Hindsight (on our 2002 squad)

[RoversAlias]

So after posting about Jamie Paterson in the 'Rovers Hero' thread I gave him a quick google to see if there was any info of him knocking about post-DRFC. I struggled but did find a really interesting news article from Peter Catt in the Free Press dated May 16th, 2002, right at the end of our last season before earning promotion from the Conference. I didn't want to distract from the purpose of the Rovers Hero thread so thought I'd post it here as it has some curious snippets in it.

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/jamie-gives-rovers-a-boost-1-515045

JAMIE GIVES ROVERS A BOOST

LAST season's top scorer Jamie Paterson gave Doncaster Rovers a boost yesterday when he rejected overtures from other clubs and agreed to sign a new two year contract, writes Peter Catt.

But Kevin McIntyre has turned his back on Rovers in favour of a move to Chester City and Andy Watson is poised to leap into the Premier League with Sunderland.

Watson has done remarkably well during his training sessions with Sunderland - not looking out of place alongside the club's top stars - and a deal seems certain once the club can agree on a fee.

Rovers turned down a bid of around 150,000 from Stockport County and the deal for the 23-year-old former Garforth Town winger could rival the 250,000 non-league record paid by Bristol Rovers for Barry Hayles - later transferred to Fulham for over 2 million.

Doncaster will also ask for a sell on to ensure that they share in the profits if Watson shines on the big stage and is makes a subsequent big money move.

With the winger about to leave and McIntyre also departing Paterson's decision to sign on again has come as a welcome tonic for Rovers' fans.

The 29-year-old Scot had been linked with Boston United, Crewe, Chester and Oxford and there were fears that cash strapped Rovers may be unable to come up with a deal to keep him at the club.

Paterson told the Free Press: "I did speak to other clubs but I never really wanted to leave Doncaster and I'm looking forward to having another crack at promotion next season."

* Several of the players released by Rovers have already been snapped up by other clubs with Jimmy Kelly joining McIntyre at Chester, Jamie Squires moving to Nuneaton and Neil Campbell set to rejoin Scarborough.

Matt Caudwell has signed for Worksop who are aiming to make a big push for promotion to the Conference next season.

- Pato confirming his icon status with me at least by turning down league clubs to stay and help us get promoted.
- McIntyre making himself a lifelong Rovers enemy by going to Chester.
- Matt Cauldwell going to Worksop, as was mentioned in the Rovers Hero thread, although I notice their 'big push for promotion' never paid off. Wasn't Chris Waddle in charge of them back then?
- Catt describing Rovers as 'cash strapped'. Have I misremembered us having one of the better budgets in the Nationwide Conference back then?
- And of course the Andy Watson Saga. How did he go from potentially being a record non-league transfer to the Premier League, to a wasted talent who couldn't even make an impression at Chester? I can't believe he never made a single appearance in the Football League.

[balbyrover]

Andy Watson really was a mystery..

[Belle_Vue]

Rumours have it, the deal went ahead. They sent Chris Black the other way! Lol

[drfc1951]

McIntyre only went to Chester because his dad was seriously ill and lived in Cheshire, and he wanted to be near him.

[Belle_Vue]

If you ever spoke to Paterson, he was a real character off the pitch also!

[Dr Fundlekrotch]

Jamie Paterson was playing for Brackley Town around 5 or 6 years ago

[wing commander]

   Andy Watson...How he must reflect on what might have been,just goes to show,one bad decision at that age and you could lose it all...That said quality doesn't disappear and you have to fight to get were you want..He seemed to just give up...

[roversdude]

Makes me smile to think that football giants such as Stockport were sniffing around our players
Shame they ended up where they have, can remember entertaining games against them at OBV