| Full name | Doncaster Rovers Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Rovers Donny |
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| Founded | 1879 | ||
| Ground | Keepmoat Stadium (Capacity: 15,231) |
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| Chairman | John Ryan | ||
| Manager | Dean Saunders | ||
| League | Football League Championship | ||
| 2010–11 | Football League Championship, 21st | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
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| Current season | |||
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.
The club was founded in 1879 and turned professional in 1885.[1] Doncaster have spent the majority of their playing history between the third and fourth tiers of the English football league system and are one of three clubs to win the Division 3/League Two title 3 times.
Since 2008 they have been playing in the second tier of English football. This marks only the fourth time they have played at this level in their history and is the highest league the team has ever played in. They were elected into the old Second Division in 1901 where they only spent two years before going back into the regional league. They were once again re-elected to the league in 1904, but only lasted a year before failing to be re-elected in 1905.[1] Their third stint at this level of English football was for 8 years from 1950 to 1958. This is seen as the club's most successful period.
The club's colours have traditionally been red and white. Their home strip is red and white hoops which has been the main design of the club’s home shirt since 2001.[2]
On 23 September 2011 it was announced that both manager Sean O'Driscoll and assistant manager Richard O'Kelly had been sacked following a poor start to the 2011-12 season, Rovers having lost 6 and drawn 1 of their first seven games of the season. Up to this date O'Driscoll had been the ninth longest-serving manager in English football. Wrexham manager Dean Saunders was named as the replacement with Brian Carey as his assistant.[3]
The club was formed in September 1879 by Albert Jenkins, a fitter at Doncaster's Great Northern Railway works in response to the emerging popularity of the game in the nearby city of Sheffield. The team turned professional in 1885 and were first elected to the Football League in 1901, as a replacement for New Brighton Tower. Their first season in the League was precisely the one when Doncaster achieved their highest position ever (7th in the Football League Second Division).[4] They only lasted two seasons in the league before being voted out in favour of local rivals Bradford City due to finishing the 1902 season in the bottom three. They spent the subsequent season in the non-league Midland League. A second attempt, in 1904, lasted only one season with Doncaster finishing dead last and being voted out once again. They would have to wait until 1923 before playing English league football again, when they were elected to the Football League Third Division North to replace Stalybridge Celtic.
The club did not have a permanent ground until 1885 when they started playing their games at the Intake Ground. They played their football there until August 1914 when the club went into liquidation. A new company did take over the club soon after but all English league competition was suspended in 1915 due to the First World War and the club was closed down and the ground was turned into an Army base. The club reformed in 1920 after the war's end and due to losing their old ground to the Army were forced to find a new ground. They then found a temporary home and had a two year lease at the Bennetthorpe Ground. The two-year tenancy came to an end and Rovers were offered some undeveloped land. Rovers moved the main stand from the Bennetthorpe Ground to the new home which was named Belle Vue and initially had a capacity of 10,000.[2] Doncaster played their first game there in 1922. Belle Vue was Doncaster's home for 84 years and in that time only received one major upgrade when in 1938 the grounds capacity was increased to 40,000.
Doncaster Rovers were involved in the longest ever football match, against Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 30 March 1946. The match was the second in a Division Three (North) two-legged cup tie and, after 30 minutes of extra time, was deadlocked at 2–2 (also the score in the first leg). After the referee had sought advice from the authorities, it was decided that the game would carry on until one team scored. However, after 203 minutes, and with darkness closing in, the game was finally stopped. Stories abound of fans leaving the game, going home for their tea, and coming back to watch the end of the game. The replay, at Doncaster, was won by Rovers 4–0. In 1946–47 Doncaster set a record for the most games won in a league season (33), when they won the Third Division North title). Harry Gregg kept goal for Doncaster in the 1950s, and was sold to Manchester United in December 1957 for £23,500. At the time, he was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. He went on to help save lives in the Munich air disaster and was a regular goalkeeper for Northern Ireland. The late Billy Bremner, who achieved fame for his playing career with Leeds United and Scotland, managed Doncaster twice, his final spell ending in November 1991 – six years before his death.
During the early 90s, Ken Richardson, who was later described by detectives as "the type that would trample a two-year-old child to pick up a 2p bit" [5] took over as the majority shareholder of the club. He ploughed a lot of money into Doncaster Rovers with one thing on his mind, a new stadium. When he was refused a new stadium by the council he soon lost interest. Richardson hired three men to torch Belle Vue and planned to sell the ground to developers. The attempt put Richardson in jail for four years, ruined Bell Vue and Rovers edging closer to relegation. In 1998 Rovers dropped out of the league with a -83 goal difference. He withdrew his financial backing and as a result the club was subject to an administration order. The better players left to ease some of the financial burden but unfortunately, the players who were left at Rovers were just not up to the task. The fans blamed Richardson for effectively destroying Rovers and even a funeral was held at Belle Vue on the last game of the 1997/98 season complete with coffin along Carr House Road. Richardson. Just weeks after Rovers were relegated, Richardson was found guilty for trying to set fire to the Rovers ground, apparently hoping to pay off the clubs debts with the insurance money.
Doncaster's fortunes soon began to turn round, due to new owner John Ryan's commitment to invest heavily into the club. The club returned to the fourth tier (known at the time as Division Three) after winning the 2003 Conference Play-Off and they found their best form in 50 years in the 2000s. The club has few financial worries and a new stadium was completed in December 2006. Their first game at the new Keepmoat Stadium was against Huddersfield Town on New Year's Day, 2007[6] and the first goal scored at the Stadium was by Mark McCammon.
Promotion the first season back in the Football League in 2003–2004 under the helm of manager Dave Penney returned them to the third tier, now renamed Coca Cola League I. Penney left in August 2006 feeling he had taken the club as far as he could and was swiftly replaced with former AFC Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll, with Richard O'Kelly as assistant manager. Doncaster were the first team to win the Fourth Division/Third Division (fourth level) championship three times, in 1966, 1969, and 2004). Football League rules state that any team who wins a trophy 3 times can keep it. When Rovers tried to retain ownership of the actual Third Division trophy, the Football League claimed that Rovers could not keep the trophy because the league names had changed and so they had not won that particular league 3 times. The titles won in 1966 and 1969 were in fact Fourth division (albeit the same in all but name) and Doncaster were the last team to win the Division Three before it was renamed League Two.
In 2005–06, Doncaster beat two Premiership teams in the League Cup – Manchester City[7] and Aston Villa.[8] They reached the quarter finals of the competition where they met Arsenal. They went ahead in normal time and Arsenal equalised, and in extra time Rovers went up for a second time but Gilberto Silva equalised in injury time and the North London side went on to win on penalties.[9]
On 1 April 2007, Doncaster Rovers travelled with their new manager to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to play Bristol Rovers in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final. Playing in front of over 59,000 people, this was Rovers' first major cup final in the club's history. They got off to the perfect start when a tap in from Jonathan Forte and brilliant finish from Paul Heffernan put Rovers 2–0 up within the first 5 minutes. However, after a brave fight back from Bristol, the game finished 2–2, so it went to extra time. In the second half of extra time a Sean Thornton corner was headed home by skipper Graeme Lee who had come forward from his central defensive position. Doncaster held on to claim their first major trophy.[10]
| Doncasters' starting line-up for the 2008 Play Off Final win against Leeds United. |
2007–08 proved to be one of the most exciting seasons in Doncaster's history. After a slow start they were in serious contention for a top-six finish for much of the second half of the season. Defeat away at Cheltenham Town on the final day of the season cost them automatic promotion and they finished third, with Nottingham Forest taking 2nd place. After a 0–0 draw away to Southend United in the playoff semi-finals first leg, Rovers beat their opponents 5–1 at home in the second leg including a James Coppinger hat-trick to advance to the League One play-off final at Wembley on Sunday 25th May 2008 where they beat Leeds United 1–0 to move into Football League Championship after a half century absence. A James Hayter headed goal in the 47th minute was enough to secure victory in front of over 75,000 fans at Wembley.[11]
The first half of the 2008–09 season saw Doncaster struggling to adapt to the Championship despite a promising start with an away win over newly relegated Derby County.[12] A long run of bad results saw them bottom of the Championship on 20 December 2008 following a narrow 1–0 defeat to Wolves at home. Rovers managed to turn things around soon after and enjoyed an undefeated run of 8 Championship games, starting with a thrilling 4–2 win at relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. This run included derby victories against Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. The win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday 14 February was especially memorable considering it was the first time Doncaster had defeated the Owls in any league competition.[13] The streak ended at the hands of Swansea City on Saturday 21 February after a 3–1 defeat at the Liberty Stadium. Doncaster Rovers secured their place in the Championship for the 2009–10 season after an emphatic 3–0 win at Home Park against Plymouth Argyle. Doncaster ended their first season in the Championship comfortably in 14th position, finishing above 8 former Premier League teams, including Charlton Athletic, Watford, Crystal Palace and Derby County. The survival was also a major feat, as before the start of that season, they were tipped by many as strong favourites for relegation.
Doncaster started the 2009–10 season away at Vicarage Road with a 1–1 draw against Watford. Their first win of the season came at home against Cardiff City 5 games into the season when they won 2–0. Doncaster finished the 2009–10 season marginally better than their first season back in the Championship, finishing two places higher in 12th and earning two more points than the previous season finishing on 60 points. This was despite a promising period towards the end of the season which saw Doncaster close to the play-off places, thanks in part to Sheffield United loanee Billy Sharp who scored 15 goals for Doncaster during his stay. The 2009–10 season's success became a football league record. Having become the first team to be bottom of the table at Christmas, but still managed to survive the drop.
The 2010–11 season proved to be Doncaster’s most trying season in the Championship thus far. Despite a club record signing of £1.15 million for Billy Sharp, the season was plagued by injuries to key players, as well as poor form. Doncaster did however manage to ensure their Championship survival, finishing in 21st place, 6 points clear of relegated local rivals Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United. This meant Rovers would spend a fourth successive season in the second tier of English football.
Doncaster Rovers have struggled in the first few games of the current 2011-12 season; at the time of writing, Rovers had played seven games, losing six and drawing one. This poor start has led to the sacking of manager Sean O'Driscoll and assistant manager Richard O'Kelly. On Friday 23 September 2011, Dean Saunders was unveiled as boss leaving Wrexham.[14]
Saunders' reign started unbeaten in three games,with a 1-0 win at home to Crystal Palace. This was followed by an away win at Peterborough, with Brian Stock and Kyle Bennett scoring for Doncaster and a draw against local rivals Hull .
Saunders brought in many loan signings, including Marc-Antoine Fortune from WBA and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme .
Doncaster Rovers have played their football in the following leagues:[15]
Midland Football League:
1891–92 to 1900–01, 1903–04, 1905–06 to1922–23
Football League:
1901–02 to1902–03, 1904–05, 1923–24 to1997–98, 2003–04 to Present
2nd Tier – Division 2, Championship:
1901–02 to1902–03, 1904–05, 1935–36 to1936–37, 1947–48, 1950–51 to1957–58, 2008–09 to Present
3rd Tier – Division 3 North, Division 3, League 1:
1923–24 to1934–35, 1937–38 to1946–47, 1948–49 to1949–50, 1958–59, 1966–67, 1969–70 to1970–71, 1981–82 to1982–83, 1984–85 to1987–88, 2004–05 to2007–08
4th Tier – Division 3:
1959–60 to1965–66, 1967–68 to1968–69, 1971–72 to1980–81, 1983–84, 1988–89 to1992-93, 1997–98, 2004–05
5th Tier – Football Conference
1998–99 to 2002–03
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Pos = Position; P = Played; W = Won; D = Drawn; L = Lost; F = Goals For; A = Goals Against; GD = Goal Difference; Pts = Points
∗ Denotes promotion via the Playoffs.
Below is a list of all the permanent managers that Doncaster Rovers have had since the appointment of Arthur Porter in 1920. In the 41 years prior to Newbould's appointment, the team was selected by club committee, a standard practice by football clubs at the time. The club's current manager, Dean Saunders, is their 37th full-time manager in all, and was appointed in September 2011, as a successor to Sean O'Driscoll who was sacked in September 2011 following a run of poor results. The statistics include cup games, but not friendlies.
| Name | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Saunders | Sept 2011 | Present | |
| Sean O'Driscoll | Sept 2006 | Sept 2011 | |
| Mickey Walker | Sept 2006 | Caretaker manager | |
| Dave Penney | Jan 2001 | Aug 2006 | |
| Steve Wignall | May 2000 | Jan 2002 | |
| Dave Penney/ Mark Atkins |
Apr 2000 | May 2000 | Player/caretaker managers |
| Ian Snodin | Aug 1998 | Apr 2000 | Player/manager |
| Mark Weaver/ Danny Bergara |
Dec 1997 | May 1998 | Bergara was appointed Director of Football and worked alongside general manager Mark Weaver as the "management team" |
| Danny Bergara | Nov 1997 | ||
| Dave Cowling | Oct 1997 | ||
| Kerry Dixon | Aug 1996 | Aug 1997 | Player/manager |
| Sammy Chung | Jul 1994 | Aug 1996 | |
| Ian Atkins | Jan 1994 | June 1994 | Atkins made seven appearances during 1993-4 but was not a "player-manager" |
| Tony Cunningham | Dec 1993 | Jan 1994 | Player/caretaker manager |
| Steve Beaglehole | Nov 1991 | Dec 1993 | |
| Billy Bremner | June 1989 | Nov 1991 | |
| Stan Anderson | Feb 1975 | Nov 1979 | |
| Joe Kinnear | Mar 1989 | June 1989 | |
| Dave Mackay | Dec 1987 | Mar 1989 | |
| Dave Cusack | Oct 1985 | Dec 1987 | Player/manager |
| Billy Bremner | Nov 1979 | Oct 1985 | Bremner made a few appearances for the club between 1980 and 1982 |
| Cyril Knowles | Nov 1979 | Caretaker manager | |
| Stan Anderson | Feb 1975 | Nov 1979 | |
| Johnny Quigley | Nov 1974 | Feb 1975 | Caretaker manager |
| Maurice Setters | June 1971 | Nov 1974 | |
| Lawrie McMenemy | Nov 1968 | May 1971 | |
| George Raynor | June 1967 | Nov 1968 | |
| Keith Kettleborough | Dec 1966 | May 1967 | Player/manager |
| Jackie Bestall | Nov 1968 | Caretaker manager | |
| George Raynor | June 1967 | Nov 1968 | |
| Keith Kettleborough | Dec 1966 | May 1967 | Player/manager |
| Jackie Bestall/ Tom Garnett |
May 1966 | Dec 1966 | Garnett (secretary) and Bestall were in charge of team affairs until December 1966 |
| Jackie Bestall/ Frank Marshall |
Feb 1966 | May 1966 | Joint caretaker managers after Leivers resignation |
| Bill Leivers | Aug 1964 | Feb 1966 | Player/manager |
| Oscar Hold | Apr 1962 | Apr 1964 | |
| Frank Marshall | Mar 1962 | Apr 1962 | Caretaker manager |
| Danny Malloy | Aug 1961 | Mar 1962 | Player/manager. Malloy's title was "player-coach", but he was in charge of team affairs |
| Norman Curtis | Aug 1960 | Jul 1961 | Player/manager |
| Jackie Bestall | Apr 1959 | Aug 1960 | |
| Jack Crayston | June 1958 | Apr 1959 | |
| Syd Bycroft/ Jack Hodgson |
Jan 1958 | June 1958 | Joint managers |
| Peter Doherty | May 1949 | Jan 1958 | Doherty retired as a player after the 1952-3 season. From 1951 he simultaneously managed Northern Ireland. |
| Jackie Bestall | Feb 1946 | Mary 1949 | |
| Billy Marsden | Apr 1944 | Feb 1946 | |
| Fred Emery | Mar 1936 | Jul 1940 | Emery was appointed manager while still a player, but ceased playing after the 1935-36 season |
| David Menzies | June 1927 | Feb 1936 | |
| Dick Ray | June 1923 | May 1927 | |
| Arthur Porter | May 1922 | Mar 1923 | Porter was "secretary-manager", but was responsible for team matters |
| Harry Tufnell | May 1921 | Mar 1922 | |
| Arthur Porter | May 1920 | Mar 1921 |
Like most of the early English football clubs, the original crest adopted by Doncaster Rovers was that of the local coat of arms. The coat of arms of Doncaster at the time was of two lions holding Yorkshire roses in their mouths as well as a red shield depicting the old medieval Doncaster Castle. The coat of arms is primarily red and white which explains the teams decision to adopt red and white as their colours. The club stop using Doncaster’s coat of arms in 1972 when the Viking crest was introduced.
In the sixties Doncaster council denied Rovers to use the coat of arms and therefore a competition was held which the best design would be selected as the clubs new badge. Named “the Viking” which was designed by a group of local students which is now today's crest.
When the new crest was introduced it included a monochrome Viking image overlaying a red and white circle, which denoted the club's colours, along with the year of the club’s formation 1879. The Viking image would become known as “The Turk's Head”. Also included on the crest was a shield with the club’s initials – D.R.F.C as well as the Yorkshire white rose in reference to the club’s location. The inset shield was also coloured red and white to denote the teams colours. In the early 1990s the crest was altered, omitting the red and white circle background and the Viking image was coloured gold.
A further modification to the Doncaster Rovers' crest was introduced in 2006 and is the one currently in use today. The new adaptation includes a new Yorkshire rose design on the shield as well as a slightly different Viking image in dark yellow. [2]
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| This was the first strip worn by the club when they were elected to the football league in 1901. |
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| This was the first strip worn by the club in 1879. |
The club's main colours have been red and white since 1885. However, from 1879 to 1885 they played in blue and white. The club's first strip was a navy blue and white strip with a yellow diagonal cross. The kit was worn along with a blue Tam O'Shanter with a red toorie at the centre. The pattern of the home shirts has varied throughout the years. However, it has always been either a solid red shirt, a solid white shirt, a red and white striped shirt, or a red and white hooped shirt. A solid red shirt with a black collar was the first design adopted when the club first entered the English Football league in 1901. Since 2001 the club has always played in a red and white hooped home shirt.[2]
| Season(s) | Shirt manufacturer | Main sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1879–1977 | none | none |
| 1978–1979 | Umbro | |
| 1979–1981 | Sereena | |
| 1982–1984 | Gertroot | |
| 1982–1984 | Hobbott | CIL |
| 1984–1987 | Pilkington Glass | |
| 1987–1988 | Spall | St. George's Car Centre |
| 1988–1993 | Ribero | Doncaster Free Press |
| 1993–1994 | Matchwinner | European Car Rental |
| 1994–1995 | Doncaster Star | |
| 1995–1996 | Hayselden Motors | |
| 1996–1997 | Patrick | East Riding Sacks |
| 1997–1998 | Olympic Sports | |
| 1998–1999 | Asics | Beazer Homes |
| 1999–2001 | Ledger Mobility | |
| 2001–2002 | Vandanal | One Call Insurance |
| 2002–2003 | Ledger Mobility | |
| 2003–2006 | Carlotti | Streetwise Sports |
| 2006–2007 | Streetwise Sports | Carlotti |
| 2008–2010 | Vandenel | Wright Investments |
| 2010–Present | Nike | One Call Insurance |
Doncaster Rovers' first permanent ground was established in 1885 after six years of playing football wherever they could. The ground was based near the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and so was known as the Deaf and Dumb Ground. A year later the stadium was officially named as the Intake Ground. When professional competition was suspended in 1915, the club closed down and the Intake Ground was taken over by the Army and used as a military depot. In the summer of 1920 Rovers were revived but were without a home ground as the Army were still using their former home.
They then found a temporary home and had a two year lease at the Bennetthorpe Ground. When the two-year tenancy came to an end, Rovers were offered some undeveloped land at Low Pastures.
A stand from the Bennetthorpe Ground was moved to the new venue which would eventually become the main stand of Belle Vue. Large amounts of ash were transported from the nearby coal tips to create foundation for the pitch. The stadium opened in 1922 by Charles Sutcliffe, a representative of the Football League.[17] In 1938 the capacity of Belle Vue was increased to 40,000 and it was in 1947 that the stadium recorded its highest attendance of 37,099 against Hull City, although apocryphal accounts refute this and claim that many more gained entry to the ground by climbing over walls and thus avoided having to pay. Belle Vue was Doncaster's home for 84 years. In 2003 it was renamed the Earth Stadium after the Rotherham-based finance company Earth Finance started sponsoring the ground. When John Ryan took over the club in 1998 one of his first guarantees was to help establish a new stadium for the club. Belle Vue had never been upgraded heavily since 1938 and despite minor cosmetic changes and the addition of some seating was really showing its age by the time Ryan took over.
A new 15,000 all-seated stadium was completed in December 2006 and their first game at their new Keepmoat Stadium was against Huddersfield Town on New Year's Day, 2007.[6] The game also saw the first three red cards in the new stadium. Doncaster Rovers' centre forward Mark McCammon was the first player ever to score on the new pitch. The official opening of the Keepmoat Stadium was on 3 August 2007, with Doncaster Rovers playing a Manchester United XI in front of a crowd of 13,080. United won the game 2–0 with Anderson making his debut for them.[18]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chariman | John Ryan |
| Vice Chairman | Dick Watson |
| Managing Director | Stuart Highfield JP |
| Club President | Trevor J Milton |
| Head Of Football Operations | John Ryan |
| Chief Executive | David Morris |
| Director of Operations | Gavin Baldwin |
| Directors | Paul Aldridge |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Dean Saunders |
| Assistant Manager | Brian Carey |
| Director of Football | Mickey Walker |
| Transfer Assistant | Willie McKay |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Lee Butler |
| Fitness Coach | Mal Purchase |
| Performance Analyst | Paul Fernie |
| Academy Manager | Paul Wilson |
| Academy Head Coach | Paul Stancliffe |
| Club Doctors | Dr. Ken Sykes Dr. Tim Douglas |
| Chartered Physiotherapist | John Dickens |
| Club Physiotherapists | Craig Schofield Oliver Freeman |
| Kit Manager | Dave Richards |
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Doncaster Rovers Belles became the club's official women's team in 1969 as Belle Vue Belles. They currently play in the FA Women's Super League, at the top tier of women's football. Their home games are played at The Keepmoat Stadium.
Players signed to, and have played for Doncaster that have had full international caps during their careers. Those with a tick in the 'At Club' box gained caps during their time at Doncaster.
The following is a list of notable Doncaster Rovers players.
| Name | Nation | Position | Year | League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Keetley | FW | 1923–1929 | 231 | 180 | 241 | 186 | Record Doncaster goalscorer (180 league goals between 1923 and 1929) | |
| Fred Emery | WH | 1924–1936 | 417 | 30 | 439 | 32 | Record Doncaster appearances Manager of Doncaster 1936-1940 |
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| Clarrie Jordan | FW | 1945–1948 | 60 | 48 | 67 | 50 | Most Doncaster league goals in one season (42 in 1946/47) | |
| Charlie Williams | DF | 1948–1959 | 158 | 1 | 174 | 1 | Famous comedian | |
| Peter Doherty | IF | 1949–1953 | 103 | 55 | 109 | 58 | Ireland international whilst at Doncaster Manager of Doncaster 1949-1958 (PM until 1953) |
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| Len Graham | MF | 1949–1958 | 312 | 3 | 332 | 3 | Northern Ireland international whilst at Doncaster | |
| Kit Lawlor | IF | 1950–1954 | 127 | 47 | 143 | 49 | Republic of Ireland international whilst at Doncaster | |
| Harry Gregg | GK | 1952–1957 | 94 | 0 | 99 | 0 | Northern Ireland international whilst at Doncaster. Hero of the Munich air disaster |
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| Alick Jeffrey | FW | 1954–1956, 1963–1968 | 262 | 129 | 293 | 140 | Youngest Doncaster player (15 years 229 days v Fulham, 15 September 1954). | |
| Billy Bremner | MF | 1979–1981 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | Manager of Doncaster 1979-1985, 1989–1991 | |
| Ian Snodin | MF | 1980–1985, 1998–2000 | 190 | 25 | 216 | 27 | Player-manager of Doncaster 1998-2000 | |
| Colin Douglas | FW | 1981–1986, 1988–1993 | 404 | 53 | 443 | 62 | Forward in his first spell, fullback in his second | |
| Dave Cusack | DF | 1985–1987, 1990 | 101 | 4 | 114 | 4 | Manager of Doncaster 1985–1987 | |
| Dave Penney | MF | 1998–2002 | 53 | 13 | 61 | 17 | Player and manager of Doncaster between 2001 and 2006 | |
| Billy Sharp | FW | 2009-Present | 71 | 34 | 75 | 35 | Record Transfer Fee: £1,150,000 | |
| Quinton Fortune | MF | 2009–2010 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Former Manchester United player Former South Africa international |
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| Pascal Chimbonda | DF | 2011-Present | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | Former Tottenham Hotspur player France international |
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| El Hadji Diouf | FW | 2011-Present | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Former Premiership star Won African Footballer of the Year twice |
The following have been included in the Football League 100 Legends whilst playing for Doncaster.
The following players have won African Player of the Year award.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2001-2002 | El Hadji Diouf |
| 2002-2003 | El Hadji Diouf |
The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of football.
The following have been included in the PFA Team of the Year whilst playing for Doncaster.
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The following players have won Doncaster Rovers Player of the year award.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1998–99 | Ian Duerden |
| 1999–00 | Simon Marples |
| 2000–01 | Jamie Paterson |
| 2001–02 | Jamie Paterson |
| 2002–03 | Paul Barnes |
| 2003–04 | Gregg Blundell |
| 2004–05 | Michael McIndoe |
| 2005–06 | Michael McIndoe |
| 2006–07 | Adam Lockwood / Graeme Lee |
| 2007–08 | Richie Wellens |
| 2008–09 | Matthew Mills |
| 2009–10 | Billy Sharp |
| 2010–11 | Billy Sharp |
For notable Doncaster Rovers players in a sortable-list format, see List of notable Doncaster Rovers players
For all Doncaster Rovers players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
The role of the Doncaster Rovers Centre of Excellence is to develop players and their abilities to their full potential for the club's first team. Rovers youth team were runners-up of the FA Youth Cup in 1988.[20] The youth team runs 9 teams and has over 100 players from the ages of 8 to 17. The head of youth is Paul Wilson and the head of Technical Development is former York City manager Colin Walker. The youth team annually compete in the Gothia Cup. The academy team plays in the Football League Youth Alliance, North East Conference and is only for players below the age of 18. Home games are played at the club's training at Cantley Park.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of Youth | Paul Wilson |
| Youth Team Coach | Paul Stancliffe |
| Head of Technical Development | Colin Walker |
| U16's Coach | Shaun Mycroft |
| U16's Coach | Mark Illman |
| U15's Coach | Mick Tarmey |
| U15's Coach | Don Mckinna |
| U14's Coach | Paul Cavell |
| U14's Coach | Sean O'Neill |
| U13's Coach | Oliver Learoyd |
| U12's Coach | Steve Makin |
| U12's Coach | Ian Sutcliffe |
| U11's Coach | Terry Curran |
| U11's Coach | Jamie Irwin |
| U10's Coach | Ian Scotting |
| U9's Coach | Ricky Ravenhill |
| U9's Coach | John Mcgrath |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Mark Samways |
| Youth Physiotherapist | Oliver Freeman |
The following are notable players that have played in Doncaster's youth team past or present.
HonoursFootball League Trophy English 3rd tier English 4th tier English 5th tier Conference Cup Midland Football League Sheffield and Hallamshire County Cup Yorkshire Electricity Cup RecordsClub
Players
MascotThe team's mascot, previously portrayed by Andrew Liney, is a brown dog known as Donny Dog that wears a red and white Rovers jersey. Before a scheduled appearance during the game against Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 4 March 2006, police prevented Liney from entering the stadium in costume, citing unspecified "police intelligence", and refused him permission to wear any part of the costume within 50 metres of the stadium. Mr Liney later received a full written apology for these unfounded allegations from the head of West Yorkshire Police. The mascot was next portrayed by Tracy Chandler and in June 2011, she was relieved from the position after she posed in her underwear for a Sunday newspaper. Later in the same week she was reinstated back as the clubs mascot.[26] [27] FanzineDoncaster Rovers' fanzine is called "Popular Stand" which was first launched in January 1998. Previously there has been two other fanzines "Raise The Roof" and "Keegan Was Crap Really" which are no longer being published. The fanzine sells at £1 which is the same price as when it was first published in 1998. All of its profits of the fanzine are donated to Doncaster Rovers or related causes. Popular Stand is currently edited by long-serving editor Nathan Batchelor.[28] QuotesI can't think of any other football club that has endured the same traumas as Doncaster Rovers. Thankfully, true fans are now in charge at the Club. I believe the nightmares of the past are over and only sweet dreams will follow. The club is now on the right footing. Mention Doncaster Rovers and I am reminded of a Saturday afternoon at Bramall Lane and my first experience of a sending off. Charlie Williams,1 as I remember, was dispatched for inserting his right boot in Doc Pace's shorts! I am delighted that the decline in Rovers fortunes has been arrested and that, like Charlie Williams, Rovers seem to be smiling again. RivalriesDoncaster Rovers main rivals are usually those of neighbouring football teams with Rotherham United considered by fans their main rival.[30] Others include Leeds United, Barnsley, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City, York City and Grimsby Town. A rivalry of sorts has also arisen with Nottingham Forest who were promoted alongside Doncaster to the Championship in 2008 and spent most of the 2008–09 season battling against the Rovers to avoid relegation back to League One. During Doncaster's days in the Football Conference, rivalries also emerged with clubs such as Chester City, Boston United, Rushden and Diamonds and Yeovil Town. In Popular CultureRicky Tomlinson's Mike Bassett is said to have played for Doncaster in 1975. This is affirmed by Mike's wife who states "I first met Mike in 1975, when he was with Crewe Alexandra, and he was at loan from Doncaster at the time so I remember thinking they might ask for him back, luckily Doncaster told Crewe they could keep him". Due to the following statement of Mike; "playing for 14 clubs, in 9 different positions, including goalie" (which is followed by a clip of Mike in net, and an atrociously bad back pass going past him). TVIn 1998 Rovers featured in a documentary on Yorkshire Television. This episode titled "Trading Places" documents and contrasts the 1997-98 season for two of the region’s football clubs; Rovers heading out of the Football League and Halifax Town heading the opposite the way as Champions of the Conference.[31] Also in 1998 the club was featured in the 1998 Channel 5 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary "They Think It's All Rovers" in which it showed the fall of Rovers.[32] In the early 1980s there was a documentary about Billy Bremner as the manager of Rovrs. The documentary is notable not only for the inside look at the pre-match preparations, warm-up conducted in the dressing-rooms, starting line-up read out as if it’s coming to Bremner there and then, but for such rare footage of early 1980s Belle Vue, with a full-size Popular Stand and the Cow Shed still standing at the Town End.[33] CharityDoncaster Rovers work with a number of charitys but most noteable NSPCC. Rovers have worked with the NSPCC since the beginning of 2009 and done a number of events in an attempt to raise money. Rovers biggest challenge to date is the Inca Trek which Mark Wilson, James Coppinger and James O'Connor took part in the walk along with other Rovers staff. The 62 mile walk raised almost £50,000 for the NSPCC.[34] Mark Wilson said about the walk “We are doing this challenging trek to raise awareness of the NSPCC and Childline, helping to raise funds to allow them to run this vital service. I have wanted to do something like this for a few years, as it’s close to my heart, especially with all the high profile child abuse cases that have been in the news. I wanted to do something to help prevent and put a stop to child abuse, so this is where the idea came from". Rovers have also done a number of chairty football matches, playing in green football kits and selling of shirts. References
External linksOfficialIndependent sites
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