When you’re producing four issues a season, you’d expect to have a reasonably clear picture of how that campaign is going to pan out by the time the third one reaches the hands of the reader. But this isn’t a regular season. It’s one that we’re increasingly unlikely to be present to see any of, and it’s one of such stop-startedness that when the bulk of this issue was written, even though we were bidding farewell to January, Rovers still had half of their league games yet to play.
Stuck in lockdown and deprived of the one thing that most significantly binds our readership and our writers – watching our hometown team in the flesh – I’m sure we’d be forgiven if the tone of issue 103 were flatter than brandless cola from the cornershop. But it isn’t. If anything it’s upbeat; a true testament to the hope and excitement that Darren Moore’s Rovers have offered us… mind, the fact it was largely written before a run of three consecutive defeats helped a little too.
Here’s what’s inside issue 103…
Editorial: Glen Wilson on why we need to be reasonable in our fandom, well, at least until we’re back in the stadium
Bernard Glover’s Diary: A cup exit, a captain’s exit, and an unwelcome return
The Fan Panel: the original panel of socially distant Rovers fans answer the big questions
Jacob’s Selection: Can you sell your club captain and still show ambition? Jacob Goodwin thinks so
Marshall’s Matters: Woah, we’re halfway there, and so Rob Marshall offers a midterm report to see if we’re living on a prayer
For Peat’s Sake: Jack Peat catches himself dreaming of an FA Cup away day unlived
Voice of the Pop Side: John Coyle looks back at the life of Rovers forgotten forty-something footballer
This Girl Khan: Glen Wilson interviews the popular STAND sponsored Doncaster Rovers Belles midfielder, Nadia Khan
Remembering the First Time: Harry Taylor takes us back to a 2003 six-goal thriller
Begging our Pardons: If you could choose to offer clemency to a past footballing foe, who would you choose?
Doncaster Free Mess: Headlines and stories from your town… sort of
Gary Brabin Memorial Lounge: Ben Whiteman isn’t the first hero to leave us; James McMahon has loved and lost before
Lazarus Comes Forth: Is the future of football fandom online? Lazarus examines its merits
From Beneath the Statue: What is football fandom if not a series of irrational hatreds? Glen Wilson scratches some old itches
Rabid Donny Dog Unleashed: The Rovers mascot tells it like it is direct from his East Stand kennel
Secret Lives of the Rovers: No-one asked him to, but Mike Follows went undercover for an insight into a Rover’s life off the pitch
Ask Yoko Ono: The artist, singer and peace activist sits in for Reece Wabara to answer your Rovers concerns
Windmills of Your Mind: Dutch Uncle puts your Rovers knowledge to the test in an international-themed quiz
Spotted!!!: Rovers players past and present seen out and about in lockdown
Issue 103 should be arriving with UK subscribers from 20 February, with European subscribers from 24 February, and with global subscribers from 26 February.
For the 2020-21 season popular STAND is a subscription-based fanzine, however you can purchase single copies of this issue from our chosen stockists, STANCHION. Issue 103 will hopefully be available from STANCHION next week..
popular STAND fanzine 