Retained list

[ncRover]

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2026/april/29/2026-27---retain-list/

[TonySoprano]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

[ChrisBx]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Wouldn't surprise me if this is a mutual decision with Middleton. Perhaps he wants a move back to Scotland.

[Chris Black come back]

Selby is going to be happy.

[craigdrfc]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Wouldn't surprise me if this is a mutual decision with Middleton. Perhaps he wants a move back to Scotland.

Pretty much my thinking too. Good player IMO but something just hasn’t worked out for him/us.

[ncRover]

If Adelakun went a full season with Middleton’s output people would be spitting feathers

[craigdrfc]

Big summer ahead with a fair bit of space being created now.

Suspect the plan will be a smaller squad but with (hopefully) more quality individuals who fit the system and pattern of play.

[Chris Black come back]

He’s always going to score more though, even if he doesn’t need to wash his shirt between games.

[Chris Black come back]

As a result we need the following:

2 senior keepers
1 or maybe 2 left backs
1 left winger
2 strikers
1 central midfielder
Potentially 1 centre back depending on whether Grehan and Faulkner are going to be in the squad

Lots more we could look at but the retained list makes the above the baseline.

[mpc123]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Hanlan has done foar more than Middleton. Sonetimes people can get obsessed with wingers, as thwy are all exciting and shiney, where really Middletons and Gibsons outputs are pretty low.

[roversdude]

Think the list is fair, really liked Maxwell but he seems prone to injuries and never did enough this season to make the shirt his.
Middleton was a bit of an enigma looked good as a sub at times but looked lost when starting

[ncRover]

Would personally loan Nixon out and get someone to seriously compete with Sterry for the starting RB spot. Especially given JS normally picks up a few injuries.

[Petche]

Everytime he was given a chance (Middleton) he's failed to impress. Right decision for me.

[MachoMadness]

Would never have guessed Senior would end up making the spot his own over Maxwell. Fitness always Maxwell's issue, but hopefully Senior signs his new deal now.

Not another total rebuild thankfully but definitely a lot of work to do.

[Chris Black come back]

Assume we get a good second half of the season from Hakeeb at least.

[TonySoprano]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Hanlan has done foar more than Middleton. Sonetimes people can get obsessed with wingers, as thwy are all exciting and shiney, where really Middletons and Gibsons outputs are pretty low.

Completely disagree, hanlan has only played more because we had no one else.
He is conference standard at best.

[Move DRFC]

Middleton 1 goal in 46 games this season. He's been a terrible signing. A good cameo at Rotherham and maybe 10 or so decent crosses all season is not enough. Right decision.

Hanlan 7 goals obviously not enough but he contributed much more and should be a fine back up next season.

[Upton Rover]

As a result we need the following:

2 senior keepers
1 or maybe 2 left backs
1 left winger
2 strikers
1 central midfielder
Potentially 1 centre back depending on whether Grehan and Faulkner are going to be in the squad

Lots more we could look at but the retained list makes the above the baseline.

we need to use the loan market a lot better than we have done over the past few seasons, as well as getting some permanent quality L1 standard players in.

[Nudga]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Wouldn't surprise me if this is a mutual decision with Middleton. Perhaps he wants a move back to Scotland.

I heard in January that Middleton wasn't happy/not settled.

[BillyStubbsTears]

If Adelakun went a full season with Middleton’s output people would be spitting feathers

I'll stand by what I said at Christmas. With the consistent quality of crosses that Middleton puts in, Kyle Wooton would have been scoring a goal a game for us.

But since we don't have Kyle Wooton, Middleton was a very strange signing.

[Draytonian III]

So we have the option on Bobby ( Maldini ) Faulkner, nothing against the lad personally but he does seem to spend a lot of time on the sidelines, either injured or not picked for “ political reasons “ whatever than means, he might be a keen follower of the Green Party.
 As his mentor as mentioned in the past he’s had issues at both Harrogate and Dundalk ,once maybe but twice you have think.
 Hopefully he does become good but honestly I can’t see it happening, but I’m quite willing to put my hands up and admit if I am wrong

[Cramby10]

I agree with all decisions barring Clifton. I just don’t get the love in on here for him. Ye sure, he runs around a lot, but Christ, his ability on the ball for a league 1 player is f**king appalling. Verging on non existent. Running around a lot for a professional footballer should be a given. So we’ve set a pretty low bar with his extension. Especially if we aim to push on next season. Sincerely hope he’s just there to make up the numbers.

[coventryrover]

I agree with all decisions barring Clifton. I just don’t get the love in on here for him. Ye sure, he runs around a lot, but Christ, his ability on the ball for a league 1 player is f**king appalling. Verging on non existent. Running around a lot for a professional footballer should be a given. So we’ve set a pretty low bar with his extension. Especially if we aim to push on next season. Sincerely hope he’s just there to make up the numbers.

  its the energy he brings.  Like Matty Blair.     You always need midfielders like that

[ncRover]

If you combine the assists of Clifton and Lee this season you still have 3 less than the Lincoln goalkeeper.
Need someone with threat in that position.
I imagine Clifton will be a squad player.

[MachoMadness]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Hanlan has done foar more than Middleton. Sonetimes people can get obsessed with wingers, as thwy are all exciting and shiney, where really Middletons and Gibsons outputs are pretty low.

Hanlan was instrumental to the upturn in form after new year. Ran his blood to water and had the shirt pulled off his back most weeks, was a constant nuisance for defenders. Struggling to think of anything Middleton actually contributed while here.

[Drover]

I agree with all decisions barring Clifton. I just don’t get the love in on here for him. Ye sure, he runs around a lot, but Christ, his ability on the ball for a league 1 player is f**king appalling. Verging on non existent. Running around a lot for a professional footballer should be a given. So we’ve set a pretty low bar with his extension. Especially if we aim to push on next season. Sincerely hope he’s just there to make up the numbers.

I disagree, there's a difference between running around alot like a headless chicken, and working hard,winning the ball,pressuring the opposition and getting in dangerous positions, if Clifton could finish,he be a championship player.

[Drover]

Hanlan not transfer listed but Middleton is ?!?! WTF 

Wouldn't surprise me if this is a mutual decision with Middleton. Perhaps he wants a move back to Scotland.

Maybe he is wanting more first team action

[Filo]

It’s a bit strange releasing the list before the season is over

[Drover]

Yeah,a bit early,but players usually already know themselves and with safety guaranteed,nothing to risk,youngsters and fringe players probably get more time again Saturday,looks like we looking to sign 5 or 6 new players and a couple of loanees with 3 or 4 more loanees later in season for positional improvements and injuries,with Grant usually eagre to get plenty of the business done early,looking forward to see who we bring in.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I can't disagree with that list, Middleton doesn't fit our way of playing so makes sense, Gibson has sparkled very occasionally. I personally would have also put McGrath and Broadbent on the available for transfer list - Grant doesn't seem to see them as first team players and I would guess they're on middle / upper wages in the squad.

I'd keep Hanlan and Clifton, both are good cover and will always give their all - both also pretty blunt tools, so we need quality in front of them.