Rovers’ 2013-14 Fixtures Released

The 2013-14 Football League fixtures are announced in the next few hours, always a fascinating day, not simply to see how the season will take shape, but also marvel at how much news agencies and official club websites can pad out what is in effect the publication of a list into a ‘news’ story. But as 24 hour rolling television news has shown us, its not necessarily about being right, just making sure you’re first with the breaking story. So to that end, we’ve got in quick, and the fanzine is delighted to bring you our own breaking news before it happens with our do-it-yourself fixture announcement news piece. Here you go…

Following their dramatic last second promotion last season, Doncaster Rovers and their fans now know just when they’ll face their new Championship foes, with the unveiling of the 2013-14 fixtures today.

Rovers’ return to the second tier looks set to offer the club a [real baptism of fire/testing opening/chance to get some early points on the board] beginning with the [daunting prospect/mouthwatering opening/welcome] of a [trip to face/home game against][insert club here] on August 3rd.

Following that Rovers’ first [home/away] match will see them [host/travel to] last season’s [relegated Premier League side/promotion contenders/underachievers/favourites to be relegated/fellow League One promotees] [insert club here] at [insert stadium name], the first time the two sides have met since [Rovers last spell in the Championship/the 1950s/an FA Cup tie in 2007/Rovers caused an upset in an LDV Vans Trophy tie in 2003/February/March]

As with [last year/many of their recent campaigns] Doncaster will end the season with a [tough/potentially crucial/notable] fixture  [at the Keepmoat Stadium/away from home] against [potential play-off candidates/fellow tips for relegation/familiar foes] [insert club].

The hectic Christmas and New Year period looks set to test Paul Dickov’s squad with several games in quick succession including a couple of key local derbies against [Barnsley/Sheffield Wednesday/Huddersfield/Leeds United] at [name of stadium] on Boxing Day, followed by a [trip to/home fixture against] [Barnsley/Sheffield Wednesday/Huddersfield/Leeds United] on New Years’ Day.

[With/Despite] a number of Yorkshire sides in the second tier Rovers supporters [won’t have to wait long/will need to be patient] for the first of the season’s big South Yorkshire derby against [Barnsley/Sheffield Wednesday] which will take place at [Oakwell/Hillsborough/the Keepmoat Stadium] on [insert date], whilst the season’s first clash against Leeds United [is not until/comes a little sooner on] [insert date].

[September/October/November] looks set to be a particularly daunting month for Doncaster whilst they look to find their feet in the second tier as they host [insert names of highest profile opponents] at the Keepmoat Stadium, whilst also making the difficult away trip to [insert name of club of based in London or the South East].

Other notable dates see Doncaster face Blackburn Rovers for the first time in over half a century on [insert date] at [the Keepmoat/Ewood Park], whilst they will also renew rivalries with former Conference foes Yeovil on [insert date].