Stevenage FC v Doncaster Rovers FC

BORO

v DONCASTER ROVERS FC

Tuesday, April 18 2023

Kick-Off: 7.45pm

ONLINE DISCOUNT FOR ADVANCE

MATCH TICKETS CLICK HERE

THE MANAGER STEVE EVANS

All photos by Jim Steele unless otherwise stated

“They’re all heroes. They’re all generals. They’re all fighters”

CEO MIKE PINK

Good evening and welcome to the players, officials and travelling supporters of Doncaster Rovers and all our homes fans for tonight’s fixture at The Lamex Stadium. We’re now at the business end of the season, and it’s great to see us still in contention for an automatic spot with just five games to go. It will be an exciting run-in with a few twists and turns, but I’m sure, like me, you’ll keep everything crossed that we are there at the end come early May.

As mentioned in my previous notes, our ticket sales this season have been fantastic. Attendances are up considerably at home, we’re taking more fans to away games, and we keep growing off the field, which is great news and bodes well for the future.

The Club needs to find ways to expand our commercial revenue to support the costs of running the business. The development of our sponsorships, partnerships, hospitality sales, advertising, ticketing, and merchandising will continue to be a priority for us in the future, going into the 23/24 season.

I also wanted to mention our excellent conference and banqueting facilities with The 76 Lounge and The Broadhall Suite. Not only do they provide a great environment on match days, but they are also being used regularly for parties, conferences, dinners, wakes etc., so if you have an event coming up and are looking for a venue, please email jenniec@stevenagefc.com or call 01438

218074

The support at home games has been top drawer and galvanised the team over the season.

Our Manager Steve Evans paid tribute

to the noise and how the players were lifted at the AFC Wimbledon game last Saturday, which shows how much of a difference you can make

Please continue to focus all your energies on the team. There have been a few occasions recently where a tiny minority of individuals’ behaviour has fallen below expectations. The Club are keen to ensure The Lamex Stadium remains a safe environment for all and that anti-social behaviour will not be accepted. Our last home game of the season will see us play Grimsby Town. Tickets are already on sale and moving quickly, so don’t miss out and join us for a bumper crowd at The Lamex for our final home match.

Thank you again for all your support, and I hope you enjoy tonight’s game, Up the Boro!

“We’re now at the business end of the season, and it’s great to see us still in contention for an automatic spot”

AHEAD OF THE GAME

MATCHDAY TIMINGS

CLUB SHOP: Midday – 7.45pm

TICKET OFFICE: 5pm – 8pm (Pay on the day)

THE BROADHALL SUITE: 5.30pm – KickOff (Home & Away supporters)

THE 76 LOUNGE: 5.30pm – Kick-Off (Home & Away supporters)

Half-Time (North Stand Ticket Holders)

TURNSTILES: 6.30pm

TICKETS & TRAVEL:

MANSFIELD TOWN

Steve Evans’ men make the 236-mile round trip to The One Call Stadium to take on Nigel Clough’s Stags on Saturday 22nd April.

Tickets are available online at  www.borotickets.co.uk , from the Stevenage FC Club Shop and from The One Call Stadium away end ticket booth on the day of the game.

The Stevenage FC Supporters Association coach will be departing The Lamex Stadium at 11am on the day of the game, with tickets costing £20 for SA members and £25 for non-members. To book a seat, visit www.sfcsa.co.uk/ home/travel

TICKET INFO

GET TICKETS NOW FOR BORO VS DONCASTER ROVERS ON TUESDAY NIGHT

East West North South (Away)

Adult OIA £18 £22 £22 £22

Adult MIP £20 £24 £24 £24

Conc OIA £15 £20 £20 £20

Conc MIP £17 £22 £22 £22

U18 OIA £10 £14 £14 £14

U18 MIP £12 £16 £16 £16

U12 OAI £5 £8 £8 £8

U12 MIP £5 £10 £10 £10

Key: OIA = ‘Online/In-Advance’. MIP = ‘Matchday/In-Person’. For Age Category information, click here

VACANCY: HEAD OF COMMERCIAL

Stevenage Football Club is seeking to recruit a new Head of Commercial at The Lamex Stadium.

To view the full Job Description, click here.

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and Cover Letter to info@ stevenagefc.com . The deadline for applications is Thursday 20th April 2023.

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2022/2023 STAT PACK

Stevenage are looking to complete their first ever Football League double over Doncaster, having won 1-0 away from home earlier this season.

MATCH 58 1

& TOTAL CARDS STEVENAGE DONCASTER ROVERS � GOALS

Doncaster have won both of their away EFL visits to Stevenage, although this is their first since a 4-3 win back in December 2016.

54 41 � SHOTS

� EXPECTED GOALS

579 417

47.3 49.8

58.8 39.2 � AVERAGE POSSESSION %

� GOALS CONCEDED

37 57 � SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

� EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

SCORED CONCEDED 0-15 7 6 16-30 10 4 31-45 6 5 46-60 9 7 61-75 6 4 76-90 16 11

9.3 9.8

39.9 49.4 � POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

� CLEAN SHEETS

15 8 � POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

13 5 POWERED BY

13 12

SCORED CONCEDED 0-15 5 7 16-30 3 6 31-45 8 11 46-60 5 11 61-75 11 5 76-90 9 17 Data excludes matches played after April 13.

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Ali-Al-Hamadi 11’ STEVENAGE AFC WIMBLEDON 2 1 V

Goals from Jordan Roberts and Jamie Reid round off an enjoyable afternoon at The Lamex...

2. Luke

3. Carl

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Boro and Doncaster shared a seven-goal thriller back in 2016 in one of the most memorable clashes between these two sides.

Three strikes midway through the first half saw Rovers take a grip of this game and eventually edge to a victory which saw them go top of League One just past the midway point in the season. There was little to predict what was to come after a game which started with tense early exchanges. But that all changed when Doncaster started the rout when Andy Butler netted on 28 minutes.

The home support were stunned when the lead was doubled by Liam

Mandeville on 35 minutes and just four minutes later the clash appeared to be finished, Matty Blair sending the visitors in 3-0 at the break and all but home and hosed.

Boro had a never say die attitude though and after the interval pulled two back when Tom Pett and then Fraser Franks reduced arrears with a half volley, before a Jamie Jones own goal saw Doncaster increase the cushion again.

Liburd did finally net with a minute to go as Boro pushed, but it was too little, too late to salvage anything for the midtable side and despite a Tom Pett effort wide Boro took nothing from the clash.

ON THIS DAY: 18 APRIL

It’s hard to dress this one up; 18 April is not the happiest of hunting days for Boro’ over the years. Today’s match with Donny is our 14th outing on this date and we’re looking to register what would be only our fifth victory – and our first since 1998 when a double from Trebble saw us pick up three points at Morecambe. Sure, we’ve had happy moments on this date. We won big at Corby Gainsborough in our title-winning United Counties League Division One campaign back in 1981. Fast forward 11 years and there was a healthy win at Barking en route to our Diadora League Division One title. And 1994’s win over Molesey brought the Premier Division title within reach.

But what of more recent times?

Kirk Jackson scored a brace against Yeovil Town in 2002; a dress rehearsal for that season’s FA Trophy final. Alas, it was not enough and the Glovers went home with all three points. In 2008, meanwhile, Clark Masters had a game to forget in goal as Boro’ posted a second straight defeat to all but surrender a playoff place that had look for so long secure.

Our last two outings on this date, to be fair, have ended all square; at Accrington in 2015 and Scunthorpe last year. In the context of this season’s promotion hopes, however, a third straight draw on 18 April may not quite cut it.

1981 Corby Gainsborough 2-5 Stevenage Borough, United Counties League Division One (Daintree, Dance 2, Jolly 2)

1987 Stevenage Borough 2-2 Oxford City, Vauxhall Opel League Division One (McCollin, Myers)

1991 Stevenage Borough 0-3 Halstead Town, Knights Floodlit League

1992 Barking 1-3 Stevenage Borough, Diadora League Division One (Gittings 2, Roberts)

1994 Stevenage Borough 4-2 Molesey, Diadora League Premier Division (Gittings, Simpson, Stein, Venables)

1998 Morecambe 0-2 Stevenage Borough, Football Conference (Trebble 2)

2001 Telford United 2-2 Stevenage Borough, Nationwide Conference (Walters, Armstrong)

2002 Stevenage Borough 2-3 Yeovil Town, Nationwide Conference (Jackson 2)

2008 Burton Albion 3-0 Stevenage Borough, Blue Square Premier

2009 Stevenage Borough 0-0 Torquay United , Blue Square Premier

2014 Sheffield United 1-0 Stevenage, Sky Bet League One

2015 Accrington Stanley 2-2 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Walton, Beardsley)

2022 Scunthorpe United 1-1 Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Reid)

IT’S DONCASTER ROVERS AGAIN…

The on-off relationship between us and Doncaster Rovers picks up once again this season after a five-season hiatus. It’s not unusual for us to have such gaps in our head-to-head record. And it’s a big reason why we’ve only managed a mere 16 encounters since November 1998. On balance, it’s a pretty even affair too. We’ve won five. So have they. In the middle of all that are six draws. And you’ll find the respective goal tallies aren’t too different either: 18 for, 16 against. Our 1-0 victory up at their place earlier this season was the first time we’d picked up three league points against them since December 1999.

MAGIC MOMENT:

16 August 1999 – Nationwide Conference

his hand to ‘score’ for the visitors was not such a good idea. He escaped further punishment, however. Finally, Michael Love scored a 20-yard free-kick in stoppage time to complete a superb performance.

ON BOTH SIDES…

The start of the 1999-00 season saw Boro’ in imperious form against Donny. The end, however, was quite a different situation. Boro’ had appointed Steve Wignall to replace Richard Hill; fortunes going horribly south over the course of the season. But we ended up going into our final game at home to Southport managerless.

Let’s go back to the halcyon August afternoons of 1999; Boro’ resplendent in their red-fading-to-black shirts and under the leadership of Dickie Hill. Donny were game number two that season – and our first at home. And what a showing it was too. Fresh from a 1-0 victory at Altrincham on the opening day, we cruised to a three-goal triumph at home.

Lee Harvey was pinpoint in his precision from the right hand side; setting up Lee Howarth to strike the bar on just four minutes, before giving Carl Alford the ammunition he needed to open the scoring on 14 minutes. Our lead doubled 10 minutes later too. Sam McMahon started a short corner routine that led to Michael Love firing home at the near post.

Mike Newell was a new arrival at Donny that summer. But his time on the pitch at Broadhall Way came to a premature end with a red card just after half time. Dino Maamria(!) was fortunate not to see red too. On a booking already, using

Wignall decided he preferred the vacant managerial role in south Yorkshire. Boro’, needless to say, weren’t impressed one bit; the now ex-boss never formally resigning and Rovers allegedly never contacting us with their interest.

On the pitch, the movement of players to play for both sides over the years never proved to be as contentious. There was Dino Maamria as already mentioned, as well as Carl Alford. Other notable names on the list include (but aren’t limited to) Mark Albrighton, Ryan Kirby, Chris Beardsley, and Leo Fortune-West. And who can forget Paul Taylor? Well, probably most of us who remember anything about our ill-fated 2019-20 campaign…

By Pete Hayman courtesy of boroguide.co.uk

Dino Maamria

Carl Alford

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Good Evening. There is sometimes no better feeling than a Tuesday night fixture at the Lamex and this is genuinely an exciting time for us as a football club. Good luck to the gaffer and our team as we continue to push on up the league table!

I have been at the football club for around 10 years now, and had the pleasure of experiencing many different emotions. However, there is no doubt this has been one of the most enjoyable seasons ever. Not only on the pitch under the guidance of our gaffer who has brought back winning ways but off the pitch as well. I am surrounded by some excellent staff and love coming into work every day, sometimes 7 days a week!. The staff work incredibly hard to ensure our academy is working hard to bridge the gap closer to the first team. A huge thanks must go to our Chairman who has been instrumental in supporting the changes to our academy and club.

As a football club, we have seen many staff move on for their own career, we also have another departure; Grace Brooks our Academy Administrator and Safeguarding lead is departing in June as she sets off to travel, however she will be return in September in a different role. Personally, I would like to

thank Grace for her efforts and hope she enjoys the World!

The U18’s have 3 x more games, Portsmouth at home Saturday, followed by Gillingham and Luton before we experience a short break before another season begins! Our 9-14 programme will have a rest period in May before return in June for some additional training and fixtures.

There are always regular updates posted on Twitter so I would encourage you to keep an eye out. Don’t forget we also have our annual Lamex Cup in May and there is limited space available so please check out the club website for further information.

Best of luck and enjoy tonight

JORDEN GIBSON Academy Manager

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Dave Perry Interview

Interim First Team Manager

DAVE, A GOOD WIN, 3 POINTS AND 4 GOALS SCORED IN YOUR FIRST GAME IN CHARGE, HOW DO YOU FEEL IT WENT?

First half I was really pleased, I thought the first half we played well. Maybe coming in at half time 1-0 up wasn’t a reflection on how the game went. Bedford hung in there and done really well and in the second half had a spell where they got on top. We fought back and showed really good character to get the win which was great. Happy scoring 4 goals but not happy conceding 3.

HOW PLEASED WERE YOU WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND THE FIGHT BACK FROM A LOSING POSITION?

Really pleased. It showed good character especially after the week we had. I’d rather not have to fight back, it’s not good for the heart rate! We did well and we stuck in there at times, staying in the game.

WE’VE HAD A NUMBER OF YOUNG PLAYERS STEP UP INTO THE FIRST TEAM THIS SEASON AND HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL – HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS COACHING AND NURTURING YOUNG TALENT AND WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE IN

BEING THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE FIRST AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM?

The link between the First and Development Team is huge. As we’ve seen this season, the First Team is going to pick up injuries and the Development squad being able to step in and fight for places is really important for the club and something that is really important to me; especially with my role at the ETC with the youngsters coming through there. We’ve got a really good set up down there with some good youngsters coming through.

HOW DO YOU VIEW YOUR STYLE COACHING AND MANAGEMENT AND WHAT CAN THE PLAYERS EXPECT FROM YOU?

Approachable and friendly. Firm but fair. Style wise, I think we have to adapt, and it depends on the individual player. Each player needs to be coached differently; we all learn differently. If we can adapt our coaching style to suit the player that’s more beneficial rather than having one style.

WITH THE END OF THE SEASON IN SIGHT, WHAT IS THE REALISTIC AIM AND WHAT DO YOU VIEW AS A SUCCESSFUL SEASON?

We’ve got two cup finals to look forward to now and doing well is going to be big. We’ve got a handful of league games left and it’s a case of winning them all and seeing what happens. Going up is out of our hands and we’re relying on a lot of results so let’s just win the games we have left, have fun doing it and play some good football.

A reminder to ‘Boro fans that we have the final of the Hertfordshire County Cup this Sunday, at the Herts FA County Ground in Letchworth with a 2:30pm kick off. We need all your support, so please come down, make some noise and watch us hopefully retain the trophy for another season! Up the ‘Boro!

STEVENAGE FC FOUNDATION

The Foundation are hosting a number of online virtual open evenings for our suite of higher education courses that are delivered right here at The Lamex Stadium.

Learners can pick from one of three courses, delivered in partnership with EFL Trust and University of South Wales, with lectures held at the home of Stevenage FC.

The three courses available are: Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching & DevelopmentWatch The Trailer: LINK Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching & Development - Watch The Trailer: LINK

BA (Hons) Degree in Sports Business & Management - Watch The Trailer: LINK

Both Foundation Degrees can also be topped up with a third year (dependant on results), to a full BSc Honours. Courses are designed for individuals wanting to attain a university qualification and are passionate about pursuing a career in the football industry

with students developing the necessary skills, qualities, and characteristics that are required to work within professional football club community departments or national governing bodies. Delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales, all lectures, seminars, and tutorials are delivered in a supportive and inspirational club environment via online material, and learners will be enrolled as a student at the university, giving them access the university’s online library, blackboard and learning materials, providing them with the best possible learning platform to excel within.

Alongside the academic element of the course, students will complete up to 200 hours of voluntary coaching within the community, alongside the Foundation staff, allowing the students to translate theory into practice, in a real-world environment.

You can book on to an open evening right now by click this LINK , or alternatively if you’d like to know more, you can reach out to our Education Mentor, Lucy Burdin at lucy.burdin@stevenagefcf.com

To further enhance our Community Engagement & Football Development offer, we are delighted to be launching Boro Ballers and an additional Active Tots session after the Easter Holidays!

BORO BALLERS

Boro Ballers Sessions offer children aged 5-7 years old, the chance to develop their footballing skills as well as learning new skills that they can use both on and off the pitch. Each session is delivered by an FA qualified coach and teaches players new skills through fun games and activities.

Principles such as passing, dribbling, ball manipulation, shooting as well as matches are taught throughout the block. This is an additional training session that complements the work grassroots clubs do, as well as being an introduction to football for new starters. Children continue to develop their social and fundamental movement skills as well.

STEVENAGE

Venue: Barnwell Leisure Centre, Barnwell School, Stevenage, SG2 9SW

Day: Thursday (starting 20th April 2023) Time: 5-6pm

Cost: £4.50 a session

To book: CLICK HERE

ACTIVE TOTS

We are excited to be expanding our

Toddler offer and launch a brand-new Active Tots session. Active Tots is a weekly session for toddlers and preschools to get moving, enjoy fun games and be active. It provides both boys and girls aged 18 Months – 3 years with an introduction to physical activity, using fun games and activities to teach fundamental movement skills. Coaches pay particular focus on developing children’s coordination, balance, ball movement, and self-confidence.

STEVENAGE, THE OVAL COMMUNITY CENTRE*

Venue: The Oval Community Centre (SG1 5RD)

Day: Tuesday Time: 10am-10:45am

Cost: £4.50 per session

To book: CLICK HERE

Our current session runs on Thursday mornings: STEVENAGE, BEDWELL COMMUNITY CENTRE*

Venue: Bedwell Community Centre (SG1 1NA)

Day: Thursday

Time: 9:30am – 10.15am

Cost: £4.50 per session

To book: Click Here

For more information on any of our sessions, please visit our website: Stevenage FC Foundation – Official Independent Charity of Stevenage Football Club Or email: community@ stevenagefcf.com for more information.

www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SQUAD LIST

FORM GUIDE

It really has been one of those seasons for our visitors today - they haven’t really tasted the danger of the relegation zone, but neither has the play-offs been a realistic proposition. Their first season back in the fourth tier after five seasons in League One really has been one of adjustment. If three wins in February did leave the Rovers looking jealously in at the

promotion race, a spell since then of just one win in 12 games, with eight of those ending in defeat has secured a mid table berth at the very best. Indeed Doncaster currently sit at the very bottom of the form table thanks to their one draw in five, that coming at the weekend when they blew a 2-0 lead at fellow Yorkshire hosts and relegation threatened Harrogate to end level at 2-2. Their last win on the road came in February at Swindon and before that the next success was on December 10 last year at Newport.

LAST 5 SEASONS

MEET THE BOSS:

Danny Schofield signed a one-year rolling contract at the Eco-Power Stadium in October 2022. He replaced Gary McSheffrey, who left the club 12th in Sky Bet League Two, becoming the club’s first ever head coach working under head of football operations, James Coppinger.

Doncaster-born Schofield is a highly rated coach in the game and had an opportunity to join a big European club in the summer of 2022 before his appointment as Huddersfield Town’s head coach.

He left the Terriers after 11 games following a summer of restructuring that saw the club lose some of their most valuable players.

ONE TO WATCH:

Rovers sought off competition from Sky Bet League One to sign Luke Molyneux in the summer of 2022. The winger signed a two-year deal at the club after being released by Hartlepool United earlier in the summer.

Born in Bishop’s Auckland, the 25-yearold enjoyed a youth career at Sunderland where he made three full appearance before going on loan to Gateshead and Hartlepool.

He then signed for Pools where he made 78 appearances.

COMMERCIAL

MATCH & MATCH BALL SPONSOR

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SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION LATEST NEWS

WELCOME

It’s great to see “Donny” here again this afternoon. The Doncaster Rovers Supporters’ Club was actually founded 102 years ago - and they’re still going strong. The mantra from their website states that it “is a place where a diversity of supporters come together to share their passions and express their ideas with a group of like-minded people”. It sounds so accommodating, it’s made me think about joining!

A special, personal welcome to Len South, Paul Mayfield and John Blanchon, the main proponents in the DRSC.

INTER-CITY BORO

We’re down to our last three away games of the season now. The first of these is on Saturday April 22nd when we journey up to Mansfield. The bus departs Stevenage at 11:00am and costs just £20 to members. Then, the much vaunted “game in hand” against Swindon takes place on Tuesday April 25th. The bus for this match departs at 4:00pm and again costs members just £20.

At the time of writing, the “end of season” games this year are all vitally important to our club. We’ve yet to confirm arrangements for the away game to Barrow, but let’s really get behind the lads in the final push for promotion. Go to the SA’s website page to book your tickets now CLICK HERE

NATIONAL SUPPORTERS’ SURVEY 2023

Every few years, the FSA (Football Supporters’ Association) conducts a national fans survey to assess the state of the game and garner the views of football supporters. The last of these fans’ censuses was undertaken in 2017. A lot has happened in the six years since the FSA last polled

supporters – the introduction of VAR, the COVID-19 pandemic, the spectre of the European Super League raising its head and the subsequent Fan-led Review of Football Governance, to name but a few. As such the FSA wants to take the temperature of football fans opinions again. Stevenage fans are encouraged to share their views, by taking part here. It should take you no more than about ten minutes to complete.

STEVENAGE NEW TOWN RANGERS

I was asked the question the other day about “the club that Stevenage Town merged with back in the 1950’s”. My interrogator recalled the event back in 1956, but couldn’t remember their name.

It was the Stevenage New Town Rangers, a club formed (principally) by young tradesmen who had moved to the area to help build the ‘New Town’ of Stevenage. The Rangers plied their trade in the North Herts League. Their ‘home ground’ was situated in what was known as ‘Barclay’s Paddock’, just across the road from the Marquis of Granby pub on North Road (what is now Whitney Drive).

For several years after the war, the Rangers competed with Stevenage Town FC for supporters. A “meeting of minds” occurred and the two clubs merged under the new banner of Stevenage FC, only to revert back to Stevenage Town FC again in 1960.

If anyone has any anecdotal memories about Stevenage New Town Rangers, then I would love to hear from them. Please contact me here: Lloyd@SFCSA.co.uk

LLOYD BRISCOE

Chair - Stevenage FC Supporters’ Association

HERE’S A I BET YOU DIDN’T KN

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2022/23

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‘LOVE FOOTBALL. PROTECT THE GAME’

A message about anti-social and criminal behaviour

To mark the new season, we want to make you aware of new measures being taken across all of football to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience. We are supporting strong action from the FA, Premier League and EFL to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours that put all of us at risk.

This reflects the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and cause lifechanging injuries, while entering the pitch endangers players, managers and match officials.

We know those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters.

#LoveFootball #ProtectTheGame

ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE PITCH WITHOUT PERMISSION AND THOSE CARRYING OR USING SMOKE BOMBS OR PYROS WILL NOW RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC CLUB BAN.