Dons

[Chris Black come back]

Don’t know too much about rugby league but the Dons seems to be doing exceptionally well in what is their first season in a higher league. Has Terry been putting money into the Dons as well? Seems like this is best they have done since mid 90s when they made it to the top flight. 

[Lincoln Rover]

All comes under Club Doncaster…so yes he has. They are doing well.Possibly two more wins will keep them up. That would be an excellent achievement.

[roversdude]

Think they got a few loans in this week but that is a great win at Fev

[scawsby steve]

Don’t know too much about rugby league but the Dons seems to be doing exceptionally well in what is their first season in a higher league. Has Terry been putting money into the Dons as well? Seems like this is best they have done since mid 90s when they made it to the top flight.

They are doing exceptionally well, CBCB, but they're not the best since the mid 90s. That was St John Ellis's team in 2000, that went unbeaten at home for the entire season, and made the play-offs.

[Jemmo]

Tickets for this Sundays game are just £10 for adults, £1 for kids.

https://tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk/en-GB/events/doncaster%20rlfc%20v%20barrow%20raiders/2024-7-28_15.00/eco-power%20stadium?fbclid=IwY2xjawEQV39leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRzkjkB-i1oabktBHulkU-iyvICZ5QTIeYfUZjfOczxFWpX-0qeNpqB7NA_aem_dF6BfVXjSGf5MTr87bpPQw&hallmap

A win would be a big step towards guaranteed survival

[tyke1962]

Tickets for this Sundays game are just £10 for adults, £1 for kids.

https://tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk/en-GB/events/doncaster%20rlfc%20v%20barrow%20raiders/2024-7-28_15.00/eco-power%20stadium?fbclid=IwY2xjawEQV39leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRzkjkB-i1oabktBHulkU-iyvICZ5QTIeYfUZjfOczxFWpX-0qeNpqB7NA_aem_dF6BfVXjSGf5MTr87bpPQw&hallmap

A win would be a big step towards guaranteed survival

Don't know about survival because your only a point of 6th which is a play off spot .

In fact if my Wakefield Trinity beat Featherstone Rovers in the derby on Sunday and the Dons beat Barrow with Batley dropping points you'll be in that final play off place .

Looking very tight for 5th and 6th in fact and will probably I reckon go to the last game .

Unfortunately for the Dons your final game is at Wakefield so you probably need to get it done the week before .

I believe 6th will play 3rd and 4th play 5th for the right to meet one of the top two in the play off semi final at their ground , probably ourselves or Toulouse .

[Jemmo]

Tickets for this Sundays game are just £10 for adults, £1 for kids.

https://tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk/en-GB/events/doncaster%20rlfc%20v%20barrow%20raiders/2024-7-28_15.00/eco-power%20stadium?fbclid=IwY2xjawEQV39leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRzkjkB-i1oabktBHulkU-iyvICZ5QTIeYfUZjfOczxFWpX-0qeNpqB7NA_aem_dF6BfVXjSGf5MTr87bpPQw&hallmap

A win would be a big step towards guaranteed survival

Don't know about survival because your only a point of 6th which is a play off spot .

In fact if my Wakefield Trinity beat Featherstone Rovers in the derby on Sunday and the Dons beat Barrow with Batley dropping points you'll be in that final play off place .

Looking very tight for 5th and 6th in fact and will probably I reckon go to the last game .

Unfortunately for the Dons your final game is at Wakefield so you probably need to get it done the week before .

I believe 6th will play 3rd and 4th play 5th for the right to meet one of the top two in the play off semi final at their ground , probably ourselves or Toulouse .

The bottom half is so tight; this season was always about survival for the Dons. We're in the play offs at the moment but have a couple of tough games coming up (Sheffield Away, Toulouse at home) where we're not expecting much. Think a team could still go down with 20 points this year so another 2 wins see's us safe)

[knockers]

I went today for the first time in ages as I won tickets.
Really enjoyed it but they nearly threw it away until they got the last two tries in the final minutes.
Great atmosphere and a crowd of 1400 which is pretty good.

[Jemmo]

What a day at the Eco Power Stadium. After the Rovers win, the Dons have then pulled out arguably the biggest performance and win for 20 years beating Toulouse 20-18.

In a sport like rugby league which physical strength and fitness is such a major component the difference between being full time and part time is usually insurmountable. But part time Donny turned over full time Toulouse and fully deserved it. It wasn't a fluke. And the way they did is stuff dreams are made of, but I'll save that for the highlights video

[BillyStubbsTears]

After losing by a sliver to Sheffield last week, it looks like the Dons have properly established themselves as a top 6 side.

[graingrover]

Discussing one day with a Club Donny Official , he said after a season of consolidation in the Championship then next season the goal would be to challenge for promotion to the Super  league , so presumably a shift to  full pro status .

[Jemmo]

To explain that intense ending, toulouse looked to have been given the win with 2 minutes to go and what still looks a forward pass to me, but then Dons pulled out a wonder try which leaves the officials saying "What was that?! Jesus!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9LsRZzkp_I

[tyke1962]

That's got to be the outstanding result of the season in the championship this season possibly including Super League too .

Toulouse have been in a rich vein of form and won their last 9 games I believe , they are the only team to beat my Wakefield Trinity this season albeit in the South of France in 37 degree heat .

Toulouse along with Wakefield Trinity are the only two full time teams in the championship and we both have a significant advantage because of that with regard to fitness and more importantly recovery .

The Dons victory last night is a seriously impressive result and one I celebrated myself because it means Trinity have a 9 point lead at the top of the Championship with 7 games to go as a consequence .

If the Dons can secure a play off spot it would be an unbelievable achievement .

[tyke1962]

Discussing one day with a Club Donny Official , he said after a season of consolidation in the Championship then next season the goal would be to challenge for promotion to the Super  league , so presumably a shift to  full pro status .

I sincerely hope that the Dons could one day compete in Super League but unfortunately it's not that easy even if the Dons are successful on the field .

In the link are the requirements needed to attain Super League status even if the Dons were to win the Championship Grand Final .

I would suspect there's much work to be done off the field as well as on it in a city that isn't with all due respect a big Rugby League area .

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3330/

[Mike_F]

Fantastic result for The Dons yesterday. Having caught the highlights today, the pass  for that final try was incredible. What a great bit of skill, worthy of winning the match.

[danumdon]

Its a great shame that Donny is not really a sporting town in the sense of supporting its own local clubs.

The transformation they have made with the squad and in games deserves a far lager turn out than they currently get.

I remember the last time they had a go in the early 90's when they got promoted to the top league, the crowds came out for the first few matches and then gradually dropped off as the season progressed and the team struggled.

Its a shame as the product is good, the setting is top notch and you can even have a point as you watch.

I'm quite sure the marketing and promotions set up at Club Doncaster do their thing but its a long hard road to trawl to get the enthusiasm from the locals to kick on.

As Tyke says earlier the stipulations to progress to the Super League are now very strict and structured in such a manner to protect the established clubs, the ones who have paid their dues and taken the financial risk to progress. If The Dons want a slice of that action then its going to be a long haul with far more buy in from the Donny public.

Do we have that potential, i'd say yes, but realising it is a completely different story.

Here's hoping.

[tyke1962]

Fantastic result for The Dons yesterday. Having caught the highlights today, the pass  for that final try was incredible. What a great bit of skill, worthy of winning the match.

The impressive bit of play for me was the actual Dons KO following the Toulouse try with only 2 minutes left , the lad landed that ball right in that corridor of uncertainty and the impressive Dons try was built from that terrific kick .

The conversion out on the touchline to win the game was no gimme either under that pressure .

I understand from what I've read this morning that the Toulouse camp are playing the stomach bug card following last night's defeat .

Try keeping off the frogs legs and snails then   

[tyke1962]

Its a great shame that Donny is not really a sporting town in the sense of supporting its own local clubs.

The transformation they have made with the squad and in games deserves a far lager turn out than they currently get.

I remember the last time they had a go in the early 90's when they got promoted to the top league, the crowds came out for the first few matches and then gradually dropped off as the season progressed and the team struggled.

Its a shame as the product is good, the setting is top notch and you can even have a point as you watch.

I'm quite sure the marketing and promotions set up at Club Doncaster do their thing but its a long hard road to trawl to get the enthusiasm from the locals to kick on.

As Tyke says earlier the stipulations to progress to the Super League are now very strict and structured in such a manner to protect the established clubs, the ones who have paid their dues and taken the financial risk to progress. If The Dons want a slice of that action then its going to be a long haul with far more buy in from the Donny public.

Do we have that potential, i'd say yes, but realising it is a completely different story.

Here's hoping.

The population of Wakefield and Doncaster is pretty much the same DD around 300k .

What separates them is the traditional Rugby League city narrative .

The 3 Wakefield clubs collectively pull in give or take around 18k each weekend and that's with ourselves and Featherstone in the championship and only Castleford currently in Super League .

Doncaster only has Rovers in the city and that's only when the football season overlaps with the Rugby League season .

Clearly the history , heritage and tradition of the three clubs is a massive factor , all three clubs have enjoyed major success historically  , Trinity are twice league champions and have won five Challenge Cups  , Cas were Super League Grand Finalists in 2017 and Featherstone have won three Challenge Cups .

The three Wakefield clubs alone are ingrained in the very soul of Rugby League in a way with all due respect the Dons and Sheffield Eagles aren't despite the Eagles having competed for a number of seasons in the top flight and are Challenge Cup winners , who could forget that classic final against mighty Wigan ? .

Extremely difficult for the Dons to grow with everything on the table .

[IDM]

Cas and Fev “Wakefield” clubs.???  That’s rugby league heresy that is.!!

[tyke1962]

Cas and Fev “Wakefield” clubs.???  That’s rugby league heresy that is.!!

Castleford and Featherstone are part of the Wakefield Metropolitan Area .

As the chant goes on derby day " your just a small town in Wakefield " .

[IDM]

I’m talking about RL rivalries.  When I was a kid the big rivalry in castleford and featherstone was between the two.  I don’t recall Trinity getting a look in.  Maybe in the bigger picture perhaps but not so much in those two places..

[tyke1962]

I’m talking about RL rivalries.  When I was a kid the big rivalry in castleford and featherstone was between the two.  I don’t recall Trinity getting a look in.  Maybe in the bigger picture perhaps but not so much in those two places..

Your correct about the Featherstone v Castleford rivalry years ago when both club's were in the top flight along with Trinity .

The distance between Fev and Cas is practically non existent .

In the Super League era the Trinity v Castleford rivalry has become the game we both want to win the most , barely 6 miles separates us .

It was always part of Magic Weekend along with Wigan v Saints , Hull v Hull KR and Leeds v Bradford .

Older supporters have always told me that Trinity always wanted to beat Fev the most back in the day so I guess things do change over time .

I've watched Trinity for 42 years and in that time the Cas game was and is always the biggest game and played on rivals round which is Good Friday .

Younger fans who have only watched the game in the Super League era would only recognise the Trinity v Castleford rivalry .

[IDM]

I’m going back to the late 70s early 80s..  the only thing of note back then (to me) in respect of Trinity was the name of the stadium!!

I went to school in Ponte and then Featherstone, and played RU for Castleford juniors for a few years..

[tyke1962]

I’m going back to the late 70s early 80s..  the only thing of note back then (to me) in respect of Trinity was the name of the stadium!!

I went to school in Ponte and then Featherstone, and played RU for Castleford juniors for a few years..

My first season supporting Trinity was 1981/82 and we were relegated to the second division as it was then for the very first time in our proud history .

We were relegated on the final afternoon of the season at Castleford , it was an unpleasant afternoon to say the least , the Cas fans revelled in our demise , the walk back to Castleford station after the game wasn't great , I've disliked the buggas with a passion ever since .

Castleford and Featherstone are incredible Rugby League areas as you know IDM and I'm always fascinating by them as a man not from Wakefield , the amateur game is tremendous over there , Featherstone Lions where Rob Burrow cut his teeth as a young lad , Lock Lane in Castleford are a fair amateur team plus Sharlston .

I live right on the Barnsley - Wakefield border , it's actually quicker to Belle Vue than it is to Oakwell .

As soon as you get past Newmillerdam the Rugby pitches start to appear in a way football pitches appear in the Barnsley area , it just fascinates me how within a few miles between South and West Yorkshire the landscape changes to Rugby .

It's also great to see the number of young kids and younger people at Belle Vue attending Trinity games especially in this day and age of PL football and Gaming .

The game will have its ups and downs and have to fight for recognition as it always has but it will never die .

Rugby Union may well be the more national game but along the M62 and Cumbria , there's only one Rugby we prefer .

[scawsby steve]

Discussing one day with a Club Donny Official , he said after a season of consolidation in the Championship then next season the goal would be to challenge for promotion to the Super  league , so presumably a shift to  full pro status .

I sincerely hope that the Dons could one day compete in Super League but unfortunately it's not that easy even if the Dons are successful on the field .

In the link are the requirements needed to attain Super League status even if the Dons were to win the Championship Grand Final .

I would suspect there's much work to be done off the field as well as on it in a city that isn't with all due respect a big Rugby League area .

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3330/

There's no problem with the stadium, Tyke, as the Rugby League has selected it on more than one occasion for Challenge Cup semi-finals.

However, the fan engagement issue would be a problem. Despite the Dons' excellent current form, there seemed to be very few people at the game yesterday, according to the highlights. I've looked for the attendance figures, but can't find them.

Maybe the club doesn't want them published.

[Jemmo]

It was announced as 1121

Which could considering the unusual kick off times; the rovers first game and the big event going on in town. On top of people thinking we’d get hammered; isn’t TOO bad for where we are at the moment but would have to be better for this IMG debate

[tyke1962]

Discussing one day with a Club Donny Official , he said after a season of consolidation in the Championship then next season the goal would be to challenge for promotion to the Super  league , so presumably a shift to  full pro status .

I sincerely hope that the Dons could one day compete in Super League but unfortunately it's not that easy even if the Dons are successful on the field .

In the link are the requirements needed to attain Super League status even if the Dons were to win the Championship Grand Final .

I would suspect there's much work to be done off the field as well as on it in a city that isn't with all due respect a big Rugby League area .

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3330/

There's no problem with the stadium, Tyke, as the Rugby League has selected it on more than one occasion for Challenge Cup semi-finals.

However, the fan engagement issue would be a problem. Despite the Dons' excellent current form, there seemed to be very few people at the game yesterday, according to the highlights. I've looked for the attendance figures, but can't find them.

Maybe the club doesn't want them published.

Totally agree Steve the stadium is more than Super League compliant but when I referred to off the field criteria it was more to do with the other bits and bobs which accumulate IMG points .

My own view is who wins The Championship Grand Final is promoted to Super League and whoever finishes bottom is relegated to the Championship .

Unfortunately the RFL see it differently , however if the Dons did win the Championship Grand Final and weren't permitted to Super League despite having a decent stadium I'd be giving the RFL something to think about if I was the Dons owner .

I'd be asking the RFL for the same deal they gave the Catalan Dragons all those years ago when the consensus was to create a French club in Super League and grow the sport over there .

I'd be saying " how's about you give us the opportunity to grow RL in South Yorkshire and give us as they gave Catalan a 3 year relegation exemption .

This would allow the Dons to grow the club without fear of getting relegated and build the infrastructure to sustain Super League Rugby League .

It worked over in France with Catalan firmly established in Super League and pulling in decent crowds now .

[scawsby steve]

It was announced as 1121

Which could considering the unusual kick off times; the rovers first game and the big event going on in town. On top of people thinking we’d get hammered; isn’t TOO bad for where we are at the moment but would have to be better for this IMG debate

That's amazed me, Jemmo. 1121 is almost a third of the East Stand capacity, and it looked nowhere near one third full on the highlights clip.

I wonder if they include all ST holders, as they do with the Rovers. Many of them could have been on holiday yesterday.

[danumdon]

I'm not sure where the Dons stand in regards to importance and priorities within Club Doncaster but listening to TB whenever he spoken about the project i get the impression that he puts serious weight into progressing the Dons just as much as the Rovers.

If that is the case then a good finish and progress in the club and on the field this season could well see them getting a bigger budget and some serious strengthening to really gain some traction for next season.

[Jemmo]

It was announced as 1121

Which could considering the unusual kick off times; the rovers first game and the big event going on in town. On top of people thinking we’d get hammered; isn’t TOO bad for where we are at the moment but would have to be better for this IMG debate

That's amazed me, Jemmo. 1121 is almost a third of the East Stand capacity, and it looked nowhere near one third full on the highlights clip.

I wonder if they include all ST holders, as they do with the Rovers. Many of them could have been on holiday yesterday.

Yeah I think the numbers can sometimes be used in better ways than others (is probably the most democratic way of saying it) and could include ST holders who werent there, as well as the people watching from the boxes and restaurant which are often pretty full