by Rich Colby

Rovers return to the Keepmoat Stadium after a 4 month absence to face Port Vale. 2 wins from 2 games, 4 goals scored, 0 conceded has given the reds the perfect start to the season.

Hopefully the sublime finishing of Rovers forwards will continue especially with Curtis Main who appears to have hit the ground running. This alongside Harry Forrester and Theo Robinson finally being back to full fitness seems to have helped woes towards the end of last season to finally disappear.

Port Vale arrive at the Keepmoat Stadium for the first time in 6 years off the back of a win and a draw. The man to watch for them is striker Tom Pope, renowned for popping up when least expected.

There is competition for places amongst the Rovers back line with 'Boom Boom' Mccombe returning to the first team for the mid week Carling Cup victory over York City. Mccombe admitted he thought Paul Dickov was stark raving mad to put him straight back into first team action, but it came off with a solid display.

Expect a similar side to the one that beat Yeovil last week after a few were rested during the week. Rovers have won the last 4 against Vale, heres hoping that's 5 come 5pm.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Port Vale;

P 41
W19
D5
L17

by Rich Colby

After Saturdays victory at Yeovil Town, some early respite from the league comes in the form of the Capital One Cup. The Minstermen of York City welcome Rovers to Bootham Crescent for the first evening game of the season.

The two teams met in the same round and same competition last season where The Rovers managed to scrape through via a penalty shootout.  Rovers haven't visited Bootham Crescent for almost 11 years; here's hoping for a happy return after a long absence.

The league cup won't be a priority this season for Paul Dickov's men, so expect quite a different team to the one that visited Yeovil at the weekend.

Come on you reds!

Overall Record v York:

P 77 : W 30 : D 21 : L 26

by Rich Colby

The wait is over, its finally here, FOOTBALL IS BACK!

Even though it took Rovers until 2 weeks ago to actually sign a player, things have been far from quiet at the Keepmoat Stadium.  Failed takeovers, players criticizing the club, refusals to play and train and fan unrest is just a snipet of what has been going on at Doncaster Rovers in the last 3 months.  Whatever happened to everybody just getting along?

Anyway, enough of all that, time to get down to business, first game of the season!  Rovers on the road and its one of the longest trips of the season to kick us off.  244 miles, Huish Park Yeovil.  

The Glovers, relegated from The Championship alongside Rovers last season will be looking for a strong start being the home team.  Rovers record at Yeovil isn't good, in fact they haven't won at Huish Park in 10 years.  A late Ricky Ravenhill winner helped push Rovers to the Third Division title.

Its been a tough summer for Paul Dickov, but he has brought well under a tight budget.  The biggest coup probably being the man now regarded as a bit of a legend round these parts, Jamie Coppinger.

I'd love to even attempt to predict what Rovers will do this season but feel its a bit impossible.  Anything could happen, but heres hoping for a good start and we can break our 10 year duck at Huish Park.

Come on you Reds!!

The Viking Supporters Co-operative is delighted to announce that following a successful application to Doncaster Council the Keepmoat Stadium and surrounding areas have been designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The VSC made the application to Doncaster MBC to have the stadium and surrounding areas listed under the 2011 Localism Act.  The process started in January 2014 and with the ACV now in place should the council decide to sell all or part of the stadium complex the VSC must be informed as the nominated community group.  

The VSC would then have a period of no more than six weeks to lodge a non-binding expression of interest, and then a further four and a half months to develop a bid and raise the necessary capital to purchase on behalf of the community.

A number of football stadia have already been designated as ACVs, including Old Trafford, Anfield and Leicester City's King Power Stadium, and the Keepmoat Stadium now joins that growing list.  The decision to support the application by Doncaster Council reflects the growing understanding that, as the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles said when launching the Localism Act in 2011, "Football stadiums are not only the heart and soul of every team, they are rooted in and loved by the neighbourhoods that surround them".

In our view, this is fantastic news for Doncaster Rovers supporters in particular, but will also help ensure that the stadium area remains available for fans of all the Doncastrian sporting clubs who use the facilities.  The Keepmoat stadium complex is vital for the continued development of those clubs and this ACV gives supporters and the wider Doncaster community a say in what happens should the council agree to sell it.

The ACV listing remains in place for a period of 5 years and the VSC will commit to re-apply in 2019.

The VSC would like to thank Doncaster Rovers Football Club, Supporters Direct, and Doncaster Council's Asset Management team for their assistance and support throughout the process.

The application letter can be read here and the siteplan can be seen here.