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09 May 2021 - Thank you Copps

Legend is a term that gets thrown around a lot in football, usually out of context or applied to people to whom the term is wholly inappropriate. James Coppinger does not belong in that category. 

Today saw genuine Rovers legend Coppinger play his last competitive game for us in the defeat to Peterborough at the end of his 17 seasons here.  This past week or so has seen Copps confirm that this really is the end, and many of the fans (including us at the VSC) were hoping for one more season, especially as fans haven't been able to see any of James's performances this season in the flesh at a game due to the Covid restrictions.  

The increasing emotional intensity of James's interviews over the past week or so have made us all realise that this was actually happening.  Our hope of a U-turn evaporated and James's decision was made, and this was real. His tears in interviews cut through us all.  The most stoic of us had a lump in our throats, as the man who many see as the cornerstone of the club, "Mr Doncaster Rovers" himself, finally drew the curtain on his playing career.

We all have our own special Copps-inspired memories, and now is definitely the time to remember them, catalogue them, savour them. There will be no more. Don't let the ones we all have and share get lost.

Thank you, James. For everything.


It is with sadness that the VSC learnt the news of Andrew Watson taking the decison to leave his position on the Board of Doncaster Rovers.

We have been aware for some months that Andrew had been considering stepping down from his Board position as Vice Chairman, which he undertook in 2016, and had been expecting this day to come.  Obviously, we would have preferred Andrew to stay, especially as a lifelong and passionate Rovers fan with the club's best interest firmly front and centre in all he did for and with the club, and we did express that opinion, but we have the utmost respect for him reaching this difficult decision.

It would be remiss of us not to mention that his participation in our club, and that of the wider Watson family, has been incredibly beneficial to all of us. Their presence in our club has seen the success, on and off the field, exceed anything that we could possibly have imagined as recently as 15 years ago. They have helped create the conditions to enable some wonderful memories, but what many fan's maybe wont appreciate is just how Andrew has participation in our fan engagement schemes. Our meetings with him found him to be enthusiatic and productive and helped the club and fans build something enduring and beneficial, something that he can always be proud of.

Andrew's sister, Sarah, is also stepping down from club involvement.  We hope to see them and the family around the stadium sometime soon, when we all can get back to enjoying our club and supporting the team. Andrew and Sarah leave with our best wishes and our continued friendship.  

It just remains to say a huge thank you to them for all they've done for the club and the fans.

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Following months of discussions with Doncaster Rovers Football Club over formalising the commitment of the club and fans to work together, the VSC is delighted to announce that we and the club have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).  This document provides a written framework for how the club and the VSC will operate together to ensure that fan's views are represented in the key decisions taken at the club that have an impact on supporters.  It defines activity around regular contact and meetings and defines actions placed on both the club and the co-operative.

Martin O'Hara, the VSC's secretary said "We are delighted to announce this MoU as a pathway to ensure that supporter's views are consistently heard in the strategic decisions directing the club forward that have an impact on them.  This document provides a written agreement to supporters with an assurance that the club will be receptive to their comments and ideas, and that communication will be open and constructive between the club and the VSC.  It is a major achievement for club and trust to be one of the first to agree this approach and underlines the relationship that the VSC already has with the club and the value within that which is recognised by both parties"

The terms of the MoU operate with immediate effect.


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VSC Secretary Martin O'Hara talks to partners Fansbet about how the trust's relationship with the club has developed over the years. Martin also explains how the trust's first payment from FansBet will be spent.

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It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of former VSC Chairman and Rovers Supporter Director Andy Liney.  Andy was chair of the VSC for over 6 years, taking the reins of the newly formed Trust and using his enormous drive, tenaciousness and love for the club, delivered an enormous amount of positive change that all fans today should be proud of.

Andy lead negotiations with the council over the creation of the Doncaster Community Stadium, now known to football supporters throughout the world as The Keepmoat Stadium, and tirelessly raised funds through the years leading up to the stadium opening.  Many fans will no doubt remember him rattling a bucket under their noses at Belle Vue and asking for their spare change for The Coin Trail, an idea he had to visualise the journey from Belle Vue to the site of the new stadium by following a trail of coins donated by supporters.  Andy raised £56,710.34 for the club from that one idea alone. 

Andy, though small in stature, was always a larger than life character.  He made the character of Donny Dog, the club mascot, his own, often getting into a few scrapes which made supporters laugh.  From riding a moped around the pitch at Belle Vue, to challenging wrestler Al Snow to a bout, to giving Arsene Wenger a Christmas card from Jose Mourhino (after the pair had a well publicised spat) ahead of the Rovers playing Arsenal in the League Cup in 2006, Andy always brought a real sense of fun to whatever he did.

On behalf of all VSC members, the board would like to offer our deepest condolences to Andy's family and friends.  For supporters of the club, his legacy will live on in Doncaster Rovers and the stadium he fought so hard to deliver for the club.  Rest in peace Andy.


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Lifelong Rovers fan and VSC member Dave Burkitt is raising money for Firefly Cancer Awareness and Support, a charity the VSC have supported in the past and one that helps the families of many rovers fans all over Doncaster on a daily basis. If you can afford a couple of quid to help Dave reach jis £1000 target, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/davidburkittlondon
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Due to the lack of home games in December the VSC board have elected to hold the AGM on January 2nd 2017, to be held prior to the Stevenage game. It will be held in the Belle Vue Bar at 11am.

We are also looking for voluntary directors to step forward and nominate themselves. Anyone who fancies helping out over the 12 months please make your self known either on the forum, by PM or send an email to secretary@drfc-vsc.co.uk

Kind regards,

The VSC Board of Directors
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vsc logo      drfc badge


Key Dates

First League Game: Sat 6th August - Accrington Stanley (A)
Boxing Day: Mon 26th December - Notts County (A)
New Years Eve: Sat 31st December - Mansfield Town (A)
First Game 2017: Mon 2nd January - Stevenage (H)
Easter Weekend: Sat 15th April - Colchester (A)
Easter Weekend: Mon 17th April - Blackpool (H)
Last Game: Sat 6th May - Hartlepool (A)


2015/16 League 2 Fixture List

AUGUST
SAT 06 AUG 2016 Accrington Stanley
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 13 AUG 2016 Crawley Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
TUE 16 AUG 2016 Cambridge United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 H
SAT 20 AUG 2016 Cheltenham Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 27 AUG 2016 Yeovil Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SEPTEMBER
SAT 03 SEP 2016 Crewe Alexandra
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 10 SEP 2016 Morecambe
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 17 SEP 2016 Newport County
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 24 SEP 2016 Luton Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
TUE 27 SEP 2016 Carlisle United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 H
OCTOBER
SAT 01 OCT 2016 Portsmouth
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 08 OCT 2016 Barnet
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 15 OCT 2016 Colchester United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 22 OCT 2016 Blackpool
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 29 OCT 2016 Wycombe Wanderers
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
NOVEMBER
SAT 12 NOV 2016 Exeter City
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 19 NOV 2016 Hartlepool United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
TUE 22 NOV 2016 Stevenage
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 A
SAT 26 NOV 2016 Leyton Orient
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
DECEMBER
SAT 10 DEC 2016 Plymouth Argyle
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 17 DEC 2016 Grimsby Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
MON 26 DEC 2016 Notts County
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 31 DEC 2016 Mansfield Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
JANUARY
MON 02 JAN 2017 Stevenage
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 07 JAN 2017 Portsmouth
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 14 JAN 2017 Barnet
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 21 JAN 2017 Crewe Alexandra
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 28 JAN 2017 Yeovil Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
FEBRUARY
SAT 04 FEB 2017 Morecambe
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 11 FEB 2017 Newport County
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
TUE 14 FEB 2017 Carlisle United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 A
SAT 18 FEB 2017 Luton Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 25 FEB 2017 Accrington Stanley
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
TUE 28 FEB 2017 Cambridge United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 A
MARCH
SAT 04 MAR 2017 Crawley Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 11 MAR 2017 Cheltenham Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
TUE 14 MAR 2017 Notts County
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 19:45 H
SAT 18 MAR 2017 Leyton Orient
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 25 MAR 2017 Plymouth Argyle
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
APRIL
SAT 01 APR 2017 Grimsby Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 08 APR 2017 Mansfield Town
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 15 APR 2017 Colchester United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
MON 17 APR 2017 Blackpool
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
SAT 22 APR 2017 Wycombe Wanderers
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
SAT 29 APR 2017 Exeter City
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 H
MAY
SAT 06 MAY 2017 Hartlepool United
Sky Bet League Two
K.O. 15:00 A
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The financial statements up to the 30th June 2015 for Patienceform Ltd (the trading name of DRFC) have been completed and were passed to the Viking Supporters Co-Operative for analysis, the results of which can be downloaded here: https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/files/2015_Patienceform_Accounts.pdf

The accounts demonstrate an expected change in the relationship between Patienceform and Club Doncaster. As is common knowledge, the Club Doncaster brand aims to improve and enhance the business of DRFC as a whole by generating more revenue and shared efficiencies across Doncaster’s sporting clubs. This is further demonstrated in the provision of the loan from Club Doncaster to Patienceform.
It is anticipated that the future ownership of Patienceform will move to Club Doncaster in the near future. This will tie the two together in a parent-subsidiary relationship. There are many benefits to the club of this including an increase in revenue and cashflow, vital for both business and footballing growth (in relation to salary caps etc). At this point it is anticipated that a favourable restructure of all held loans will be commenced.

Overall the financial situation of the club is in line with expectations. As ever the club relies heavily on financial backing from the owners in order to retain the key figure of going concern.
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Joint Statement from Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club, the Viking Supporters Co-operative and the Doncaster Rovers Supporters Group regarding Bradford City's ticket pricing for this weekend's game.

Earlier in the season Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City made a commitment to a reciprocal pricing agreement to encourage both home and away fans to attend the fixtures when the two teams meet. Doncaster Rovers reduced the tickets for the Bradford City home game to £15 earlier in the season and this was very successful,  with 8410 supporters attending, including over 2,000 Bantams fans.

We have now been informed that Bradford City will not be doing the same in the coming fixture at Valley Parade next week and will charge Doncaster Rovers fans full price. 

This is wholly unacceptable to ALL the recognised supporter groups of Doncaster Rovers; the Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club,  the Viking Supporters Co-operative and the Doncaster Rovers Supporters Group.  

Bradford City are a football club who received praise from many fans of other clubs for their radical approach to Season Ticket pricing and making football more accessible.  On this occasion they are failing supporters. 

Our away support has been nothing short of fantastic this season and it's no secret that away fans often get the short end of the stick in terms of treatment from some clubs - we are proud to support a club that opposes the trend and it's a shame that Bradford City don't share the vision to treat us as equals.

We urge fans to join in with a peaceful protest on the day of the game. We believe that as a body of fans we should make our feelings known that this isn't an acceptable way to treat supporters. Anyone who is interested in joining us are welcome to attend an open meeting on Wednesday at 7PM at the Staff Of Life pub, Waterdale, Doncaster, where we will discuss our plans for the game.

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