November 16, 2008
Former players amongst the goals
On his debut for Notts County on loan from Scunthorpe, striker Johnathon Forte scored a hat-trick at Barnet. In today's games Chris Brown scored twice for Preston at Blackpool and Richard Offiong scored Hamilton's goal in their defeat to Celtic in the SPL. Mike Newell got his first win as Grimsbly manager at Bury.
November 12, 2008
Half season tickets

Half season tickets went on sale at Keepmoat Stadium today. There are no Category C tickets available as these seats have already been sold. The remaining tickets in Categories B& C are priced as follows: Cat A Adult £ 220, Concession £ 160, 12-16 year olds £ 60, Under 11's £ 30. Category B Adult £ 190, Concession £ 130, 12-16 year olds £ 60, Under 11's £ 30. The tickets will apply from the game against Burnley on December 28th.
November 12, 2008
13 arrests at Sheffield bar
Thirteen arrests were made in the Penny Black public house in Sheffield city centre on Saturday whilst the Rovers v Wednesday match was taking place. It is thought that it was a pre arranged and involved Sheffield Wednesday supporters. All have since been released on bail charged with public order offences. It is not known whether any Rovers supporters were involved in the incident.
November 12, 2008
Wednesday defeat
We are sorry that we have not been able to update the site over the last couple of days. Unfortunately as a result the man of the match feature from the Sheffield Wednesday defeat will not appear.
November 8, 2008
Sheffield Wednesday v Rovers
Doncaster Rovers travel to Hillsbrough this afternoon hoping to see a horrendous run of results come to an end, but the injury situation at the club will not help the cause.
Rovers rate James Coppinger as extremely doubtful with a calf injury, and reports suggest that Shelton Martis has picked up a hamstring injury in training. Jos van Nieuwstadt continues to be misssing with a torn hamstring. On the positive side, midfielder Richie Wellens proved his fitness in Tuesday's practice game at Aston Villa, and James Chambers and Gordon Greer have now recovered from injury, although Greer still needs more match practice before he will be considered for first team action..
In contrast, Sheffield Wednesday appear to be over their injury crisis, and Brian Laws can select from a near-full strength squad for this afternoon's game. Only Richard Hinds (ankle) and Jimmy Smith remain unavailable today - Smith is on loan from Chelsea but sits out the third game of a four match suspension.
November 8, 2008
Today's referee
The referee for this afternoon's game at Sheffield Wednesay is Lee Mason, with the assistant referees being J Collin and M McDonough. The fourth official is J Moss.
Mason's record so far this season is 33 yellow cards and 4 red cards in the ten games he has refereed.
November 8, 2008
Laws a fan of Rovers' style
Brian Laws, the manager of today's opponents, Sheffield Wednesday, has spoken of how much he admires the way that Rovers play. In an interview earlier this week, he said: "I have seen Doncaster on many occasions and they have an attractive style of football that has many admirers and I am one of them. Sean O'Driscoll has got a philosophy and he sticks with it because he has the players that can play that system. They are playing incredibly good football. They struggled with it at first when Sean arrived, it took a while to get started, but once it did it was a steam train, right through the division.
"This year they have stayed with the same philosophy and it's encouraging to see that because we all like good football to be played. I know the frustrations at Doncaster is because they are not winning games, it sickens you as a coach and manager when you know you have been the best team on the day, yet lost."
"It's not like they haven't been creating chances, it's just they have been very unlucky," said Laws. "Taking your chances is the difference in this division."
November 8, 2008
Martis after longer stay
Rovers loan defender Shelton Martis has hinted that he would like to extend his loan spell from West Bromwich Albion. The 25 year old is set to make his second appearance for Rovers today if he can overcome a hamstring injury.
He said: "Hopefully things will work out and we can go for another month. But I want to do that well that the West Brom manager calls me back so I can play there."
November 7, 2008
Dino joins Hyde
Former Rovers striker Dino Maamria has signed for Blue Square North club Hyde United, just over a week after being sacked as manager at Northwich Victoria which followed a period of "gardening leave".
The 34-year old had been at Northwich since August 2007 and since leaving Rovers has also played for Southport, Leigh RMI, Stevenage Borough, Charleston Battery (USA) and Rushden & Diamonds.
November 7, 2008
Wellens back tomorrow?
Midfielder Richie Wellens looks as though he is in with a good chance of returning to action tomorrow afternoon at Hillsborough after coming through a friendly fixture against Aston Villa on Tuesday afternoon without any adverse reaction.
Wellens' inclusion may be just what Rovers need as they strive to overcome a worrying losing streak that has seen them drop to the foot of the table.
In confirming that Wellens is likely to feature tomorrow, Sean O'Driscoll said: "Richie has had a full week's training; obviously, it was a bit stiff and sore, which is to be expected. He looks positive and we would look to include him."
" Richie makes an influence in every game that he plays; he's that type of player. He's desperate to play and that's what he enjoys doing."
November 7, 2008
Belles set for appearance in final
They may have been within days of going out of business recently, but a rejuvinated Doncaster Rovers Belles are in the last four of the Women's League Cup and are in with a good chance of reaching the final after being drawn at home against Preston in Monday's draw.
Rovers Belles boss John Buckley said of the news: "The draw doesn't mean we are there but it is a fantastic chance for us to reach the final. Before it was made I said if we drew either Chelsea or Preston, home or away, then I would be happy. To be fair to Preston they've deserved to get to this stage. You can't take anything for granted in football but we should be favourites."
The match is scheduled to be played on December 7th.
November 7, 2008
Windass bid fails
Doncaster Rovers' bid to sign Hull City's veteran striker Dean Windass has failed after the player has said to Phil Brown, Hull's manager, that he would prefer to stay at the Tigers, fight for a first team place and be part of their Premiership experience. Windass has been linked with a number of clubs, including Rovers, Leeds and Oldham, after only starting one game for Hull this season.
November 7, 2008
Rumours "pie in the sky"
Apart from confirming an interest in Dean Windass, Sean O'Driscoll has said that many of the rumoured names, including Darius Vasell, Ade Akinbiyi and Lee Hughes are all "pie in the sky", with O'Driscoll confiming that Rovers have not made enquiries about any of them.
"Some of these names are pie in the sky signings and there is no truth in any of it. Obviously we have been making inquiries with Premier League clubs but the players they are prepared to let out on loan are either completely outside our financial capabilities or are untried at league level."
That means that Rovers are likely to have to battle on for the next few matches with the same squad, although they are boosted with the return to fitness of Richie Wellens and Gordon Greer, although Adam Lockwood (back), Darren Byfield (ankle) and James Coppinger (calf) missed Tuesday's match against Aston Villa, although Byfield and Coppinger may be fit enough to be considered for the Hillsbrough clash.
November 7, 2008
Byfield set for Oldham?
It seems that Rovers striker Darren Byfield may be set to join Oldham Athletic on loan next week. Oldham tried to sign the 32-year old this week, but Sean O'Driscoll turned the move down to ensure that he is not cup tied - as tomorrow is FA Cup First Round day.
Byfield has played only a minor part in Rovers' team this season despite most expecting him to be a regular inclusion following his signing in the summer. Byfield is understood to want regular first team football, hence the move is likely to go ahead next week.
November 6, 2008
Windass a target
Rovers' assistant manager Richard O'Kelly has confirmed that Dean Windass is one of the potential targets as Rovers look to move into the loan market to boost their strike force. However, O'Kelly refused to confirm whether any new signings would be in place in time for this weekend. He said: "We are talking to two or three different clubs about players and Dean Windass is one of the players. The main thing is that anyone we do bring in is a better player than what we've got."
Rovers face competition from other clubs, including Oldham Athletic, for the services of Windass, who has only made one first team appearance this season for Hull City.
November 6, 2008
Supporters Club meeting tonight
The North Branch of the Supporters Club are holding their Annual General Meeting this evening at the Co-op Social Club on Brunel Road. The meeting begins at 8pm, with Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll due to be in attendance - a question and answer session will be held after the formal business of the meetign has concluded. All supporters, whether Supporters Club members or not, are welcome to attend.
November 6, 2008
Penney - nothing in Terriers talk
Former Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney has distanced himself from talk linking him with the managerial vacancy at Huddersfield Town, who parted company with Stan Ternent this week.
Penney commented: "It's the first I've heard. I knew Stan Ternent had gone this morning; I don't read anything into that. I've certainly not heard anything."
This season Penney has guided Darlington into the regional semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a 1-0 victory over Rochdale on Tuesday, leaving the Quakers just three games away from Wembley. His side have also just reached the top of the League Two table.
November 6, 2008
Maxfield out
Former Rovers player Scott Maxfield, now player/coach at UniBond Premier Division club Buxton, will be out of action until after Christmas after rupturing ligaments during a match that put Burscough out of the FA Cup in the last round. Since leaving Rovers in 2000, Maxfield has also played for Barrow and Ilkeston Town.
November 5, 2008
Wellens makes comeback in Villa game
Rovers' midfielder Richie Wellens made a successful return to action in yesterday's practice match against an Aston Villa reserve side at their Bodymoor Heath training ground. Wellens played 45 minutes of the game with no ill effects and may well now be included in Sean O'Driscoll's plans for Saturday's match at Hillsborough, although a substitute appearance may be the most likely option.
Defender Gordon Greer played the whole match as he aims to regain full match fitness following his long absence with a hip injury.
A number of other players who have not featured in competitive action for some time also played in the match, although Sean McDaid missed out after suffering minor reaction to his knee injury in training on Monday, so he was omitted as a precaution.
Rovers won the match after going behind, thanks to two goals from midfielder John Spicer, who should have done enough to be included in the squad for Saturday's first team game.
November 5, 2008
Finley is Albion's new boss
Former Doncaster Rovers centre half Gary Finley has been appointed as the new manager at UniBond Premier club Witton Albion, succeeding Nigel Deeley, who left the club on Monday. It marks Finley's second spell in charge at Witton, having previously been maanger in the 2004/05 season. The last time that Finley was boss at Albion, they reached the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and just missed out on qualifying for the end of season play-offs.
The new manager's first aim is to end a run of nine consecutive defeats that leaves the club involved in the relegation battle.
Acting chairman Mark Harris said of the appointment: "Gary's teams are highly organised, and will in time follow the Witton Albion tradition of attacking football. In the meantime, however, his brief is very simple - to keep Witton Albion in this division. This will mean having to grind out results, and it may not be pretty in the short term. There will be some rebuilding and I know Gary has already identified players he wants to bring to the club. He is also fully aware of the financial constraints that he will be operating under."
November 5, 2008
Paul Birch Trust
We would like to bring your attention to the Paul Birch Trust, which has been set up by the Aston Villa Former Players Association to help give Paul Birch and his ten year old daughter, Olivia, a better quality of life as he battles with bone cancer. The former Rovers player, who has also played for Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion during his career, has suffered from bone cancer for several months, and a number of fundraising events have already been held by the Trust in association with Aston Villa.
Paul was a hugely popular player during his time at Rovers, but sadly fell out with the controversial "benefactor", Ken Richardson, which meant that he was left out of the team undeservedly. It was at the infamous meeting at the Park Hotel where Kerry Dixon admitted that he did not pick the team, and Mark Weaver was instructed by the meeting to say that the supporters wished Birch to play in the next match. Birch did play - and put in a "man of the match" display, but was promptly transferred to Exeter City after just 26 starts for Rovers.
We would like to wish Paul and Olivia well - if you would like to make a donation to the Paul Birch Trust, please send it to: Paul Birch Trust, Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE
November 4, 2008
Dyer signs for York
York City have announced that they have signed veteran former Rovers striker Bruce Dyer, who has been training with Bradford City recently as he regains full fitness after a back injury. He is in line to make his York debut against Mansfield Town in the Setanta Shield third round this evening.
York boss, another former Rovers, Colin Walker, said: "I think I've pestered him enough over the last three or four weeks and now he's put pen to paper. I've worked with Bruce before [at Barnsley], he's got a fantastic pedigree and he can bring that to us."
November 4, 2008
Stock's injury
Rovers midfielder Brian Stock was substituted on Saturday owing to a back injury which has troubled him for all of the season. Stock took a knock to his back during training on Friday and pulled out of training, but declared himself fit on the morning of the match. However Sean O'Driscoll told the Doncaster Star: "He was touch and go but declared himself fit on the morning of the match. It was a cold day and I think that he had a difficult job trying to pick up Darren Pratley's runs and he was struggling. He was struggling at half-time so I just thought it better to get him off."
Meanwhile, it looks as though Jos van Nieuwstadt will be out for six weeks following a torn hamstring during Tuesday's game against Barnsley. John Dickens said: "It is a bad one; It is a grade 2 tear in the belly of the muscle. Jos, who hasn't a history of hamstring problems, just turned to sprint and he felt it go straight away. It didn't have anything to do with the weather even though it was a cold night. He had some treatment today and he'll have some more tomorrow after which we'll re-assess it and decide whether or not he needs an ultrasound scan."
James Chambers is rated at no better than 50/50 for the Sheffield Wednesday game, having not done any running since picking up the shin injury against Norwich City.
Richie Wellens has done some light running since his recent groin operation and may play some part on Saturday, with Dickens explaining: "Hoperfully he'll be able to take part in some kind of training by the middle of the week. I wouldn't rule him out of the Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday."
Club skipper Adam Lockwood could also be in with a chance of playing on Saturday, with his condition improving a lot over the last week. Again, physio John Dickens considers that Lockwoood may be included in the club's plans for the game.
November 4, 2008
Voting results
The results of the voting for the "Man of the Match" for Saturday's home game against Swansea City gave Jason Price a clear lead ahead of the other seven players receiving nominations. The players receiving the most votes were as follows:
1 Jason Price (44.62%)
2 Martin Woods (16.92%)
3 Shelton Martis (13.85%)
4 Neil Sullivan (9.23%)
Thank you to everyone who took part. The next vote will open following Saturday's away game at Sheffield Wednesday.
November 4, 2008
Owls ticket info
Tickets for Saturday's away game at Sheffield Wednesday are still on sale from the Keepmoat Stadium ticket office at the following prices:
Adults £23, Senior Citizens/16s & under £13.
Ambulant disabled supporters pay the relative price, but their carer can be admitted free. Any wheelchair disabled should phone Liz Higginbotttom on 0871 995 1867 to book, as should anyone requiring disabled parking places. Availability for those are limited.
November 3, 2008
Heffernan in with a chance?
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll has hinted that he may be about to give striker Paul Heffernan his first start of the season, with Rovers again drawing a blank on Saturday against Swansea.
O'Driscoll said: "He is one of the strikers who has not been given a run but his attitude has been first class. Sometimes you cannot change a team for one player. It has been difficult for him but it might be time to put him. However, I don't want to put him under pressure by saying 'you better score a goal'!"
November 3, 2008
Rovers cut prices for Plymouth game
Doncaster Rovers have announced that they will be cutting some admission prices for the home game against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, 6th Decenber. Children will be able to buy tickets for any part of the ground for just £5, with any adult accompanying a child being able to buy a ticket for £15. The offer applies to all areas of the Keepmoat Stadium, but please note that you must buy these tickets in advance of match day.
November 3, 2008
Sheffield Wednesday coach info
The Supporters Club will be running coaches to the away game at Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday.
Coaches will depart as follows: Retford 11.15am, Harworth Pit Gates 11.20am, Bawtry 11.30am, Rossington (Styrrup) 11.30am, Hare & Tortoise 11.35am, Doncaster Royal Infirmary 11.45am and the Keepmoat Stadium (Car Park 3) at 12.noon.
Fares will be: Members £8, OAPs £7, U16s £6
Non-members: £10, OAPs £9, U16s £8
To book please phone Len South on 01302 817347 or Paul Mayfield on 01427 880154 or 077404 53066.
Please note:
1. Alcohol is not permitted on any coach run by the Supporters Club.
2. Supporters who are intoxicated (or appear to be intoxicated) will be refused a seat on the coach.
3. The use of foul and abusive language is strictly forbidden.
Due to legal advice the Supporters Club will be unable to take under 16's to away games, unless a responsible adult accompanies them.
November 2, 2008
Goals check
Our review of ex-Rovers players scoring goals yesterday begins in the Championship, with the remarkable goal-scoring run of Ross McCormack continuing as Cardiff played Wolverhampton Wanderers. Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, they lost 2-1 at home to the Championship leaders, a result that sees Cardiff drop to 6th place.
Also in the Championship, Darren Moore scored his first goal for Barnsley since joining them in the summer. His 39th minute goal put the Tykes 3-0 up at Charlton - the match ended 3-1 to Barnsley, which eases their relegation fears.
In League Two, Ricky Ravenhill's stunning volley for Darlington put his side 2-0 up in the 15th minute of their game at Grimsby. That 2-1 win means that Darlington are now top of League Two, and leaves Grimsby deep in trouble, third bottom of the table, with only Bournemouth (-4) and Luton (-14) underneath them.
Dave Penney was understandably happy with how his Darlington side are playing, and he reckons that their good fortune is down to the fact that they are playing less "pretty football". He said: “We started playing decent football but now we’re mixing it up. At the start of the season we were trying to play too much football, now we’re getting the balance right. When you get your bad days you have to grind your results out. We’ve had a settled side recently and that’s been a big help. There’s not been many we’ve had to chop and change. It’s the same old situation that you always seem to have when you’re doing well – all of a sudden nobody’s getting injured.
Ex-Rover Tim Ryan completed a four match ban yesterday, meaning that he will be available for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy home regional quarter-final against Bury on Tuesday evening.
Finally, we missed Colin Cramb's spectacular goal for East Stirlingshire last weekend which put them in 3-2 in front of their Scottish Cup win against Preston Athletic. East Stirlingshire eventually won the game 4-2 .
November 2, 2008
Rovers youngster in Welsh call-up
Doncaster Rovers youngster Richard Caine was called up by Wales for their Under-16 international against England in the Victory Shield on 31st October. England won the match, played at Llanelli, 1-0, with Caine being an unused substitute.
November 2, 2008
Green returns after "jumper" injury
Former Rovers midfielder Paul Green returned to the Derby County side after missing their draw against Coventry City due to injury. Nothing particularly remarkable in that, you may say, but Green missed the game after ricking his neck whilst putting a jumper on! Until that time, Greeny had been an ever-present in the Derby side that has done well to get over a poor start to the season to finish the day just a couple of points outside the play-offs.
November 1, 2008
Rovers 0 Swansea 0
Rovers put on a much improved display for this afternoon's match against Swansea City, but still could not break the goal drought, despite having a penalty late in the second half. That spot kick was taken by Paul Heffernan, who had been on the pitch for only a minute or two, but giant goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos dived the right way to save, with the rebound being scrambled clear.
Rovers gave loan defender Shelton Martis his debut alongside Matt Mills in central defence, Sam Hird resuming his place on the subsittutes bench. James Coppinger paid the price for a disappointing game on Tuesday by being left out of the squad altogether, making way for Brian Stock, who returned after a one-match ban. However, Stock was one of the players to be subsituted in the last quarter of an hour of the game, presumably due to the ongoing back problem that has plagued his season - with John Spicer finally being given his Rovers league debut.
November 1, 2008
Rovers sign Martis
Doncaster Rovers have signed West Bromwich Albion's Dutch central defender Shelton Martis on a one month loan. Rovers face playing today's game without central defenders Jos van Nieuwstadt, Adam Lockwood and Gordon Greer, so with James Chambers also extremely unlikely to be fit to play, Sean O'Driscoll's defensive options are limited.
Martis is likely to be on the bench today, with Matt Mills and Sam Hird starting the game.
Martis played for PSV Eindhoven, playing 32 games for them before moving to England in 2005 to join Darlington. After a season he moved to Hibernian before joining West Bromwich Albion, although he has found first team opportunities limited at the Hawthorns. He spent a short time on loan at Scunthorpe last season.
Martis says: "The manager (Sean O'Driscoll) called me first on Wednesday afternoon, before speaking to me again on Thursday at the training ground. After speaking to him the decision to come here on loan was very easy. I hope I can do well. I've got a good spring, I am quick, and I can pass the ball. I feel that I have good composure and I love to play football. I feel that I can play good balls into the strikers and hope that I can create chances for them."
Rovers are also understood to be awaiting responses from two clubs regarding signing strikers on loan.
November 1, 2008
Injury update
As mentioned above, Rovers have signed defender Shelton Martis as they are down to two central defenders following Jos van Nieuwstadt's hamstring injury picked up against Barnsley on Tuesday. Gordon Greer is back in training, but has not played a competitive game for ten months, and will need some practice matches before being considered for first team action.
Rovers look likely to be without James Chambers for a second successive game, who appears to be still troubled by a shin injury.
Brian Stock is likely to return after missing Tuesday's game due to injury, but he is continuing to receive treatment for a back injury. Sean O'Driscoll commented: "Again it is touch and go with Brian. He's had another injection in his back and it is just a case of how it reacts, but he trained today."
Richie Wellens continues to recover from his groin operation, but is not expected to be back in action for another couple of weeks.
November 1, 2008
Rovers v Swansea
Injuries will dictate much of Rovers' team selection for this afternoon's home game against fellow-newly promoted Swansea City, as Rovers look to end a horrendous sequence of results that means the last win was two months ago on 30th August, with just 7 goals scored in 14 league games. Rovers will welcome back Brian Stock after completing a one match suspension, but much of the interest amongst Rovers fans will be who plays in attack, with Rovers looking more potent on Tuesday in the closing stages once Paul Heffernan and James Hayter had been introduced.
Swansea will be without midfielder Tom Butler with a hamstring. Winger Andrea Orlandi has been ruled out of the game due to a quad strain, with Mark Gower likely to play in his place. Dorus de Vries (cruciate knee ligament) and Marcos Painter (fractured jaw & facial injury) continue to be absent.
The referee for this afternoon's game will be K. Stroud.
November 1, 2008
Heffernan after recall
After being left out of the side this season, striker Paul Heffernan is keen be given a chance to solve Rovers' goal scoring drought, which sees them as the lowest scoring club in the Championship. Heffernan is the only striker at the club yet to start a game, despite being a regular goal scorer during his time at the club. An impressive 20 minutes as a substitute on Tuesday night may give him the long-awaited opportunity, with the Irishman saying to the Yorkshire Post: "I just want to get myself into the team and show that I can score goals in the Championship. You have got to accept that the manager picks the team and a system that he wants to play and whenever I am not one of those players, I have just got to take it on the chin. But we are not scoring enough goals and we are conceding some sloppy ones and that is a bad mix."
"I am trying to impress the manager in training, and when I come on in games, so I can get into his starting 11 and then I want to try to make it difficult for him to leave me out."
November 1, 2008
Voting results
Thanks go to everyone who voted for the "Man of the Match" in Tuesday's home game against Barnsley. There were nine players nominated, with the players receiving the most votes being as follows:
1 Martin Woods (34.38%)
2 Stuart Elliott (18.75%)
3 Jason Price (10.94%)
3 Lewis Guy (10.94%)
Apologies for the delay in announcing the results - the next poll will open following this afternoon's home game against Swansea City.