Saw this in the Free Press..Belle Vue...

[jucyberry]

They say progress is a wonderful thing and yes the Keepmoat is a fine building, but from everything I have ever read, not being lucky enough to ever see a game in her, Belle Vue harked back to a bygone time in football.. I wish I could have seen her in her heyday especially after seeing Darren's video of her now..

When I came up for my first game all those years ago the fella took me to Belle Vue, already  neglected, but not quite derelict, so to see this video and the inevitable deterioration the overwhelming feeling for me is sadness that soon all that will be left is memories and shrub land.
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/video-emotional-return-to-rovers-belle-vue-1-6457710

[Donnywolf]

Hi JB

I know what you mean but I first went to BV in around 1957/8 (ok I AM an old scrote to most on here) and I continued attending Rovers games from then till the Theo Streete strike closed the Stadium in winning style

It was my life - as simple as that. I could recall and recount HUNDREDS / THOUSANDS of memories and I have done them to death in threads throughout the years - one I will throw in - before meeting Antrim Rover (grhs) who kindly gave me a lift to the Cheltenham game I walked over the BV Pitch and looked at where my Dad would have stood for years and years and years and I thought "dad this is for you ... we win today and we are back to the same level as we were when you first brought me here" and I was emotional and indeed amazingly I am as I recall this

I was TOTALLY against Clubs moving from their traditional "roots" and Stadia and I could never see why they would. Scunny were about the first and several others followed mostly with fans protesting that they wanted to retain what they had . However I changed my mind after Hillsborough Heysel Valley Parade and Bootham Crescent 

The first 3 caused as you will know death and injuries usually associated with Wars and the York City incident caused no deaths but I simply wanted a pee and I walked into their outside bogs and was half way in the "bog" when I realised the pee was ankle deep. It was not pretty but I cant complain. I was not dead nor seriously injured but to me it mattered

The first three for the general public meant things simply HAD to change - and they have continue to change. Whilst I was anti Ground changing I became a convert after those incidents. We should constantly strive to improve our lot and I have to say I feel as "soul less" as the KMS is I feel it is safe, civilised and "of its time"

Sooner or later Rovers will make the move to a huge Stadium that befits their Premiership status (but it wont be in my lifetime) and the fans will probably be mortified at leaving their traditional home but again it will be progress and they will never have been knee deep in p**s nor risking huge fires nor potentially being crushed to death - but they will miss the KMS in the same way as I still miss Belle Vue

The photos / videos remind me of the  times I had there but it was way way way past its sell by date and I really think we are better off now.

[Mr Brightside]

Forgive me for not clicking on that link JB but since the last game at Belle Vue against Forest I've never been back or even driven past.

Easier for me being an exile, but I made a conscious decision that when I walked away that day I'd never return and so in my mind's eye it's just as it was when I left.