be more where we feel our performances deserve. Our home form last season was the platform for our promotion, and together – supporters, players and staff – we can use that to build on again this term. I was pleased with the performance of Mathieu Baudry in his first game after his injury. He is a tough lad, a good talker and someone comfortable bringing the ball out from defence. It was great to see him back out on the pitch for us. I am also looking forward to the trip to Ebbsfleet in the first round of the FA Cup. It is a wonderful tournament, and ties like this are what this stage of the competition is all about - they will give us a tough game and we will treat them with the utmost respect as we look to get into the second round. Enjoy the game.
We turned out attention straight to today’s game, and know the opportunity we have to make it three league wins out of four games. We feel we can give anyone a good game in this division, especially at
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W AT C H A F I L M
K N I R D A H AV E
READ A BOOK S W O C T A M A E R D Y DA OUT THE WINDOW
(Maybe they’re daydreaming back at
you. Deep!)
Thoughts of the chief executive
Gavin Baldwin Good evening, and welcome back to the Keepmoat Stadium for the visit of Walsall. I would like to welcome the owners, supporters, players and staff of the Saddlers who have made the trip up.
It has been really encouraging to see young supporters take up this offer and engage with all the activities we now have on offer on matchdays – these families are the backbone of our support for decades ahead.
We can feel very optimistic about the season ahead, as we look four a fourth consecutive home win in a competitive game, after beating Sunderland U21, Southend United then Portsmouth.
So I am glad that we have been able to introduce something similar with Doncaster Rugby League - with a launch event on Wednesday night where the Dons unveiled several new signings as well as a new pricing structure for season tickets.
Darren Ferguson talks about the importance of home form in his programme notes, and I echo his view that if the whole club are united – supporters, staff and players – we can use our record at the Keepmoat Stadium as a platform for success this season. The players had to dig in a bit on Tuesday night, but we know there are many different ways of winning football matches and we showed that we could do it through character and spirit which is encouraging for everyone. Our attendances this season have been really encouraging, and show the success of our Season Membership pricing structure introduced this summer.
So for under 16s, Dons season tickets come at no cost. And adult season tickets are priced in a way that if we sell 1,000, they will cost just £30. We want both Rovers and the Dons to be sustainable, and believe getting young supporters in as part of the family is the key to that. So the 2018 season could be a great time to get yourself down to a Dons game too - season tickets are available from our Box Office on 01302 762576 or tickets. clubdoncaster.co.uk. We have spent the past few years getting the backoffice structure right for Club Doncaster, hopefully you as fans can now see the real difference it is making to Rovers and the Dons.
Among the most notable changes was reducing prices to just £30 for fans 17 and under, which tied in with the introduction of Donny Dog’s Kennel to build on the brilliant work already being done in the Club Doncaster Foundation Family Stand.
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8
#16
JORDAN HOUGHTON Jordan Houghton has nt had the easiest of I’ve built myself up I’m not far away from paths through to becoming an established full fitness. I was always confident that central midfielder in the EFL. I would be back around the six month mark, they do say longer but I think I Two serious knee injuries while still in knew with my mentality and the facilities his early years as a professional had available to me that I was in a good place threatened to knock Houghton both for my recovery.” physically and mentally, but the Chelsea loanee is made of stern stuff. Houghton made a return to Rovers for a second loan spell in August, a little over “It’s been a long journey for me but now six months after being ruled out of action I’m happy to be involved, for a significant period of it’s been a bit frustrating time. with the results not always “Pullquote runs along going our way but I think The midfielder worked here, it fills out the box as our performances have with a psychologist during far as possible and does been quite good,” he says. his time away from the not have a fullstop at the game which helped him end of it” “I came back earlier to become physically than was ever expected and mentally a stronger which meant the physio person. and the manager had to make sure that everything was right so it was more of a “It’s the second time I’ve had that injury steady progression. so it was a little bit worrying at the time but this one wasn’t as bad which meant “I didn’t want to come here and burn out it was always going to be a smoother after three or four games so now that recovery,” he says.
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“I spoke with a psychologist throughout my rehabilitation process and he helped me deal with the mental side of the injury as well as building myself back up physically. “It’s something that I can tap into and use in the future whether it be to do with injuries or something else which is only a good thing. “Having the right mentality is the most important thing in football, you can be physically and tactically one of the best players but if your head isn’t right then you’re always going to struggle.” Houghton had loan spells with Gillingham and Plymouth Argyle before initially arriving in South Yorkshire last summer, but says his time with Rovers is the first time he has felt truly at home during time away from parent club Chelsea.
the age of 16. “I’m used to being away from home, I’ve got used to it now and I feel as though I belong here as I’ve had a good run in first team football.” Darren Ferguson added to his midfield options while Houghton was recovering from injury over the summer, with the likes of Issam Ben Khemis, Ben Whiteman and Rodney Kongolo all joining the club. “We’ve made some good additions in the midfield areas, it was good to chat to Issam and see where he’s come from and how he’s adapting to the EFL,” says Houghton. “Myself and Ben have got a good partnership in midfield as we’re on the same wavelength, he’s been able to get forward more in recent weeks and has got goals in the locker.
“My first two loans were during my first season in men’s football so it was getting used to that physical battle and then being involved with that sort of training ground environment,” he says.
“It’s difficult to get into those attacking positions if I’m playing at the base of a diamond but if we do play a flat midfield then I’ll have more of a license to get into those areas.
“Last year I felt like I was at a club for a permanent basis because the way the club was structured was different for me, it has helped me to settle in coming back here and I feel at home.
“I get on well with Rodney Kongolo as he has had a similar footballing up-bringing to me as he’s spent a lot of time with a massive club.”
“Moving up north has matured me as a person as well as a footballer, it was difficult but something I was used to as I moved away from home permanently at
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Rovers got their first home win of the season against Southend United last time out at the Keepmoat Stadium, a stark contrast to last season when it took until April for them to be beaten on home soil.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Houghton acknowledges that the team could sense the fear in their opponents in Sky Bet League Two, as they knew how tough it would be to take anything home with them.
To continue the interview with the midfielder we asked him a few quickfire questions about more quirky topics.
“The win against Southend was a big plus as it was our first at home, it set us on our way and it was good to get that out of the way as the pressure was starting to build,” he says.
OR
“Looking at all the big clubs, they make their home ground a fortress and we managed to do that last season, we’ve not matched it yet in this campaign but we’re still confident we can go on a run. “Teams were coming to the Keepmoat Stadium last year and almost being beaten before they’d stepped off the bus as they knew how good we were at home.”
OR
After getting three points against Southend and Portsmouth, Houghton wants those to act as a springboard. “It’s been frustrating, all the boys were hoping that we’d get off to a good start but unfortunately it’s taken us a little bit of time to get going,” he adds. “The manager tells us that whatever happens he wants us to keep doing the right things, the players know that even if we go a goal behind we’ve got the ability to get back into games.
OR
OR
“I’m looking to add more goals to my game, it’s one thing that we’ve looked at with scoring goals from midfield and
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NEWS
Midfielder Tommy Rowe was delighted that Rovers got back to winning ways after Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Portsmouth at the Keepmoat Stadium. Two goals in the opening five minutes from Liam Mandeville and Rowe respectively set Rovers on their way, and Rowe says the corner routine which saw the side double their lead is something they had worked on in training. “We are delighted with the three points, we needed to bounce back after Saturday’s result because it was a tough one to take, but could not produce the quality,” said Rowe. “We started brightly in the opening 20/25 minutes was a real positive, my goal took a bit of a deflection and ended up in the back of the net which is pleasing
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because it’s something we’ve worked on in training. The early goal set us off going really and gave us the confidence to continue the way we were playing, it was a great corner from Harry Toffolo and thankfully the header went in.” Rowe played alongside Rodney Kongolo and Jordan Houghton in a midfield three and he enjoyed playing in a more attacking role. “I have always really enjoyed playing in that position, there were two or three times we played that formation last year and I feel I can express myself,” he said. “We knew if we got it right that we would cause them a lot of problems early on and that’s what we did, they had a big lad up front and two fast lads in behind and we did well to keep them quiet.”
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NEWS
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HEAD TO HEAD
COMPLETE RESULT TABLE COMPETITON FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FA CUP
LEAGUE CUP
EFL Trophy GRAND TOTAL
P W D L F A H 30 14 6 10 48 37 A 30 7 3 20 28 53 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 60 21 9 30 76 90 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 0 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 0 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 A 0 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 21 9 30 76 90 15
60 21 9 30 76 90 17
AWAY TEAM WALSALL
TOP STOPPER The 25-year-old stopper joined Walsall on a twoyear contract from Carlisle in the summer of 2017. The 6’3” custodian came through his hometown club Newcastle’s youth ranks before moving to Brunton Park in 2008, aged 16. He went on to make over 150 league appearances for the Cumbrians, but turned down a new contract offer to join the Saddlers.
1
MARK GILLESPIE
MIDFIELD MAESTRO Walsall confirmed the signing of Burnley forward Daniel Agyei on a six-month loan deal on transfer deadline day. The 20-year-old forward made his Premier League debut for the Clarets last season at Anfield in March, going on to play against Everton and Manchester United towards the end of the 2016/17 season. At the beginning of the season, Agyei went out on loan to Coventry City, where he scored four goals in 12 league starts for the Sky Blues before returning to Turf Moor.
DANIEL AGYEI 18
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DEFENSIVE ROCK The Coventry-born left-back became manager the Saddlers’ first signing of the 2017/18 summer transfer window. Having started his career with Rugby Town, the 24-year-old moved to Falkirk in 2012 following a successful trial. He became a key player for the Scottish club, scoring 12 goals in 158 matches, but opted to join Walsall on a free transfer in June 2017.
3
LUKE LEAHY
DEADLY STRIKER The diminutive attacking midfielder enjoyed an outstanding debut season for Walsall in 2016/17, finishing as top scorer with 15 goals.
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ERHUN OZTUMER
Born in Greenwich, the 25-year-old spent nine years at Charlton prior to joining Turkish side Manisaspor’s youth scheme in 2008, aged 16. He then spent time with Sivasspor and Anadolu Uskudar before returning to England with nonleague Dulwich Hamlet in 2012. Oztumer helped Dulwich win the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2012/13. He moved to Peterborough for an undisclosed fee in June 2014 and played 58 times over two seasons with Posh, scoring seven goals. Signed by Walsall last June, the creative schemer was named in the League One Team of the Year in 2016/17.
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JOINT FIVE-A-SIDE GOALKEEPER Sam JOHNSTONE One of the most highly rated goalkeepers in England after coming through the youth system at Manchester United. The England U20 international has often been back-up to United keeper David De Gea in the Premier League, as well as appearing against the likes of Real Madrid in friendly matches over the past couple of seasons. Johnstone has had several loan spells as he continues to grow between the posts, including time with Oldham and Scunthorpe before he joined Walsall in 2013. He played seven games during his time at the Bescot and then signed for Doncaster. He became a fans favourite at Rovers and spent almost 18 months with the club across two loan spells.
DEFENDERS James CHAMBERS A versatile defender, Chambers started his career with West Brom, making more than 70 appearances for his boyhood club which included starting regularly in the Premier League. After six seasons at the Hawthorns, Chambers played for Watford and Leicester before signing for Doncaster upon their arrival in the Championship in 2008. Rovers fans witnessed Chambers’ blistering speed and ability to nullify the threat of some quality wingers, and he made
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87 appearances. Chambers signed for Walsall in 2012, appearing alongside twin brother Adam, and went on to play close to 100 games during four seasons .
Jimmy O’CONNOR The versatile defender started his career with his hometown club Aston Villa and signed a professional contract in 2004. He failed to make a single appearance competitively at Villa Park, though, and had loan spells with both Port Vale and Bournemouth, making the latter permanent in 2005. O’Connor impressed during his debut season at Dean Court, playing 39 times under Sean O’Driscoll before following the manager in a move to Doncaster in 2006. More at home in the right back position, O’Connor had the most successful spell of his career at the Keepmoat Stadium, playing over 200 games over a six-year stay in South Yorkshire. He became a firm fans favourite and helped the side earn promotion to the Championship in 2008. He moved on to Derby County in 2012 and spent two years at Pride Park before moving closer to home to sign for Walsall where he made more than 100 appearances
MIDFIELDER James BAXENDALE Came through the youth ranks at Leeds United but failed to make a first team appearance at Elland Road. The midfielder (pictured) then went on trial with Doncaster Rovers in the summer of 2011, and was
rewarded with a one-year contract by Sean O’Driscoll. Played a couple of games in the Championship for Rovers before loan spells with Buxton and Hereford United towards the back end of the season. Baxendale left Rovers to sign for Walsall in 2012 – spending five seasons with the Saddlers.
STRIKER Milan LALKOVIC A Slovakian striker blessed with a lot of pace, Lalkovic came through the Chelsea youth system and made his first loan move into the EFL with Doncaster in 2011. He played six games during his time in South Yorkshire before moving temporarily to ADO Den Haag in Holland and then joining Walsall in 2013. Lalkovic impressed during his time in the Midlands and scored six goals in 38 appearances in a season-longloan where he began to find his feet in English football. The forward then signed for Barnsley before returning to Walsall on a permanent deal in 2015. Again, though, he was only there for one season, as the Saddlers reached the play-off semi-finals before being beaten by Lalkovic’s former club Barnsley over two legs. The 24-year-old signed for Portsmouth at the start of last season.
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MY WEEK: ACADEMY CO-ORDINATOR Former Rovers player Tim Ryan is still a familiar face at the Keepmoat Stadium, organising Club Doncaster Foundation’s Academy sides MONDAY This is usually one of our busiest days; we get down to the astro turf for 9am and prepare the day of practical sessions ahead, making sure balls, bibs and all equipment is ready to go. The students meet us at 9.15am for the first session of four throughout the day. The sessions vary week to week, depending on what the guys are learning in the classroom, so can be anything from multi-skills to football, cricket, rugby and loads more. The four sessions last until 3.45pm, working with four different groups. Then at 4pm we begin the Academy sessions. These are specific training sessions catered for both the football and rugby league academies, working with Doncaster Rovers and the Dons respectively. We usually get 70 students and split the group into three, working on a range of practices including passing, possession, shooting and generally improving them as players. TUESDAY I spend all morning outside on the astroturf again with the students from 9.15am while 11.45am looking at a range of different sports. After dinner, I’m in the office planning and preparing for the academy games that take place on a Wednesday. I spend the afternoon creating team sheets, updating the noticeboards, making pitch bookings and arranging transport to away games to make sure game day runs as smooth as possible. I use this time to catch up on emails and admin too.
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WEDNESDAY These are Academy match days and everyone’s favourite day of the week! I start the day confirming all the details and make sure all the students are fit and ready to go for the afternoon, while handling any of the final details. 11am: I collect all the equipment and make sure the first aid bags are ready to follow each team wherever their fixture is that week. If my team are away, we have to set off early so I would then usher them onto the coach and drive to the game, if we are at home I continue the preparations and make sure all the squad is ready. 1pm: We have either just arrived to the away fixture or the lads are just finishing up in the changing room if it’s a home fixture and this is a good opportunity to sit them down and get them focused on the game ahead. We discuss tactics and a lot of the things they have learnt during the week and how they can apply them in the game. 1.15pm: Warm up and preparations for the game, making sure everyone is in the right frame of mind. 1.30pm: Kick off. 3pm: Hopefully by this point we have secured all three points and are ready to get back on the coach or back into the changing room with smiles all round!
I’ll then drive the bus back from the game and make sure that all the kit and equipment is still there. After work on a Wednesday, I drive to my own training in Buxton where I have responsibilities as the assistant manager. THURSDAY It is another morning of practical on a Thursday and for the first three lessons I’m out on the pitch delivering sports sessions to all the groups of students at the college. The mornings fly by and before I know it I’m back in the office after dinner going through the stats from yesterday’s game. I analyse all the stats from the game and put them into action by seeing what we need to work on in the coming week. I then start to plan next week’s game including the transport, the details and contacting the college who we will be playing against. At 4pm the academy squads are back in action for a bit of a recovery session and training session for anyone who didn’t play. At the beginning of the academic year, we also host regular open days for future students, so in the past few weeks Thursday nights have also been
a showcase of the fantastic work here at Club Doncaster Sports College. FRIDAY These are catch up days and the time that I can reflect on a busy week and prepare for the same thing on Monday. I’ll spend the morning kit washing and making sure that every shirt, short and sock is in the correct kit bag so that there are no dramas on next week’s game day. It’s quite a long process with four different squad teams! I love a treat on a Friday, so I normally get fish and chips at a lunchtime! Then it’s back to the hard work and I use this time to catch up on my emails and admin. There’s usually a long list to go through, so this takes me up to 5.00pm where I can clock off for the week. SATURDAY Unfortunately, I can’t get to the Keepmoat on a Saturday for matchday because I have my own duties with Buxton. I make sure that I keep an eye out on the score though!
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YOUTH TEAM FIXTURES YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE Sat Aug 5 Grimsby Town Sat Aug 12 Bradford City Sat Aug 26 Bury (YL Cup)
L 0-3 L1-2 L 0-4
Sat Sep 2 Sat Sep 9 Fri Sep 15 Sat Sep 23 Sat Sep 30
Scunthorpe Mansfield Town Scunthorpe Oldham Athletic Chesterfield
L1-2 D 0-0 D3-3 L 0-2 L 1-2
Sat Oct 7 Sat Oct 14 Sat Oct 28
Port Vale Hartlepool Notts County
D 1-1 W 2-1
Sat Nov 4 Sat Nov 11 Sat Nov 18
Cup group match 4 Rotherham United Lincoln City
CENTRAL LEAGUE Tues Sept 5 Bradford City L 1-2 Tues Sept 19 Rotherham L 0-4 Tues Oct 10 Walsall (CL Cup) W 4-0 *Wed Oct 18 Port Vale L 0-2 Tues Nov 7 Hartlepool 2pm Tues Nov 14 Port Vale (CL Cup) 1pm Tues Dec 12 Walsall 2pm Tues Jan 9 Morecambe 1pm Tues Jan 16 Bradford City 2pm Tues Jan 23 Port Vale 1pm Tues Jan 30 Mansfield Town 1pm Tues Feb 6 Rotherham 2pm Tues Feb 27 York City 1pm Tues Mar 20 Grimsby Town 2pm Tues Mar 27 Walsall 1pm Tues April 10 Morecambe 1pm
Sat Dec 2 Sat Dec 9 Sat Dec 16
Burton Albion Cup area quarter- finals York City
Bold denotes home fixture All Youth Alliance fixtures are 11am kick-off unless stated
Sat Jan 6 Sat Jan 13 Sat Jan 20 Sat Jan 27
Mansfield Town Cup area semi-finals Scunthorpe United Chesterfield
*Fixture rearranged from Wednesday October 4.
Sat Feb 3 Sat Feb 10 Sat Feb 24
Cup area final Oldham Athletic Notts County
Sat Mar 3 Sat Mar 17 Sat Mar 24
Hartlepool United Lincoln City Rotherham United
Sat Apr 7 Sat Apr 14 Sat Apr 21 Sat Apr 28
York City Burton Albion Grimsby Town Bradford City
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Words from the Academy manager
KIERAN SCARFF Our Academy programme is structured to provide an holistic view of player and personal development. We are greatly supported in this by De Tom Mitchell from Leeds Beckett University, who with support from masters students from the university, provide individual and collective support for players across the programme. In addition Tom has put together a series of workshops that include advice for parents in terms of guidance of how to effectively support their sons through their development.
our players, coaches and parents. In addition Tom is providing staff to advise and guide on nutrition in conjunction with James Walsh our Academy sports scientist. This level of guidance and support is vital and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for his valued support and James for his continued dedication to the holistic programme we are proud to provide Good luck to the gaffer, staff and players in today’s game
We believe this is vital as we acknowledge what an important part parents and families play in supporting us to maximise the opportunities for our players. Tom has built a model of psychological support that he will be working on with
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TEN YEARS AGO: DONCASTER ROVERS IN SEASON 2007-08. Part 8 The remainder of November 2007 would see two Cup and two League games for Rovers as they sought to press their promotion credentials and advance in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and FA Cup. As holders of the former, they travelled to Blundell Park to meet Grimsby Town in the northern section quarter-final. Rovers made seven changes, including rare starts for goalkeeper Ben Smith and defender Sam Hird.
loan, goalkeeper Smith joining Lincoln City and Hird going to Rovers’ conquerors, Grimsby Town. On Saturday November 17 2007 Rovers hosted Tranmere Rovers, showing two changes from the last League game at Gillingham, Sean McDaid and Heffernan replacing the injured Gareth Roberts and J. J. Price.
It was a bad tempered match of few chances against an unadventurous Tranmere side who became even more On a night featuring a fierce wind and at defensive when Tremarco was sent off times driving rain, Rovers fell behind to on 47 minutes for a bad tackle on Boshell after 13 minutes but were level Wellens. In the dying moments visiting on 25 through Lewis Guy. Two minutes goalkeeper Coyne denied James Hayter before half time Rovers were behind again from close range but that was as close as in farcical circumstances when Smith’s Rovers came. kick was caught by the wind. Worse news followed when Mills Matt Mills attempted to head the ball (pitcured) sustained a knee injury back but succeeded only in helping it past and returned to Manchester City for Smith. With eleven minutes remaining assessment on what transpired to Mark McCammon was fouled in the box be a torn cartilage. and Paul Heffernan scored the penalty to make it 2-2. Extra time brought no goals A week later, Rovers travelled to and so to penalties. Paul Green’s kick was struggling Port Vale, with Gordon Greer saved and Smith then saved Bolland’s taking the place of Mills in defence. effort but controversially referee Bates Rovers fell behind on 15 minutes when ordered it to be retaken. Pilkington took advantage of hesitant defending. Bolland duly scored and so Rovers were out 5-4. It was a disappointing way Things got worse when Heffernan was to give up the Trophy. forced off with an ankle injury after 34 minutes, with James Coppinger coming With Rovers out of the Trophy two of the on . On the hour mark, Coppinger younger players were allowed to go on combined with James O’Connor on the
26
right and the latter’s cross was headed in by Guy to make the score 1-1. Then after 68 minutes Hayter latched onto a clearance from Wellens and raced through to put Rovers ahead. Nine minutes from time it was 3-1, Wellens receiving a pass from Coppinger and slamming the ball past Anyon. Rovers returned to Yorkshire with three muchneeded points. November concluded with the replayed FA Cup game at home to Oldham Athletic, with the winners due to face Crewe Alexandra the following Saturday. Mark McCammon replaced the injured Heffernan while Martin Woods came in for Mark Wilson. Rovers played some good football and led on 26 minutes when McCammon swept home Guy’s cross, but they were pegged back on the stroke of half time by Kilkenny’s fierce strike from distance. Four minutes after the break they were behind, McDonald capitalising on O’Connor’s slip to shoot past Neil Sullivan. Despite their best efforts, and the late dismissal of Oldham’s Trotman, Rovers could not find an equaliser. Their involvement in knockout competitions was over and they would have to devote all their energies to their main aim: promotion from League One. John Coyle
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VISIT THE SHOP TODAY OR ONLINE. NOW STOCKING A RANGE OF SEASONAL CLOTHING INCLUDING COATS, FLEECES AND HOODIES. SHOP OPEN MON - SAT 10 AM - 4.25 PM MATCH DAYS 10 AM UNTIL KICK OFF AND 20 MINUTES AFTER THE MATCH. GET IN TOUCH VIA 01302764667 WWW.CLUBDONCASTERSHOP.COM
Hello everyone, Welcome to our game against Walsall and shame Swifty could not make it today. Congratulations to Dylan who won the GAME Community Cup on Tuesday evening. Thank you Alfie, Ross and Will for joining us in my kennel, they enjoy playing FIFA too! The FA Cup draw was made this week and we will travel away to Ebbsfleet who are in the National League. Let’s make lots of noise again today. Enjoy the game!
Donny DOg
Me and Erik with
Jake and Zack!
y Cup on
Dylan won the GAME Communit Tuesday night!
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30
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Today’s Mascots
Abigail Murray
DANIEL MURRAY
Age: 5 Hobbies: Riding my bike, playing with my toys & football Favourite Player: John Marquis
Age: 9 Hobbies: Playing football, cricket & other sports Favourite Player: James Coppinger
Happy Birthday Daniel Ackroyd Brad Boiston Shilah Chan Faye Chantry Ellis Clarke Sam Cole Joe Cope Kenzie Dillon Bethany Dixon Harvey Driver Liam Garcia Caiden Gargan Daniel Genders Bailey Guest Henri Hartley
Morgan Heeley Nancie Hickman Oliver Hird Finley Hooley-Rice Natalia Horsnall Levi Howard Dylan Lister Drew Lock Dorian Malek Oliver McGonigle Harry McEwan Deacon Mee Jaisahib Murwaha Georgia Palframan Harrison Roberts
Lost your friends or family? If you become separated just find your nearest steward – they are the people wearing the bright orange jacket – and they will help you find them!
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Jamie Sherratt Annabelle Smart Ewen Smith Abigael Stewart Joshua Thaxton Jack Tierney Luka Tomes Daniel Walton Donny’s Score Prediction Harry Watkin Carson Wileman Ruby Winterman
1-0
Erik’s Score Prediction
2-1
JAMES MULLEN
Age: 9 Favourite Player: James Coppinger
JACK EAGAN
Age: 11 Favourite Player: James Coppinger
Harleigh Jones
Age: 11 Favourite Player: Andy Williams
MADDISON SHARP (WALSALL M ASCOT)
Age: 5 Favourite Pl ayer: Jon Gu th
rie
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY Godfrey Worsdale
Love from all your family 33
OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF DONCASTER ROVERS Platinum+ Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
HSR Law Solicitors
Eric Twigg Foods
The Horse Bit Shop
John Mee Construction
8Point8
Bronze Partners Moirae Creative Agency Signum Facilities Management CopyPrint Bawtry Home Cinema
Doncaster Cables Fast Fit Car + Commercial Andrew Isaacs Solicitors Atherton Godfrey Solicitors
John Hill Associates Keid Consulting YESSS Electrical Bidfood CAST IFS Risk Solutions Nuffield Health
Dickies Workwear Frenchgate Fleet Cars Direct TaskMaster Jenkinson Electrical Engineering
l
Marshall Tyler MATCHBALL SPONSOR
MATCH SPONSOR
PROGRAMME SPONSOR
Good afternoon. Welcome to today’s fixture against Jon Whitney’s Saddlers.
addition to the access all areas stadium tour they will enjoy beforehand.
Today’s match sponsors are JP Walton. JP Walton and Son Transport Ltd is one South Yorkshire’s fastest growing independent transport companies. They provide a range of haulage, distribution and logistic services for a wide range of industries throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The company are dedicated to managing the ever changing nature of our customers business in order to ensure that they can provide flexible, reliable and cost-effective road transport services. They believe every job is important as the next so, no matter what the size of the client or the contract, every job is given first-class treatment.
Finally our full complement of sponsors at today’s game is made up by Match programme sponsor Amazon Flex.
The matchball sponsor is Marshall Tyler, who is celebrating his 13th birthday with us today in the Legends’ Club. He is joined by his family, who will proudly watch Marshall present today’s matchball to the referee just before kick off, in
Our matchball sponsors Stoneacre are pictured here with Andy Butler after the Portsmouth match
If you have a couple of hours spare and would like to earn some extra money, you can sign up as a delivery partner with Amazon Flex and make extra cash delivering parcels to our customers as an independent contractor, working when you want. All you need is an Android phone and your own vehicle – to sign up visit flex.amazon.co.uk. We hope our sponsors have a great day with us and look forward to entertaining them throughout the day. If you would like to sponsor a game or get involved commercially with Doncaster Rovers and Club Doncaster please contact us on commercial@clubdoncaster. co.uk or call 01302 764665 to speak to a member of the team.
Match sponsors ESC Global picked Andy Butler as their Man of The Match against Portsmouth
Smiffys were our matchday programme sponsors against Portsmouth. They are pictured with Ian Lawlor
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PLAYER SPONSORS
IAN LAWLOR
CRAIG ALCOCK
GOALKEEPER
DANNY ANDREW
DEFENDER
Sponsored by
DEFENDER
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
PETER AND NICK VUCKOVIC
Home
Home
In Memory of Tim Holl
01
Away
02
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Home
Home
Away
Away
05
DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch
06
Away
DRFC Supporters Club - North Branch
JOHN MARQUIS STRIKER
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Home
Home
Home
Away
Away
08
11
Home
Away
12
LIAM MANDEVILLE STRIKER
MARKO MAROSI GOALKEEPER
DEFENDER
Sponsored by
Home
Home
Home
DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch
Dr Erskine
Irene Holt
Away
14
Steven Bell True Potential Wealth Management
Away
JOE WRIGHT
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Away
Sponsored by
Home
DRFC Supporters Club - Main Branch
Sam Parry Training Alfie Moss
MIDFIELDER
Tiberius Batchelor and Rossington Hall
Retford Supporters Club
Away
BEN WHITEMAN
Sponsored by
Home
South Kirkby Post Office
09
STRIKER
Sponsored by
Away
The Farrell Family
Michael King
ANDY WILLIAMS
MIDFIELDER
13
Home
Sponsored by
TOMMY ROWE
2
Sponsored by
MIDFIELDER
MIDFIELDER
10
DEFENDER
NIALL MASON
RODNEY KONGOLO
Away ANDREW BUTLER
Sewa Singh
April Thomas
07
03
Away
DEFENDER
MIDFIELDER
04
Retford Supporters Club
MATHIEU BAUDRY
LUKE McCULLOUGH
Jackie Farrell
Home
South Kirkby Post Office
15
Away
MATTY BLAIR
JORDAN HOUGHTON
HARRY TOFFOLO
MIDFIELDER
MIDFIELDER
DEFENDER
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Kent Blues
Home
Home
16
17
Away
STRIKER
Sponsored by Johnson Environmental Consultants
Home
Home
Richard Royston
20
ALFIE BEESTIN
Home
Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield
Away
21
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Daniel Calow
The Wheatsheaf, Cirencester
Home
22
Donny Gnome On Tour - Paul Mayfield
Away
23
ISSAM BEN KHEMIS MIDFIELDER
Home
Home
Away
Away
South Kirby Post Office
Max Pearson
26
REECE FIELDING
Goodnight Sleeptight Beds
TYLER WALKER
DEFENDER
DEFENDER
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Home
Home
Home
Keith McGlone
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Away
MIDFIELDER
MIDFIELDER
Sponsored by
In Memory of Carl AKA Choco
JAMES COPPINGER
ALEX KIWOMYA
MIDFIELDER
Away
WILL LONGBOTTOM
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Jackie Farrell
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DEFENDER
STRIKER
Away
Away
Home
TYLER GARRATT
ALFIE MAY
19
In Memory of Jill McGarry from Paul and Dan
Away
LOUIS JONES GOALKEEPER
Sponsored by
Pegler Yorkshire
29
Away
DARREN FERGUSON MANAGER
32
Away
DONNY DOG MASCOT
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Home
Home
Away
Away
Stadium Stars Day Nursery
Home
33
Away
3
NEWS
Club captain Andy Butler was in attendance at the 2017 Doncaster Free Press Superkids Awards to present a signed Doncaster Rovers shirt to Liam Morrison. Liam who has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia won the award for ‘Fearless Bravery’ at the ceremony and was surprised with the signed shirt on stage from one of his Rovers heroes. Butler said: “I was delighted to present Liam with the signed shirt on the night,
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for me his smile made the night and I hope that he enjoys the present. “He told me he is a season membership holder in the Black Bank and I have told him that I will come and visit him after one of the home games to say hello. “Liam is no doubt a worthy winner of the ‘Fearless Bravery’ award, as his will and determination to overcome his illness is plain for everyone to see, he has the support of the whole football club and we wish him all the best.”
What a beautiful finish
15
%
off
all tiles & flooring Ends 31st October
Including existing offers 39
15% off all tiles and flooring ranges in addition to all existing offers. Offer available in store and online from 19th October 2017 - 31st October 2017. 15% off discount applied at till or checkout. Cannot be used in conjunction with TradePro discounts or Opening Weekend Offers.
LOTTERY RESULTS - WK 42 All Rovers Alliance members are automatically entered into the weekly lottery, this week the following members have won prizes through their Rovers Alliance numbers. Rovers Alliance Lottery winners 9647 Terry Williams £500 9157 John Turner Angel Inn meal
Four £25 Winners 1837 W Mounsey 0090 P Barron 8152 I Williams 1462 B Heath
Edenthorpe Conisbrough Kirk Sandall Cantley
Sponsored prize winners 7921 D Davidson Canal Tavern meal 1438 E Scott Corner Pin meal 8798 A Hardy Hatfields meal The Rovers Alliance costs just £2.25 per 5030 Mr Hornsby Trades & week and comes packed with numerous Labour Club meal benefits, not only do members get entry 5003 D Vernon Eagle & Child meal into the weekly lottery draw but they 8841 M Sowerby Ship Inn meal are also entered into the annual Super 8354 L Womack Med @ The Market Jackpot Draw (with a guaranteed prize of meal £10,000) and numerous draws for money 8157 J Turner Angel Inn meal can’t buy prizes. Other fantastic benefits 8146 A Binns Grove Inn meal include 5% discount on season tickets 1583 V Talbot Coleman’s Pizzeria & and 10% off all corporate hospitality Steak House meal packages. 2185 D Ardron Woodfield Farm meal 1398 B Friend Blacksmith’s Arm For more information about the benefits meal of joining Rovers Alliance, please e-mail 0377 G Box Vintage Bar meal reception@clubdoncaster.co.uk 1004 I Lord two match tickets Several other Rovers fans were also winners through their £1 lottery membership, the full list of winners is as follows: Winning number: 9647 T Williams, Armthorpe, wins £500 Next week’s top prize £500 Two £50 Winners 0228 E Brown 7041 J Allen
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Wheatley Hills Belle Vue
The EFL logo is the UK registered trade mark of The Football League Limited trading as the EFL/ English Football League. Also contains EFL copyright material. All rights reserved. The Carabao name and logo are registered trade marks of Carabao Tawandang Co Ltd. All rights reserved.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
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Since 2000, the Football Foundation has been transforming grassroots facilities across the country thanks to the generous investment provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England.
39,160 If every changing room the Football Foundation ever funded was combined, 39,160 players would be able to change simultaneously!
If every all-weather and natural grass pitch the Football Foundation funded was laid back-toback, it would stretch from London’s BIG BEN TO CALAIS!
x351
If every goalpost the Football Foundation funded were stacked on top of each other, it would create a structure equivalent to the height of 351 WEMBLEY STADIUMS!
x6 All of the Football Foundation funded natural grass pitches equate to an area that is SIX TIMES THE SIZE OF MONACO!
The total area of every all-weather pitch the Football Foundation has funded is equivalent to NEW YORK’S CENTRAL PARK!
www.footballfoundation.org.uk Charity No: 1079309 Company No: 3876305
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SUPPORTERS Official Supporters Club A good evening and a big welcome to the Keepmoat Stadium to Walsall It’s going to be strange not seeing Jimmy O’Connor playing for the Saddlers, he has been released and now plying his trade at Kidderminster Harriers. I do hope their fans have had a good and safe trip to be with us today. Our next away game is at Bury on Saturday October 28, bus fares and times are listed in the programme for the season, you can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches and automatically get your reduced travel on the day. Prior notice fpr the game v Bristol Rovers on December 23, we are hoping to stop of at Cirencester on the way down so the bus times will change. Please book early if you intend to travel, and let us know if you need cancel your seats, When parking at the Keepmoat Stadium for away games, only use car park 2 unless notified by the club or Paul, as the other car parks are now monitered and we don’t want anyone ending up with a parking fine. Our North Branch run coaches to most away games from Carcroft, Adwick, and points along the A19 , a good active branch, it makes it much easier to travel if you live that way on call 07780316923 for more information.
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We also run coaches for certain games from the Sprotborough area, and the travel club have pick ups in the Hatfield area. Don’t forget we do run a bus to all home games from Retford to the Keepmoat Stadium, stopping at Harworth, Rossington and along the main route down Bawtry Road so put your hand up to stop us – fares are very reasonable too. You can join the Supporters Club on the away coaches or at the Supporters Club shop which is situated in the Club Doncaster Academy before home matches. You can also book on the coaches there or call Paul on 07961727769, or you can download a form at doncasterroverssupportersclub.com. Christmas draw tickets will be on sale soon, we could do with people to help sell draw tickets for us in different parts of ground, and any donations of raffle prizes will be gratefully accepted. If you need any old programmes from any Rover’s games, the Supporters Club shop has a vast variety stretching over the past 40 years. Enjoy the game. Rovers till we die Paul Mayfield
Viking Supporters Co-Operative Football is the national game, and football supporters are the lifeblood of the game. While many privately owned football clubs are well run, ours included, there are numerous examples over the years where this model of ownership has failed the supporters of that club, and has led to a number of clubs becoming either partly or fully owned by those supporters. Recently 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.
discuss a very broad range of topics. It is early days for this new Board, but so far the signs are very encouraging in that nothing has been held back and the trust between club and supporters is evident. As the meetings progress we hope to be able to announce the progress that has been made. Suffice to say that DRFC have not only met the new requirements but have exceeded them in both frequency and content, and that is something we can once again be proud of. IRWT Martin O’Hara
The detailed recommendations from the EWG led to the government instructing the Football League and the Premier League to enter into structured dialogue with those supporters, and especially with the supporters trust at that club. The EFL issued a new league rule informing clubs of the minimum requirement for meeting with supporters and the kind of topics that should be included. That new rule came into force for the 2016/17 season. 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 initiated a Supporters Board which meets on a monthly basis during the season to
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AWAY TRAVEL
Rovers’ next away league game sees them travel to Bury in Sky Bet League One on Saturday October 28. Ground: Energy Check Stadium Capacity: 11,840 (all seated) Phone: 0161 7644881 Postcode: BL9 9HR Travelling by car: Take the exit at Junction 2 of the M66, heading towards A58 Bury/Heywood. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto the A58 Rochdale Road, then turn left onto B6219 Heywood Street, going over the first roundabout, then taking
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the second exit at the next two roundabouts. Carry straight on and the ground is on the left. There is street parking around the ground, but in the roads immediately next to it there is a residents permit scheme which applies on matchdays. Travelling by train: To get to the Energy Check Stadium, you should use the Metrolink Tram Line C from Manchester Piccadilly, changing at Bury to Bury Interchange. From there you take Line D to the Gigg Lane stop which is a twominute walk from the ground.
DATE
OPPONENT
RET
HAW 4.35PM
4.45PM
BAWTRY
ROSS 4.45PM
4.50PM
MILL/C
DRI 5.00PM
5.05PM
WATER/D
KEEP 5.15PM
8.45AM
8.45AM
8.50AM
9.00AM 9.05AM
9.15AM
£15.00 £22.00
CON
Wigan Athletic
Oxford United
Bristol Rovers
21/11/17
09/12/17
23/12/17
4.30PM
3.35PM 3.45PM
8.15AM
28/04/18
MK Dons
£23.00
Gillingham
9.05AM 9.15 AM
14/04/18
8.50AM 9.00 AM
8.40 AM 8.50 AM 8.55AM
9.00 AM
1.00PM
6.00PM
Home Bus Sat
Home Bus Night
6.20PM
1.20PM -
6.30PM
1.30PM
6.35PM
1.35PM
-
-
-
-
Oldham Athletic 11.15 AM 11.20AM 11.30AM 11.30AM 11.35AM 11.45AM 11.50AM
6.45PM
1.45PM
NOON
10.00 AM 10.05 AM 10.15 AM 10.15 AM 10.20 AM 10.30 AM 10.35AM 10.45 AM
8.15 AM 8.25 AM 8.35 AM 8.35 AM
£15.00
£15.00
£22.00
9.45 AM 9:50 AM 10.00AM 10.00 AM 10.05 AM 10.15 AM 10.25AM 10.30 AM £15.00
8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM
07/04/18
£18.00
£26.00
Blackpool
4.15 PM
30/03/18
4.05PM
7.50 AM 8.00 AM 8.05AM
3.45 PM 3.50PM 4.00PM
Southend United
3.30PM 3.35 PM 3.45 PM
7.30 AM 7.35 AM 7.45 AM 7.45 AM
9.45 AM 9.50 AM 10.10 AM 10.10AM 10.15AM 10.20 AM 10.25AM 10.30 AM £16.00
12.50PM 13.00 PM £11.00
£15.00
Rotherham United 12.15 PM 12.25PM 12.35PM 12.35 PM 12.40 PM 12.45PM 12.50PM 13.00 PM £11.00
Walsall
13/02/18
£16.00 £20.00
9.15 AM £23.00
9.45 AM
3.50PM 4.00 PM 9.35AM
10/03/18
Portsmouth
03/02/18
£15.00
24/02/18
Scunthorpe Utd
Shrewsbury Town
06/01/18
20/01/18
£13.00
9.50 AM 10.00 AM 10.05AM 10.15AM £16.00
9.05 AM 9.15 AM 9.15 AM 9.20 AM 9.30 AM
3.20 PM 3.30 PM 3.30 PM
NOON
£29.00
9.15 AM £22.00
11.20AM 11.30AM
9.05AM
8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM 8.50 AM 9.00 AM 9.05AM
9.00AM
3.15PM
9.30 AM 9.35 AM 9.45 AM 9.45 AM
10.45 AM 11.05AM 11.00AM 11.00AM 11.10AM 11.15AM
8.30 AM 8.35 AM 8.45 AM 8.45 AM 8.50 AM 9.00 AM
11.15 AM 11.30 AM 11.20 AM 11.30 AM 11.35 AM 1 1.45 AM 11.50AM
7.15 AM
4.35PM 4.45 PM
12.15 PM 12.25PM 12.35PM 12.35 PM 12.40 PM 12.45PM
Fleetwood Town
18/11/17
4.20PM
10.45 AM 10.50AM 11.00AM 11.00AM 11.10AM 11.15AM 11.20AM 11.30AM
Bury
28/10/17
4.15 PM
6.30AM 6.40 AM 6.45 AM 6.45 AM 6.55 AM 7.00 AM 7.05AM
4.00PM 4.05 PM 4.15 PM
01/01/18 Peterborough Utd
Bradford City
Charlton Athletic
30/09/17
14/10/17
Rochdale
Plymouth Argyle
12/09/17
23/09/17
£18.00
ADULT
£20.00 £17.00
£17.00
£24.00
£17.00
£25.00
£12.00
£20.00
£28.00
£18.00
£12.00
£17.00
£25.00
£22.00
£18.00
£18.00
£17.00
£24.00
£15.00
£31.00
£14.00 £17.00
£14.00
£20.00
£14.00
£21.00
£10.00
£16.00
£24.00
£15.00
£10.00
£14.00
£21.00
£18.00
£15.00
£15.00
£14.00
£20.00
£12.00
£27.00
£14.00
£18.00
£24.00
£16.00
£16.00
£22.00
£16.00
£24.00
£13.00
£18.00
£26.00
£17.00
£13.00
£18.00
£23.00
£20.00
£17.00
£17.00
£16.00
£22.00
£14.00
£29.00
£16.00
£17.00
£22.00
£16.00
£17.00
CON
NON-MEMBERS
£14.00 £17.00
£15.00
£15.00
8.30AM 8.35AM
£16.00
ADULT
£12.00 £15.00
AFC Wimbledon
Blackburn Rovers 10.20 AM 10.25AM 10.30AM 10.30AM 10.40AM 10.45AM 10.50AM 11.00AM
4.30PM
09/09/17 Northampton Town 10.15 AM 10.20AM 10.30AM 10.30AM 10.35AM 10.45AM 10.50AM 11.00AM
26/08/17
12/08/17
08/08/17 Brad City EFL Cup
MEMBERS
SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTURE TIMES
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MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
Doncaster Rovers offer matchday experiences open to local sports clubs and children’s groups to experience life behind the scenes on a match day. For just £250, the package incudes: ∙ 10 x junior and 2 x adult tickets ∙ stadium tour, inc. changing rooms ∙ training session ∙ photo and write up in the programme plus five complimentary copies ∙ pre-match activity such as flag bearers or high five line up ∙ half-time activity such as penalties v Donny Dog or play on the pitch. ∙ discounted adult tickets available as part of package We also offer mascot and escort a player
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packages for children aged 5-13. Here, you can meet the players pre match in the changing rooms, experience a VIP mini stadium tour, have your picture in the programme and walk out with a first team Rovers player! Prices start at £30 per child. So whether you are celebrating a birthday, a recent team success or would just like a great value day out with lots of fun, contact Nicola on 01302 764665 or email nicola.moran@clubdoncaster.co.uk.
Full Time
Proud partner of Blue C100 M89 Y0 K0) Red C3 M100 Y70 K12)
OFFICIAL PARTNER
49 *IRI data MAT 26.03.16
ACTION REPLAY - ROVERS 2 PORTSMOUTH 1
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CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION
To celebrate World Mental Health Day, members of the PFG group based in Doncaster have came together to #WalkForWellness. The 10-mile trek across the Doncaster Borough stopped off at different locations, including the Keepmoat Stadium, where refreshments were provided by Club Doncaster Foundation, who also handed out complimentary Doncaster Rovers match tickets to those taking part in the walk. Club Doncaster Foundation’s health and wellbeing co-ordinator, Scott Copeland sai: “We’re proud to be supporting World Mental Health Day and it really was a great way to do so. It was great to see so
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many people getting behind the walk for wellness: the support we received on the walk was fantastic. “We’d like to thank Doncaster Rovers for providing the complimentary match tickets and hope that everyone enjoyed the game against Portsmouth; it will have been a great day out following such a worthy occasion.” World Mental Health Day is celebrated nationally and to raise awareness further, the group wore fancy dress while documenting their day across social media. For more information about Club Doncaster Foundation, contact the team on 01302 764663.
Club Doncaster Foundation hosted the PL Primary Stars year 3 and 4 tournament in partnership with School Games last week.
when it comes to an event like this, so we’re proud of the team for doing such a great job, and hopefully the kids enjoyed it as much as we did!”
Twenty boys teams and 10 girls teams from across the Doncaster Borough travelled to the Keepmoat Stadium to compete in the tournament with the winners progressing through to the area finals.
The PL Primary Stars Programme encourages children to try their hand at a range of subjects and activities: everything from english and maths to teamwork and sport.
Club Doncaster Foundation schools co-ordinator Kelly Jackson said: “It was amazing to see so many children engaged through this tournament: more than 300 participants is a fantastic achievement and it’s great to see a mix of both boys and girls having fun. There’s always so much planning
Delivered at Club Doncaster Foundation as part of the schools programme, the team work in a range of schools across the region providing a range of excellent sessions throughout the school year. For more information, contact the team on 01302 764663.
K I N D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y F I R S T
CLUB DONCASTER FOUNDATION PROUD PARTNERS
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CLUB DONCASTER Doncaster Rugby League have strengthened their squad with seven signings ahead of the 2018 Kingstone Press League One campaign.
the Robins an undisclosed fee for Harris’ services, after fighting off competition from a number of clubs for his signature.
Halifax prop forward Ryan Boyle and Hull KR half-back Liam Harris have both penned two-year contracts with the club, while utility back Connor Bower has agreed a one-year-deal after leaving Hull FC.
Bower can play all across the back line and is the fifth Hull FC man to join the Dons for the 2018 season after the club also agreed four season-longloan deals with their dual-registration partners.
30-year-old Boyle will add some much needed experience to the Dons pack after the departures of Feka Paleaaesina and Jamie Thackray, and the front-rower is no stranger to challenging at the top after a spell in Super League with Castleford.
Jez Litten and Jordan Lane, who played for the Dons in Toronto last season, will spend the full season at the Keepmoat Stadium, along with prop forward Ross Osborne and winger Jack Sanderson.
Boyle said: “The move made sense for me after leaving Halifax, I’m going to be working in and around the Doncaster area so it suits all parties really.
Dons chief executive Carl Hall said: “All of the signings we have made will improve us in key positions for next season, we wanted quality over quantity and I believe we have got that.”
“I said to my agent that if we could get the deal done then this was the place I wanted to be, I had some really good conversations with Richard Horne and Carl Hall.” Liam Harris will be no stranger to Dons fans having scored a sensational 90 metre try for York City Knights against them in last season’s Kingstone Press League One Super 8s. The Hull born 20-year-old came through the ranks at KCOM Craven Park and made his first team debut in the Championship against Sheffield Eagles last season. The Dons have paid
54
Richard Horne said: “The additions of Ryan Boyle and Liam Harris will significantly improve the strength we have in certain areas, we feel that we have brought in some real quality there. “The lads coming from Hull FC will stay with us for the whole of 2018, which will enable them to develop and for us to get the best out of them.” News of the signings comes as the Dons reveal a season ticket price structure which will see fans getting to watch the whole campaign for just £30 if more than 1,000 are sold.
DONCASTER ROVERS BELLES Belles development team manager Zoey Shaw praised her side as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win way at Durham. Monique Watson tucked away a oneon-one with the goalkeeper to move the Belles up to second in the FA Northern Development League. The win came off the back of two solid draws against Sheffield FC and Everton and Shaw is happy with the progress her side are making after turning the draws into a win. Shaw said: “We showed a great deal of togetherness, we made three changes and they all came on and changed the game for us. We created a lot of opportunities, but the Durham goalkeeper
was outstanding. We’re happy to come back with the three points.” With the development sides changing year in, year out, Shaw’s job becomes much more difficult when analysing footage of their opposition. Shaw was very complimentary of Durham, who proved a difficult obstacle for the Belles to overcome. She said: “Durham were a young and very strong side. They demanded a lot from us physically. They pressed us very high from the start of the game, which we found difficult to deal with. “I thought we were slow to get out the blocks, but once the game settled down we were able to adapt to the small pitch.”
55
FIXTURES / RESULTS Date
Opp
K/O
Comp
Score Att
Away
Pos
AUGUST Sat 05 Tue 08 Sat 12 Sat 19 Tue 22 Sat 26 Tues 29
Gillingham Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Hull City AFC Wimbledon Grimsby Town
3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7:45PM 3.00PM 7.45PM
EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 CT
0-0 D 2-3 W 1-3 W 3-3 D 2-0 W 2-0 L 1-1 D
7,512 3,175 12,223 7,558 7,139 4,144 862
568 388
13 6 8 12 -
Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi Lawlor Marosi
Mason Mason Mason Mason Alcock Mason Alcock
Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew Garratt
Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright
Butler Garratt Butler Butler Blair Butler Butler
Blair Garratt Blair Blair Ben Khemis Blair Ben Khemis
SEPTEMBER Sat 02 Peterborough United Sat 09 Northampton Town Tue 12 Rochdale Sun 17 Scunthorpe United Wed 20 Arsenal Sat 23 Plymouth Argyle Tue 26 Shrewsbury Town Sat 30 Bradford City
3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 7:45PM 3:00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFLC EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
0-0 D 1-0 L 2-1 L 0-1 L 0-1 L 3-0 W 1-2 L 2-0 L
8,877 5,843 2,371 9,227 44,064 8,510 7,194 20,430
1,696 736
899
8 16 16 19 17 18 19
Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor Marosi
Mason Garratt Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason
Garratt Butler Garratt Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler
Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright Wright
Butler Toffolo Butler Blair Blair Blair Blair Toffolo
Blair Blair Ben Khemis Kongolo Houghton Houghton Houghton Houghton
OCTOBER Tue 03 Sunderland U21 Sat 07 Southend United Sat 14 Charlton Athletic Tue 17 Portsmouth Sat 21 Walsall Sat 28 Bury Tue 31 Scunthorpe United
7.30PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7:30PM
CT EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 CT
1-0 W 4-1 W 0-1 L 2-1 W
1,520 7,369 10,917 7,211
93 478 753 620
17 18 17
Marosi Lawlor Lawlor Lawlor
Mason Mason Mason Baudry
Alcock Butler Butler Butler
Fielding Wright Wright Wright
Garratt Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo
Walker Houghton Houghton Houghton
NOVEMBER Sat 11 Rotherham United Sat 18 Fleetwood Town Tue 21 Wigan Athletic Sat 25 MK Dons
12.30PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
DECEMBER Sat 09 Oxford United Sat 16 Oldham Athletic Sat 23 Bristol Rovers Tue 26 Northampton Town Fri 29 Rochdale
3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45pm
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
JANUARY Mon 01 Peterborough United Sat 06 Scunthorpe United Sat 13 Plymouth Argyle Sat 20 Shrewsbury Town Sat 27 Bristol Rovers
3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
FEBRUARY Sat 03 Portsmouth Sat 10 Charlton Athletic Tue 13 Walsall Sat 17 Fleetwood Town Sat 24 Rotherham United
3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
MARCH Sat 03 Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24 Fri 30
Bury Southend United Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool
3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
APRIL Mon 02 Sat 07 Sat 14 Sat 21 Sat 28
AFC Wimbledon Gillingham MK Dons Oxford United Oldham Athletic
3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM
EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1 EFL1
Wigan Athletic
5.30PM
EFL1
MAY Sat 05
2 56
432 2,179 561 319
4,836 241
1st Sub
2nd Sub
Longbottom Fletcher May1 May1 Mandeville Mandeville Scattergood
3rd Sub
Whiteman Whiteman1 Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Middleton
Coppinger Kongolo1 Coppinger1 Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Kongolo
Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe1 Rowe Beestin
Mandeville May1 Mandeville Mandeville May1 May Mandeville
Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis1 Marquis Marquis Williams1
Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Lawlor Marosi Ogley
Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Butler Alcock Mason
Garratt Fielding Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Prior
Kongolo Prior Ben Khemis Ben Khemis Mason Ben Khemis Townrow
Beestin Beestin Kongolo Kongolo Beestin Kongolo Fletcher
May Longbottom Williams Williams Williams Williams Longbottom
Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman Kongolo Whiteman
Coppinger Kongolo Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Coppinger Kongolo
Rowe Rowe Houghton Rowe Rowe Rowe Rowe1 Rowe
May Mandeville Williams Williams Kongolo May May May
Marquis Marquis Marquis1 Marquis May Marquis Marquis Marquis
Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Marosi Jones
Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock Alcock
Toffolo Mason Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Toffolo Garratt
Ben Khemis Coppinger Blair Garratt Garratt Garratt Garratt Coppinger
Houghton Mandeville Houghton May Kongolo May Ben Khemis May Marquis Mandeville Kongolo Mandeville Whiteman Mandeville Ben Khemis Mandeville
Williams Williams Mandeville Mandeville Williams Williams Williams Williams
Toffolo Whiteman3 Whiteman Whiteman
Ben Khemis1 Coppinger Coppinger Blair
Fletcher Rowe Rowe Rowe
Williams May May Kongolo
Mandeville Marquis1 Marquis Mandeville1
Jones Jones Marosi Marosi
Townrow Alcock Alcock Alcock
James Blair Blair Mason
Prior Garratt Garratt Garratt
Morris Ben Khemis Fletcher Ben KhemisKongolo Ben Khemis Fletcher
Mandeville Mandeville Beestin
3 57
Appearances & Goals As of 17/10/2017
EFL FA Cup
Carabao Cup
Career totals 2017/18
Rovers total
App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Gls App Sub Gls
ALCOCK, Craig 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 2 0 55 8 0 ANDREW, Danny 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 BAUDRY, Mathieu 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 30 6 5 BEESTIN, Alfie 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 6 5 1 BEN KHEMIS, Issam 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 4 0 1 BLAIR, Matty 10 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 3 0 60 3 3 BUTLER, Andy 14 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 17 0 1 147 1 11 COPPINGER, James 11 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 12 2 1 483 63 61 FIELDING, Reece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 FLETCHER, Jacob 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 GARRATT, Tyler 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 6 3 0 11 5 0 HOUGHTON, Jordan 7 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 2 0 42 4 1 JAMES, Morgan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 JONES, Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KIWOMYA, Alex 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KONGOLO, Rodney 5 7 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 9 7 1 9 7 1 LAWLOR, Ian 13 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 15 0 0 34 0 0 LONGBOTTOM, Will 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 1 MANDEVILLLE, Liam 5 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 7 1 23 31 12 MAROSI, Marko 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 1 0 35 5 0 MARQUIS, John 13 0 5 0 0 0 2 1 0 15 1 5 63 1 31 MASON, Niall 12 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 15 3 0 56 4 0 MAY, Alfie 7 6 3 0 0 0 3 0 2 10 6 5 19 13 8 McCULLOUGH, Luke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 6 1 MIDDLETON, Harry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 45 34 0 MORRIS, James 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 OGLEY, Declan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PRIOR, Cody 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 ROWE, Tommy 13 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 1 16 0 2 72 1 18 SCATTERGOOD, Lewis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOFFOLO, Harry 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 5 2 0 TOWNROW, Keegan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WALKER, Tyler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 WHITEMAN, Ben 13 1 3 0 0 0 3 0 1 16 1 4 16 1 4 WILLIAMS, Andy 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 3 1 79 21 29 WRIGHT, Joe 14 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 18 0 0 41 4 0
58
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REFEREE Kevin JOHNSON ASSISTANT REFEREES
MANAGER Darren FERGUSON
MANAGER Jon WHITNEY
DONCASTER ROVERS 01 Ian LAWLOR (GK) 02 Craig ALCOCK 03 Danny ANDREW 04 Luke McCULLOUGH 05 Mathieu BAUDRY 06 Andy BUTLER 07 Rodney KONGOLO 08 Niall MASON 09 John MARQUIS 10 Tommy ROWE 11 Andy WILLIAMS 12 Ben WHITEMAN 13 Marko MAROSI (GK) 14 Liam MANDEVILLE 15 Joe WRIGHT 16 Jordan HOUGHTON 17 Matty BLAIR 17 Harry TOFFOLO 19 Alfie MAY 20 Tyler GARRATT 21 Will LONGBOTTOM 22 Alfie BEESTIN 23 Alex KIWOMYA 25 Mitchell LUND 26 James COPPINGER 27 Issam BEN KHEMIS 29 Reece FIELDING 30 Jacob FLETCHER 31 Tyler WALKER 32 Cody PRIOR
WALSALL 01 Mark GILLESPIE (GK) 02 Joe EDWARDS 03 Luke LEAHY 05 JonGUTHRIE 06 NickyDEVLIN 07 Adam CHAMBERS 08 Florent CUVELIER 9 SimeonJACKSON 10 Erhun OZTUMER 11 Kieron MORRIS 13 Liam ROBERTS (GK) 14 James WILSON 15 Liam KINSELLA 17 Reece FLANAGAN 18 Tyler ROBERTS 19 Zeli ISMAIL 20 Amadou BAKAYOKO 21 Milan BUTTERFIELD 22 Jordon SANGHA 23 Shaun DONNELLAN 24 Kory ROBERTS 25 Maz KOUHYAR 26 Rory OLIVER 27 Callum COCKERILL-MOLLETT 29 Will SHORROCK 30 Cameron PETERS 31 Sam TONKS 32 Daniel AGYEI 34 Dan VANN 35 Tobias HAYLES-DOCHERTY
Graeme FYVIE Declan FORD FOURTH OFFICIAL Ian SMEDLEY 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 Doncaster Rovers Football Club is determined to treat with equal consideration all supporters, regardlessof 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 Football League) 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. 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 stavdium and prosecution. Anybody who appears to be under the age of 21 will be asked for ID. We appreciate supporters’ co-operation.
Marshall Tyler MATCH SPONSOR
Next Up
Bury (A) Sky Bet League One The Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane Saturday October 28 2017 // kick-off 3pm
PROGRAMME SPONSOR
Scunthorpe United (H) Sky Bet League One The Keepmoat Stadium Tuesday October 31 2017 // kick-off 7:30pm