Doncaster Rovers have announced the prices of the season tickets for the 2005/06 season - which means that most fans will pay no more than they did this season. Whilst a number of pricing issues have gradually been clarified during the morning, the latest situation is as follows:
Seating: Adults £320, Concessions £175
Standing: Adults £270, Concessions £120
These prices apply until 1st July, when the full adult fare will go up by £50.
However, as a reward for the loyalty of existing season ticket holders, anyone renewing their season ticket can do so at the "pre-increase" prices - whatever date they renew their season tickets.
We understand that the concessionary price increase after 1st July is likely to rise by approximately £25. We will let you know when this has been clarified, but an announcement should be made by no later than next Thursday, the date of the rally at the Dome.
Student season tickets will be issued at the concessionary rates above, subject to production of proof of full-time student status.
All pay-on-the-day prices will be the same as they were this season.

Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney has said that he is happy with the way that things have gone this season. In an interview with ClubCall, he said: "From the outset the main thing was that we stayed up. It's important that we stabilised in this division and it's given us a platform for next year."
Accepting that his squad will have to improve in the summer to mount a promotion challenge next season, he said: "I am not disappointed to be where we are. If you look at where we have come from, we have done very well. "Next season, I want to push on from here and look to challenge further up the table."

Youth team player Craig Nelthorpe has been given squad number 29, and added to the squad for tomorrow afternoon's away game at Stockport County. The left-sided midfielder gets his chance after the Rovers squad has been decimated by injuries, with the club struggling to put out sixteen fit players last weekend.

Frank Wilson, who was Rovers chairman when they won the Fourth Division title under Lawrie McMenemy's managership in 1969, died on Monday at the age of 95. As well as a long-running association with the Rovers, he was also president of Doncaster Town Cricket Club and a member of the MCC. He was a successful local businessman, having formed his company, FJ Wilson Tyres. His funeral takes place at St Paul's FC Church, Goodison Boulevard, Cantley, next Tuesday morning at 11.30am.

The "Miss Doncaster Rovers 2005" event will take place in the Viking Supporters' Bar at Belle Vue this evening, with ten girls competing for the title. Proceedings get underway at 8pm with local band Kintins performing. Rovers chairman John Ryan, players Simon Marples and Stuart Jones, and a Jordan lookalike will be amongst the judges for the evening.
In an additional incentive to attend, every person will be entered into a draw for a pair of tickets for an "invitation only event" in Sheffield on 20th April, at which Ray Stubbs, Mark Lawrenson, along with the FA Cup will attend.

The Rovers' injury crisis, which meant that two players had to turn out in Saturday's first team game despite not being fit, had further consequences yesterday, when Rovers were forced to name their entire youth team for a reserve team fixture, also against Huddersfield. Huddersfield were able to turn out a relatively experienced side, including seven with first team experience, and won the game 3-1, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Junior Mendes, who has made 26 first team appearances this season. The Rovers goal was scored by Adam Brown.
The Rovers side was: Lee Cockerham, Michael Senior, Adam Green, Rob Pacey, Craig Nelthorpe, Adam Brown, Andy Matthews, Liam Green, Jason Flint, Martyn Woolford, Adam Lee.
Substitutes: Brett Bate (for Matthews, 51), Anthony Griffiths (for Green, 51), Aaron Brittain (for Flint, 60), Nathan Ireland, Tom Brailsford

Former Doncaster Rovers winger Andy Watson, currently at League Two side Chester City, is to visit a specialist this week to see if he has a future in football. He has been limited to just 45 minutes action this season, in an LDV Trophy game in November, and has suffered a number of knee injuries. City chairman, Stephen Vaughan, said "Our best wishes go to Andy, but it appears that there is a problem with his knee. The consultant will give an opinion that will allow both the player and ourselves to arrive at a decision about the future."

There is still a short time for any contributions for the next edition of the award-winning Popular STAND fanzine, which is due to be published in time for the home game against Hartlepool United on 23rd April. Please send all articles etc. to fanzine@inboxnews.co.uk as soon as possible.

Tickets for the seating in the main stand went on sale at the Belle Vue ticket office yesterday. No advance tickets for the standing areas of the ground are available, with all payment being made at the turnstiles.
The match has been classed as a "category B" game, meaning that admission prices will be:
Seating: Adults £15.00, Concessions £10.00
Standing: Adults £13.00, Concessions £5.00

Rovers striker Leo Fortune-West will get a new contract for next season, but only as long as he stays fit until the end of this season. Fortune-West is out of contract in the summer, but Dave Penney has said that he wants the big striker to stay at Belle Vue. Penney said: "As long as as Leo's fit, we'll give him a new contract. He's a big, strong centre-forward which is what a lot of teams are after. We've missed him this season and we know what he can bring to the team."

Tranmere Rovers lost 1-0 at Brentford last night, a result which means that Luton Town are now guaranteed in finishing in the automatic promotion places. Hull City will also finish in the automatic promotion spots if they win on Saturday.

Rovers fans will be allocated to the Wedlock Stand of Ashton Gate for the away game at Bristol City on Saturday, 30th April. Admission prices for the fixture are: Adults £17.00*, Senior Citizens £14.00*, Under 19/Students £10.00, Under-16 £5.00.
The match is NOT all-ticket, but information on Bristol City's web site indicates that a £2 discount is allowed on tickets marked * if they are bought in advance. We presume that tickets for the fixture are not on sale at the Rovers ticket office, as they state that admission is only by payment at the turnstiles.
We have been reliably informed that some supporters have achieved the discount by obtaining tickets from Bristol City's ticket office - although there is a £1 administration charge. Their ticket office telephone number is 0870 1121897.
Please note that, whilst tickets are on sale in advance, you will be able to pay on the gate, but the discount will not apply.

Rovers' youth team was due to play Chester City in a Merit League Division Two (North) fixture on Saturday. However, by information on the Football League website, it seems that the match was postponed. No new date has been confirmed for this fixture. They are due to play their last match of the season against Rotherham United on Saturday, 23rd April.

Tickets are not available in advance for Saturday's away game at Stockport County, with all admission being payable at the turnstiles.
Prices for the away end of the ground are:
Adults: £19.00, Concession (Over-65 and Students) £12.00, Under-17's: £7.00
Wheelchair users should telephone Stockport County on 0161 286888. Their tickets will be £5 for both the disabled person and their carer.

The Supporters Club coaches for Saturday's game at Stockport will leave as follows:
Retford: 10.30am, Bawtry: 10.45, Hare & Tortoise: 10.50, Punches: 10.55, Doncaster Royal Infirmary: 11.00 and Belle Vue: 11.15am
The North Doncaster coach leaves Carcroft Village Club: 11.15am, Bentley Pavillion: 11.20, Don Valley (Jossey Lane): 11.25, Woodlands (opp. Cooplands): 11.30am
The fare for all coaches are::
Members: £8.00, OAP's: £7.00, U16's: £6.00
Non-members: £10.00, U16's: £7.00
For further information, or to book a place on the coach, contact Len South on 01302 817347, Paul Mayfield on 01427 880154 or Warren Hanson (North Doncaster) 01302 337303 or 07787 926809.

Leo Fortune-West made a triumphant return to the starting line-up on Saturday. Not only did he score the Rovers goal, but he was also voted as your clear leader in the "Man of the Match" voting, with almost two out of every three votes cast going in his favour. With eight players receiving nominations, the leading votes were cast as follows:
1 Leo Fortune-West (61.22%)
2 Michael McIndoe (14.29%)
3 Ricky Ravenhill (8.16%)
Thank you to everyone who took part. The next vote will open following Saturday's game at Stockport County.

Dave Penney commented that an injury crisis and a lack of strength in depth contributed to Rovers' 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield on Saturday. Penney said: "We have been down to the bare bones of late with many injuries. We have come a long way in the last couple of years but we know we have to bring some more players in during the summer. Huddersfield were better than us in every department. We did not help ourselves by conceding at bad times but there's no doubt they deserved to win."
He has already hinted that he may be forced to bring some youth team players into the first team squad if the injury situation does not improve.

The North Doncaster branch of the Supporters Club hold their last monthly meeting of the season at Carcroft Village Club on Wednesday (13th April), with the meeting beginning at 7.30pm. They are appealing for all their members to attend - there are a number of important decisions to be taken, involving the date for the AGM. There will also be a chance to find out who will make their presentation to the "Away Player of the season", with the presentation due to be made at the Hartlepool United home game.

The Viking Supporters' Co-operative's "Coin Trail" appeal went up by a further £185.39 as a result of donations made at Saturday's game at Huddersfield. This means that the new total is £31,238.72.

The "Miss Doncaster Rovers" event is being held on Friday (15th April) in the Viking Supporters' Bar at Belle Vue, with the proceedings getting underway at 8pm. It is still not too late to enter, with Rovers advising that application forms are still available from club reception.

The play-offs may now not be mathematically impossible, but are becoming increasingly unlikely as Rovers went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield Town. Rovers are still eight points behind sixth place, but with only four games to go, and promotion candidates Luton, Hartlepool and Bristol still to play, it will be a great achievement to close that gap. A disappointing performance by Rovers, not helped by the absence of Tim Ryan at left back, saw them go behind in the first minute, and despite a Leo Fortune-West goal after quarter of an hour, two further goals killed the game off. Jon Maloney made his first appearance since returning from his three-month loan spell at York City when he came on as a second half substitute appearance to replace Priet.
The "Man of the Match" voting has now closed, and the result will be published on Tuesday morning.

We would like to congratulate former Rovers left back Dean Barrick, who is now manager at Hucknall Town, after his side defeated Bishops Stortford in both legs of the FA Trophy semi-final to go through to the final on a 5-3 aggregate score. They will face Grays Athletic in the final at Villa Park on Sunday, 22nd May.

John Ryan conceded that Rovers played at least two players in yesterday's match (Roberts and Foster) who were not fully fit, as a combination of suspensions and injuries took their toll on the Rovers side named by Dave Penney. Youth team player Adam Brown was included in the squad, although he was not named in the sixteen for the match, with the possibility that more youth team players being given a chance on the bench by the end of the season if the injury situation does not improve.

Former Rovers midfielder Sean Joyce is to sign a new two-year contract with Screwfix Direct Western League champions Bideford when his current deal runs out next month. The new deal was delayed as Joyce would only stay on at the club if chairman Paul Mitchell stayed on. That confirmation was given last week, which will boost Bideford's chances of doing well in the FA Cup, Vase and Western League next season.

Rovers winger James Coppinger is likely to miss this afternoon's away game at Huddersfield Town after missing training for most of the week with bruised ribs that he suffered against Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday. With Jermaine McSporran facing a lengthy absence as he recovers from his knee operation, Gregg Blundell is likely to retain a place wide on the right, with Lewis Guy set to continue up front.
Tim Ryan will miss the game as he serves the second of a three match suspension, with Nic Priet continuing at left back.
Andy Warrington will continue on the bench despite having a troublesome hernia, but Stuart Jones and Jamie Price are still absent with injuries.
Apart from that, we expect Rovers to be unchanged, as the faint glimmer of the play-off places remains for both Rovers and Huddersfield.
The Viking Supporters' Bar will open at 11am this morning for all fans who are travelling on the Supporters Club coaches. Please remember that no alcohol is allowed on any of the coaches.
Anyone who has not bought a ticket for this afternoon's game can do so from the ticket office at the Galpharm Stadium before the match. No tickets are on sale at Belle Vue today.

Huddersfield Town's main injury concern surrounds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, who has been receiving treatment all week for a back strain. Phil Senior is standing by to take his place if Rachubka fails his fitness test. Apart from that, manager Peter Jackson is likely to name an unchanged side as Town chase a fifth successive victory, so leading scorer Pawel Abbott may well be on the bench today, with Andy Booth and Junior Mendes as the strike partnership.
Skipper Jon Worthington and Nathan Clarke are both due to make their 100th League appearances for Town this afternoon - it also marks Peter Jackson's 100th League game since returning to the Terriers.
Definitely missing today are Tony Carss (groin strain) and Steve Yates (calf).

Tickets for tomorrow's away game at Huddersfield Town will remain on sale at the ticket office at Belle Vue until midday today, after which all remaining tickets will be returned to Huddersfield.
Tickets are priced at: Adults £16.00, Students £11.00, Senior Citizens £8.00, Under-16's £5.00.
A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available at £10 for wheelchair users, and free for their carer. For these tickets, you should phone 01484 484123.
The Rovers ticket office will therefore NOT be open tomorrow for either ticket sales or collections.
Rovers have sold around 2,000 of their ticket allocation so far, and the remainder will be on sale at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow.

Wycombe Wanderers have confirmed that they have signed central defender Mike Williamson on a free transfer from Southampton. Williamson signed for the Saints in November 2001 from Torquay United, but failed to make their first team, and moved on loan to Doncaster Rovers for the closing stages of last season. However, he did not make any first team appearances for Rovers, and signed for Wycombe on a season-long loan deal last July.

The Doncaster Star reported on Monday that stickers promoting the re-election of Martin Winter as Mayor of Doncaster were handed out at Belle Vue before last Friday's home game against Colchester. The sticker bore the words "Support the stadium - support Winter for Mayor". Rovers are reported to have distanced themselves from their distribution, stressing that Rovers had not produced the stickers, and had not been informed that they would be handed out.
Monty Cuthbert, a Rovers season ticket holder and Liberal Democrat leader on Doncaster Council, said "No matter which mayor is elected, there will be a new Doncaster stadium", pointing out that the stadium had been passed by the full council and all political parties, not just Mr Winter.

Rovers midfielder John Doolan expect to be a Doncaster Rovers player next season, despite reported interest from League Two club Chester City. Despite being rumoured to be stalling on signing a new contract at Belle Vue, John said in an interview with ClubCall's Ewan Monaghan, he said: "I can't see why not if everything is right. I don't really want to move down a league. I want to stay at Doncaster as long as I can."
ClubCall is available for the latest Belle Vue news on 0904 064 1003 and at www.clubcall.com

Rovers have announced that all replica shirts have now been reduced. Adult sizes of shirts are now £20, children's sizes £15; shorts are £10 for all sizes, and socks £5 for all sizes.
The new kits for next season will get their first public viewing at the Rovers' rally at the Doncaster Dome on April 21st.

Former Doncaster Rovers central defender Darren Moore has signed a new two-year contract at West Bromwich Albion. Moore should reach 100 starts for Albion before the end of the season, having joined the club from Portsmouth in 2001, and is currently their club captain

The last meeting of the North Doncaster branch of the Supporters Club before their AGM will be held in the Carcroft Village Club on 13th April at 7.30pm. All members are urged to attend - there will be a draw to decide who will make the presentation of the "Away Player of the Season" to the winning player at a home match towards the end of the season. There are also other important topics to be discussed, including the date of the AGM, so please attend if you possibly can!
They will be presenting John Ryan with a cheque from funds raised on April 23rd at the Hartlepool home game.

Rovers have reported that a Rovers' reserve side played Sheffield United reserves in a practice game at Cantley Park training ground yesterday afternoon, with Rovers taking the opportunity to view a number of trialists in action. The Blades put out a strong side, including Ashley Ward, Tommy Johnson, Paul Shaw and David Johnson and Phil Barnes.

It has been announced that the Viking Supporters Bar will be open from 11am on Saturday morning to allow any supporters waiting to catch the Supporters' Club coaches to the Huddersfield Town game. Coaches will depart from Belle Vue at about 12.30pm. All are welcome to wait in the club house, whether they have a drink or not.
Please remember that no alcohol is allowed on any of the coaches (it is illegal to do so), and any coach on which alcohol is found is at the risk of being turned back to Doncaster.

Doncaster Rovers have confirmed that Jermaine McSporran's knee operation to repair a ruptured patella tendon has gone according to plan - but he will have his leg in a splint for some time. This means that it will be three to four months before any further treatment will be possible, and his recovery plan reviewed. This timescale means that he is likely to miss the beginning of the pre-season training for next season.

The Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club are hoping to form a football team for next season, with the side playing our opponents' supporters on the day that Rovers play a first team game. If you are over sixteen years of age, and want to play, please give Paul Mayfield a ring on 01427 880154. The Supporters Club will supply the kit, and a coach carrying the team will leave early so that the game can be played whilst still leaving enough time before the Rovers play.

A week ago, Chester City chairman Stephen Vaughan indicated that Chester will make a further bid to sign Rovers striker Gregg Blundell in the summer after being thwarted in a deadline-bid for the player. The local press in the Chester area reported that Rovers turned down a £100,000 bid for Blundell.
Vaughan was quoted as saying: "We will make a renewed effort for Greg when the season has finished, he is the sort of player who will enhance our squad."
The same source also reports that Chester are also interested in midfielder John Doolan, who is currently having contract talks with Rovers after being offered a new deal at Belle Vue.
All these moves have been thrown into doubt with the news yesterday that Chester's manager, Ian Rush, has resigned after not being consulted about the sacking of his assistant manager, Mark Aizlewood, on Monday.

Donny R'sonists competed in the annual Land Ut Gods Tournament on Sunday 3rd April 2005. The all-day competition, staged at Lindley Moor, Huddersfield was in aid of the Children's Heart Surgery Foundation.
The R'sonists were drawn in Group D against Rotherham United and Stockport County. In the opening game, against Rotherham, the R'sonists lost 3-1 after being level with only a few minutes to go. Rotherham's 4-1 win over Stockport meant that the R'sonists needed only a draw to reach the quarter finals. Despite trailing to a first-half goal, a late equaliser by Andy Siddle (who had scored the goal against Rotherham) ensured that the R'sonists gained revenge over the team who beat them in last year's Final.
The quarter final matched the R'sonists with hosts Huddersfield Town. Despite dominating the first half, the R'sonists fell behind early in the second but then snatched a dramatic equaliser through Andy Siddle with a minute to go. This took them to a penalty shoot-out where only one kick was missed- sadly by an R'sonists player.
Despite fielding a small squad the R'sonists did well to qualify from a difficult group and were unlucky to lose in the quarter-finals. Hull City won the tournament, beating Rotherham in the Final.
Squad: Alan Brown, Alan Roberts, Neil Tissington, Nigel Johnson, Karl Smith, Graham Moss, Keith Sanders, Simon Hall, Paul Exton, Paul Cuffling, Ledley Wilson, Andy Siddle, John Coyle (manager).

Rovers striker Neil Roberts won a closely fought contest in the latest"Man of the Match" voting following Friday's home game against Colchester United. What was remarkable was that Leo Fortune-West, despite only being on the pitch for 18 minutes, picked up enough votes to finish in a respectable third place. The leading votes were cast as follows:
1 Neil Roberts (24.68%)
2 John Doolan (23.37%)
3 Leo Fortune-West (14.29%)
4 Lewis Guy (9.09%)
Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to vote. All votes will go forward to the end of season total. The next vote will open following Saturday's away game at Huddersfield Town.

The Supporters Club are running coaches to this Saturday's away game at Huddersfield Town. Departure times are as follows:
Retford 11.45am, Bawtry 12.00, Hare & Tortoise 12.05, Punches 12.10, Infirmary 12.15, Belle Vue 12.30pm.
The North Doncaster Branch coach leaves Carcroft Village Club at 11.45am, Bentley Pavillion: 11.50, Don Valley (Jossey Lane): 11.55 and Woodlands (opp. Cooplands): 12.00
The fares for both routes will be:
Members: £7.00, OAP's: £6.00, U16's: £5.00
Non-members: £9.00, U16's: £6.00
To book, or for further information, please contact: Len South on 01302 817347, Paul Mayfield on 01427 880154 or Warren Hanson (North Doncaster) 01302 337303 or 07787 926809.

Doncaster Rovers Belles must pick up at least two points from their final two games of the season to avoid relegation. Starting the weekend off a point ahead of the relegation spots, with Bristol City already doomed after completing their fixture list, Liverpool picked up a crucial 2-1 win over Birmingham City to move above the Belles, whose away game at Everton was postponed.

Donny Dog's trainer, Andy Liney, has let us know that Donny completed the Doncaster Half-Marathon yesterday afternoon in his best-yet time of 2 hours, 45 minutes, 15 seconds. We would like to congratulate Donny Dog on this great achievement, which was an improvement of over 14 minutes on last year's time, despite the high temperatures experienced.
The successful completion of the half-marathon means that all sponsorship pledges are now due for payment. The VSC site will be accepting on-line payments via the PayPal system from later on today. You can also pay by seeing Andy in the Viking Supporters Bar at home matches, or on the Supporters Club coaches for away games. All money raised will go towards the Viking Supporters' Co-operative's "Coin Trail", which is raising money for the youth team.

This week's review of former Rovers players scoring goals begins in the Championship, where leaders Sunderland recorded a crucial 3-1 win at Queen's Park Rangers, with Chris Brown scoring their second goal midway through the second half. The victory sees Sunderland move five points clear at the top of the table.
League One saw Adebayo Akinfenwa putting Torquay United ahead in their game at Walsall, although the game finished 1-1.
In the Conference National, Steve Burton scored on his debut for Crawley Town as they won 2-0 at home to Accrington Stanley. Neil Redfearn celebrated signing a new contract with Scarborough by putting them ahead from the penalty spot at Morecambe. Two goals in three minutes in the second half handed the home side a 2-1 victory.
A brace from Mark Sale for Alfreton Town in the Conference North gave his club a clear 4-0 victory at bottom club Bradford Park Avenue - a further defeat is likely to see Bradford relegated.
The much-travelled ex-Rovers striker Wade Falana is now at Ryman League Division One club Bromley, and scored one of their three goals as they won 3-0 at Whyteleave after coming on as a second half substitute.

Rovers continued their improved form in the Merit League Second Division (North) on Saturday morning as they registered a 3-1 home win over Grimsby Town. A 2-1 half-time lead was achieved with goals from Brailsford and Brown, despite Grimsby going in front after just three min tues of play. A third goal for Rovers just a minute after the re-start put the game beyond the visitors, who offered little threat to Rovers, but defended well.
The Rovers side was: Lee Cockerham, Alex Wilson, Tommy Brailsford, Andy Matthews, Adam Green, Robert Pacey, Adam Brown, Liam Green, Danny Maudslay, Jason Flint, Craig Nelthorpe
Substitutes: Anthony Griffith (for Brown, 52), Martyn Woolford (for Brailsford, 59), Adam Lee (for Maudslay, 86), Michael Senior, Aaron Brittain

A further transfer-deadline move involving a former Rovers player that has come to our attention involved right back Ryan Kirby, who has competed a move from Thurrock to Fisher Athletic, who play in the Southern League, Division One (East). Ryan played over 70 games for Rovers between 1994 and 1996.

The Rovers official site has reported that Dave Penney is in search of a qualified sprint coach. All interested parties should contact him at Belle Vue. Presumably they need the likes of Blundell, Coppinger and McIndoe to run a bit quicker!

Rovers' faint hopes of promotion via the play-off places virtually vanished this evening when they were held to a 1-1 draw despite playing four up front for the final 20 minutes of the game. Rovers went behind after just 14 minutes when a shot from Marino Keith took enough a deflection to totally wrong-foot Iain Turner. They were still behind at the break when they had failed to hit a telling shot on target.
Rovers replaced Coppinger with Lewis Guy for the second half as they placed the emphasis on attack, but it was Colchester who pressed forwards in the first quarter hour of the half. It took the introduction of Leo Fortune-West in place of Nic Priet 18 minutes from time to unsettle the visiting defence, and they deservedly equalized 14 minutes from time when Lewis Guy scored his first goal in the Rovers' first team when he slotted home a Gregg Blundell cross.
The "Man of the Match voting is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part - the result will be announced on Tuesday morning.

Rovers manager Dave Penney has admitted that Rovers' remaining faint play-off hopes all but disappeared on Friday night after only drawing at home to Colchester. With results from Saturday, a four point gap has opened up between seventh placed Brentford and eighth place Bristol City, which surely with only five games to go for Rovers is too large a gap to close.
Penney said of the situation: "I thought our promotion play-off hopes were over several times already but other teams keep losing and making us think we are back in with a shout. But that looks to be it for now although I'll wait and see what the results are like on Saturday before writing us off. This game was typical of what has cost us all season and that has been we've drawn too many home games. They set their stall out to frustrate us with the way they played and we were not quite on top of our game and bright enough to open them up until the second half."

The next £1,000 milestone has been passed, with a further £510.07 collected at Friday's Colchester United game meaning that the new total for the VSC's "Coin Trail" has now reached £31.063.33.
This total has a great chance of moving up even further in the next few days, with Donny Dog running in this morning's Doncaster Half-Marathon. Why not pop along and see Donny in action, and give him a cheer?
The event starts at Hayfield Lakes at 10am, then following the route of the Great North Road, Hurst
Lane, Auckley, Branton, Cantley (left at McCauley High School), back to Great North Road, back to Hayfield Lakes, then (second lap) Hayfield Lane, re-join road to Auckley, then same as first lap back to finish.
It took him just under three hours last year, so with a bit of encouragement, he may well do better this time!

The next issue of the award-winning Popular STAND fanzine is due to go on sale at the Hartlepool United game on 23rd April. They are still asking for any contributions for inclusion, which need to be received by Saturday, 9th April. Please send all articles, art work, etc. to fanzine@inboxnews.co.uk.

Former Rovers youth team midfielder Scott Willis has signed for Nationwide North club Stalybridge Celtic on their transfer deadline day from Halifax Town, where he moved last May. Previous clubs include Wigan, Mansfield, Carlisle, Lincoln, Northwich, Hereford and Runcorn.

Former Rovers strikers Robert Gill and Steve Burton have both moved to new clubs on transfer deadline day. Gill has joined Forest Green Rovers from Scarborough on a loan deal until the end of the season after he has struggled to hold down a place in the Boro first team this season.
Scarborough striker Burton has been allowed to join Crawley Town. He had been on loan at Canvey island since mid-February.

Rovers will bring in Nic Priet at left back for tonight's home game against Colchester United, as Tim Ryan begins a two match suspension after reaching ten bookings for the season.
Besides that, Rovers are not expected to make many changes to the side that won at Tranmere Rovers on Monday.
Colchester have new loan signing Ryan Jarvis available, but he is likely to settle for a place on the bench, but Pat Baldwin should return to the side after recovering from an ankle injury. Jamie Cade is likely to travel with the squad after proving his fitness in the reserves after recovering from an ankle injury. Gavin Johnson faces a late fitness test, as he is suffering from a back injury.
Definitely missing will be former Sheffield Wednesday striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, who has had his contract terminated by mutual consent - the player is now likely to return to France. Young defender Ross Crouch has also left the club - although only on loan, having signed for Halstead Town until the end of the season.
Rovers could go level on points with sixth-placed Bournemouth this evening if they pick up the three points.
An added highlight for the match is the appearance of Tony Christie, currently enjoying chart success with the number one single "(Is this the way to) Amarillo". Tony will appear on the pitch at Belle Vue at approximately 7.15pm.
Tonight's game is a "Category B" match, with admission for all standing areas being payable on the turnstiles.

Thank you to everyone who has already sponsored Donny Dog, who is running in Sunday's Doncaster half-marathon. Donny says that he's had plenty of sponsors so far, but still needs some more to equal the £1,300 that he raised last year. All the sponsorship money will go into the "Coin Trail" appeal fund, which is raising money towards the costs involved in running the Rovers' youth team.
Why not place your sponsorship pledge on-line by visiting www.vikingsc.co.uk (or clicking on their logo to the left) - or see Andy Liney at this evening's game. He can be found in the Viking Supporters Bar before the match - or you can email him on andy.liney@virgin.net, or ring him on 01777 703757.

Former Rovers goalkeeper Paul Crichton has quit Conference side Accrington Stanley, although he remains available in the case of emergencies. Accrington have been forced to recall keeper Jon Kennedy from his loan spell at Witton Albion, and Kennedy will go straight back into the side for tomorrow's game at Crawley Town.

Francis Tierney, who was forced to give up the full-time game earlier in the season after failing to regain full fitness following knee surgery, has signed for Nationwide Conference club Northwich Victoria for the rest of the season as he bids to prove his fitness.
Northwich are currently battling against relegation from the Conference, being third from bottom at the moment, although Forest Green are only a point ahead of them. Yesterday was "transfer deadline day" for the Conference.

We apologize for not publishing the results of the "Man of the Match" voting yesterday for Monday's away game at Tranmere Rovers.
The voting was a two-horse race, with strikers Gregg Blundell and Neil Roberts being the only main contenders, even though eight players received nominations. The leading votes were cast as follows:
1 Gregg Blundell (38.09%)
2 Neil Roberts (26.98%)
3 Ricky Ravenhill, Michael McIndoe (6.35% each)
Thank you to everyone who took part. The next voting will begin this evening following the home game against Colchester United.