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May
15, 2009 |
Another
pre-season game announced |
 |
Blue
Square North new-boys Barrow have announced that they will play a pre-season
game against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, 18th July. The match will kick-off
at 1pm. The latest date means that three matches have now been confirmed - Rovers will travel to play Rotherham United on Saturday, 25th July before playing their only home game of the summer on Saturday, 1st August, when Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the opposition for Mickey Walker's testimonial game. Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll has previously said that pre-season games may well be fewer than in past summers as the club may well arrange a number of "behind closed doors" practice matches instead. |
May
15, 2009 |
Shiels
to take part in Fun Run |
 |
Rovers
striker Dean Shiels has confirmed that he will be taking part in the Ballymoney
Fun Run, which takes place at Ballymoney's Riverside Park next Friday
- 22nd May. Dozens of household names, including several national and
world champions are reported to have agreed to take part in the 3.5km
event - there will also be a 5km race for those who want more of a challenge. In an interview with the Ballymoney Times, Shiels said: "All proceeds go to Cancer Research which is a fantastic cause so I'm delighted to be able to help in any way I can. From what I hear the camaraderie on the night is excellent so it should be an enjoyable evening and hopefully we can beat last year's total." |
May
15, 2009 |
Sarge
predicts Cambridge win |
 |
Ex-Rovers
defender Mark Albrighton has predicted that his former club Cambridge
United should beat Torquay United at Wembley on Saturday as the two sides
meet in the Blue Square Premier play-off final to determine who will be
promoted to the Football League alongside champions Burton Albion. Albrighton, now with Stevenage Borough, said: "They're both good sides, but look at Exeter - second time lucky last year. That experience counts so Cambridge should have a bit of an advantage." Cambridge were unsuccessful in the play-off final last year, when they lost to Exeter City, and Mark believes that the experience should benefit the U's this time around. He said: "All the hype, all the interviews, Wembley is a massive stage and the home of football. We're used to playing in front of three or four thousand a week and there it's 30,000 plus." "[Former U's boss] Jimmy Quinn wanted us to play a different way in the final last year and it didn't work. Looking back, I'd say go in there full of confidence and enjoy the day and give it your all as you might not get another chance." |
May
15, 2009 |
Ryan
hails Rovers' form |
 |
Rovers
chairman John Ryan has praised the performance of the Rovers side which
saw them the Championship's second-best form team for the second half
of the season. Speaking at the Sheffield Star's awards dinner at the end of last month, in which Rovers midfielder Brian Stock was named as the club's Player of the Year, Ryan was happy to have survived in the Championship this season. He commented: "I said at the start of the season I would be happy to come fourth from bottom, and to finish mid-table is a great achievement particularly as we were rock bottom of Boxing Day. If we hadn't have had one or two injuries we might have made the Play-offs. But I honestly think next season we can operate in the top half of the table rather than the bottom half." Praising the way that Sean O'Driscoll has organised and motivated his players, Ryan continued: "They have done an incredible job against all odds really. We are one of the smallest clubs in the Championship; but we don't play like it. The thing is not only have we achieved success but we have done it by playing good football." |
May
15, 2009 |
Darlington
friendly may be off |
 |
The
local press in Darlington have reported that a pre-season game against
Doncaster Rovers may be called off following the departure of Dave Penney
to Oldham Athletic last week. The Quakers already have home matches against
Leeds and Sunderland lined up, but the administrators are hoping to fix
up a game against Premiership opposition instead of the 'planned' game
against Rovers. The financial situation at Darlington continues to be precarious - money at a recent fundraising match organised by Dave Penney was hoped to be enough to keep them going through the summer, but that hope was dashed when the administrators released virtually all the first team squad as he strives to cut costs to enable survival of the club. |
May
14, 2009 |
Rovers
turn down £1m for Wellens? |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers are reported to have turned down a £1 million bid from Leicester
City for midfielder Richie Wellens, who was one of Rovers' most influential
players last season. The Doncaster Star report that Rovers have responded
by telling Leicester that it would take at least £1.5 million to
tempt them - showing either how much they value the player or how determined
the management is to keep hold of their most important players. Whilst Rovers are reluctant to let key players leave, John Ryan recently said that every player has their price - so stand by for further offers for various players during the summer break! |
May
14, 2009 |
Wheater
to withdraw from England U21 squad |
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers loan defender David Wheater looks likely to pull out
of the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships which are
being held in Sweden next month. Wheater is suffering from a knee injury
which is expected to keep him out of the Middlesbrough side for the rest
of the season, and he has been advised not to rush back for the England
games. Wheater's absence will not help in Middlesbrough's battle against relegation - Monday's defeat against Newcastle makes their chances of escaping relegation remote. |
May
14, 2009 |
Wolves
get Donny programmes back in stock |
 |
Wolverhampton
Wanderers have announced that they have got a further stock of their special
programme which was issued for the game against Doncaster Rovers, back
in stock. The special 100-page souvenir edition is now available on-line
at www.wolves.co.uk for £3 (no doubt plus postage!). |
May
14, 2009 |
JJ
ruled out of play-off game |
 |
Ex-Rovers
striker Jason Price will have to sit out this evening's League One play-off
semi-final second leg against Leeds United owing to a hamstring injury
sustained after just quarter of an hour of the first leg last week. The
first leg finished with Millwall holding a 1-0 lead, but boss Kenny Jackett
confirmed this morning that Price would not recover in time for today's
game. Apart from Price, Millwall look to be at full strength - Leeds are
also likely to be at full strength. Whilst Price may be disappointed that he will not be playing tonight, you will be able to see him - he's a studio guest in Sky Sports' coverage of the game. |
May
14, 2009 |
Watson's
wealth drops |
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Rovers
director Dick Watson has seen his wealth decline by £30 million
this year, according to the Sunday Times "Rich List", which
sees a great number of people's alleged worth drop due to the current
recession. Watson's wealth is now estimated to be £85 million. Fellow director Terry Bramall is rated as being worth £400 million, down £50 million from last year. Both Bramall and Watson made their money from the sale of their shares in Keepmoat plc. Just over a year ago, the pair bought shares in Doncaster Rovers, giving Watson, Bramall and John Ryan equal shareholdings in the club. |
May
13, 2009 |
Season
tickets to go up |
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Doncaster
Rovers confirmed yesterday that the price of season tickets will rise
from 1st June - with adult and concession season tickets set to rise by
around 10% for Category A and B tickets. Category C tickets will remain
at the same price after 1st June. In addition, the club have announced
that for anyone buying tickets on a match-by-match basis, the whole of
the South Stand will be re designated as Category A - at the moment, the
South Stand is a combination of categories B and C - meaning that an adult
ticket will be £23 next season as opposed to £20 or £15
if it was Category B or C. The club are encouraging supporters to buy their season tickets before the end of May to avoid the increases. The main problem seems to surround those wanting to move seats for next season, as season ticket holders have their current seats reserved until the end of this month. It looks like the only way to get around the problem is to renew in your existing seat and then request to move your seat after 1st June, when all seats which remain unsold will be available to choose from. Rovers sold almost 8,000 season tickets last season and are hoping to match that for the coming campaign, although we suspect that with the current recession, there will be several people who may have to pass. Season ticket prices for the 2009/10 season are as follows:
Match day prices for the 2009/10 season have been announced as:
|
| May
13, 2009 |
Rovers
Media's "Season horribilis" |
 |
It
will not have passed may Rovers fans attention that the match day programme
has had a bad season, with sales falling this season despite average attendances
rising by around 50% from last season. This season marks the first that
the Rovers' media team have been responsible for its production for several
years - and in that time, its fortunes have plummeted. As you may be aware,
the Doncaster Rovers programme was ranked as bottom of the Championship
by "Programme Monthly", giving Rovers supporters the worst value
for money in the division. This season has seen the cover price rise by
50p to £3, and whilst an extra four pages have been added, there
are an extra four pages of adverts this season. |
May
13, 2009 |
Greer
moves to Swindon |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers defender Gordon Greer has agreed terms to move to Swindon Town
once his contract with Rovers ends at the end of June. He has agreed a
two-year deal at the County Ground after impressing the Swindon management
team during his three months on loan at the club this season. Greer joined Rovers in July 2007, but suffered two injuries during his time at the club - a wrist injury and then a hip injury - which severely limited his first team chances, although in his few matches for Rovers, he did look very promising. However, in his time on the sidelines, Rovers relied on central defenders Matt Mills, Adam Lockwood, Jos van Nieuwstadt and Sam Hird, meaning that once Greer regained fitness in January, it was unlikely that he would get a chance in the first team. Thankfully for Greer, the loan move to Swindon to gain match practice worked well - he was made captain after arriving at the club to successfully lead their fight against relegation from League One. Gordon made twelve appearances for Rovers and scored one goal during his time at the club. His last appearance came in the final match of this season, when he appeared as a late substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers. We wish him well in his future career and thank him for all of his efforts during his time in Doncaster. |
May
4, 2009 |
Birmingham
scared off by £5m price tag |
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The
local press in Birmingham have reported that newly promoted Birmingham
City have been put off signing Rovers' central defender Matthew Mills
due to the £5 million price tag put on him by Rovers chairman John
Ryan. They considered their offer in January to be "reasonable"
for a player who has no experience of playing in the Premiership, and
are understood to be investigating other targets, although their approach
for Liverpool's Sami Hyypia seems to have foundered when German club Bayer
Leverkusen entered the competition for Hyypia's signature. Even though we suspect that Ryan's valuation was more a statement of intent that Rovers would not let key players go cheaply, the news is welcome to Rovers fans as they would clearly like to see Mills line up in a Rovers shirt at the beginning of next season. Birmingham made a number of bids for Mills during the January transfer window, which were all rejected by Rovers - offers of £1.5 million were mentioned at the time. |
May
12, 2009 |
Players
due in for a mid-summer check |
 |
All
of the Rovers squad are due to check in for a week's training in early
June so that the Rovers' Sports Scientist, Ross Burbeary, can check on
how their summer fitness programmes are progressing. Most will check in
to Cantley Park for the first week in June, although a few will come in
slightly earlier or later due to family commitments. Assistant boss Richard O'Kelly explained: "Ross worked diligently for a couple of months on individual fitness programmes for the players to follow during the nine-week break, but they are all having a couple of weeks off because it has been a tough ten months straight through from the first week in July to last week." "The Championship has certainly been demanding and we feel it is very important that the players take a couple of weeks off, but most players are of a similar mind because there is a good work ethic at the club and they'll keep themselves ticking over. |
May
12, 2009 |
Price
hopes for Millwall talks |
 |
Jason
Price, released by Doncaster Rovers this summer, is keeping his fingers
crossed that he will be offered a contract at Millwall, where he has spent
the later part of the season on loan. However, Price limped out of Millwall's
play-off first leg encounter against Leeds United with an apparent hamstring
injury after being on the receiving end of a number of substantial challenges,
so his participation in the second leg at Elland Road is far from certain. Millwall hold a one goal advantage going into the second leg at Leeds, with the winners meeting the winners of the Scunthorpe/MK Dons semi-final, which finished level at Glanford Park last week. Whilst Price has already stated that he would love to stay with the London club, his future may well depend on how successful Millwall are in their play-off campaign, with boss Kenny Jackett not making any commitments until their season finally ends. |
May
12, 2009 |
Sean's
season of success |
 |
Looking
back on the last season, Sean O'Driscoll has every right to feel pleased
of himself. Hotly tipped for instant relegation, bottom of the table at
Christmas, yet O'Driscoll's team turned the form books upside down by
mounting a run of form that would have seen them placed second in the
Championship for the second half of the season. Add that to an impressive performance against champions Wolves in the final match, and it's been a good season for both the club and himself. O'Driscoll reflected by saying: "We have just got to improve. Staying in the division has been an achievement and we have hit a lot of our targets. All the players impressed me, especially as we were short of a number of first-team regulars (for the Wolves match)." "Once we walked off at Plymouth, we knew we had maintained our status, so that's done and dusted and we have to try and focus on what is going to happen next season. With the resources we have, we don't want to spend long patting ourselves on the back. We deserve to be here. We have played football some people have rated as the best in the division and it's no fluke that we are where we are. "We thought it was going to be difficult and it's going to be more difficult next season. We have to be stronger. I won't say how many players we're going to sign. If I could get 11 who are better than the players I have, I would sign them. But it's not easy to improve the squad without spending a lot of money." |
May
12, 2009 |
Elliott
comes 4th in Mariners poll |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers midfielder Stuart Elliott came joint fourth in the Grimsby Telegraph
on-line voting for their Grimsby Town "Player of the Year".
Elliott picked up 4% of the votes, despite only being at the club on loan
for three months of the season. Their winner, Ryan Bennett, ran away with
the voting, winning 56.1% of the votes cast. Fellow Rovers player Tomi Ameobi cane 10th in the voting for the season with 1.7% of the votes cast, despite only playing three games during his three months on loan at Blundell Park. |
May
11, 2009 |
McIntyre
fires Shrews into final |
 |
Former
Rovers defender Kevin McIntyre scored a vital goal for Shrewsbury Town
on Sunday which put his side on the way to the League Two play-off final,
where they will face Gillingham. With Bury having a 1-0 lead from the first leg, it looked as though the Lancashire team would be Wembley bound for much of the match, but McIntyre dashed those hopes when he scored in the 88th minute of the second leg to send the game into extra time. Despite Shrewsbury's Leslie being sent off in the 91st minute, extra time failed to produce any goals, so the match went to a penalty shoot-out, which Shrewsbury won 4-3, with McIntyre scoring one of their spot kicks. Shrewsbury will meet Gillingham, who beat Rochdale 2-1 to reach Wembley. Ex-Rover Mark McCammon was again stuck on the substitutes' bench only coming on to the field for the final few seconds of the game. |
May
4, 2009 |
Darlington
squad axed |
|
Sky
Sports have reported that financially stricken League Two club Darlington
have been forced to release all but one of their playing staff as the
administrators battle to stop the club going totally out of business.
All but 17-year old Josh Gray have been told to find alternative employment,
meaning that former Rovers players Steve Foster, Tim Ryan, Ricky Ravenhill
and Gregg Blundell are now looking out for new clubs. 17-year old Gray
is exempt from the cull due to his age. A club statement reads: "Following the end of the playing season and the expiry of the player deferral agreements, and considering the reduced levels of income in the close season, the administrator has unfortunately been forced to allow the majority of the first team to leave the club with immediate effect." "This decision has been made to enable the club to trade as long as possible in order to allow any potential buyer as much time as possible in order to make an offer for the club. The first team management has left the club and an interim manager will not be appointed so as to allow a purchaser the opportunity to make that decision and to save on the costs of running the club during a period when income is at its lowest." "Craig Liddle and Neil Maddison have been retained by the administrator and will be taking control of general football management immediately. The administrator would like to thank both Craig and Neil for their support." |
May
11, 2009 |
Student
asks for your help with a survey |
.jpg){kind=small} |
We
have been contacted by Sarah Wood, a psychology PhD student at Northumbria
University, who is conducting an on-line research study which looks at
how football fans feel about their team. She would appreciate it if as
many Rovers fans as possible contribute to her research. Her survey can be accessed by clicking on the logo to the left. |
May
11, 2009 |
Lievesley
remembered on anniversary |
 |
Les
Lievesley , who played for Doncaster Rovers between 1929 and 1932, was
remembered last week on the 60th anniversary of a horrific plane crash
which he, and thirty others died. Les began his football career at Rossington
Colliery before joining Rovers in 1929, signing for Manchester United
three years later. He then played for Chesterfield, Torquay United and
Crystal Palace before joining the RAF in the Second World War. After the war ended, he became a coach in Holland and Spain before taking up his post with the legendary Torino team - it was rumoured that Juventus were attempting to secure his services prior to his death at the age of 37. |
May
10, 2009 |
McCammon
hoping for play-off recall |
 |
Former
Rovers striker Mark McCammon is hoping for a recall to the starting line-up
for the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Rochdale at Priestfield
this evening - the third time in the last eight days that the two sides
will have met. McCammon was surprisingly left on the bench for Thursday's
goalless first leg, but will be hoping to recalled as Gillingham strive
to reach the final, where they will play the winners of the Bury v Shrewsbury
semi-final, which begins at midday today. |
May
10, 2009 |
Bayo
calls on Cobblers to bounce back |
 |
Ex-Rovers
striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has called for his Northampton Town team mates
to "draw on the pain" of relegation from League One this season
to win promotion at the first time of asking. The big striker, whose season has been blighted by injury this season, said he was devastated that the club was relegated on the last day of the season, but says that it will not really hit the players until they all report back for pre-season training in July. "When we get in for pre-season it's really going to hit home. Our first away game of the season could be at Accrington Stanley or Grimsby. That's no disrespect to those clubs but it could have been Southampton and Charlton." " The penny is really going to drop. We are going to have to try to use that and draw on the pain and make sure we don't go through this feeling again. This is the second time I have been relegated and I hope it is the last. But we all want to bounce back and hopefully we can do that." Akinfenwa has played one season in the basement division before, and admits he is not looking forward to repeating the experience - but Northampton have taken up a further season on his contracts, so he will have to draw on his previous experience to inspire his team mates. "I have played in League Two before but only for about three months. It is not a level I want to play at– and that's the same for all of the players. It is going to be hard because everybody is going to want to play against Northampton. But that's the way it is. We just have to come to terms with it and bounce straight back." |
May
10, 2009 |
Armstrong
on target |
 |
Former
Rovers striker Alun Armstrong scored a couple of goals yesterday when
he took part in a benefit match for Martyn Quinn, a Crook Town player
who broke his leg in a match against Bishop Auckland last August which
forced him to take several months off work as he recovered from the injury.
A team of ex-professional players faced a Crook Town XI to raise money
for the apprentice joiner, with the "pros" winning 3-2, thanks
to two goals from Armstrong and one from former Hartlepool skipper Michael
Barron. Armstrong played for Rovers for the last three months of the 2005/06 season, although he only featured in six games - five of those being as a substitute. |
May
10, 2009 |
Weaver
heads Ilkeston to victory |
 |
Simon
Weaver, who played for Doncaster Rovers on loan during their Conference
days, was the man of the moment on last week when his headed goal four
minutes into extra time meant that ten-man Ilkeston Town grabbed victory
against Nantwich Town in the UniBond Premier League play-off final. The
victory means that the Derbyshire club will be playing in the Blue Square
North next season, denying Nantwich a third successive promotion in the
process. |
May
9, 2009 |
Good
luck, York! |
 |
We
would like to wish York City all the best of luck for their trip to Wembley
today for their FA Trophy final against Stevenage Borough. City include
in their ranks former Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Michael Ingham, who
played a key part in their semi-final 2-1 victory over AFC Telford. York have a fully fit squad for the match, which kicks off at 2pm this afternoon. Ingham looked forward to the final by saying: "Just driving up to Wembley, if that doesn't inspire you then nothing will. When the Trophy comes around every year it should always inspire people. To say you've played in a stadium like this should always live with you." "Some people would say it's all about the memories at the end of the day but I'm not thinking about coming here and getting beat. I'm thinking about coming here and lifting the trophy. I didn't want to go anywhere near the trophy because the first time I want to put my hands on it is when I lift it." |
May
9, 2009 |
Bradley's
time as boss is over |
 |
The
short tenure of former Rovers player Mark Bradley as boss at Linlithgow
Rose has come to an end, following the appointment of David Baikie, the
former East Fife boss, as manager. Bradley had been placed in charge of Rose along with Ian Gallagher when Brian Fairley was dismissed in early March - and the club then went on a long winning run, taking them to the top of the table. However, a statement from Linlithgow Rose secretary, David Roy, said: "I have known David for a long time and he is a former player and manager that I admire. When he resigned from East Fife, the opportunity arose for him to become manager at Prestonfield. When his name was put before the committee on Monday night, it was unanimous that he get the job. He was credited for bringing success to Tayport and we hope he will do a similar job for the Rose." With Baikie bringing in his own management team, it looks as though Mark Bradley will go back to the playing ranks for the forthcoming season. Bradley featured in Rovers' first match after relegation to the Conference back in 1998 - and did not feature in another match after that. |
May
9, 2009 |
McCormack's
awards |
 |
Former
Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack has come second in the Cardiff City
Supporters' Club Player of the Year for the 2008/09 season as recognition
for his contribution to Cardiff's promotion challenge, which saw the Bluebirds
just miss out on a play-off place on the last day of the season. McCormack
finished the season as the second-highest goal scorer in the Championship
with 21 strikes, just four behind the golden-boot winner Sylvan Ebanks
Blake of Wolves. In a memorable first season since moving down from Scotland, McCormack also picked up Cardiff City Supporters' Club's "Young player of the Year" award. Team mate Jay Bothroyd was placed in third place in Cardiff City's Supporters' Club "Goal of the Season" for his strike against Doncaster Rovers. |
May
9, 2009 |
Gregg's
uncertain of his future |
 |
Former
Rovers striker Gregg Blundell is unsure of his future at Darlington, with
the administrator's decision on who will buy the club appearing to be
no closer to being announced. Blundell has missed the second half of the
season with a knee injury, but is scheduled for a return to training in
July. However, with all the players at Darlington able to leave the club
after the club has deferred wages as the administrators battle to overcome
the financial situation, Blundell is not sure where he will be playing
his football next term. He said: "All the players at Darlington are on a list to go because of the club being in turmoil and in administration. I thought Darlington were on course for automatic promotion before we had 10 points deducted for going into administration. The timing of our administration could have been better as we only won one of our next five games after going into administration." |
May
9, 2009 |
Stock
wins Star award |
 |
Brian
Stock has been named as the Doncaster Star's "Player of the Year"
award for this season, and received his award at a ceremony held in Sheffield
last week. On picking up his award, Brian said: "It's great to win
any award and I appreciate everyone who has voted for me, but football
is a team game and you could pick any player from the team." |
May
8, 2009 |
Wolves
pre-season game announced |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers have announced that Premiership new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers
will be the opposition for Mickey Walker's testimonial game which will
be played at the Keepmoat Stadium on 1st August. The identity of opposition
for the only home pre-season game of the summer had been kept under wraps
until it had been confirmed which division Wolves would be competing in
next season. As Mickey explained: "I am absolutely delighted that Wolves will be providing the opposition. The game had been arranged for a few weeks but it was dependent on Wolves being promoted to the Premier League which they have, for it to go ahead because we didn't want to be playing another Championship side in our last pre-season game." "I am delighted to be playing Wolves on three counts. Firstly, their manager Mick McCarthy is from Barnsley and is a good friend of mine, and Rovers' manager, Sean O'Driscoll is an avid Wolves fan and thirdly, they will be bringing a full strength squad. If we had been playing such as Liverpool or Manchester United they would probably have sent a reserve side. I didn't want it to be a Mickey Mouse-type of game and with Sean promising to field his strongest squad it should prove a competitive game. The season starts the following week so both teams will be primed and ready for action." |
May
8, 2009 |
Another
pre-season game confirmed |
|
Rovers have confirmed that their pre-season campaign will include a trip to the Don Valley Stadium, where they will face Rotherham United on Saturday, 25th July. Sean O'Driscoll has said that he will probably arrange a number of behind closed doors training games against Premiership reserve or under-21 sides - he is reported to have already arranged to play such matches against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. If he goes along the route of training matches, it looks likely that there will be far fewer pre-season matches for Rovers supporters to attend this summer. |
May
8, 2009 |
Sullivan
signs for another year |
 |
Rovers
confirmed yesterday that goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has signed a new one
year contract at the club. Sullivan joined Rovers in November 2006 on
loan from Leeds United, having a second loan spell at the club for three
months of the following season and joined on a full transfer in July 2007.
Since then he has been a key part of the Rovers' success story which has
seen Rovers finish in their highest league position for over fifty years. |
May
8, 2009 |
O'Driscoll
not expecting to splash the cash |
 |
Rovers
boss Sean O'Driscoll has confirmed that he is not planning a big spending
spree on the back of Rovers' survival in the Championship this season
- but that could change of any of the key big names in the squad were
to move on to bigger clubs. O'Driscoll said: "We are certainly not touting players around and I would love to be able to keep them all but we know that other clubs have been looking at some members of our squad. We know about the interest in Matt (Mills) and we have to face up to the possibility that we may lose one or two more." "If an offer came in it would have to go to the Board. Obviously every player has a price but I want to emphasise that we are not looking to sell anybody." Chairman John Ryan said a similar thing earlier in the week, when he mentioned: "We will get more money from the Championship pool next season and we must be one of the few clubs free from debt. We are not a selling club any more and we don't want to lose any of our top players but you can never rule out the possibility that another club will step in with an offer that can't be refused." It looks, therefore, as if Rovers will rely on the free transfer market, along with the possibility of signing some young Premiership club players on long term loans next season. |
May
8, 2009 |
Dinner
Dance bus times |
|
The
Retford Branch of the Supporters Club will be holding their annual end
of season dinner/dance this evening. They have arranged a bus from the
Doncaster area to collect anyone who has bought a ticket for the event. The bus will leave The Star, Barnby Dun at 6.15pm, Kirk Sandall at 6.20pm, The Wheatsheaf, Armthorpe 6.25pm, Doncaster Royal Infirmary 6.30pm, Waterdale 6.35pm and The Styrrup, Rossington at 6.45pm. Please note that the times are only approximate - only one bus is running, and so may be delayed en route. We understand that, unfortunately, there will be no members of the Rovers playing or management attending this year's event. |
May
8, 2009 |
Mulligan
called up for All-Whites |
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers defender David Mulligan has been called up to the New
Zealand squad for their Confederates Cup campaign which will be played
in South Africa next month. The squad of 23 players has been named this week, and includes a wide range of experience as boss Ricki Herbert looks to build a squad which will stay together through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He said: "It's an exciting squad. Bar three or four, this group could probably go round for another World Cup campaign." The New Zealand squad will leave for Africa on May 27th, playing friendly fixtures against Botswana and Tanzania before a fixture against world champions Italy. Their Confederations Cup campaign will see them face Spain, Iraq and South Africa between June 14th and 20th. Ex-Rover Mulligan is currently playing for Wellington Phoenix. The All-Whites squad for the Confederation Cup is: James Bannatyne (Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), Mark Paston (Phoenix), Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Phoenix), David Mulligan (Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (captain, Blackburn Rovers), Steven Old (Kilmarnock), Aaron Scott (Melville United/Waitakere United), Ben Sigmund (Phoenix), Andy Barron (Wellington), Leo Bertos (Phoenix), Tim Brown (vice-captain, Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes), Chris James (Tampere United), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), Kris Bright (Panserraikas), Jeremy Brockie (North Queensland Fury), Chris Killen (Celtic), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Jarrod Smith (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion). |
May
7, 2009 |
Rovers
release five |
|
Doncaster
Rovers have released five players whose contracts will expire this summer. Those who will be leaving the club are strikers Jason Price, Gareth Taylor, Darren Byfield and Tomi Ameobi, along with central defender Gordon Greer. Greer has spent the second half of the season on loan at Swindon Town, who have apparently made him a contract offer, Price spent the last part of the season on loan at Millwall, and is currently involved in their play-off campaign, starting with Saturday's showdown against Leeds United. Byfield has only rarely featured this season and spent time out on loan at Oldham Athletic, but is understood to be interesting Walsall, and Gareth Taylor went on loan to Carlisle United for the latter part of the season. Tomi Ameobi has also spent time out on loan this season after signing for Rovers on a one year contract. Described as "one for the future", his only first team showing this season must have been a huge disappointment to the youngster, who did not feature in the first team match day squad after that. Rovers chairman John Ryan has hinted that there may be other players to leave this summer, although he has warned other clubs that no-one will be allowed to leave cheaply. We would like to thank all five players leaving the Rovers this summer for their efforts whilst at the club, and wish them well for their future careers. |
May
7, 2009 |
Ryan
warns off rivals |
 |
Rovers
chairman John Ryan has warned any clubs who are weighing up bids for any
Doncaster Rovers players that the days of the club selling players cheaply
are over. A number of players, including Matt Mills, Richie Wellens and Brian Stock, have attracted attention from top flight clubs this season, and are sure to attract interest during the summer. However, Ryan warned: "If anyone wants to take a Doncaster Rovers player, they're going to have to pay top dollar." The determination to hold on to their top players was illustrated by Rovers turning down a club record £1.5 million offer from Birmingham City for Matthew Mills during the January transfer window. |
May
7, 2009 |
Budtz
released by Monkey Hangers |
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz is one of five players who are not
being offered a new contract at Hartlepool United. Boss Chris Turner has
also decided not to offer Budtz's goalkeeping rival at the club, Arran
Lee-Barrett a contract, meaning that Hartlepool are left without any recognised
senior goalkeepers. Hotly tipped for a return to the club is Dimi Konstantopoulos,
who left to join Coventry City in 2007, but has struggled to maintain
a first team place, and has been loaned out to Nottingham Forest, Swansea
City and Cardiff City. |
May
7, 2009 |
Wright
leaves Oldham |
 |
Former
Rovers winger Tommy Wright has left Oldham Athletic "by mutual consent"
following the arrival of Dave Penney as boss. Along with Wright, goalkeeper/coach
Mark Crossley has also left the club following their final game of the
season against Walsall. Wright spent two spells as a player at Boundary Park before joining as assistant manager (and ex-Rover) John Sheridan in 2006. Dave Penney is expected to bring in his own coaching staff in the near future, which is likely to comprise of personnel from financially-stricken Darlington. |
May
7, 2009 |
Lee
asked to find new club |
 |
Bradford
City have released six senior players after boss Stuart McCall was told
to cut the wages bill by 40% for next season. The club have also offered
six players new deals, although most of those are on reduced terms from
last season. City are also trying to convince the three highest earning players at the club, which include former Rovers skipper Graeme Lee, to take up options in their contracts to find another club, so it looks as though Lee's time at Valley Parade is about to end, despite being a first team regular this season. |
May
7, 2009 |
Mills
wins award at presentation evening |
|
Rovers
defender Matt Mills was named as the "Player of the Year" at
the club end of season presentation evening on Monday at Doncaster Racecourse.
Also receiving recognition for their contribution to Rovers' season were Brian Stock (Players' Player of the Year), Charles Fisher (Youth Team Player of the Year), Martin Woods (Goal of the Season (v Nottingham Forest)), Paul Heffernan (Golden Boot). Neil Sullivan won the "Champagne Moment of the Season" for his goalkeeping performance against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. |
May
6, 2009 |
Shiels
withdraws from Irish squad |
|
Doncaster
Rovers striker Dean Shiels has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland "B"
squad that faces Scotland at Clyde's Broadwood Stadium this evening due
a knock he suffered during Sunday's match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Along with Shiels, Jeff Hughes, Adam Chapman and Curtis Allen have also
pulled out due to injury. Northern Ireland's coach, ex-Rovers boss Steve Beaglehole, said: "While there has been some disruption to the squad, it is a great chance for our young players to show what they can do." |
May
6, 2009 |
Voting
results |
 |
The
voting for the final "Man of the Match" of the 2008/09 season
saw eight Rovers players nominated for their performances against Wolves
on Sunday. Defender James Chambers was the clear winner, despite a number
of multiple votes in his favour being cast. The players receiving most
votes were: 1 James Chambers (43.24%) 2 Richie Wellens (17.38%) 3 Jos van Nieuwstadt (13.51%) Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the voting, for this match and throughout the season. All votes have been counted towards the "Player of the season", and we will be letting you know these results during the summer break. |
May
6, 2009 |
Yates
offered new deal |
 |
Former
Rovers defender Mark Yates, currently manager at Blue Square Premier club
Kidderminster Harriers, has been offered a new contract for next season,
along with his assistant Neil Howarth. Yates has received the offer despite
Harriers just missing out on a play-off place this season. Chairman Barry Norgrove said: "We've offered them a contract and we're just waiting for them to come back to us. Mark and Neil are thinking about it and have said they will let me know as soon as they have made their decision." It could be that Yates will have to release a number of players as they will have to contend with a reduced budget, which has been caused by the current financial conditions in general. Norgrove continued: "It all depends on season tickets and a number of different factors. Hopefully we can try and raise that budget later as we get nearer the start of the season, but at the moment it is slightly lower." |
May
6, 2009 |
O'Driscoll
- financial climate will impact on summer transfers |
|
Rovers
boss Sean O'Driscoll has predicted that the current turmoil in the financial
climate will have an impact on the way that transfers are done this season.
He said: "The financial climate will dictate what happens in the summer. I would imagine that the first thing that firms will look to cut will be things like ground hoardings and programme sponsorship and this that and the other. That will impact on people's financial position." "Season ticket sales will also play a big part. If a club's season ticket sales are way down then that will also have an impact on the financial clout that clubs have to strengthen their squad." O'Driscoll hinted that many clubs will play a waiting game this summer, with many transfers being done when clubs start up again for pre-season training. He said: "Clubs are not going to pay summer wages and I don't think that you will see a lot of movement until the start of pre-season training." The financial problems of many local firms may well impact on football clubs, particularly in respect of the support those firms may have previously given to sponsor football clubs. O'Driscoll said: "I would imagine the first thing that firms will look to cut will be things like ground hoardings and programme sponsorship and this that and the other. That will impact on clubs' financial positions." |
May
6, 2009 |
Season
tickets for 2009/10 |
 |
The
price of season tickets for next season will remain at the same levels
as for the 2008/09 season - but only if you buy your ticket by the end
of May. After that date, Rovers have hinted that prices may rise - although
they have not actually said so. Current season ticket holders will have their seats reserved until 31st May, after which they will be available on open sale. The Keepmoat Stadium ticket office is open between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 7pm on Thursdays, 9am to 4pm on Fridays, and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. Season ticket prices which apply until the end of the month are: Adults - Category A £420, Category B £360, Category C £280 Concessions - Category A £305, Category B £250, Category C £150 12-16 years - £60 for all areas Under 11's - £30 for all areas |
May
5, 2009 |
O's
offer Thornton new deal |
 |
League
Two club Leyton Orient have announced that they are to release eight players,
but are in negotiations with four other players for contracts for next
season. Amongst those four are former Rovers midfielder Sean Thornton,
who joined Orient in July 2007, and has gone on to play 68 games for the
club. Thornton played for Doncaster Rovers between 2005 and 2007 and scored one of Rovers' three goals in the memorable 3-0 victory over Premiership club Aston Villa in November 2005. |
May
5, 2009 |
Wolves
programme set for reprint |
|
Wolverhampton
Wanderers have announced that they will be reprinting "another large
batch" of programmes of Sunday's final match of the season against
Doncaster Rovers. Despite Wanderers printing around twice as many copies
as usual, high demand was totally sold out, and the club have decided
to print more to cope with the demand. Wolves' Head of Marketing and Communications, Matt Grayson, said: In a way it is great news that the commemorative match day magazine sold out as we set out to provide a fitting tribute - and indeed memento - of the Championship winning season. At the same time we recognise that this means there may be supporters out there who are disappointed that they were unable to get their hands on a copy. As a result we have decided to print another large batch of programmes which will go on sale at our official retail stores. Yesterday was clearly an exciting and memorable day in the club's history, and we want to ensure that all those fans out there who wished to purchase the commemorative programme are able to do so." If any Rovers fans were unlucky in obtaining a copy of the Wolves programme, we suggest that they look at the official Wolverhampton Wanderers web site later in the week for details. |
May
5, 2009 |
Stock
has praise for boss |
 |
Rovers
captain Brian Stock has spoken in praise of the work the Rovers manager,
Sean O'Driscoll, has done this season as part of the club's efforts to
retain Championship status. "Considering where we were at Christmas
it was going to take a massive effort to stay in the Championship but
we did it and it is a great achievement," said the influential midfielder,
who will again be missing tomorrow. Even when results weren't going our
way the team stuck together, everybody had the right attitude and that
showed in some of our performances. "The manager has played a massive role in what we've achieved. People don't see half the work that he does behind the scenes. He prepares the team well for every game and I think that he's done a great job to steer us to safety. We've received a lot of credit this season due to certain performances but there is a feeling within the club that we can achieve more. We don't feel that the play-offs are a million miles away and we'll give it a go next season. We'll certainly take a lot of confidence from this season. No-one has really steam-rollered us and we've got to take a lot of positives from the season. |
May
5, 2009 |
Dates
for your diary |
 |
The
Football League may not be releasing the fixture lists for the 2009/10
season until mid-June, but they have confirmed a number of key dates already. The season will open on Saturday, 8th August, with the first round of the Carling Cup being played during the midweek commencing Monday, 10th August. The Christmas period, as usual, will be busy, with four games in nine days - Saturday 19th December followed by a midweek game on Wednesday, 23rd December, then Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December, and Monday, 28th December. There are again no fixtures on New Year's Day, as the third round of the FA Cup takes place the following day. The Carling Cup final will be on 28th February and the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on 28th March. The call-up period for the 2010 World Cup, during the May bank holiday weekend, means that the play-off dates will be different to usual. Instead of all three divisions' finals being on three successive days, the Championship play-off final will be on Saturday, 22nd May, with the League Two final on Saturday 29th May and the League One final on Sunday, 30th May. These changes mean the last full day of fixtures for the Championship will be on the weekend of 2nd May, with the final weekend for League One and League Two being seven days later. |
May
3, 2009 |
Wolves
1 Rovers 0 |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers succumbed to a 92nd minute goal by Richard Stearman, who headed
home a Stephen Ward cross, which gave Wolves the perfect ending to their
promotion season. Yet Rovers could have easily upset the promotion party,
holding their own, if not actually having the best of much of the game.
Had it not been for the absence of key personnel such as Paul Heffernan,
Rovers could well have taken all the points from the game. As it was,
James Hayter missed a good chance to score in each half, and Lewis Guy
missed the target when well placed in the second half. Rovers made few changes from last weekend's win over Crystal Palace, perhaps showing the lack of numbers of fit players available to Sean O'Driscoll, but they did recall defender Gordon Greer to the squad, who came on for the last ten minutes of what could well turn out to be his final appearance in a Rovers shirt. |
May
4, 2009 |
Birmingham
City 2 Rovers Belles 2 |
 |
Doncaster
Rovers Belles won the battle for fourth place in the Women's Premier League
yesterday afternoon by drawing 2-2 against Birmingham City. Rovers Belles
roared into a 2-0 half time lead, with the goals being scored by Vicky
Exley and Rachel Williams. The result sees Doncaster Rovers Belles finish in fourth place - ahead of Birmingham on goal difference, and although Birmingham have now finished their season, the Rovers Belles still have one more match to play. |
May
4, 2009 |
Weaver
header wins promotion |
|
Former
Rovers loan defender Simon Weaver scored a 94th minute header for Ilkeston
Town in their play-off match against Nantwich Town to win promotion from
the UniBond Premier Division to the Blue Square North Division. Ilkeston
missed a host of chances to win the match in the 90 minutes, but the match
went into extra time, with the winning goal being headed home by Weaver
from a precise free kick by midfielder Ben Pringle. |
May
4, 2009 |
Doncaster
Sports Awards |
 |
A
number of people associated with Doncaster Rovers have been nominated
in the Doncaster Sports Award's "Unsung hero" category. Paul Mayfield, Nathan Batchelor, Len South and Eric Randerson have been nominated for the award for their work behind the scenes in Doncaster football. Paul Mayfield and Len South are nominated for their work with the Supporters Club, Nathan for his involvement in local youth football, particularly with Bessacarr FC, and Eric Randerson for his work over a twenty year period with the Rovers in the Community. We congratulate all of them for being nominated - they are up against Lyn Simson (swimming), Bob Martin (basketball), Maurice Young (cricket), Jason Ross (Toll Bar rugby) and a posthumous nomination for Kevin Parkhouse, the former Dons prop forward. The winner will be announced at the inaugural Doncaster Keepmoat Sports Awards, which will be held at the Keepmoat Stadium on May 22nd. Nominations for the "Unsung Hero" close on 7th May - a form to send your nominations is in this week's Doncaster Free Press on page 22, or you can send your nominations to: Doncaster Sports Awards, Editorial Department, Doncaster Free Press, Sunny Bar, Doncaster DN1 1NB. Also nominated for awards in different categories are Rovers captain Brian Stock (nominated for Sports Personality of the Year) and James Hayter (nominated for the Outstanding Individual Sporting Moment). Eric Randerson is also nominated for a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his long service to football in the local community. |
May
3, 2009 |
Wolves
v Rovers |
|
The
lengthy injury list that Rovers have had to endure in the latter part
of the season shows little sign of being reduced in time for this afternoon's
final game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Whilst James Coppinger is reported to have resumed training this week, he is unlikely to be fully fit for this afternoon's game, and we do not expect him to be risked, with little at stake in the game for either Rovers or Wolves, who were confirmed as champions last weekend. Defender Matt Mills also looks to have played his last match of the season and is unlikely to be risked this afternoon after missing last weekend's home game due to a groin strain. The injury list comprises James O'Connor (ankle), Adam Lockwood (ankle), Brian Stock (back), Paul Heffernan (knee), James Coppinger (ankle), Mark Wilson (calf), Sean McDaid (knee), Ben Smith, Stuart Elliott (calf), Steve Brooker (ankle), Tomi Ameobi (calf). James Chambers is expected to recover from a knock sustained in last weekend's game against Crystal Palace. Kazenga LuaLua has had his loan at Rovers extended by a further week to enable him to play this afternoon, and we expect him to retain his place in the starting lineup, alongside James Hayter, who played impressively last weekend. Gordon Greer has returned to the club after completing his loan at Swindon, and is likely to be included in the Rovers squad today. Wolves are expected to play their strongest line-up this afternoon, with Mick McCarthy promising their fans that the players will not be "taking their feet off the gas". However, leading scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is struggling to be fit after missing their last match with back and hamstring injuries. Andy Keogh was replaced during last weekend's game at Barnsley, but is expected to recover to retain his place. Midfielder Dave Jones will continue to be absent with a knee injury - also missing will be Chris Iwelumo (knee), winger Michael Kightly (metatarsal), defender George Elokobi (knee) and goalkeepers Carl Ikeme (back) and Matt Murray (knee). |
May
3, 2009 |
O'Driscoll
- players must show pride |
|
Doncaster
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll has said that it is up to his players to show
professional pride this afternoon when they face champions Wolverhampton
Wanderers. He said: "I can't keep the players focused at this stage
of the season - they've got to keep themselves focused. If they aren't
going to do that then we might as well not turn up on Sunday. But we haven't
done that all season and I'll be disappointed if the players aren't focused.
I don't care about the result; I want to end on a performance. If we get
beat 3-0 or 4-0 and we`ve performed then I would have to give credit to
Wolves. If we perform like we've performed in 90% of our games, then I'll
be delighted." |
May
3, 2009 |
Match
officials |
 |
The
match officials for this afternoon's match at Wolverhampton Wanderers
have been confirmed as: Referee: R J Beeby Assistant Referees: S Burt & C J Francis Fourth Official: J Singh |
May
3, 2009 |
Wolves
aim to finish in style |
 |
Whilst
there is nothing for either side to play for at Molineux this afternoon,
both managers have insisted that they will be wanting to sign off in style
this afternoon. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy wants his side to sign off in
style, but admits that it has been hard to keep the players focused. He
said: "It is difficult to keep focused for the players. The result
on Sunday isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to the fact we're
champions of the league. We want to win it and we want to give out all
those professional soundbites, but from all of our points of view it's
flipping hard for all of them. We want to win it and will do our level
best to win it because I want us to finish on 90 points. That would be
a great achievement and we want to go out on a high, but it is difficult
to focus on it and there's no hiding that fact it's difficult to focus
on it. "Doncaster have got nothing to play for either so there'll just come and play, and it will be a good football match. Everybody wants to win the game but I'm not sure it will tell us anything about anybody no matter what the performance or result is like. We've done it, we've won the league with a game to spare, so I'm not that concerned." |
May
3, 2009 |
O'Driscoll
up against childhood heroes |
|
Sean
O'Driscoll will be taking a trip to Molineux this afternoon, hoping that
his players put on a good display - but is also looking forward to Rovers
taking on his childhood heroes, who he openly admits to having supported
for many years. He told the Doncaster Star: "Wolves are my team and I've never made any secret of that fact. I was born there, and I wasn't one of those people who supported Manchester United when living in Wolverhampton. I watched a lot of the Midlands clubs but Wolves were always my team. It is always the first result that I look for and I am delighted that they have been promoted to the Premier League as champions. I was at Cardiff when they beat Sheffield United in the Play-off Final the last time that they were promoted to the Premier League. This time, I'll be watching them celebrate their promotion from the pitch side, which will be nice." My family are season-ticket-holders so it will be a double for them to see their team celebrate winning promotion and for a member of the family having some sort of part to play on the day. It will be nice to see both sets of supporters applauding their respective sides at the end of the day for their performances during the 90 minutes. A 3-3 draw would suit everybody." "When the fixtures came out last summer it was one of the first things I noticed," he told the Doncaster Free Press. "I thought that it would be a difficult place to go if there was anything riding on the game. As it happens there isn't for both teams but we still want to go out and put on a show. I think that the last thing both managers and sets of players would want is for it to be an anti-climax." |
May
3, 2009 |
Wolves
appeal to keep off pitch |
|
Wolverhampton
Wanderers have issued an appeal for all supporters to keep off the pitch
after this afternoon's game so that their players can perform the customary
"lap of honour" to celebrate winning the Championship title.
Wolves are scheduled to be presented with the Championship trophy after
the game - but will only do so if the pitch is kept clear. With the match
a total sell-out, Wolves have also made arrangements for the post-match
celebrations to be screened in West Park, where thousands of Wolves supporters
are also to be situated. All supporters are asked to get to Molineux early this afternoon to avoid the expected congestion in the surrounding streets ahead of the match. Wolves are producing a bumper 100-page programme for this afternoon's match to help celebrate their promotion, which will retail for the usual £3. |
May
2, 2009 |
McCormack
to get new contract offer |
|
Former
Rovers loans striker Ross McCormack is set to be rewarded for his superb
form this season with the offer of a new contract. The 22-year old has
been a huge success since moving to Cardiff from Motherwell, going on
to score 23 goals this season, which has seen the Bluebirds on the brink
of promotion to the Premiership. Cardiff go into the final weekend of
the season in fifth place, with a place in the play-offs more or less
assured. The former Rangers striker has also been called up to the Scotland senior squad for recent games, and scored the crucial goal in their recent World Cup qualifying victory over Iceland. McCormack's agent, Willie McKay, confirmed that talks with Cardiff have begun, saying: "I have a meeting planned with Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale next week and I believe they are ready to offer Ross a new deal. Ross has enjoyed a great season so far and he is hoping he can finish it off by firing Cardiff into the Premier League. Like any player Ross would love to have a crack at the Premier League and ideally that would be with Cardiff next season." |
May
2, 2009 |
Lee
for the chop as Bantams cut costs? |
|
The
future of a number of the higher wage earners at Bradford City look to
be in doubt this summer as the club look to cut costs. Boss Stuart McCall
has agreed to stay at the club this week, but has been told that the wages
budget will be slashed for next season. McCall has had to take a voluntary
cut in pay, and others at the club will have to do the same. He said: “There are going to have to be cuts in lots of areas and that’s down to me to tell people that. The next few days will be horrible – but that’s like anywhere people are getting laid off. It’s just how the finances are at this club at the moment. It’s going to be tough but that’s the climate we’re in, not just football but throughout the world, and you’ve got to cut your cloth accordingly. I don’t want the club to end up where it’s been in the last ten years and going through those dark times again, so cuts have got to be made.” Last summer's signings, including former Rovers skipper Graeme Lee, have release options in their contracts. McCall explained; “A lot of the deals said that if we were still in this division, they could take the option up and find another club, and they might have something sorted out already. I’m sure they’ve read the papers and know the situation going on. Four of the boys would take up half the budget if they aren’t moved on. That’s no fault of theirs but just how it’s worked out. If we can get a few moved on, it might just give us a fighting chance of success." Bradford City have 18 players who will be out of contract this summer, and McCall's squad will be smaller next season. |
May
2, 2009 |
Sandwith
gets new deal |
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers defender Kevin Sandwith has signed a new one-year contract
with Blue Square Premier side Oxford United after impressing the club
management during his two months at the club. Sandwith joined Oxford following
the financial problems at Weymouth, which led to all senior players leaving
the club after not being paid. Sandwith played in the last twelve games of the season for Oxford, scoring one goal. He said: "It's a big relief to get it sorted so early. Now I can enjoy my summer and look forward to the coming season. I knew the size of the club I was coming to anyway [but] to be involved in these big games and the crowds turning out like they did do, it makes your mind up for you. It's really good to be on board." |
May
2, 2009 |
Martis
in Baggies' plans |
 |
Any
hopes that Doncaster Rovers may have of signing West Bromwich Albion's
defender Shelton Martis seem to be about to be dashed after Albion boss
Tony Mowbray revealed that he is to offer Martis a new contract. The Dutchman,
who played for Rovers on loan earlier this season, signed from Darlington
two summers ago and, whilst his current contract expires this summer,
Mowbray intends to take up a 12 month option to keep the player. Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail: "It's nothing that needs to be done urgently but as far as I am concerned there is no decision to make other than saying we will pick up Shelton's year option. He is a young footballer in terms of experience and the signs are there that that penny is dropping and that he understands the maturity required to play for our team and he has all the attributes and assets you require to play in central defence. He looks composed with the ball, he is big and strong and fast and those things have never been a problem." |
May
1, 2009 |
LuaLua
stays another week |
 |
Newcastle
United have agreed that Kazenga LuaLua can extend his loan at Doncaster
Rovers for another week, meaning that he will be available for selection
for Sunday's away game at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 18-year old impressed during his first start for Rovers against Crystal Palace last weekend, and Sean O'Driscoll has spoken highly of him during LuaLua's time on loan, to the extent that O'Driscoll has hinted that Rovers might move for a season-long loan should Newcastle avoid relegation. |
May
1, 2009 |
Penney
confirmed as Latics' new boss |
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney was yesterday confirmed as the new
manager at Oldham Athletic. Penney resigned as manager at Darlington yesterday
morning and was unveiled as Oldham's new boss at an afternoon press conference
after signing a two year deal at Boundary Park. Joe Royle, brought in
by the club for the final nine matches of the season, will take charge
of tomorrow's final game of the season against Walsall, with Penney being
in attendance to watch his new players. Penney was able to leave Darlington, despite having two years to run on his contract, after administrators asked all employees for a wage deferral as part of their battle to enable the club to survive. Penney said after the move had been confirmed yesterday: "It all happened very quickly - a real whirlwind. I came in to speak to the board and we managed to get everything sorted out. This is a fresh challenge and something I can get my teeth into. The timing's great for me as I have 14 weeks to get players in and get them fit ready for the start of the season. If you're coming in half-way through a season you often find yourself playing catch-up, but now I have the time to get these players fit, which is a big thing for me." "I'd say to the fans, come and watch us and see how we like to play football. I have tried to play a high-tempo, attractive game at my previous two clubs and that won't change. I want people coming away from games with a smile on their face." |
May
1, 2009 |
Cadamarteri
near switch to Scotland |
 |
Former
Rovers loan striker Danny Cadamarteri looks likely to be playing football
with Dundee United next season after turning down a new contract offer
at Huddersfield Town. Cadamarteri is out of contract in the summer, and
is expected to sign a pre-contract deal in the next few days Huddersfield boss Lee Clark commented: "We think that the contract offer we made to Danny was a fair one. He has exercised the option of talking to other clubs given his current deal is coming to an end. We wanted him to stay at Huddersfield Town and we made it clear to him and his agent that we wanted him to be a part of what we are doing here. In order for him to get the second year of his contract he would have needed to be involved in the first team for a certain number of games, but he was looking for the certainty of a longer deal." |
May
1, 2009 |
Stags
check out Boyce
|
 |
Former
Doncaster Rovers defender Andrew Boyce has been invited for trials at
Blue Square Premier club Mansfield Town, who named nine trialists for
their reserve team fixture against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday. Whether
any of the trialists has a chance of being taken on may be in doubt -
Mansfield lost the match 2-0. Ahead of the game, Mansfield boss David Holdsworth said: "I am looking forward to seeing young Boyce. He is a very good young player who just needs educating. He has been at Worksop recently and I have had my eye on him for a long time. With nine trialists in there it's more like the Old Bailey!" Boyce played for around 75 minutes of the match - the fixture also saw former Rover Kevin McIntyre feature for Shrewsbury. |
May
1, 2009 |
Supporters
Club Dinner |
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The
Retford branch of the Supporters Club are holding their annual dinner/dance
next Friday. They are hoping that a number of players and management will
attend. The Supporters Club are arranging free coach travel from Barnby
Dun, Armthorpe, Rossington, Harworth and Doncaster town centre. Tickets cost £18 - please book with Paul Mayfield on 07961 727769. |