popular STAND 70

EDITORIAL Friends, Rovers, Yorkshiremen, Before I begin, thank you as ever for purchasing a copy of this fanzine.

Though you may have seen me online lamenting the number of remaining copies of issue 69 (50, if you want one), the truth is we have sold more fanzines this season than ever before. As many other print fanzines disappear from view it is great to see ours thriving and long may it continue. Without you there would be no popular STAND, and therefore without you we would not be able to donate the £1,000 we gave to charities over the past three seasons, nor continue our sponsorship of Doncaster Belles, which you can read more about on pages 8 and 9. So, thank you for sticking with us, and I hope that you will be reading six more editorials (or at least skipping through this waffle to the rest of the ‘zine) next season, regardless of which division Rovers are in.

Our home for next season could of course be settled at today’s home game with Reading, should Rovers overcome the

curse of the Biscuitmen and win. No, I’m not that expectant either, but as I sit and write this editorial the morning after the incredible rearguard effort Rovers put in at the Millwall game, I am certainly more confident than I was 24 hours previously. Ultimately we have a second season in the Championship in our own hands with two games to go; if you’d offered this position to me when Paul Dickov took over I would have signed up in a flash.

On Paul Dickov then, and the Millwall game is a prime example of how hard it is for a manager to please. At half-time on co-commentary for Rovers Player I motioned that the manager ‘had to’ replace Robinson with Duffy. Had he been privy to the VSC messageboard’s Lucky Pint thread he would have found an even greater range of advice; “McCullough on for Robinson for me”, “Coppinger won’t be tall enough”, “Change things now Dickov FFS”. We can all yell forth our own opinions – that’s why we go to football of course – but Dickov did none of these changes,

CONTENTS: ISSUE 70 05. The Bernard Glover Diaries 07. Spotted 08. The Belles, The Belles 10. We All Hate 12. Dick Watson: Private Eye 14. Ask Barry Miller 15. Jack The Miner’s Coalface 18. Blowing My Own Trumpet

20. Coppinger: Haircut 400 22. Voice of the Pop Side 26. Memorable Memorabilia 27. Easy for Dennies 28. Prestige & Tradition 30. Windmills Of Your Mind 34. Reg Ipsa: Legal Beagle 36. Seasons In Retrospect

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instead he rearranged the players on the pitch and in doing so got it bang on, to secure the required result.

There was another comment on that thread which caught my attention; “Dickov doesn’t have the brain to make a tactical change”. I found this a particularly odd assertion as other than Sean O’Driscoll I can think of no more tactically astute manager than Dickov in my time watching Rovers. Several times this season I have seen Rovers shift formation during matches, both with and without personnel changes, and I’ve seen them play at least four different determinable formations - and that obviously doesn’t account for the many different ways in which a side can play 4-4-2. As O’Driscoll himself observed; “People think 4-4-2 is tactics; it’s nothing to do with tactics, it’s a structure. Within the structure you can do whatever you want. It could be the most fluid system in the world.”

I’ve seen comments suggesting that Paul Dickov is not the man for Rovers, but it is surely too early to judge after a season of fire-fighting. When Rovers have had success in recent years, it has come from sticking with managers, from

allowing Sean O’Driscoll to mould a side that could play his preferred style, to giving Dean Saunders a shot at redemption. I like Paul Dickov, I think he has recruited incredibly well to give what was a third tier squad a decent shot of staying in tier two, and managed them highly effectively especially given the nonsense going on off the pitch in the first half of the campaign. He’s earned another shot in my view and I can’t think of anyone better suited to manage Rovers going forwards, whatever division they are in next season. Hopefully come 5pm today, we will have taken a great stride to it being this one, allowing Dickov to put all he has learned in a difficult but ultimately entertaining season to use.

I hope you enjoy this copy of the fanzine, particularly the dedication to Jamie Coppinger which spans pages 15-25, and our new feature, Ask Barry Miller, in which the former club captain answers your questions (page 14). Also, if you are able to, stick around for the Belles game after and give the ladies your much valued support. Enjoy the game (hopefully) and get behind the lads today and next Saturday.

Viva Rovers!

GW

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THE BERNARD GLOVER DIARIES FROM COASTING TO COWERING, TIME FOR A RECAP OF THE LAST MONTH FOR ROVERS SATURDAY 22 MARCH ROVERS 1-0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY Increasingly it seems the only difficulty Sheffield Wednesday pose Doncaster Rovers these days is when we try and squeeze their full name on the fixture boards outside the ground.

After this victory it’s now five years since Wednesday avoided defeat to Rovers, and ten years since they scored a goal in the borough. Had Leon Best finished from close range in the first half things may have been different, but alas he shinned it wide, and so Chris Brown’s tap in from Billy Sharp’s effort half an hour in proved enough to win it for Rovers. Donny battled well throughout and were decent value for three points and almost added a second goal through a David Cotterill free-kick brilliantly saved by Chris Kirkland. That’s four games unbeaten for Rovers now, allowing a few thousand Doncastrians the pleasure of breathing easily for the first time in months.

Sam Vokes tucked it away anyway to put the home side ahead. Junior Stanislas wrapped up the points for the home side quarter of an hour from time. “I understand Paul Dickov’s frustration, I’ve been him on a number of occasions,” said Sean Dyche after the game, hinting at a hitherto unsuspected double life.

SATURDAY 29 MARCH LEEDS UNITED 1-2 ROVERS

TUESDAY 25 MARCH BURNLEY 2-0 ROVERS

I don’t hate Leeds. I really don’t. But I do dislike the hundreds and thousands of folk in our town who chose to turn the backs on our club and piss off up the M1 in pursuit of trophies, like Magpies after a stray milk-bottle top.

And so this very satisfying victory is for them. Rovers put in a superb firsthalf display to deservedly go in at the break 2-0 ahead thanks to a Cotterill thunderbolt and a goal from Sharp which capped a patient 28-pass move.

Inevitably the second half was a much more backs-to-the-walls affair, but Rovers marshalled it well and held out to secure a valuable away win, a first on the road since September.

I suppose if that unbeaten run had to end then away at Burnley who haven’t lost at home all season would have been the logical conclusion. Rovers had given as good as they’d got in the first half mind, only to be dealt a sucker punch two minutes into the second half as the referee awarded Burnley a penalty, for what it is still unclear, but

Leeds are clearly a club in a mess, so I was surprised to glance from the train window at 7:10pm and see all the lights still on at Elland Road. They’ll not get that £1million a month debt reigned in with those energy bills. It’s a long old train ride back to London in a carriage full of Luton fans singing No Surrender so I chose to pass the time

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by ‘innocently’ asking Leeds fans how they’d got on.

Me: Is that a Leeds shirt?

Him: Aye Me: How’d they get on today?

Him: Lost 2-1. Shouldn’t have won. Ref were terrible. Donny were lucky for me, should’ve been down to nine men.

Me: Donny? Cup game was it?

Him: No, League Me: Leeds are in the same division as Donny now? Bloody hell. Used to be massive Leeds didn’t they?

Him: Aye... should’ve won Yes, it is childish, but you have to enjoy these moments when they come along.

SATURDAY 5 APRIL ROVERS 1-3 BIRMINGHAM CITY We’ve been great at home since the turn of the year, so 1-0 up at halftime thanks to an emphatically taken Paul Quinn goal you’d be forgiven for thinking job done, lets kick back now and enjoy the Jamie Coppinger show as he celebrates his 400th appearance.

Sadly it seems the players thought the same and went into self-destruct pretty much from the moment that James Husband decided a Cruyff turn was an effective way of getting shot of the ball under pressure. Federico Macheda read him like a book, a pop-up one, in size 26 font, with an accompanying audio guide, to nip the ball off him and draw the Blues level. Having looked like the only likely winners up to that point Rovers fell away like Rolf Harris’ appearance bookings, and City ran in two further goals through Macheda again and also Lee Novak to nudge Rovers back towards the mire at the foot of the Championship. We never choose to do owt the easy way as a club do we?

TUESDAY 8 APRIL ROVERS 1-2 BOLTON WANDERERS Bolton had won five on the bounce away from home before this game and they wasted no time in getting into that stride at the Keepmoat to go 2-0 up inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Thankfully Rovers hit back quickly through a brilliant David Cotterill free-kick. In an entertaining game Rovers threw everything at Bolton in the second half, but couldn’t find a way through the twin towers of Zat Knight and Matt Mills to get a much needed equaliser.

SATURDAY 12 APRIL IPSWICH TOWN 2-1 ROVERS “Oh it was a definite foul,” said Mick McCarthy afterwards of the ‘tackle’ on Gabriel Tamas in the build up to what proved to be Ipswich’s winning goal from Luke Chambers. The Romanian was caught on the shin by Luke Hyam’s over the ball challenge but the referee inexplicably waved play on and the home team took advantage of the space to strike a cruel blow. Just two minutes earlier Rovers looked to have done enough to get something out of the tie when Chris Brown equalised Daryl Murphy’s opener from the penalty spot with just six minutes of normal time remaining. Sadly though it just wasn’t to be and though Paul Dickov may have felt that “as an away performance that was probably one of our best today,” it leaves Rovers looking nervously over their shoulders with four games to go.

FRIDAY 18 APRIL ROVERS 0-2 DERBY COUNTY Derby County turned up to the Keepmoat in need of a win and wearing a commemorative away kit to mark 50 years since Thunderbirds first aired on

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TV. Unfortunately it was Rovers who looked the more wooden on the night, even with centre-half Richard Keogh having seemingly been replaced by a lucky supporter given a run out by the Make-a-Wish foundation, Donny were unable to take advantage of the visitors shakiness. Limp in attack, with Sharp sadly a shadow of a shadow of a shadow of his former self, Rovers then fell behind to a long range effort just before the break. The introduction of Theo Robinson and Mark Duffy livened up the Rovers attack late in the game, only for Derby to score a second on the break and leave us all looking nervously at Monday.

STEVE GAUGHAN

Cutting the grass and tending to the flowerbeds in an exclusive Doncaster residential area (i.e. I live there)

spotter: @DrMuttley

MONDAY 21 APRIL MILLWALL 0-0 ROVERS Though many had labelled this as a must-win fixture the reality was that whilst points were tight, with a gaggle of teams beneath Rovers, the fixture was very much more a case of must-not lose. Though Rovers looked on cause to achieve that following the opening forty minutes their task was made significantly tougher when Abdoulaye Meite was sent-off, for a studs-up challenge that had seemed nothing more than innocuous. Inevitably the secondhalf proved to be something of a backs to the wall endeavour for those out on the field and they put in an incredible effort both in defence and midfield to keep the scores down, and on the rare occasions Millwall found a way through the flying red and white hooped bodies Sam Johnstone was on hand to pull of at least one frankly world-class save. This was a huge point for Rovers ensuring that must not lose was not lost, which all means that with two games to go retaining a Championship place is very much in Rovers’ hands. Something frankly I’d have taken gladly way back in August.

GW

LEO FORTUNE-WEST

Jogging up Bawtry Road. Either he thinks I’m stalking him, or he’s stalking me.

spotter: @LewisWard20

PARL MARQUIS

At the Birmingham game. He works as a postie with the bloke who sits next to me at Rovers home games.

spotter: @AndrewThackwary

LEO FORTUNE-WEST

Playing game of pedestrian crossing roulette outside Doncaster station.

Just made it before lights went green

spotter: @liamhodenDFP

WAIDE FAIRHURST

Making a two minute cameo for Whitehawk FC of the Skrill South

spotter: @Rich_Colby

MARTIN WOODS

In Asda with the missus and his kid.

Full trolley ...at least £150 worth

spotter: @MichaelBurton94

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THE BELLES, THE BELLES THE 2014 FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SEASON IS UNDER WAY, GLEN WILSON FILLS YOU IN ON THE BELLES PROGRESS As I write these words Doncaster Rovers Belles are top of the league. Admittedly I’m writing them before the rest of the division have played their second league game of the season, but then as fan of both Doncaster and Wales I’ve come to learn that there is no such thing as premature celebration, you are simply seizing the moment. That said, with the Belles having won each of their opening two league games, only goal difference could separate them from top spot by the time you read this. So in case you’ve not been watching, here’s how the Belles’ past month has panned out.

early exchanges at Sutton Coldfield Town and got their reward as Beth England fired them in front after quarter of an hour. Though the Belles controlled the first half Villa were much improved after the break and Donny had Nicola Hobbs in goal to thank for keeping their league intact.

With four minutes to go Sue Smith was sent sprawling in the area and the experienced international calmly slotted home the penalty herself to wrap up a hard fought 2-0 win.

BIRMINGHAM CITY 3-1 BELLES

The Belles came from behind to secure victory in their first ever meeting with Oxford United. In a quiet first-half the Belles had enjoyed the better of things, but fell behind three minutes before the break when Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts struck from close range. The lead only last a couple of minutes though as Lauren Cresswell powered in the equaliser from an free-kick.

Champions League semi-finalists Birmingham needed two late goals to overcome a battling Belles at Solihull.

Remi Allen gave the hosts the lead inside 8 minutes which had Donny fearing the worst but the Belles held their own and equalised with fifteen minutes to go as Leandra Little turned in a Jess Sigsworth cross. Sadly though with extra-time losing Birmingham finally found a way through the Belles backline and goals from Kirsty Linnett and Jo Potter in the final two minutes brought an end to Belles’ FA Cup run.

ASTON VILLA 0-2 BELLES The perfect start to the new league season for the Belles as they matched March’s FA Cup win at Villa by notching the same scoreline in their opening WSL2 fixture. Doncaster dominated the

BELLES 4-1 OXFORD UNITED

Eight devastating second half minutes duly saw the Belles to turn one point into three. First to strike just after the hour mark was Cresswell who doubled her tally with another brilliant freekick into the top corner. A well-taken goal from Reanne Thomas on her home debut made it 3-1, and then two minutes later Ashleigh Mills wrapped up the win with her first goal for the club, a delightful chipped lob from the teenager putting Doncaster top of the table.

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GW

2014 RESULTS & FIXTURES

#2

LYNDSEY CUNNINGHAM

Committed to backing the Belles again this season popular STAND is delighted to become the player sponsor of their number two, Lyndsey Cunningham.

The longest serving player in the Belles first team Cunningham joined from Nottingham Forest in October 2010 after 11 years with her hometown club.

Cunningham had long been a star performer for Forest, making 15 appearances for England at under 19 and under 20 level, before joining the Belles to play in the Super League.

Adept at full-back or centre-half Cunningham is a really intelligent defender who reads the game exceptionally well.

Still only 22, Lyndsey balances her performances for the Belles with a career at the PlayFootball Centre and looking after her biggest fan; her young son. We are delighted to backing Lyndsey and the Belles throughout the 2014 season.

Find Lyndsey on twitter @lyndseycunno

09.02.14 16.03.14 13.04.14 16.04.14 19.04.14 26.04.14 01.05.14 04.05.14 15.05.14 18.05.14 25.05.14 29.06.14 06.07.14 12.07.14 26.07.14 03.08.14 09.08.14 24.08.14 30.08.14 04.09.14 07.09.14 14.09.14 20.09.14 04.10.14 11.10.14 26.10.14

Aston Villa 2-0 Copsewood Coventry 4-1 Birmingham City 1-3 Aston Villa 2-0 Oxford United 4-1 Reading H Mancheser City H Durham A Sunderland H Watford H Yeovil Town A Millwall Lionesses A Everton A Liverpool A Sunderland H Durham A London Bees H Oxford United A Reading A Aston Villa H Watford A Yeovil Town H Millwall Lionesses H Sunderland A Durham H London Bees A

FA Cup FA Cup FA Cup League League League Cup Cup Cup League League League Cup Cup League League League League League League League League League League League League

Home Games: Adults ÂŁ6 / Concessions ÂŁ3 Fixtures subject to change. Check the club website for up to date details: www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk

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WE ALL HATE...

DAVE WAUGH WONDERS IF DEEP DOWN HE REALLY DOES HATE OUR NEAREST RIVALS I like to think I’m a pretty liberal sort of person – I lecture at a prestigious university, read the Guardian, don’t eat meat, don’t vote Tory, and deplore racism and sexism. So I was rather alarmed to find myself mouthing, if not actually chanting, the words, “We all hate Leeds scum” at Elland Road recently. This is not the sort of person I think I am. This is one step removed from Serbs hating Croats, Basques hating Spaniards and Scots hating, well, everyone.

I reflected upon this and began to wonder why it is that virtually every set of football supporters has an enemy; another club they love to despise. You’d expect, perhaps, that teams in the same city would be close rivals, but then there are the enmities between Brighton and Crystal Palace, and Portsmouth and Plymouth; and why do Leeds fans persist in thinking their rivals and enemies are Chelsea and Manchester United? However grim things become under David Moyes, I can’t see these clubs meeting on equal terms any time soon.

In the north-east where I work, the university held a launch for an education book I edited. The gathering of illustrious academics listened to me describe a chapter called Premiership Reading in which a local headteacher describes a project his pupils undertook at a local football club, designed to promote children’s reading. But there was actually hissing when I mentioned that this project took place at

Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

And there were several suggestions for changing the chapter title to Championship Reading in the next edition, with one professor saying he’d like to see Conference Reading as the heading in the near future.

Now this was all very jovial, but when Newcastle play Sunderland away fans have to travel on coaches and are taken to the turnstiles. No-one who isn’t on a coach can gain admission and fans are kept out of each other’s cities to avoid bloodshed. Coaches are often stoned as they pass through the suburbs, and a child wearing a Sunderland shirt in a primary school party on its way to a museum was attacked in Newcastle city centre.

I decided I needed to rationalise my negative feelings for some football clubs.

I’ve visited almost every ground in the country, many with Rovers, but some because I simply love the game and am daft enough to think that watching Dagenham play Aldershot on a wet Tuesday night holds more appeal than having an expenses-paid meal in a hotel in the West End. I’ve stood and sat with home fans all over the country. I’ve seen that they love their clubs as much as I love Rovers. I’ve seen their kids in their replica kits. I’ve met Plymouth fans in Hartlepool having several well-earned pints after a tenhour journey. It doesn’t seem right that I should hate their clubs and look out for

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their results in the hope that they are closer to relegation – but I do. Every time I listen to the football results I find that there are some clubs I hope will lose and others I want to win. A Newcastle fan told me he would rather Sunderland lost than Newcastle won. Neil Warnock, when asked what he would do if he were Sheffield Wednesday manager during one of the club’s recent lean spells said, “I’d buy a lot of sh*t players and get them relegated”.

My dislike for some other clubs doesn’t go that far, but I decided to quantify my feelings and created a spreadsheet of the 92 clubs rating them out of ten according to how much I liked each of them.

In my ideal world, it turns out the Premier League would be comprised, in order of preference, of: Doncaster, York City, Barnsley, Sunderland, Hull City, Rotherham Utd, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Hartlepool Utd, Morecambe, Newcastle Utd, Leyton Orient, Everton, Sheffield Utd, Swansea City, Yeovil Town, Bournemouth, Burnley.

So not much hatred of local rivals there, and Wednesday were near the top of my Championship. In fact, with one very notable exception, I like to see all Yorkshire clubs doing well and almost all southern clubs struggling. As for the “hated” clubs: the bottom of my League 2 would, with reasons provided, comprise: Blackpool; Horrible town, ridiculous prices, crap stand for away fans, totally disorganised.

Cardiff; Dodgy fans, sacked the man who took them into the Premier League and appointed ‘the baby-faced assassin’, who has certainly killed their chances of staying up.

Chelsea; Supported by bankers (not rhyming slang, but if the cap fits...)

Coventry; Their anthem is the Eton Boating Song, the Ricoh had less atmosphere than any ground I’ve ever visited, and some tw*t tried to trip me up as we ran back to the car last time I went. I bet there’s even less atmosphere at Northampton lads!

Leeds; £36 to crane your neck to see past the pillars, Ken Bates, Don ‘Readies’, shaven-headed morons, almost singlehandedly wrecked football in the 60s and 70s – I could go on and on and on...

Millwall; How long have you got?

MK Dons; Shouldn’t exist.

Portsmouth; See above – plus Secret Footballer Dave Kitson = last seen being subbed for Oxford - cheated us out of a win in 2012.

QPR; Over-priced, over-spent.

Stoke City; How can a team have a song about murder (Delilah) as its anthem, especially when that team plays as Stoke does?

I feel a lot better now that’s off my chest and highly recommend such therapy to fellow Rovers supporters. But perhaps we should remember that most fans of the clubs we hate are decent folk whose kids put posters of their heroes on the wall and whose coffins have wreaths in club colours, and whose towns and cities have some fine features. Therefore I suggest we modify some our more vitriolic chants. How about;

We all hate some aspects of Leeds, While acknowledging that you have produced some great players and your fans have remained loyal through many trials and tribulations... or

I want to go home...

But not until I’ve visited some of Sheffield’s fascinating museums, excellent real ale pubs and chatted to some of the interesting inhabitants.

DW

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Previously in DRFC Confidential...

Private investigator, Dick Watson and his middle-aged but glamorous secretary, Judy were sitting in their Hallgate office lamenting a lack of work when a client by the name of Rob Jones stooped through the door and asked Dick to take on the case of the disappearing Vikettes. We rejoin them, dear readers as Watson decides to take the case.

“Ok, Mr. Jones. I’ll take the case,” said Dick Watson, reclining in his highbacked leather swivel chair. “The fee’s two hundred a day plus expenses. Cash up front. It’s the only way to guarantee a paycheck in this industry. What have you got for me to go on? Any leads?”

Rob Jones shrugged his broad shoulders and replied “Not a lot I’m afraid. They were teenage dancing girls so you could try the theatre circuit, ask around and see what you come up with but other than that I don’t know what to suggest.” He reached into his jacket, pulled out a roll of notes and counted out two grand. “That should be enough to get you off to a good start and I don’t see that you’ve got a lot to distract you so let’s make it snappy eh? I want results, Mr. Watson.”

Watson trousered the cash and rose wearily to his feet. “I’ll find your cheerleaders, Mr. Jones. It’s what I do.” He took a contact number for Rob Jones and ushered the lofty client to the door, shutting it firmly before heading to the window and watching Jones stride away towards the High Street. He pulled out the wedge of cash and called Judy into his office then peeled off five hundred pounds worth of notes for her. “Take the rest of the week off, kid. I’m going to be busy.”

Judy was glad of the cash and didn’t need telling twice. She grabbed her coat and bag and scurried off down the stairs before Dick could change his mind. He didn’t hang around for any more than five minutes before heading out himself, riding the scent of Chanel Perfume down the stairs. Without any other leads he decided to take Rob Jones’ advice and trawl the local entertainment scene.

His first port of call was the Civic Theatre. It had closed around the same time that the Vikettes had disappeared

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and that was too much of a coincidence for a man like Dick. He tried all doors and peered in through any windows he could reach but everything seemed quiet. Nevertheless he set up a few telltale traps to show up any movement in the area. The usual matchsticks jammed in doors, carefully placed patches of soil and such. You could buy all the fancy electronic kit in the world but sometimes there’s no substitute for old-fashioned detective work.

The next obvious place to look was the Keepmoat stadium. He strolled down Thorne Road and climbed into his ‘53 plate Mondeo. His choice of car was deliberately inconspicuous but also a result of his lack of work in recent times. He then rifled through a stack of fake ID’s and pulled out a council health inspector card. That would get him where he needed to be with no questions asked.

He parked at the stadium and flashed his ID at the dame on reception.

There was something familiar about her but he couldn’t quite place it. The formalities over, he started hunting for anything that might lead him to the Vikettes. Every door he tried was unlocked but he didn’t expect to find anything in the executive boxes or corporate lounge. He was more interested in the staff areas; offices, kitchens, store rooms and the like. No matter how careful people are, they always leave something behind.

After rummaging through everywhere from the away dressing room to the groundstaff ’s shed he had drawn blank after blank but on the way back to reception he tried the handle of a windowless internal door and found it locked. To a seasoned investigator like Dick Watson, this inconsistency set alarm bells ringing. He had spied a set

of keys on the desk on his way in so he gave the receptionist some spiel about Shaun Lockwood wanting to see her.

The spark of familiarity flared again but Watson still didn’t know exactly why. He reached over the desk and lifted the keys then headed straight to the locked door. After trying six keys in the lock, he struck lucky. The key turned and he threw the door open, knowing that his ruse would be uncovered within minutes. The cupboard was empty except for a Donny Dog suit hanging up on a peg at the back.

Dick didn’t see what relevance this could have to the investigation but he went in for a closer look. As he took the suit down from its peg something clicked in his memory. The smell of the suit. Chanel. The receptionist. It was the same as Judy’s perfume, that’s why he recognised it. Now he had realised it there was no doubt, the broad on reception had been wearing the Dog suit. As the realisation dawned on him, he exclaimed out loud, “Dancing on the Keepmoat pitch in the dog suit.”

“That’s right.” replied the receptionist.

The shock of her presence caused the wily old investigator to flinch. “I’m the only girl entertaining the crowd on a matchday now. It’s a results business and the Vikettes lost, no more, no less.

But they haven’t come to any harm.

They’re just performing down the road as the Scunny Bunnies. Now hang that dog suit back where you found it and get out before I change my mind and lock you in here.”

Watson didn’t need telling twice.

Within thirty seconds he was back in the Mondeo planning his retirement from the sleuthing game for good.

MF

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ASK BARRY MILLER WHEN WE INTERVIEWED BARRY MILLER FOR ISSUE 69 HE FOOLISHLY SAID “I’LL ANSWER ANYTHING”, SO WE’VE HELD HIM TO THAT FOR THIS NEW FEATURE Chris Kidd asks; Who was the best player you played with at Rovers?

BARRY MILLER replies; Franny. Francis Tierney, he was fantastic. If you talk about the best partnership I had, then I’d say Tim Ryan, when I was playing with Tim Ryan we had a really good partnership, but Francis Tierney was great… Oh and Andy Watson as well was brilliant - I know he’s split with the fans, but he could’ve played in the Premier League, but he just weren’t bothered. So he was brilliant as well, but Francis Tierney was just an amazing player. I remember his first game at home, he was out on the win in front of the Pop Side and someone smashed a ball over there and he just, on his chest and at his feet. If that hit me it would have disappeared off for a throw-in and you just thought flippin hell, so yeah I’d say he was probably the best yeah.

Andy Thompson asks: What’s your favourite biscuit?

Wesley Grimes asks: I had a friend who lived near you who informed me that you never cut your lawn. Now you’re out of the glaring lights of football have you found a love for this often gruelling task?

BARRY MILLER replies: Haha, I used to cut it occasionally.

Yeah, very occasionally. Actually, in fact, one of my neighbours used to do it. I do, do it, but I leave it to grow a little bit longer and then I cut it. It’s not like mad or anything. Who asked this, who lived near me? Is this guy a stalker?

popular STAND: He said it was his mate, unless that’s just a cover story.

BARRY MILLER continues: Oh right so he is a stalker then.

No that’s fair enough, you know my missus always goes mad at me for not doing it and then , to be fair, she ends up going out and doing it. I say I’ll do it in a minute, and then she ends up going out and doing it.

Have you got a question for the ex Rovers captain?

Get in touch and we’ll put it to the man himself.

14 | PS70 | April/May 2014 | a football fanzine for the likes of Doncaster BARRY MILLER replies; I love a Custard Cream, yeah, I do like a Custard Cream.

JACK THE MINER’S COALFACE KICKING OFF A SPECIAL ELEVEN PAGE FEATURE ON JAMIE COPPINGER JACK THE MINER GETS THE VIEWS OF THE STARS I was in a pub in Hull once. In walked Rugby League legend, Clive Sullivan.

To a man, everyone got to their feet and applauded him until he was seated. The supporters of Hull KR and Hull FC in a rare moment of harmony. Years later they named the main dual carriageway into the city after him.

I don’t know if they’ll ever name a road after James Coppinger. I don’t know if he’ll ever be given a standing ovation when he enters The Dog and Duck but I know we are not alone in admiring his hair, his tattoos, his coloured boots and his footballing prowess. I know this because I have been given access to the world of TV and showbiz to find out what the famous football fans of our opponents have made of James Coppinger down the years.

I started with the tiny trousered, Leeds United supporting Kaiser Chiefs front man, Ricky Wilson and asked if he had any recollections of Copps performance in the play-off final at Wembley.

“To be honest, I hadn’t paid too much notice to the Donny Rovers side. With respect, with the size of our support, our history, Don Revie, Peter Lorimer, Billy Bremner, European Champions, the size of our support, Norman Hunter, Marching on Together, Allan

Clarke and the size of our support I thought it would be a walk in the park and frankly, if Donny fluked a win they’d be coming straight back down the next season anyway, so I didn’t really give a stuff about who was playing for Rovers.

“Anyway, our keyboard player - the total cock in the pork pie hat reckoned Coppinger could be a threat, so I thought I’d keep an eye out for him but we got talking in the bar to the press just before kick-off and I explained to them about our God given right to steam roller the likes of Doncaster on account of our massive support and much respected position as a giant of the game and next thing I know I’m out on the emptying terraces with a few hundred sobbing Leeds fans and bugger me if I’d missed the game and found out we’d lost. So I never did see Coppinger play but I’ve seen a few photos.“ Moving on, I had the honour of meeting Shakespearian actor and Star Trek legend Patrick Stewart who was present at the opening game of the Keepmoat Stadium on that famous afternoon against his beloved Huddersfield Town.

“I remember it well,” said Stewart. “It was a splendid occasion and I’d taken along Leonard Nimoy, who of course is better known as Mr Spock from

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JACK THE MINER’S COALFACE CONTINUED FROM PAGES 14 AND 15 the original TV series of Star Trek.

He had never been to a football game before and we very much enjoyed trying on the free commemorative T-shirts but we were rudely interrupted by a pair of scoundrels who shouted ‘Oi, big ears’ at my chum Leonard. So, remembering that the pen is mightier than the sword I fired off one of Shakespeare’s great insults from King Lear. ‘Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood.’ This seemed to fall upon deaf ears so I thrust a piece of Henry IV, Part One at the lardarse in the red and white hooped top.

‘Thou art a natural coward without instinct’, I bellowed.

“Alas, to no avail as the gutbucket shouted at Leonard, ‘Hey, Dumbo has been on the phone and he wants his ears back.’ Well, Leonard saw blood and kicked the fat fecker in the nuts.

Suddenly there’s chips and ketchup

all over my slacks, so I headbutted him and then it really kicked off and the next thing I know I’m sitting in a cell with a fat lip while Leonard shows the night sergeant how the Vulcan death grip works. So, in the end I didn’t see Jamie Coppinger but I gather he made a sterling contribution, until he was substituted in the 75th minute by Lewis Guy.” Next, I took my notepad along to see the queen of British cookery and joint majority shareholder of Norwich City, Delia Smith. I asked her if she remembered the night Coppinger destroyed Norwich with a hat-trick to secure their first win over the Canaries in 75 years.

“Oh, yes, I remember it very well indeed,” she said, pushing a plate of tempting looking macaroons across the table. “We’d had quite an eventful journey north because I’d added a

THIS ISSUE STEVE IS... ...modelling jackets in the new Jacamo catalogue.

Which way to the beach Steve?

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little too much chilli powder to my lunchtime chick pea curry with Indian spiced rice and stuffed parathas. I’d been trumping like a racehorse all the way to Yorkshire and Paul Lambert was not impressed and said it was that sort of thing that proved that players and officials shouldn’t travel together. Anyway, it was freezing on the way up because they had to open all the windows and Lambert reckoned that’s why we ended up losing for the first time that season.

his face when I said, ‘You’d better give it five minutes.’

“Well, it really capped it off when I found the final whistle had been blown and we’d lost 3-1. Anyway, I remember it all very well, although I didn’t see the last eighty five minutes or any of Coppinger’s goals...By the way the Norwich players all call me Mrs. Pumpy Pants, even to this very day... Another macaroon? Or would you prefer an iced finger?”

So, the match hadn’t been underway for long when I let one go in the director’s box and someone said, ‘I think someone needs to go to the bathroom’. And they were right. I was absolutely desperate. Well, I raced to the toilets and made it just in time and was unable to leave the safety of the VIP bog for some considerable time.

So, there you have it; treasured memories of James Coppinger from three football loving celebrities.

JTM

“When I eventually felt it was safe to leave I bumped into John Ryan who was clearly desperate for a wee. You should have seen the look on

Bernard Glover's

BELIEVE IT or NOT As well as being a versatile defender for Doncaster Rovers, Gabriel Tamas is also Romania’s leading expert on hares, rabbits and other leporids

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BLOWING MY OWN TRUMPET EDITOR GLEN WILSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO JAMIE COPPINGER, HIS FAVOURITE PLAYER I can’t remember Jamie Coppinger’s debut. Truth be told, I can’t remember much of his first season, despite him spending half of it just 20ft in front of me, haring back and forth in the late afternoon shadow of the Pop Side. Now I think about it, I don’t actually know what he sounds like, or if I’ve ever heard him speak. And I’ve never known whether it should be James or Jamie, I mean its long gone past the point we can ask because he has simply always been there. As ubiquitous as a Viking on the crest and old men growling “Gerrit for’ards”, an unremarkable man who also happens to be one of the most remarkable footballers I have had the pleasure of watching.

I’ve attended Rovers games regularly for around 16 years now, more than half of my life. And in all that time there have only been a handful of players where, the moment they got the ball, I would find myself involuntarily leaning forward in expectation. What will they do next? What will they make happen? Billy Sharp was once one, Michael McIndoe and Franny Tierney too, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas another.

Coppinger is, and has long been, slap bang in the middle of this defining demographic.

Since May 2004 I have been in three relationships, held eight different jobs and lived at ten different addresses.

But from Nadine to Shilpa, student to Web Editor, LN6 to SE10 and via everything in between, there has

always been the Rovers and with them, the omnipresence of this diminutive man in the number 26 shirt. A decade of significant real-life shifts punctuated rhythmically by winter weekends of the familiar, chanting his name and craning forward in my seat when he picks up the ball to urge “Go on Copps, run at them”.

As you will read on subsequent pages in this fanzine, the 400 game milestone has been reached by only three Rovers players before. It is a once in a generation occurrence and such is the ever decreasing loyalty of football, it would be neither outlandish nor bold to predict that you will never see another Rovers player reach this figure.

That it has been done by a man of Coppinger’s talents and style rather than a stolid centre-half or a goalkeeper digging his heels in, speaks volumes of both his ability and his adaptability in being a key man in the plans of five different managers. Twofooted, intelligent, adaptive, Jamie Coppinger scored the greatest hat-trick I will ever see in my life. But what has made him stand out for me is that from day one he has always been one of us, he cares about the club and he’s always got it. You look at the footage of the big games against Aston Villa, Bristol Rovers and Leeds and on each occasion, the first man hanging off the shoulder of the scorer, smile on his face is Jamie Coppinger.

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Time in itself is of course quantifiable; 400 appearances is undoubtedly a lot, so I have sought another way to contextualise the remarkable nature of Coppinger’s longevity. Listed below, as on the front cover, are the 160 different team-mates Coppinger has taken the field next to in a Rovers shirt.

Sixteen different goalkeepers, thirtythree different nationalities. It is a remarkable era-spanning list that

ties lower and non-league stalwarts to multi-capped internationals, from Doolan to Diouf, Marples to Meite, Tierney to Tamas. Lets not kid ourselves here, a lot of players on that list will have played with better, but I will be surprised if they’ve played with more honest and consistently able than Jamie Coppinger; my favourite Rovers player.

Mark Albrighton Alun Armstrong Mamadou Bagayoko Habib Bamogo Giles Barnes James Baxendale Kyle Bennett Chris Beardsley Chris Beech Habib Beye Robbie Blake Alan Blayney Gregg Blundell Jordan Bowery Steve Brooker Chris Brown Darren Byfield Jan Budtz David Button Danny Cadamateri Andy Campbell James Chambers Pascal Chimbonda David Cotterill Marc De Val Michelle Di Piedi El-Hadji Diouf John Doolan Mark Duffy Mustapha Dumbuya Bruce Dyer Stuart Elliott Jay Emmanuel-Thomas Jason Euell Wade Fairhurst Nick Fenton Harry Forrester Jonathan Forte Marc-Antoine Fortune Quinton Fortune

Jamie McCombe Ross McCormack Luke McCullough Sean McDaid Phil McGuire Michael McIndoe Jermaine McSporran Federico Macheda Simon Marples Shelton Martis Ryan Mason Abdoulaye Meite Joseph Mills Matt Mills David Morley Franck Moussa David Mulligan Jordan Mutch Richard Naylor Lucas Neill Craig Nelthorpe James O’Connor Richard Offiong Sam Oji John Oster Jon Parkin Billy Paynter Alex Peterson Freddie Piquionne Jon-Paul Pittman Uros Predic Jamie Price Jason Price Nic Priet Paul Quinn Ricky Ravenhill Barry Richardson Adriano Rigoglioso Fabian Robert Gareth Roberts

Leo Fortune-West Steve Foster Lee Fowler George Friend Dean Furman Peter Gilbert Simon Gillett Herold Goulon Paul Green Gordon Greer Andy Griffin Anthony Griffith Lewis Guy James Harper James Hayter David Healy Paul Heffernan Sam Hird Kevin Horlock Adam Hughes Iain Hume James Husband Carl Ikeme Herita Ilunga Michael Ingham Guy Ipoua Ben Jackson Simon Johnson Sam Johnstone Rob Jones Stuart Jones Paul Keegan Bongani Khumalo Matt Kilgallon Chris Kirkland Milan Lalkovic Graeme Lee Adam Lockwood John Lundstram Mark McCammon

GW

Neil Roberts Stephen Roberts Theo Robinson Tim Ryan Dino Seremet Jason Shackell Emile Sinclair Billy Sharp Dean Shiels Ben Smith Dennis Souza John Spicer Tommy Spurr Enda Stevens Brian Stock Theo Streete Neil Sullivan David Syers Gabriel Tamas Gareth Taylor Wayne Thomas Sean Thornton Franny Tierney Michael Timlin Ross Turnbull Ian Turner Jos Van Nieuwstadt Reece Wabara Liam Wakefield Elliott Ward Andy Warrington Byron Webster Richie Wellens David Wheater Mark Wilson Gary Woods Martin Woods Harry Worley Alan Wright Yun Suk Young

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COPPINGER: HAIRCUT 400 KERRANG! MAGAZINE EDITOR JAMES MCMAHON LOOKS AT JAMIE COPPINGER; A CAREER IN HAIRSTYLES James Coppinger will be remembered for many things in his ten-year plus stay with Doncaster Rovers. That play-off second leg hat-trick against Southend. That winning goal against Brentford on the final day of the League One title-winning season. And for being the best player I’ve ever seen in the red and white of Rovers during my lifetime that isn’t Steve Nicol. Yet perhaps James’ lasting legacy will be being the player in our club’s proud and storied history with the haircut that most looked like he might play second guitar in a Britpop band.

We’ve seen some sterling barnets walk through the doors of our club. Who can forget early nineties shotstopper Andy Beasley and his threadbare patch, looking a little bit like a child had grown cress from inside a hollowed out potato. Or from the same era, Jamaican international Jamie Lawrence, and his frankly impractical dreadlocks. And of course there’s the Afro Goal Machine Jason Price, who perhaps more than his habit of scoring very important goals at very important times, became many Rovers fan’s favourite player during the O’Driscoll era just because grown men inexplicably really like afros.

Yet no Rovers player has ever shown anywhere the hirsute brilliance of our James, changing his haircut with each season that’s passed, always reinventing himself, like a slinky footed chameleon, or, um, Bjork. Pushing the

boundaries of idiocy even further, it’s perhaps most fitting to think of James as Doncaster Rovers’ answer to David Bowie. Only where Bowie donned a codpiece and shouted at goblins, James whispered politely in his soft north east lilt for Paul Heffernan to hang about the far post, dinking and dribbling his way into our hearts over 400 games and counting.

First up was his aforementioned Britpop bowl cut, at the time suggesting Exeter had sold us the singer from The Seahorses, rather than the talented player five Rovers managers have built teams around.

Looking at early publicity pictures of James at Belle Vue, his back turned away from the Town End, it’s impossible to not feel nostalgic for all those Saturday afternoons that left you with cinder stinging your eyes. And those Shine compilations that used to have Black Grape, Shed 7, Hurricane No. 1 and what-not on them.

Shortly afterward, James added a degree of bounce to his do, suggesting his mum had stopped cutting his hair and had called upon an actual professional. It was a haircut that defiantly said, “I am earning decent money now, and if my football team is going to be patronized by Steve Claridge every week on the Football League Show, then I am at least goingto look half decent while he does it”. Then came the fauxhawk, sort of like a metrosexual take on Mad Max,

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or David Beckham on a budget. It is this haircut that will live longest in our most cherished Rovers supporting memories.

That’s not to say I don’t have a degree of time for the period James decided to shave all his hair off, looking an awful lot like a minor member of the This Is England cast, or a small rodent who had been in an road accident, his hair clipped short by a kindly RSPCA employed veterinarian while his legs were glued to lollypop sticks. A short mediation on what James’ natural colour actually is: is it blonde or are there bottles involved? One imagines that unless one was to sneak into James’ house after dark and rummage through his bathroom cabinet, we will never know. Popular Stand is of course willing to go the extra mile to secure all your Rovers related news, but after what happened with Paul Keegan that time, we’ll pass. Actually, if anyone fancies asking this at the next AGM we’ll give you a quid. An actual quid.

Which brings us to the present day, whereupon James’ has seemingly taken it upon himself to style himself upon a member of the RAF circa 1943.

It’s the stoop to the left of his fringe, not quite a quiff, but a statement of class and refinement that may well result in the Rovers faithful trying to crowbar references to Biggles and The Red Baron into the melody of Sloop John B. Of course, the consequence of this is that James is now showing more forehead than ever before. He’s starting to show the signs of age, of experience, like he’s seen things – which I guess is what happens when you spend a season knocking around with El Hadj Diouf. We’ll forgive him all we have spoken of before and prior: he is James Coppinger. God’s gift to football, and to Toni and Guy.

JM

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VOICE OF THE POP SIDE JAMIE COPPINGER IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR PLAYERS TO MAKE 400 APPEARANCES, JOHN COYLE RECALLS THE OTHERS When James Coppinger made his 400th senior first-team appearance for Rovers in the home game against Birmingham City he joined a small and very exclusive club. Only three other players have earned the distinction of playing over 400 games for Rovers, although if Midland League games and friendlies are included then Walter Langton (18671952) who played between 1888 and 1903 must be close. Let us take this opportunity to look back on the careers of those three other members of the 400 Club, each of them a Rovers legend in his own right.

Prior to season 1924-25, Rovers’ second after their return to the Football League, manager Dick Ray added a young half-back from Bradford City to his squad.

FREDERICK DAVID EMERY had been born in Lincoln on 19th May 1900 and after a spell with his local club he joined Bradford where he made five League appearances during the 1923-24 season. Emery did not manage to force his way into the first team until 6th December 1924 when he played in the unfamiliar position of left-back. He got a run in the side in his more familiar position, lefthalf, over the festive period and went on to make a total of 11 appearances in his debut season. Robert Benzie’s move to Manchester City in the close season opened up an opportunity for

Emery and he became a first-team regular in 1925-26. He was to remain as such for eleven seasons.

In 1927 Dick Ray moved back to his old club, Leeds United, and was replaced by David Menzies, who had been in charge of Bradford City when Emery played there. Under Menzies, Rovers enjoyed their best season since rejoining the Football League in 1927-28 when they finished 4th in Division Three North.Emery missed only two games in that season and in 1928-29 he was an ever-present.

When Joe Bowman moved on in 1932, Emery was appointed captain and took over the responsibility for taking penalty kicks. Never a prolific goalscorer, this new role enabled him to enjoy his best scoring season in 1933-34, when he was again an ever-present and scored six times.

Menzies had been quietly building a strong side, introducing youngsters like Albert Turner, Ronnie Dodd and “Dizzy” Burton, and his work came to fruition in 1934-35, when Rovers were champions of the Third North, their first title in the Football League. Emery missed only four games and had the honour, as captain, of collecting the trophy.

By February 1936, Emery was very much David Menzies’ right-hand man, so when the Scot left for Hull City, it seemed logical that Emery

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should move into the manager’s chair. He was still playing when the board confirmed him in his new role, although he hung up his boots at the end of the 1935-36 season. He had made 438 appearances in all competitions, including 417 in the Football League, scoring 31 goals.

Although Rovers were relegated in 1936-37, Emery’s first season as a full-time manager, he remained in post until 1940, when he was axed as a wartime cost-cutting measure.

In 1943 he was appointed manager of Bradford Park Avenue, a job he held until 1951. He then moved on to become manager of Carlisle United, who occupied the middle to lower reaches of the Third North throughout his tenure. In April 1958, he resigned as Carlisle manager and just over a year later, in May 1959, Fred Emery died, just before his 59th birthday.

Fred Emery’s departure from Belle Vue came just before the arrival of the next member of the 400 club.

HERBERT TINDILL had been born in Hemsworth on New Year’s Eve 1926 and after playing for his local team in South Hiendley he joined Rovers in 1944. Rovers were still engaged in wartime football and his senior debut did not come until November 1945, when he appeared in a FA Cup tie against Rotherham United. He began what was to be the all-conquering season of 1946-47 at outside-right and announced himself with seven goals in nine games including a hat-trick at New Brighton. However, he was then called up for military service and this was to restrict his appearances over the next two seasons. In 1948-49 he missed the first six games of the season but

thereafter was a regular, playing mainly at outside-right and occasionally on the left flank.

In 1949 Rovers appointed Peter Doherty as manager and he began to use Tindill as a utility forward, operating anywhere across the forward line. 1949-50 was Peter Doherty’s first season and Tindill was an ever-present as the team won the Division Three North title. He was lucky in that he escaped serious injury and as a result he missed only two League games in the space of four seasons. He registered doublefigures in League goals in seven successive seasons, his best year being 1955-56 when he notched 18.

By then he was playing mainly as an inside-forward, in a forward line that also featured Eddie McMorran and the prodigious Alick Jeffrey.

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VOICE OF THE POP SIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGES 22 AND 23 In January 1958 after Doherty’s departure he was placed on the transfer list at his own request and he soon joined his old boss at Bristol City, though not before playing a blinder against City at Belle Vue. He made a total of 429 appearances for Rovers, 401 of them in the Football League, scoring a total of 134 goals.

For Bristol City he scored 25 times in 59 appearances before he returned to South Yorkshire with Barnsley.

He retired in May 1962. He then went into the licensed trade and managed pubs for seven years before setting up in business as a motor body repairer and then buying into a partnership. Having moved to South Hiendley with his wife Peggy and their family, he collapsed and died at the tragically early age of 46 in July 1973.

but he struggled to find the net, scoring only 12 goals in his first two seasons despite playing regularly as a striker. Rovers were relegated at the end of the 1982-83 season but roared back as Division Four runners-up the following year.

“Dougie,” who was becoming a fans’ favourite, formed an effective partnership up front with the veteran Ernie Moss and both players scored 15 League goals. Moss moved on, but Douglas enjoyed a good 1984-85, scoring 10 League goals, being an ever-present and taking part in a thrilling FA Cup run that saw Rovers beat Division One side QPR before losing to eventual League Champions Everton.

Bremner moved on in 1985 and although Douglas finished the

Apart from James Coppinger, the only living member of the 400 club is COLIN FRANCIS DOUGLAS who was born in Hurlford, Ayrshire on 9 September 1962. His early years were spent with Ayr United and Celtic, for whom he appeared in a Glasgow Cup match. In the summer of 1981 Billy Bremner brought him south to join Rovers who had just been promoted to Division Three.

He made his debut against Sheffield United on 15 August 1981 in the now-forgotten League Group Cup, a forerunner of the current Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

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1985-86 season as top-scorer he didn’t see eye to eye with the new manager Dave Cusack.

As a result he moved to Rotherham United and spent two seasons there between 1986 and 1988. Joining as a striker, he was moved successfully to right-back by manager Norman Hunter. When Hunter was sacked in 1987-88 it must have come as a shock to Douglas to find out that his successor was Cusack, recently sacked by Rovers. Both Rovers and Rotherham were relegated to Division 4 that season, and Douglas was brought back to Belle Vue by Cusack’s successor, Dave Mackay.

In the next three seasons, playing mainly in defence, Colin Douglas missed only one League game for Rovers, a tribute to his natural fitness and ability to stay injury-free.

He was reunited with Bremner from 1989, but although Rovers reached the Northern Final of the LDV Trophy they did not enjoy much success. Bremner left again in 1991 and his successor, Steve Beaglehole, looked to younger players. In his final season, 1992-93, Douglas was phased out, although he rolled back the years when playing as an emergency centreforward, scoring his final goal for Rovers in a thrilling 4-3 win over Scarborough.

In March 1993 he celebrated his 400th League appearance for Rovers when he came on as a substitute at Carlisle, and was presented with a bottle of whisky by travelling fans.

He was to make only four more appearances and left Rovers at the end of the season. He had appeared in 468 senior matches, making him Rovers record appearance holder, scoring 62 goals.

After a brief return to Scotland, when he found himself unable to settle, he came back to Doncaster, where he still lives. He went on to play for Bridlington Town and to be playermanager of Armthorpe Welfare and Hatfield Main. It was fitting that this great character was invited to the Keepmoat to present James Coppinger with his award to mark his entry into the 400 Club.

Fred Emery, Bert Tindill, Colin Douglas and now James Coppinger are all members of a unique club. Given the turnover of players in the current era of football it is possible that no other player will make 400 senior appearances for Rovers.

Should anyone do so, they will be joining four great footballers who each made a massive contribution to the history of our club.

Gentlemen, we salute you!

JC

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MEMORABLE MEMORABILIA LUCKY US! NOT ONE BUT THREE CHOICES OF MEMORABLE MEORABILIA FROM CHRIS KIDD. Having agreed to write of my Memorable Memorabilia for this issue of popular STAND I ultimately find myself writing about what probably ranks as my third favourite Rovers related item.

Ranking number one in the collection is a 100% nylon Rovers flat cap with fully incorporated elasticated headband. It is fair to say that football related products have moved on from this sort of tat that was featuring in Rovers’ temporary cabin shop circa 1995. Unfortunately it has been packed away with other belongings and I am therefore unable to share a photo with my fellow Rovers fans.

Ranking second in the collection is my first Rovers shirt, the all red number with Hayselden Volkswagen as sponsor.

Although I started going to Rovers a year or so before the 1995-1996 season this was the first shirt I was lucky enough to be bought by my Dad. It is in pristine condition and is also locked away somewhere very safe, alas somewhere so safe I can’t lay my hands on it at present.

So that leads me to number three in the collection – an aerial photograph of Belle Vue, one of five hundred that were released prior to leaving the old girl behind and moving to the Keepmoat Stadium. I’m lucky enough that my wife lets me have a Rovers themed kitchen and is there where this photograph currently hangs, along with a signed Rovers shirt. The picture serves a constant reminder of where it all began and how far Rovers have come in the

last ten years. Back in 1995 Rovers were a fourth tier side with little or no prospect of promotion with a ground that was rapidly reaching the end of its shelf life. Although a place of homage for so many years, Rovers had to move away to enable the club to develop and aspire to greater things. It’s perhaps strange that my best memory of Belle Vue doesn’t relate to anything that happened on the pitch. Instead I fondly recall te admission rules which required that if you could carry your child over the turnstile, the child got in for nowt, hence my Dad was doing his best to lift me over at the age of twelve! Proper Yorkshire.

Eight years after making the mid-season move to the Keepmoat and the club have never resided lower than tier three of the Football League at that stadium, with six of the eight seasons spent in tier two; an incredible achievement. As I write we’re getting set to welcome the cameras for the Derby game, I look at the photograph of Belle Vue, fond memories are stirred, but it was another era, albeit one we should always remember.

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CK

WILL THIS DKVDGJKG SDNFSKY VSJNFSVNSK THIS ISSUE: WHYLSDJ IS THE BLUE?

SDKLFSDKFS FASJNSDFJDS SFNSDKJSF SDFJNSKFJ Na then, hope you had a good Easter and didn’t wolf down too many hot cross buns.

All looking a bit shakey down the bottom u’t’ table reet now int it? I reckon we’ll be reet like, but fingers crossed all the same.

Anyroad, back to this issue’s column and the age old question, why is the sky blue? Could be owt couldn’t it, well don’t worry, it’s easy for Dennis.

So lets get cracking, see the light from the sun right is made up from all the colours in the rainbow. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, the whole lot like. This light travels from the sun to us down here in waves, and the blue light waves are shorter than the red or yellow ones meaning they go quicker.

Now, a bit like like John Buckley, all this light travels in pretty much straight lines unless summat gets in the way and reflects it (like a mirror), bends it (like a prism), or scatters it (like the gas molecules present in our atmosphere).

It’s that last one that’s key here, because as sunlight reaches our atmosphere, its scattered in all directions by the gases and particles in the air. Because blue travels in shorter waves, it is scattered more than the other colours, and so that’s why we see blue sky most of the time.

So, you might be wondering, what about sunsets and that? Well, as the sun gets lower in the sky, its light has to get through more of the atmosphere to reach you; just the same way a low cross from the wing has to get through more legs and bodies than one chipped into the air, before I come and grab it off Colin Douglas’ head mind.

Anyway, so as the sun is coming to you through more of the atmosphere, even more of the blue light is scattered outwards, and that allows the reds and yellows and oranges to squeeze through and come into your vision. Not bad eh? See, told you it were easy for Dennis.

That’s me done for now. If you’ve owt you want explaining don’t forget to get in touch wi’ fanzine via twitter whatever that is, apparently you have to tweet @vivarovers, or I suppose you could do it the old fashioned way and just yell at ‘em on the terrace next time you clock ‘em.

I’ve probably waffled enough here, and I should get off as all I’m doing now is just making sure I fill a page up with some additional text.

Have a good summer anyroad and I’ll hopefully see you next season.

Ta ra.

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PRESTIGE & TRADITION: THE CHAMPIONSHIP THE TOP TIER OF FOOTBALL AS WE KNOW IT EXAMINED BY JACK PEAT The unfathomable existence of the Premier League has never ceased to amaze me.

Spotting a principled, sustainable, ethical football club in England’s top tier is like spotting a fart in a Jacuzzi, and believe me I’ve tried on both accounts. Money is no object (Premier League clubs spent a record £630 million last summer), managers are ousted with more regularity than bowel movements (only three managers in the entire league have been in charge of their respective clubs for more than two years) and home-grown players are almost extinct as the league becomes a frenzy of petulant celebrities that kick a ball about because it’s a clause on their contract.

We must ask, is the Premier League still representative of English football? The geographic spread of clubs is misrepresentative for a start.

In a 20 club league more than a quarter of the teams are in the capital and the biggest heavyweights have hailed from the same cluster of cities since the league’s inception in ‘92.

Only five clubs have actually lifted the title in 21 seasons and two of those were proof that money does buy football so long as you have enough of it.

Abramovich and Al Mubarak aside there’s clearly a business logic permeating through both the boardroom and the changing rooms which represents owners’ interests more than anybody else’s. Fans are cut adrift from their own clubs, players act in their own interests and what remnants of the club’s history still remain exist only as props for global television audiences.

Parachute or escape pod?

This inescapable gulf has not gone unnoticed by governing bodies.

Financial parachutes and the like are purportedly knitting the tear back together allowing clubs to recover when their A-list celebrity status is downgraded, a bit like re-releasing a single or compiling a ‘best of ’ album to ensure at least one more financial hit. Some may even regain their limelight with successful runs in the cup (The Celebrity Big Brother of the football world), but without it they become just a football team again, and eventuality that’s difficult to acclimatize to.

But not all leagues are alike, and in a land with a football pyramid compromising of more than 140 individual leagues which contain more than 480 divisions with more

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than 7,000 teams, we’re not about to lose our grip of football just yet. We invented the game, and if we’ve lost one export, we’ve plenty more to gain.

Capital ties The chasm that now exists between the Premier League and the rest of the English football is akin to London’s economic abandonment of the rest of the country. It’s often said that London is an island cast adrift from the rest of the nation with traits that bear little or no resemblance to the rest of the country, which kind of potters on under the illusion that it benefits from a strong capital but actually suffers as a consequence.

Since the financial crisis a tale of two Britains has emerged. Buoyed by foreign investment and a resurgent financial industry, the economy of London and the rest of Britain’s South East region has expanded almost twice as fast as the rest of the country since the 2008 financial crisis, not unlike the barrage of foreign money that is being plowed into the Premier League.

So why not cut the Premier League adrift? Wash our hands of it, be gone!

The Football League Championship is arguably the top tier of English football as we know it. For starters, the renaming of the league in the 2004-2005 season was poignant. It gave it status in that it is the upper division of the football league, as well as prestige, in that it is the ‘Championship’. No longer playing second fiddle to The Premier League, The Championship has established

its own identity, its own brand, to become a league where aspirations are met, rather than made.

Division 1 The Championship is remarkably similar to the old Division 1 when it was the top tier. Leeds United, the leagues’ last winners, are joined by a spate of teams that were once, and arguably still are, among England’s most recognised and renowned football outfits. Sheffield Wednesday (3rd) and Nottingham Forest (8th) were also comfortably placed that season and have a similarly established place in football folklore.

But what’s particularly interesting is that the aforementioned teams have lived life in the Championship for some time now and survived quite comfortably. Of course, they’re competing against a new era of Premier League drop outs - Wigan, Bolton, QPR, Burnley and the like have all enjoyed spells in the Premier League and returned to battle with a pimped up squad. But teams are no longer relegated or promoted with the overarching objective of getting out of the Championship, rather, they aspire to do well in the Championship.

And therein we have an important distinction. England’s second tier is now considered to be an entity unto itself. It’s competitive, dog eat dog, hard-fought, well won league reminiscent in many ways to the old top tier of the football league that was replaced by fantasy football in 1992.

The prestige exists, but crucially, the tradition remains.

JP

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WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND THIS ISSUE OUR STATISTICAL EXPERT DUTCH UNCLE TAKES A LOOK AT ROVERS’ INTERNATIONAL SET Here are four Pub Quiz questions for you: 1. What do Andy Murray and Brian Stock have in common?

2. Which player in Rovers’ history has the most international caps?

3. Which two Rovers players have played international football for two different countries?

4. Which Rovers player played international football for a country that no longer exists?

The last three questions will be answered later, but the answer to the first question is that they were both the first person to achieve a particular sporting distinction last achieved in the 1930’s by a man called Perry. In Andy’s case of course he was the first person to win the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Title since Fred Perry in 1936, but did you know that Brian Stock was the first Rovers player to win a Full International Cap for Wales since Eddie Perry in 1938?

This leads into the question of how many Rovers players have won full international honours whilst at the club. The answer is twenty-one, a list starting with Paddy McConnell who won his first cap for Northern Ireland

against Wales on the 4 February 1928, and currently finishing with David Cotterill who earned his 20th Welsh International Cap, and his first while at Rovers, against Finland on 16 November last year. At the top of the opposite page is the full list of those twenty-one players, their seasons at Rovers (season 1928-29 is referred to as 1928 etc), number of caps and international goals scored whilst at Rovers, as well as their total number of caps and international goals from across their whole careers. I am greatly indebted to John Coyle who has kept all the detailed information on these international matches and was kind enough to share it with me.

The immediately startling characteristic from above is the forty year gap between Alfie Hale’s last cap for the Republic of Ireland against Spain on 8 April 1964 and Dave Mulligan’s first cap for New Zealand as a Rovers player, gained against Australia on 29 May 2004. Closer inspection of the list shows Alfie Hale, along with Paddy McConnell, to be the curious odd men out since all the other players above won their caps during Rovers’ two most successful periods in history. The first period was either side of the Second World War starting with Rovers promotion to the old Division 2 in 1935 through to relegation to the

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newly formed DRFC Caps @ Int Goals Total Int Total Int Name Country Seasons DRFC @ DRFC Caps Goals national Division 1 P.McConnell Northern Ireland 1928 1 0 2 0 3 in 1958. Though 2 E.Perry Wales 1937-38 3 1 3 1 there may have 3 P.Doherty Northern Ireland 1950 1 0 16 3 been two other 4 C.Giles Republic of Ireland 1950 1 0 1 0 relegations from 5 K.Lawlor Republic of Ireland 1950-51 2 0 3 0 Division 2 in this 6 L.Graham Northern Ireland 1951-58 14 0 14 0 7 E.McMorran Northern Ireland 1953-57 5 3 15 4 period, nevertheless 8 H.Gregg Northern Ireland 1954-57 9 0 25 0 for 17 seasons on 9 J.Walker Northern Ireland 1955 1 1 1 1 no occasion did 10 A.Hale Republic of Ireland 1962-64 3 0 14 2 Rovers finish lower 11 D.Mulligan New Zealand 2004-06 6 0 28 3 than third in the 12 A.Blayney Northern Ireland 2006 1 0 5 0 regional Division 13 M.McCammon Barbados 2006-08 5 4 5 4 3 North. And then 14 S.Elliott Northern Ireland 2008 1 0 39 4 15 B.Stock Wales 2009-10 3 0 3 0 since 2004 Rovers 16 D.Shiels Northern Ireland 2009 1 0 14 1 have either been in 17 I.Hume Canada 2012-13 2 1 39 6 the Championship, 18 D.Furman South Africa 2012-13 6 1 18 2 or finished in the 19 B.Khumalo South Africa 2013 4 0 42 1 top half of the third 20 T.Robinson Jamaica 2013 2 0 7 0 tier. In the years 21 D.Cotterill Wales 2012-13 1 0 20 1 between 1958 and 72 11 2004 Rovers were of course mostly in the fourth tier, season – Graham being joined by or even the Conference, and the Eddie McMorran and Harry Gregg in occasional visit to tier three was achieving international distinction. sadly never prolonged, and only twice produced a finish as high as 11th that The Republic of Ireland match division. against Norway in 1950 was the first occasion when two Rovers players This last season has seen a record lined up in the same team in the total of four Rovers players winning same international match. This has full international honours in one happened a further nine times - five season, namely Dean Furman, times for Northern Ireland in the Bongani Khumalo, Theo Robinson 1950s (twice Gregg plus McMorran, and David Cotterill. This has once Gregg plus Graham, once actually happened once before back Graham plus McMorran and once in 1950-51 when Chris Giles and Graham plus Jimmy Walker), and Kit Lawlor lined up together for the four times this season with Dean Republic of Ireland in a 2-2 draw Furman and Bongani Khumalo lining against Norway, Peter Doherty won up together for South Africa. There his last cap for Northern Ireland has been no occasion where two in November and in March, Len current Rovers players have opposed Graham won the first of his 14 caps each other in an international match. this being the record number of caps won by any player whilst at Rovers.

The first international goal scored by As many as three Rovers players a Rovers player was by Eddie Perry were also capped in the 1953-54 for Wales in a 2-1 defeat against a football fanzine for the likes of Doncaster | April/May 2014 | PS70 | 31

WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND CONTINUED FROM PAGES 26 AND 27 England in 1937 - a feat never replicated by Brian Stock. Of the remaining 10 goals scored by Rovers players in international matches, 3 were scored by Mark McCammon for Barbados in their 7-1 win over Anguilla in 2006 - a scoring feat he never matched in Rovers’ colours.

Two more goals were scored by Eddie McMorran in a 2-3 defeat by Wales in 1953, and the rest were all singletons.

It is a much more difficult task to find a list of Rovers players who have gained full international caps at any time of their career - i.e. either before, during or after their time at Rovers. I have managed to discover the 86 players opposite who fit that bill (including the 21 above), but I am sure there must be more.

The list does not contain guest players, or those only with Rovers for friendly or trial matches, however it does feature three players who were with the club but failed to make an

appearance; Lamine Diatta, Cameron Howieson and Jamie Waite who was signed on a non contract basis, but failed to make an appearance or win a full contract. Peter Doherty was Player-manager of Rovers until 1952, but remained as non-playing manager until 1957. Billy Bremner was of course also Rovers manager, but was forced to don his boots in emergency situations and made a total of five league appearances for the club.

Lucas Neill is thus the most capped player to be associated with the club with his 96 caps for Australia, closely followed by David Healy (95 for Northern Ireland) and Neville Southall (92 for Wales).

It can also be seen that two players associated with Rovers have managed the rare feat of playing international football for two different countries; Pascal Chimbonda for France and Guadeloupe., and Freddie Piquionne for France and Martinique.

The Republic of Ireland team to face Norway in 1950; Giles and Lawlor the two Rovers men - are sixth and seventh from the right of the picture.

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Name Mamadou Bagayoko Habib Bamogo George Berry Habib Beye Alan Blayney Ken Boden Darren Byfield Billy Bremner Pascal Chimbonda Sammy Clingan John Cornforth Terry Cooper David Cotterill Sam Cowan Gerry Daly Brian Deane Lamine Diatta* El Hadji Diouf Kerry Dixon Peter Doherty Hugh Dowd Mustapha Dumbuya Stuart Elliott Jason Euell John Filan Brian Flynn Jonathan Forte Quinton Fortune Dean Furman Chris Giles Len Graham Colin Grainger Paul Green Harry Gregg Anthony Griffith Warren Hackett Alfie Hale David Healy Kevin Horlock Cameron Howieson* Iain Hume Herita Ilunga Michael Ingham

Country Caps Mali 31 Burkina Faso 7 Wales 5 Senegal 35 Northern Ireland 5 Australia 13 Jamaica 6 Scotland 54 France/Guadeloupe 1+6 Northern Ireland 34 Wales 2 England 20 Wales 20 England 3 Republic of Ireland 48 England 3 Senegal 40 Senegal 69 England 8 Northern Ireland 16 Northern Ireland 3 Sierra Leone 1 Northern Ireland 39 Jamaica 3 Australia 2 Wales 66 Barbados 2 South Africa 46 South Africa 18 Republic of Ireland 1 Northern Ireland 14 England 7 Republic of Ireland 20 Northern Ireland 25 Montserrat 2 St Lucia 21 Republic of Ireland 14 Northern Ireland 95 Northern Ireland 32 New Zealand 7 Canada 39 Dem Rep Congo 32 Northern Ireland 3

At DRFC 2011 2011 1984 2011 2005-06 1976 2008 1979-81 2011 2012 1986 1981 2012-13 1923-24 1988-89 1985-87 2011 2011 1996-97 1949-52* 1979-82 2009-11 2007-09 2010 2006 1985, 1987 2005-06 2009 2012-13 1950-52 1949-58 1964-65 2001-07 1952-57 2005-07 1994-95 1962-64 2010 2005-07 2012 2012 2011 2004

The politically aware amongst you may have noted that Shelton Martis is the player who played football for a country which no longer exists. The Netherlands Antilles was dissolved as a unified political entity on 10 October 2010, and the five constituent islands took on new constitutional statuses within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, forming 2 new countries (Curaรงao and Saint

Name Paul James Bongani Khumalo Chris Kirkland Kit Lawlor Jamie Lawrence Mark McCammon Jon McCarthy Paddy McConnell Ross McCormack Eddie McMorran Shelton Martis Abdoulaye Meite Colin Miller Darren Moore Graham Moore Dave Mulligan Lucas Neill Steve Nicol Brendan O'Callaghan John Oster Eddie Perry Frederique Piquionne Charles Richards Gareth Roberts Neil Roberts Steve Roberts Theo Robinson George Shaw Graham Shaw John Sheridan Dean Shiels Neville Southall Brian Stock Neil Sullivan Gabriel Tamas Harry Thickett Gunnar Torfason Jamie Waite* Jimmy Walker Dean Walling Paul A Williams Tony Woodcock Yun Suk-Young

Country Caps Canada 47 South Africa 42 England 1 Republic of Ireland 3 Jamaica 24 Barbados 5 Northern Ireland 18 Northern Ireland 2 Scotland 10 Northern Ireland 15 NL Antilles 3 Ivory Coast 48 Canada 61 Jamaica 2 Wales 21 New Zealand 28 Australia 96 Scotland 27 Republic of Ireland 6 Wales 13 Wales 3 France/Martinique 1+8 England 1 Wales 9 Wales 4 Wales 1 Jamaica 7 England 1 England 5 Republic of Ireland 34 Northern Ireland 14 Wales 92 Wales 3 Scotland 28 Romania 63 England 2 Iceland 26 Thailand 1 Northern Ireland 1 St Kitts & Nevis 2 Northern Ireland 1 England 42 South Korea 2

At DRFC 1987 2013 2011 1950-54 1993-94 2006-07 2002 1925-29 2005 1952-57 2008-12 2013 1986-87 1995-96 1971-73 2003-05 2013 1998 1973-77 2009-11 1936-39 2011 1902 2006-09 2004-05 2005-07 2013 1922-23 1967 1998 2008-11 1998 2006-11 2006-12 2013 1891 1994 2008 1954-56 1999-00 1995 1976 2013

Maarten) and three new special municipalities of the Netherlands (namely Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius).

If anyone has information on any other Rovers players who gained full international caps I would be grateful of any input, so do contact the fanzine. I believe this is a list worth making complete.

BW

Caveat - no figures quoted in this article are official. Dutch Uncle uses many sources including club handbooks, Rothmans/Sky annuals, and Official Rovers History by Bluff & Watson. For definitive data the reader is referred to Tony Bluff and/or Barry Watson. a football fanzine for the likes of Doncaster | April/May 2014 | PS70 | 33

REG IPSA: LEGAL BEAGLE OUR LEGAL EXPERT REG IPSA HAS BEEN HOSED DOWN BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO RESPOND TO YOUR LETTERS. STAR LETTER BLOWN AWAY Dear Reg, I’ve always been a big Rovers fan, very big in fact, so big that I’ve never been able to find a shirt that fits. Luckily the wife managed to track me down a rare XXXXXXXL fitting of the current away kit. It fits like a glove, owing to the odd addition of three extra sleeves.

Anyway, since wearing it out and about I’ve received all manner of abuse from the local youths about my size. I’ve since read up on fashion tips in Heat magazine and it turns out that horizontal stripes are not at all slimming. Can I sue either the club or the missus for misrepresentation?

I CAN SEE CURLY NOW Reg I have been suffering with cataracts for years, that’s why I used to sponsor Lewis Guy. I had surgery last month to have them removed.

The operation went well and I can see like a hawk now. The only problem is I’d forgotten how ugly my husband Curly is. We’ve tried all sorts of things in the bedroom such as dressing up as wonder woman but to be honest, the costume didn’t suit him and his face still puts me off.

He accidentally knocked the lamp on halfway through last week and I nearly dialled 999. Can you suggest anything?

Deardrie Gusset Edenthorpe

REG RESPONDS

Roger Crevise, Hexthorpe

REG RESPONDS Roger, I know where yopu live and no offence lad, I saw you taking a lie down in the front garden the other week and mistook you for a flytipped sofa. I’d love to follow up the case, but I suspect I’d be fighting a losing battle. I can only recommend standing further away from the kids to appear smaller.

Deardrie, I’ve never sued a doctor for doing a good job before. And it sounds like you’ve been married too long to null that either. Can I suggest feigning a Peters & Lee fetish and insisting on wearing the dark glasses each time you have a wrestle, or maybe getting a costume that comes with a mask. Mind, I’ll have that Wonder woman outfit off you as payment for the advice

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SHAME OF THRONES

SURLY VALENTINE

Reg, My missus loves that drama series and has asked me to dress up this Saturday after the Reading game.

I though she wanted me dressed in armour or a cape. Turns out she wants me to dress up as the midget complete with face scar and to walk in on my knees. She’s paid for the outfit but I feel a right berk. Can you suggest a legal way out?

Dear Reg, I am a lady Rovers fan. I have been single for the last fifteen years, though I am hoping now that I have some false teeth to replace the two last ones my prospect will improve.

I met a lovely chap on holiday. We had two weeks of bliss. Now I’m home though I am not sure if our love will survive the long distance. He works as a chip shop fryer in Rochdale.

What should I do?

Walter Piddle Carcroft

Fanny Cleft, Tickhill

REG RESPONDS I used to dress up for my missus many years ago. Many a time I would dress up as Albert Steptoe and chase her round the front room shouting “Harold”. I’d suggest going with it this once on a quid pro quo basis. I’ve got a wonder woman outfit (slightly stained) that you can buy off us for your turn in the driving seat.

Reg,

REG RESPONDS Fanny. Oh holiday romance. I remember a passionate two week affair with a lady in the 1970’s on my holidays. In Walsall. I’ve been to Rochdale. Unless lover boy has an impressive battered sausage I’d scratch it off to experience and start again.

UNLUCKY IN LOVE

As Gwynneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr are now single I thought I would try my hand. I have joined a dating agency that promises girls with celebrity like looks. So far I have had dates with women looking like Hayley off Corrie, Heather off Eastenders and Russell Brand. I’ve not had a sniff off any of them and the picture of the next date looks like Mike Reid. I’m tired of all this ‘Runaround’. Can I get my money back or can you recommend another agency?

Maurice Morissons, Cantley

REG RESPONDS

Mo me old mucker, I reckon you won’t get your money back, I’ve seen you drinking in the Leopard Maurice, I think you’re aiming a bit too high. My mate Terry’s mum has just been widowed.

She looks like Peggy Mount but does a mean breakfast after a bit of how’s your father. I can heartily recommend both. Give me a nudge next time you’re in the Black Bull and I will give you her number. It’s been three weeks – she’s ready to move on.

HB

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SEASONS IN RETROSPECT THE FIFTH AND FINAL EPISODE BRINGS THE CONCLUSION OF RAY JEST’S LOOK BACK AT THE 1974-75 SEASON A poor start to the 1974-75 season had left Doncaster Rovers staring re-election in the face and also spent the end of Manager Maurice Setters’ reign. However the appointment of Stan Anderson as manager at the start of February had brought a dramatic change in fortune for Rovers who had begun to edge up the table.

MARCH Doncaster had now won seven of eight games since Anderson had taken over and were 16th in Division Four a position supporters could only have dreamt of some weeks ago. Even, the fact that Rovers lost their next two games did little to quell the optimism of their followers. On Good Friday Rovers travelled to the Abbey Stadium the home of Cambridge United. The home side were still harbouring hopes of a promotion push and were lying 7th in the leagues when Rovers pitched up. Eccles put Cambridge in front in the 17th minute only for Kitchen to level the scores shortly after. So far so good then, half time 1-1, but within 20 minutes of the restart Cambridge had put the game out of Rovers reach. Cambridge’s leading scorer Shinton scored two minutes after the re-start and again in the 65th minutes. Both goals either side of a goal from Smith. The 4-1 loss was Rovers’ heaviest defeat of the new year.

The following Saturday Rovers were once again on the road, this time travelling across the Pennines to visit Southport’s Haig Avenue ground. At half time they led by a Peter Kitchen

goal, scored after just 11 minutes, but though in front they had Brown to thank for keeping them in the game as he had been by far the busiest of either keeper. Six minutes after the break Southport were awarded a penalty after Reed had been adjudged to handle the ball. In the aftermath Brown and Curran were both booked for dissent. From the kick Martin equalised, and then with the game heading for a draw Southport snatched a last gasp winner. Hinch placed a shot past Brown and although there were two defenders on the line they were unable to keep the ball out.

Back to back defeats were something of a rarity these days and it meant Rovers dropping back to 19th in the league. With the bottom four teams having to re-apply for election to the league it meant Rovers, for all their hard work, were still just one point above this group. Rovers and Swansea City both had 33 points followed

by Stockport on 32 points, but Stockport had games in hand. Of the bottom three teams Darlington and Workington both had 28 points whilst Scunthorpe were rooted to the bottom on 27 points. There was still plenty of

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work to do if Rovers were to escape the ignominy of having to go cap in hand to apply for re-election.

APRIL With points urgently needed Rovers entertained Crewe Alexandra at Belle Vue and the visitors’ manager needed no introduction to Rovers fans; a certain Mr Harry Gregg. Crewe were on an unbeaten run of 12 matches but were undone by two Brendan O’Callaghan goals. His first came after just five minutes and try as they may Rovers just could not capitalise on their lead, so at half time there was only one goal in it. Shortly after the re-start Crewe equalised through Purdie and with the game flowing from end to end and both teams creating chances it fell once again to O’Callaghan to win it for Rovers with just three minutes remaining.

Reports in one or two papers at this time intimated that Anderson’s statement that “no players would be leaving the club” may have to be revised as Everton boss Billy Bingham had been keeping tabs on striker Terry Curran for some weeks.

A second successive home game saw Workington arrive at Belle Vue. Workington were lying next to bottom of the league and it was expected that Rovers could and should pick up two more points to ease their league position. It was not to be however and a gritty performance from Workington and a fine goalkeeping display by their goalkeeper Rogan kept Rovers at bay. The game finished 0-0 in front of 3,232 fans, but at least the point kept Rovers going in the right direction in the league.

With just four games left things were looking quite good for Rovers but Anderson knew they couldn’t let up. A trip to Griffin Park home of Brentford resulted in a 1-1 draw but Rovers should have taken both points.

Kitchen’s 40th minute goal, his 20th of the season, gave Rovers a half time lead, but just minutes after the break French hit the equaliser for Brentford.

With seconds remaining Curran beat two defenders and sent a low shot that had goal written all over it, but Sherwood, the Brentford keeper, somehow made a dazzling save at the foot of the post to deny him.

Another point had been earned and had moved Rovers closer to safety as there was now a three point gap between Rovers and fourth bottom Stockport and only three games to play. With Stockport playing on Friday evening and beating Northampton Town 1-0 Rovers knew just what they had to do as they entertained Bradford City at Belle Vue. Doncaster had a score to settle with their West Yorkshire rivals after their 2-0 defeat at Valley Parade and they set about their task with some relish, leading 2-0 at half-time through goals from Chappell after just five minutes followed by a Peter Kitchen goal in the 28th minute. Rovers pressed relentlessly in the second half looking for more goals and they were rewarded ten minutes from time when Kitchen scored his second to effectively kill the game of. But there was no sitting back on their laurels as only two minute later Chappell grabbed his second and Rovers fourth.

Bradford never gave up though and centre half Cooke who had now been pushed up into attack grabbed a consolation goal late on.

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With two games left to play it looked as though Rovers were home and dry, but they and their fans would get a shock the following Tuesday as Exeter City almost did a smash and grab raid on Belle Vue. Rovers’ goalkeeper Brown was hurt in a collision during a goalmouth melee and had to spend four minutes off the pitch while being attended to. When he returned he was still groggy and Exeter capitalised, finding the net twice through and then Beer.

In the second half Curran pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute but Rovers joy was short lived as Robertson put Exeter 3-1 ahead.

Doncaster dug deep and their fighting spirit showed through as goals from first Chappell and the Kitchen eventually earned them a share of the spoils. The game had been a fantastic advert for fourth division football and the crowd of 4,251 had been entertained royally.

Rovers last game of the season was away to Darlington at Feethams. With a place outside the bottom four secure

for Rovers the game was a non event, not so for the home side Darlington who were fighting re-election.

Darlington needed to beat Rovers to stand any chance of avoiding the vote and they set their stall out to do so.

As a result of his injury against Exeter Brown was absent from the game so Miller made his debut in the Rovers goal. It was to be a baptism of fire for the young debutant ‘keeper as Darlington ran in four goals in a frantic first half. A hat trick from Webb and a solitary goal from Holbrook set Darlington up for a great win. In the second half all Rovers had to play for was pride and they salvaged a little of that when O’Callaghan grabbed a consolation goal in the 81st minute. A great win for Darlington but it was to little avail as Stockport grabbed the point they needed in a 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe in a basement battle.

Rovers ended the season in 17th place. All of the sides who made up the bottom four were successfully reelected.

RJ

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