Dons

[Mike_F]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

[scawsby steve]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

[ravenrover]

And was it in a cup game at Tattersall SS that we lost to St Helens back in the day to a late penalty. That was in the days of Little old Donny playing a supreme St Helens.

[Iberian Red]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

That was an unbelievable game/experience. A really big crowd at the game too

[danumdon]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

[drfc1951]

And was it in a cup game at Tattersall SS that we lost to St Helens back in the day to a late penalty. That was in the days of Little old Donny playing a supreme St Helens.

We drew 4-4 at Tattersfield lost the replay 36-0

[scawsby steve]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

[drfchound]

And was it in a cup game at Tattersall SS that we lost to St Helens back in the day to a late penalty. That was in the days of Little old Donny playing a supreme St Helens.

We drew 4-4 at Tattersfield lost the replay 36-0

Yes it was a draw in the first game.
My one and only Dons game.

[idler]

I was there that day. It was 1970 I think. I was praying that Marra Towle would get a late chance of a penalty or drop goal. A great crowd there that night.

[Mike_F]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

That was an unbelievable game/experience. A really big crowd at the game too

One of my mates used to play at a decent level and was in the Dons youth setup around that time (not that you'd believe it to look at him now!). I well remember how giddy he was that season and he was a big fan of Jamie Bloem and Vila Matautia.

[ravenrover]

And was it in a cup game at Tattersall SS that we lost to St Helens back in the day to a late penalty. That was in the days of Little old Donny playing a supreme St Helens.

We drew 4-4 at Tattersfield lost the replay 36-0

Memory eh, I can still remember the disappointment!
Couldn't remember if my old team mate Marra was playing that day

[drfc1951]

i came away thinking we had been cheated,the Dons scrum half had a drop goal disallowed in the last minute, because the ref said it had touched a Saints player as he kicked it.

[BillyStubbsTears]

For those too young to remember sport in the 70s, this is possibly the greatest documentary in history. The opening few mins are a work of art

https://youtu.be/PjaTYQAuPFk?si=6exSVOpfvUTlp2pC

[danumdon]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

It was Tony Bowes, did his leg in and never played for the Dons again after that match i believe.

The match is actually on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXbsD6j2kc

[idler]

And was it in a cup game at Tattersall SS that we lost to St Helens back in the day to a late penalty. That was in the days of Little old Donny playing a supreme St Helens.

We drew 4-4 at Tattersfield lost the replay 36-0

Memory eh, I can still remember the disappointment!
Couldn't remember if my old team mate Marra was playing that day

I think that he got our four points with two penalties raven.
Marra got sent off against us for Cementation in a Donny Sunday League match. Cleared one of our lads out in a tackle back in the day when sending offs were very rare.

[ravenrover]

Idler, who were you playing for?

[idler]

Balby Vine Rangers. It was about 1971, I did my knee in in 1973 which finished me. I was always more enthusiastic than gifted though.

[scawsby steve]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

It was Tony Bowes, did his leg in and never played for the Dons again after that match i believe.

The match is actually on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXbsD6j2kc

Thanks for that, DD. I've just watched it and re-lived the whole experience.

One of the days of my life I'll never forget.

Edit: The next game was at home to Widnes, on a Friday night in front of the TV cameras, which we won and went top of the league. Just imagine that; Doncaster at the top of the whole Rugby League.

Yes, it was only for 48 hours; yes, we finished bottom of the league; and yes, we were liquidated, but we had our moment in the sun.

That's something that will always be.

[RedRover45]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

Ironically Jamie got tested after the home game with Saints a few months later. The ironic thing is that Bobby Goulding the Saints scrum half had warned Jamie he was on the list to be tested that day.

[danumdon]

I was at Headlingley for the game against Leeds (in corporate, it was a work thing) and all the talk was about bringing Bloem in from the Dons, the game was lost but he was running through brick walls during the game, he looked unstoppable.

It all came to a head after this and he was banned for 2 years

Shame as it was the best team we ever had, what a change for us to be playing against the leagues elite for that single season.

[roversdude]

The infamous Bodies gym was where a lot of the Dons side trained and got their supplements
Think Jamie became a decent ref

[scawsby steve]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

Ironically Jamie got tested after the home game with Saints a few months later. The ironic thing is that Bobby Goulding the Saints scrum half had warned Jamie he was on the list to be tested that day.

Not long after that, we were at home to Wigan in a night match. I spotted Maurice Lyndsey, that little sh*t who ruined rugby league for the smaller clubs. I asked him how many Wigan players were ever tested,(the talk about Shaun Edwards at that time was rife). He just sneered and walked away.

What Jamie did was silly, but he wasn't the only one at it. He was just unlucky in getting caught. It proved costly for the Dons.

[Iberian Red]

The infamous Bodies gym was where a lot of the Dons side trained and got their supplements
Think Jamie became a decent ref

Along with about 99% of the bouncers in town.

[Iberian Red]

I had never been to a Dons match until; yesterday and I certainly picked a good one to break my duck. Oldham couldn't lay a glove on a stronger, quicker and fitter Dons side. I live just up the road from Hunslet so although it took me 42 years to get to one Dons match it'll probably take 7 days to make it to two!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience, Mike. You would certainly have loved the greatest result in the Dons' history, when we beat St Helens away 29-20 in 1994, in the first match of the ill-fated season in the top tier.

I couldn't believe what I was watching that day. It was the equivalent of Rovers going to the Etihad and beating Man City.

At greast cost too if i remember rightly, one of our better players never played again!

I can't think who that might have been, DD. No-one was injured that day.

You might possibly be thinking of Jamie Bloem, the star of that game. He eventually got a 2 year ban for the use of steroids, but that was quite a few games after the Saints game.

Ironically Jamie got tested after the home game with Saints a few months later. The ironic thing is that Bobby Goulding the Saints scrum half had warned Jamie he was on the list to be tested that day.

Not long after that, we were at home to Wigan in a night match. I spotted Maurice Lyndsey, that little sh*t who ruined rugby league for the smaller clubs. I asked him how many Wigan players were ever tested,(the talk about Shaun Edwards at that time was rife). He just sneered and walked away.

What Jamie did was silly, but he wasn't the only one at it. He was just unlucky in getting caught. It proved costly for the Dons.

Was is Shaun Edwards that was married to Heather Small?
I've got a mate that played for Wigan (we call him pie eater,obviously)reserves at that time and later played for lots of semi pro teams.
He has an anecdote about an end of season presentation night at that time . The Wigan player asked the committee man if he wanted her to sing(this was at the height of M People's fame),the committee man said we don't do karaoke on a Wednesday!!

[ravenrover]

One of my pals was spotted playing Rugby Union  by the Dons and he was asked to come down for trials.
A skilled player but also one you wouldn't want to tangle with. His favourite story is the time with the A team when he was told pre game to give their key player the opposing 2nd rower, a good player but on his way down, a good one at the 1st opportunity. Biding his time the opportunity came said punch was delivered which was usually enough to put somebody to sleep. The player went down, shook his head looked around and just smiled at him. Later in the game my pal woke up in the Dons dressing room having taken one back from said player. When it cost him more to have his teeth put right than he was paid for playing he decided to call an end to his Rugby League career. He couldn't go back to playing Union not brcause he had been paid as a League player but because he was alteady banned sine die for refusing to pay his fines having been sent off playing Union.
We later played football together in the same team as he was a very good footballer and he was again sent off for lamping a player called Corky/Curly for Thorne Colliery who had attempted to kick me in the face during a tackle. Feigning injury I asked if the player had been sent off on being told yes I got up to see my Pal also on the sidelines.
He then ended up sine die from football after refusing to pay his fine saying it was my fault he'd been sent off.

[roversdude]

The infamous Bodies gym was where a lot of the Dons side trained and got their supplements
Think Jamie became a decent ref

Along with about 99% of the bouncers in town.

No comment IR lol

[moses]

I was at Headlingley for the game against Leeds (in corporate, it was a work thing) and all the talk was about bringing Bloem in from the Dons, the game was lost but he was running through brick walls during the game, he looked unstoppable.

It all came to a head after this and he was banned for 2 years

Shame as it was the best team we ever had, what a change for us to be playing against the leagues elite for that single season.

I went to Polytechnic at Leeds and was in the Headingly crowd with a few Leeds fans. Jamie's run from full back got a round of applause from the Leeds fans.
 

[BillyStubbsTears]

Dons 22-14 up with 10 mins left. Come on!

[BillyStubbsTears]

26-14 in final minute. Brilliant.

[idler]

A great result.
One game away from promotion.