 |
 |
 |
|
| March
15, 2006 |
Donny
Dog needs your help! |
 |
For the third consecutive
year, Donny Dog is running next Sunday (19 March) in the Doncaster Half Marathon
to raise money for the Rovers' Youth Team. |
| March
15, 2006 |
Mulligan
- promotion dream is over |
 |
Rovers defender Dave
Mulligan has conceded that Rovers' promotion dream for the season is over
as they were held to a fourth successive draw last weekend, which leaves
them nine points behind the play-off places. |
| March
15, 2006 |
Forte
loan extended |
 |
Sheffield United have allowed Jonathan Forte to spend a second month on loan at financially troubled Rotherham United, meaning that he coudl face his former team mates when Rotherham visit Belle Vue for their League One game on 1st April. Forte, who spent three months on loan at Rovers before Christmas, will stay at Millmoor until 11th April. |
| March
15, 2006 |
Rovers
2 Scarborough 2 |
.jpg){kind=small} |
Further to our news that Rovers had held a practice session against Scarborough on Monday, Scarborough's local press has reported that it was, in fact, a "friendly match", which ended with a 2-2 scoreline. Rovers used the game to give some players returning from injury some useful match fitness. The Rovers goals were scored by Neil Roberts and Dave Mulligan, with the Boro' goals by ex-Rover Simon Weaver and Ryan Blott. |
| March
15, 2006 |
Selby
to Frickley |
 |
Former Rovers youth team utility player Calum Selby has returned to UniBond Premier Division Frickley Athletic after joining Gateshead less than two months ago, making just three appeareances for Gateshead during that time. |
| March
14, 2006 |
Reserves
game off |
 |
This afternoon's reserve team game against York City has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. |
| March
14, 2006 |
Glynn
goes to Saints |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers
defender and assistant manager Glynn Snodin has been appointed as first team
coach at Championship club Southampton, where he will be working as assistant
to head coach George Burley. He leaves Charlton Athletic after a six year
stay, where he has been Reserve Team Manager - leading the club to the FA
Premier Reserve League (South) title in both 2004 and 2005. |
| March
14, 2006 |
Man
of the match results |
 |
Striker Leo Fortune-West
came out as the clear winner of the "Man of the Match" voting for
Saturday's game against Port Vale, winning almost half of all the votes cast.
With almost all of the Rovers players receiving a nomination, the leading
votes were cast as follows: |
| March
14, 2006 |
Rovers
Shirt Day |
| |
Doncaster Rovers have
designated the Nottingham Forest game on Saturday as "Wear Your Shirt
Day"! They want as many fans as possible to wear their shirts with pride
and show Forest and everyone else what real support is all about. |
| March
14, 2006 |
Reserves
game this afternoon |
| |
Doncaster Rovers are at home to York City this afternoon in a Pontins Holidays League game. The match will kick-off at Belle Vue at 2pm, with Rovres still top of the league table. Rovers are likely to name a number of youth team players, who will be given the opportunity to press their claims for a professional contract this summer. |
| March
14, 2006 |
Rovers
practice game |
| |
Doncaster Rovers played
a "joint practice session" with Scarborough yesterday, enabling
a number of players not featuring in the first team lately to get some match
practice, as well as allowing Phil McGuire and Steve Roberts to get a full
ninety minutes of match action as they continue their recovery from injury. |
| March
13, 2006 |
Penney:
Leo's goal "worthy of winning any game" |
 |
Rovers manager Dave
Penney praised Leo Fortune-West's strike which deservedly put Rovers in front
in Saturday's game against Port Vale, but commented that the uneven surface
of the Belle Vue pitch did not help his side play the flowing football he
prefers. |
| March
13, 2006 |
Around
the goals |
 |
For a change we start
our review of former Rovers players scoring goals in the Championship, where
Darren Moore scored Derby County's third goal in the 33rd minute as his side
registered a 3-0 win over Burnley, which eased the Rams' relegation fears
by moving them nine points ahead of third-bottom Millwall. Michael McIndoe,
on loan from Rovers, made his Derby debut in the match, with his cross setting
up Derby's first goal, which was scored by Tommy Smith. |
| March
13, 2006 |
Rovers
v Nottingham Forest |
 |
Whilst Saturday's match
against Nottingham Forest is not an all-ticket game, tickets for the match
are now on sale from the Rovers ticket office. We understand that the game
is all-ticket for the Nottingham Forest supporters. |
| March
13, 2006 |
Who
is the oldest Rovers supporter? |
| |
A photography student
at Manchester Metropolitan University, John Tunnicliffe, is undertaking a
project about the unique bond between supporters and their football clubs
for the final year of his degree. He would like to photograph Rovers' oldest
and youngest supporter for his project, together with any memorabilia the
oldest supporter may have. Rovers would also like to take this opportunity
to establish who their oldest living supporter is, and do an article for
the match day programme based on an interview and the tremendous memories
that supporter must have accumulated. This is a particularly appropriate
time as Rovers will be leaving Belle Vue, their home for the last 84 years,
in the near future, and would like to know who can trace back their support
at this hallowed old ground the furthest. |
| March
11, 2006 |
Rovers
1 Port Vale 1 |
 |
This
was a game that Rovers should have won. Despite looking in no danger of conceding
a goal, they were hit by a volley from a narrow angle by Leon Contantine only
three minutes from the end of the game. Rovers had their chances of winning
the game, with Leo Fortune-West and Ross McCormack rattling the woodwork,
as well as a number of other opportunities that defenders maanged to deflect
wide, or block. On a positive note, Rovers welcomed back Steve Roberts at half time, with David Wheater being forced to retire from the game at the break after receiving two heavy blows just above the ankle in the quarter of an hour beforehand. Roberts put in a pleasingly assured performance alongside Graeme Lee. Leo Fortune-West played one of his best games for Rovers, causing the Vale defence numerous problems - and his goal was an absolute beauty. Ross McCormack ran at pace into the Vale penalty area from the right, was flattened by a defender, and perhaps everyone thought play would be halted for a free kick. However, the ball ran to Fortune-West 20 yards from goal, and he rifled the ball across the face of goal into the bottom left corner to give the diving goalkeeper absolutely no chance. The result sees Rovers unbeaten in the last seven games, albiet the last four have been draws, with them remaining in ninth place in the tble, and also remaining nine points behind the play-off places. The "Man of the Match" voting is now closed. Thank you to everyone who has voted - we will let you know the result of the voting on Tuesday morning. |
| March
12, 2006 |
Season
ticket packages 2006/07 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
Rovers have announced details of season tickets that will
apply for the 2006/07 season. With the move from Belle Vue to the new Community
Stadium due to take place in December 2006, season tickets will be issued
in two booklets - one for Belle Vue, one for the new stadium.
Existing season ticket
holders can buy their season ticket from 1st April to 31st May at the above
prices, and new season ticket holders can buy them from 1st June. Prices
for existing season ticket holders will increase from 1st June 2006. |
| March
12, 2006 |
Aaron
to Whitby |
| |
Rovers youth team player Aaron Brittain, who has just been released from the club, looks likely to join Whitby Town, after travelling up to train with them on Wednesday evening., as Town boss Dave Logan hopes to strengthen his squad to stop a recent slump in form which has seen them drop to twelfth place in the UniBond Premier League. Whitby are checking on a number of other players, including Turkish youth international Levant Yalcin and Ricky Greening (brother of West Brom's Jonathan). |
| March
12, 2006 |
Horlock
in New Zealand link? |
 |
The Ipswich Town official website, and the East Anglia local
press, are reporting that Rovers midfielder Kevin Horlock, currently on loan
from Ipswich Town, is attracting attention from Oldham Athletic and an unnamed
club in New Zealand. Ipswich boss Joe Royle commented: “Kevin has had an offer from Doncaster which he is thinking over but I understand Oldham and a New Zealand club have also shown an interesting which gives him a bit more to consider.” The former Northern Ireland international has had his loan at Belle Vue extended by a further month (subject to a 24 hour recall), which runs until April 15th, and has been offered a two-year deal by Dave Penney. |
| March
11, 2006 |
Rovers
team news |
 |
Doncaster Rovers will
again be missing Paul Heffernan and Sean McDaid for this afternoon's home
game against Port Vale, meaning that we expect the side to be virtually unchanged
today. Heffernan played over half an hour of last Saturday's game at Huddersfield
without any apparent ill-effect, but he reported his injury was still sore
on Monday, and is due to have a scan so Rovers can work out what the underlying
problem is, although any operation that may be necessary is likely to be
delayed until the summer. |
| March
11, 2006 |
Port
Vale team news |
| |
Port
Vale, the vistiors to Belle Vue this afternoon, are expected to be strengthened
by the return of several players. Midfielder Danny Sonner has recovered from a "dead leg" injury, and came through a reserve team game during the week, with Hector Sam, Mark McGregor, Michael Husbands and Mark Innes, who have all suffered from injury recently, also coming through the reserves game to be set for a recall. However, Michael Walso is likely to miss the game after not fully recovering from a stomach injury, and Jason Talbot will be suspended after being sent off against Scunthorpe recently. |
| March
11, 2006 |
Season
ticket loans |
| |
Representatives of the Danum Credit Union will be in the Rovers
Return from 1pm this afternoon for anyone who wishes to join the Credit Union,
so they will be able to qualify for a loan to buy their season ticket for
next season. If you wish to join, you will need to bring two forms of identification, one of which must be photo identification (e.g. driving licence, passport), and a second form of identification, such as a bank statement or utility bill. It will cost £2 to join the DCU, £1 of which is an annual administration fee, and the other £1 goes into a savings account. As an example of repayment rates, a person buying a £320 season ticket will pay back £339.94, with payments spread over a twelve-month period. |
| March
11, 2006 |
Rigoglioso
back to Shrimps |
 |
Adriano
Rigoglioso, who left Doncaster Rovers in January after mutually agreeing the
cancellation of his contract, has signed for Morecambe in a deal that runs
until the end of the season. Rigoglioso has been training with Morecambe since
his release by Doncaster, and rejoins the Shrimps, who he first joined back
in 2000/01. The player commented: "I am pleased to be back playing football. Morecambe are in a good position with a chance of the play-offs. I hope to be able to help them achieve that." |
| March
10, 2006 |
Fenton
contract extension |
 |
Doncaster Rovers defender Nick Fenton has been given an extension of a year
on his Rovers contract, which was due to expire in the summer. Nick, who broke
his leg recently, will miss the rest of the season, but will be fully fit
to return to pre-season training with the rest of the squad in preparation
for the 2006/07 season. |
| March
10, 2006 |
Ryan
welcomes two to Rovers boardroom |
| |
Doncaster Rovers have
announced that Jim Beresford has joined the Rovers board as Vice-Chairman,
with Stuart Highfield, who previously held that role, being made Managing
Director. Jim is understood to have invested a significant six-figure sum
in the club, with John Ryan commenting: " Jim is someone I have known
for thirty years and I am really pleased that I have persuaded him to come
on board. He is Doncaster born and bred and a very successful local businessman,
and he has the same vision for the club as myself. We want to bring Championship
football to the town and I am delighted to have him alongside me to help
move the club forward." |
| March
10, 2006 |
Ex-Rovers
duo at helm for Gulls |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers manager Ian Atkins has joined Torquay
United as "football advisor", and will work with boss John Cornforth
(another ex-Rovers player) at the club. The Gulls' chairman, Mike Bateson,
said that Atkins' experience alongside Cornforth will help the League Two
strugglers in their battle against relegation to the Conference. Torquay
are currently bottom of League Two, four points away from safety. |
| March
10, 2006 |
Macca
in Scotland squad |
 |
He may have left for a loan spell at Derby County, but Michael
McIndoe has been named in the "Scotland Future" squad for next Wednesday's
cup tie against Turkey at the Caledonian Stadium. Scotland can finish third
if they win the game, whereas Turkey only need to draw the match to win the
tournament. Also included in the Scotland squad is Iain Turner of Everton, who spent two months on loan at Belle Vue last season, playing eight games when Andy Warrington was suffering from a hernia problem. The full squad is:: Brown (Inverness), Turner (Everton), Berra (Hearts), Diamond (Aberdeen), Hammell (Motherwell), Neilson (Hearts), Virgo (Celtic), Black (Inverness), Kerr (Motherwell), McAllister (Hearts), McIndoe (Doncaster), Rankin (Ross County), Robson (Dundee Utd), Dargo (Inverness), Duffy (Hull), Miller (Dundee Utd). |
| March
9, 2006 |
McIndoe
in shock move to Derby |
| |
Rovers
fans are coming to terms with the "bolt from the blue" yesterday
that Michael McIndoe has joined Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
McIndoe submitted a written transfer request to Doncaster Rovers yesterday
morning, and within an hour had agreed a move to Derby County on loan for
the rest of the season. McIndoe, who has been on the bench for recent matches, feels that after three years at Belle Vue, he can no longer give his best for the club, and needs a new challenge. He is available for Derby's game against Burnley on Saturday, and will be hoping to put himself in the "shop window" by playing in the Championship. Rovers have expressed their regret at developments, and whilst it is clearly far from ideal in terms of timing, have reluctantly agreed to his request, as it is the only way that the club can get a good transfer fee for the player. McIndoe is under contract beyond this season, so Rovers will therefore be able to demand a transfer fee. However, his departure means that Rovers are rather short of players for the left side of the team, and these developments may well mean that they move to sign someone else on loan for the remainder of the season. However, James Coppinger has been operating on the Rovers left wing of late, so Rovers may consider that such a move is not required until the summer. Whilst we are disappointed at the news from yesterday, which will obviously impact on the chances of Rovers to catch teams in the play-of positions this season, we wish Macca well for his future career, and thank him for his superb contribution to the Rovers during his time at the club. |
| March
9, 2006 |
Port
Vale ticket news |
| |
Saturday's
home game against Port Vale is not all ticket, although tickets for the game
are now on sale from the ticket office, and tickets for the terracing are
also on sale from the Rovers' shop in Priory Walk. Admission prices for the match are: Seating: Adults £18.00, Concessions £12.00 Standing: Adults £15.00, Concessions £8.00 |
| March
9, 2006 |
Injury
update |
 |
At long last, some good
news about the many injured Rovers players. Defender Steve Roberts took part
in an informal practice match on Monday, and came through without any ill-effect,
apart from being a little tired - not surprising for his first match back
since the New Year. |
| March
9, 2006 |
Terrier
Supporters back Donny Dog |
| |
The on-going reaction
to the police preventing Rovers' mascot Donny Dog from entering Huddersfield
Town's Galpharm Stadium continues to seriously question the decision made
by the police match commander on Saturday. |
| March
9, 2006 |
Disabled
supporters meeting |
| |
The Disabled Branch of the Rovers Supporters Club are due to hold a meeting in the Rovers Return at midday on Saturday morning. All supporters are welcome to attend. |
| March
8, 2006 |
Donny
Dog Bites Back! |
| |
The ludicrous situation which led to the Rovers mascot, Donny
Dog, being barred from attending Saturday's game at the Galpharm Stadium,
despite written permission being given by Huddersfield Town only four days
earlier, has been widely reported in the local press, radio and television. The decision to prevent the Rovers mascot from entering the ground was taken by West Yorkshire Police, who said: "The situation was risk-assessed and based on the intelligence available a decision was taken not to allow the mascot onto the pitch before the match." The claims of the police that Donny Dog was excluded due to his previous behaviour elsewhere has caused even more anger amongst Rovers fans - as well as from Andy Liney, who dons the costume for each match. Andy commented: "I have never had any hint of trouble before. It is wrong to say I was refused access to Huddersfield Town last year; I was at the game last season in my normal clothes, collecting money for our youth teams. And the only grounds where I have not been allowed in as Donny are Nottingham Forest and Torquay United, because both have blanket bans on away mascots. The suggestions I incite trouble are abhorrent to me and to my club." Andy is writing to the Chief Constable to clear his name, and to find out what the "intelligence" is that caused the situation on Saturday. Rovers chairman, John Ryan, is also writing to the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, and as well as asking for his "observations", will be asking for an apology. Andy was backed by Robert Pepper of the Huddersfield Town Supporters Trust, who called the banning "bizzarre and incomprehensible". Robert continued: "I know Andy Liney personally as he is the chairman of the Supporters Trust at Doncaster and the fans representative on the board. He is a totally responsible individual and what happened on Saturday was totally out of order". |
| March
8, 2006 |
Rovers
v Nottingham Forest |
| |
Despite earlier stories
on Nottingham Forest's web site, they have not sold their allocation of tickets
for the game at Belle Vue on 18th March. Forest were given an allocation
of about 2,500, and around 1,500 tickets currently remain unsold. They have
sold all of their allocation for the seating, and all remaining tickets are
for the Rossington End terrace. |
| March
8, 2006 |
Lawrence
becomes a rebel |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers
winger Jamie Lawernce has signed for Ryman Premier League club Worthing after
being released by Brentford. He has been brought in to add some experience
to the side, with an immediate improvement being seen in the results, with
his first match being a 1-1 draw against Heybridge Swifts, which stopped
a losing sequence. Lawrence now plays in a holding midfield role. |
| March
8, 2006 |
Gregg
on target |
 |
Ex-Rovers striker Gregg
Blundell scored his first goal for Chester City since September last night
when he volleyed home in the 58th minute to equalise against relegation candidates
Torquay United in League Two. Blundell has missed much of the season with
a head injury, but is now hopefully back to full fitness and form. |
| March
7, 2006 |
Voting
results |
| |
The results of the voting
for the "Man of the Match" for Saturday's away game at Huddersfield
Town saw not only another win for midfielder Kevin Horlock, but also again
saw many of the leading places taken by the group of players that only joined
the club since the New Year. |
| March
7, 2006 |
Duo
sign on for more |
 |
On-loan
stars Kevin Horlock and David Wheater have agreed to extend their loans at
Doncaster Rovers for a further month, meaning both players will remain at
Belle Vue until 6th April. Both players have been instrumental in the revival
of Rovers' form since their arrival, and have been unbeaten since their arrival,
with three wins and three draws achieved in the last month. Dave Penney is reported to be wanting to tie Horlock down with a permanent deal, saying "We now want to sit down with Kevin and his agent and try to get him to stay with us here at Rovers." |
| March
7, 2006 |
Ex-Rover
is League Two "Player of Month" |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers striker Richie Barker has been named the League Two "Player of the Month" for February, during which time he scored four goals in five League games for his current club, Mansfield Town. This haul means that he has now scored 20 goals from 39 appearances so far this season. |
| March
7, 2006 |
Rovers
v Port Vale |
| |
PORT
VALE (Home) - Sat 11th March 2006 - Kick Off 3pm Saturday's home game is by admission on the turnstiles. Tickets for the seating in the main stand are available - and students over 16 must also go to the ticket office for tickets, as they will not be able to gain concessionary rates at the turnstiles. Students must bring satisfactory proof of student status with them. Admisison prices for the game will be: Seating: Adults £18.00, Concessions (over-65's/under-16's/students) £12.00 Standing: Adults £15.00, Concessions (over-65's/under-16's/students) £8.00 |
| March
7, 2006 |
Reserves
off |
| |
Yesterday's
reserve team game against Darlington was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
A new date for the fixture will be announced shortly. |
| March
7, 2006 |
Skellow
Grange Race Night |
| |
The Supporters Club
are to hold a Race Night at the Skellow Grange Club next Thursday, 16th March,
starting at 8.30pm. Everyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend, and
admission is free. There will also be a raffle, with prizes such as a mountain
bike and signed footballs, with Donny Dog being on hand to draw the raffle.
There will also be an "auction race", which the prize being a signed
Rovers shirt. |
| March
6, 2006 |
Penney
- playoffs now out of reach |
 |
After a third successive
draw, Rovers boss Dave Penney conceded over the weekend that the chances
of reaching the play-offs are virtually over, with Rovers still nine points
behind with only eleven matches to play. |
| March
6, 2006 |
Donny
Dog barred from Saturday's match! |
| |
In a highly disturbing
development, despite having received written confirmation only four days
earlier, the police refused the Rovers mascot, Donny Dog, to enter the Galpharm
Stadium at Huddersfield on Saturday. He was intercepted on his way towards
the stadium, and was refused admittance - apparently on the authority of
the Police Match Commander, as a result of yet unspecified "police intelligence".
Andy Liney, who wears the Donny Dog costume to matches, did not have a change
of clothes, so was also prevented from taking a seat in the stands with the
other Rovers fans, so hence missed the whole match. |
| March
6, 2006 |
North
Doncaster Branch voting |
| |
Graeme Lee has been
voted as the North Doncaster Branch of the Supporters' Club's Away "Player
of the Month" for February, following on from Mark Albrighton, who won
the January voting. |
| March
6, 2006 |
Goals
time |
 |
It is a brief look at
former Doncaster Rovers players scoring goals this week, with many matches
being postponed due to the snow and freezing conditions throughout the country. |
| March
4, 2006 |
Huddersfield
2 Rovers 2 |
| |
With at least half of
the League One matches scheduled for today cancelled due to the freezing
conditions, Rovers' match at Huddersfield gave them a chance of making further
ground on achieving a play-off place. Rovers went into the match on a five
match unbeaten run - although they were up against a Huddersfield side who
were in similarly good form. |
| March
5, 2006 |
Mustafa
leaves Shots |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers right back Tarkan Mustafa has left Conference side Aldershot Town by mutual consent after just over a year at the club. Now aged 32, Mustafa joined Aldershot in January 2005 following the financial collaps of Hornchurch, but he has struggled to win a first team place this season, making just ten appearances so far. He spent a month on loan from Rushen & Diamonds to cover for Simon Marples back in the 2002/03 season, and made five appearances for the Rovers. |
| March
5, 2006 |
Player
of the season |
| |
We have received some
enquiries as to the latest standings in our "Player of the Season"
table - which is compiled from all the votes of the individual "Man
of the Match" polls that take place throughout the season. The top ten
places in the voting, which cover the whole season prior to the Huddersfield
Town game yesterday, are: |
| March
5, 2006 |
Youth
team postponed |
| |
Yesterday's youth team game at Darlington was postponed due to the freezing conditions in the Darlington area. No new date has yet been arranged. |
| March
5, 2006 |
Burton
transfer listed |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers striker Steve Burton has been put on the transfer list, along with the whole of the Crawley Town squad. The decision has been made by their chairman, Chas Majeed, as the relegation-threatened club battle to reduce all costs. The players have been advised to contact the PFA as the club are now in breach of individual contracts. However, the club still managed to put up a side yesterday - they lost at home to leaders Accrington Stanley, who look increasingly like a return to the Football League after a 40-year absence. |
| March
4, 2006 |
Rovers
team news |
| |
Doncaster Rovers make
the short trip to Huddersfield for this afternoon's League One game, with
both sides being in good form of late - Rovers are unbeaten in five games,
having won three and drawn two, whereas Huddersfield have picked up ten points
from the last twelve. |
| March
4, 2006 |
Huddersfield
team news |
| |
Huddersfield Town welcome
leading scorer Pawel Abbott to their squad for this afternoon's match after
he proved his fitness in this week's reserve team game against Huddersfield
Town. His return means that the Terriers will have all five first team strikers
fit and available - Andy Booth, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, David Graham, John
McAliskey and Pawel Abbot. |
| March
4, 2006 |
Cold
cancels matches - but Rovers game is on |
| |
The snow and freezing
conditions have seen several matches called off overnight, and a number of
games face pitch inspections this morning. Those cancelled or currently in
doubt are: |
| March
4, 2006 |
Rovers
Return open this morning |
| |
The Viking Supporters'
Bar will be open from 11.00 am this morning for the convenience of fans picking
up their coaches at Belle Vue for the Huddersfield match. All fans are welcome
to use the facilities, whether requiring a drink or not, which may be especially
useful given the current cold weather. Buses depart at 12.00 noon. |
| March
4, 2006 |
Huddersfield
admission prices |
| |
This afternoon's match
at Huddersfield Town is not an all-ticket match, and all admission will be
by payment on the turnstiles. |
| March
3, 2006 |
Voting
results |
| |
The
voting for Tuesday evening's goalless draw saw one of the clearest winning
margins seen in the "Man of the Match" voting for this season, with
Kevin Horlock cruising to victory with just short of 60% of all votes cast.
With a total of nine players receiving nominations, the leading votes were
cast as follows: 1 Kevin Horlock (59.55%) 2 Ross McCormack (11.24%) 3 Leo Fortune-West (10.11%) 4 Paul Green (6.74%) Thank you to everyone who took part. The next vote will open following Saturday's away game at Huddersfield Town. |
| March
3, 2006 |
Heffernan
back |
| |
Rovers
look set to welcome back striker Paul Heffernan to the side for tomorrow's
away game at Huddersfield Town. Heffernan has missed the last five games with
a groin injury, but was put through a series of tests earlier this week and
has resumed full training with the rest of the squad. Goalkeeper Alan Blayney has recovered from the back injury that has kept him out of the last couple of games, and will return to the squad for tomorrow's game. However, left back Sean McDaid still looks to be very doubtful to be fit for the match, as he is still suffering from a medial ligament injury which caused his substitution last Saturday. Should he be unfit, Rovers will be down to four fit defenders for tomorrow's game - Marples, Mulligan, Wheater and Lee - but the great performance of Kevin Horlock at central defence on Tuesday does give Dave Penney an alternative if necessary. The cancellation of Wednesday's reserve team match owing to a frozen pitch denied Steve Roberts and Phil McGuire the chance to get a competitive match under their belts as they continue to make their way back from injury. |
| March
3, 2006 |
Rovers
move to extend Horlock's loan |
| |
Dave
Penney is reported to be in talks with midfielder Kevin Horlock about making
his move to Doncaster Rovers permanent in the summer. Horlock's initial loan
period is due to run out after tomorrow's game at Huddersfield, but Rovers
are keen to extend his stay (and that of David Wheater). Rovers could face
competition for Horlock's signature from Oldham Athletic, with Ronnie Moore
already having spoken of his wish to sign the player, although in Oldham's
case, finance could prove to be a problem. However, Rovers appear to be in pole position at the moment, with the fans having made him an instant favourite. Penney comemnted "I've already spoken to them (Horlock & Wheater) about extending their loans and I don't think we'll have a problem because both of them have settled in really well and are enjoying their football. We've broached the subject fo bringing Kevin here permanently and that's ongoing. He's done ever so well for us and I'd like to think we coudl work soemthing out so he is here longer." |
| March
3, 2006 |
Penney
pipped to award |
 |
Dave Penney has narrowly
failed to be named as the League One "Manager of the Month" for
February, even though Rovers won three, drew two and lost just one match. |
| March
3, 2006 |
Sponsor
Donny Dog |
| |
Donny
Dog will be running in the Doncaster Half Marathon this year, for the
third successive year, and will again be raising money for the Rovers
youth team. The race will take place on Sunday, 19th March, and Donny
Dog is hoping that you will help him by sponsoring him. If you can help,
either by sponsoring per mile, or for completion of the course, please
let make a pledge, either via the Viking Supporters' Co-operative's web
site (www.vikingsc.co.uk),
or by seeing Donny Dog's handler, Andy Liney, who can be found on the
door in the Viking Bar before or after home matches, on the away buses,
by telephone on 01777 703757, by e-mail at andy.liney @virgin.net, or
by following the "Half Marathon" link to the left of this page.
|
| March
2, 2006 |
Penney
pleased with performance |
| |
Rovers manager Dave
Penney has spoken of his pleasure at the performance of his side on Tuesday
evening against a physical Brentford side, but rued the loss of the two extra
points that a win would have given the club. He said: "I thought we
were excellent for most of the game. I was pleased with the performance but
disappointed with the result. We had enough chances to win the game, and
we have to learn to be more ruthless when we get in those goalscoring positions.
Brentford are a difficult side to play against. They play to their strengths,
and we had to stand up and be counted." |
| March
2, 2006 |
Ronnie
in Horlock move? |
| |
Oldham Athletic manager
Ronnie Moore has confirmed that he is interested in signing Rovers' on-loan
midfielder Kevin Horlock once his one-month loan deal at Belle Vue runs out
next week. Under the current transfer regulations, loan signings can be made
for another three weeks, and Moore admits a renewed interest in the player,
who he first enquired about two months ago. At that time, his wages meant
he was out of range of Moore's budget, but Moore said: "Horlock was
too expensive for us last time, but you never know when things might change.
There¹s no desperate rush because the deadline is March 23, but if there¹s
a player who can really improve your squad, you have to go for it." |
| March
2, 2006 |
Rovers
Return open Saturday |
| |
The Rovers Return/Viking
Supporters' Bar will be open from 11.00 am on Saturday 4 March for the convenience
of fans picking up their coaches at Belle Vue for the Huddersfield match.
All fans are welcome to use the facilities, whether requiring a drink or
not, which may be especially useful given the current cold weather. Buses
depart at 12.00 noon. |
| March
2, 2006 |
Jackson
set for SPL debut |
 |
Former Doncaster Rovers
striker Ben Jackson looks to be set to make his Scottish Premier League debut
for Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, when his new club fact Motherwell.
Jackson impressed on a recent trial period with the club, and was handed
a contract with them until the end of the season. |
| March
2, 2006 |
England
meeting tonight |
| |
A meeting
for any Rovers fans who are planning on going to the World Cup in Germany
is being held this evening in the Pavilion Suite, Lowfields Road, next to
Elland Road, Leeds this evening at 7pm. The meeting is a joint meeting of
the Independent England Fans groups based in the North of England, and also
attending will be representatives of the German media and German supporters'
groups, as well as from the British Embassy. For further details, please
email Yes2@tesco.net or contact 07711386307. |
| March
1, 2006 |
Fenton
break ends season |
| |
Rovers defender Nick
Fenton will miss the rest of the season after breaking his fibula during
a challenge in the first ten minutes of last night's game against Brentford.
This injury set-back leaves Rovers short of defenders, with Steve Roberts
not yet fully fit, and Mark Albrighton just having gone out on loan to Chester
City. |
| March
1, 2006 |
Coaches
to Huddersfield |
| |
The Supporters Club
are running coaches to Saturday's away game at Huddersfield Town. |
| March
1, 2006 |
Wheater
gets England cap |
| |
Doncaster Rovers' on-loan
centre back David Wheater played the whole of last night's match for England
Under-19's against Slovakia at Sixfields Stadium, Northampton. England won
the match 3-0, with Arsenal's teenage prodigy Theo Walcott putting in a fine
performance and scoring a goal. |
| March
1, 2006 |
McCormack
- no regrets |
 |
Rovers striker Ross
McCormack has no regrets about electing to turn out for Rovers last night
instead of playing for the Scotland Under-21's side. McCormack spoke of how
he is enjoying his football at Rovers, despite it being a different style
to he is used to in Scotland. |
| March
1, 2006 |
Rovers
Official Site |
| |
Please note that the
Rovers' official web site has announced that, due to some "essential
upgrade work", they will not be updating their site between 6pm this
evening (Wednesday) and midday on Friday. |