23 Sep 2025 -
September 23, 2025, 01:00:00 pm
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VSC Board Statement
The VSC Board welcomes the news of the verdict of fraud case heard at Leeds Crown Court following the reporting restriction in place until 19th September 2025. This case involved key figures in the failed takeover of Doncaster Rovers by Sequentia Capital in 2013. We would further like to pass on our thanks to Judge Belcher, Tim Hannam KC and his team for the prosecution, and the jury members for reaching their decision. Those involved in the failed takeover and now awaiting sentencing for fraud on January 8th 2026 are Kevin Phelan, Daniel Giles and Adrian Bashforth. The takeover attempt did enormous damage to the Doncaster Rovers fanbase, which has taken many years to heal. Public support for the Sequentia Capital takeover was expressed by many supporters despite no real information available on who was behind the bid or where the proposed funding was coming from. Support was also given from representatives of Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club, and former club Chairman John Ryan, fronting these bids, even enlisted Louis Tomlinson to promote and help raise funds. Tomlinson later said in a statement that he was “misled”. The VSC did what a Supporter’s Trust was meant to do. We sought to scrutinise the potential new owners, particularly with regard for the good governance of the Football Club and ensuring that its future would be secure for the benefit of future generations of supporters. The fact that we couldn’t complete this due to a lack of information and those behind Sequentia Capital being unwilling to provide it only raised further concern. In the face of mounting pressure and speculation the VSC stood firm and worked diligently behind the scenes with various individuals and groups to help ensure that these takeovers did not succeed without full transparency. Some of these people worked at the FA, the EFL, Supporters Direct, and the FSF. We also received help from many Rovers fans and individuals who kept their identity secret and yet provided valuable information, and Conor Ryan, an investigative journalist then working at The Irish Examiner newspaper. We would like to place on record our thanks to all those who supported the VSC. Now, in the light of this verdict and at a time with Doncaster Rovers in settled and stable ownership whilst other clubs are facing an uncertain future due to ownership issues, with the recent well publicised concerns for Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday supporters as examples, the actions of the VSC regarding the takeover attempt can finally be viewed as correct and justified by all. It has taken a long time to get to this point, but the truth about the people behind the ownership bid is now a matter of public record. In the months to come we will detail more information on how the takeover bids came about and the dangers they held for the club and it’s proud supporters. We will also reach out to the club and individuals involved at the time and ask the questions that need to be asked, and ensure that we are prepared for the future. Football clubs are the cornerstone of communities, and by ensuring good ownership and holding it to account we can help ensure Doncaster Rovers supporters have a well-run club to enjoy for many more years to come. 09 May 2021 - Thank you Copps
May 09, 2021, 07:07:00 pm
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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. 14 Jul 2020 - Thank you, Andrew and Sarah!
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. 
30 Dec 2018 - The VSC and Doncaster Rovers sign MoU document
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.
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.
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.
 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
 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
Key Dates First League Game: Sat 6th August - Accrington Stanley (A)
2015/16 League 2 Fixture List
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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