Author: glen wilson

Former schoolboy, Glen Wilson writes on football and travel and has been editor of the award-winning popular STAND fanzine since before the award.
football and race

Editorial: on popular STAND and Black Lives Matter

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Editorial: on popular STAND and Black Lives Matter

popular STAND has always been here as an independent platform for supporters to speak out. That’s why it was founded 22 years ago.

When I took over as editor in 2011, after a decade writing for the ‘zine, I was determined, and proud, to uphold that ethos. And I was also determined to use the fanzine to showcase the very best of our town. Not only through platforming great writers, but also supporting and backing great causes, from and in Doncaster. Continue reading “Editorial: on popular STAND and Black Lives Matter” →

fan issues, football writing

Twenty isn’t plenty in football’s unending banterfication

by glen wilson3 Comments on Twenty isn’t plenty in football’s unending banterfication
Twenty isn’t plenty in football’s unending banterfication

Twenty-one years ago popular STAND fanzine was established because Doncaster Rovers were teetering on the edge of existence, and our founding editor believed ‘the other fanzines that were around were being too easy on the club’s owners and its plight.’ In short, we were set up to speak up and to speak out against those who didn’t uphold what the game and what our clubs were about. Continue reading “Twenty isn’t plenty in football’s unending banterfication” →

interviews, Rovers managers

The Big Interview: Sean O’Driscoll

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The Big Interview: Sean O’Driscoll

In March 2019, popular STAND fanzine was lucky enough to secure something of an exclusive as former Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O’Driscoll agreed to sit down with editor Glen Wilson and discuss his tenure at Rovers for the first time since it’s unfortunate end. That interview was first published in issue 99 of the print fanzine, and we’re happy to now bring it to you here, online. Continue reading “The Big Interview: Sean O’Driscoll” →

football photography

How I watched football: 2018-19

by glen wilson2 Comments on How I watched football: 2018-19
How I watched football: 2018-19

A Friday night in May. The Valley is packed. It’s the 87th minute of the second-leg of the League One play-off semi-final and Charlton Athletic lead 3-2 on aggregate.

“Well, whatever happens it’s been a great season,” says James above the din.
“Aye,” I reply, “but it’d be nice to have half an hour more of it”.

About 90 seconds later Andy Butler got his head on a corner, the ball found the net, and the two of us, along with a thousand or so others, were lost in a wave of seat-tumbling stranger-grabbing sky-punching scarf-twirling collective bedlam. Continue reading “How I watched football: 2018-19” →

match reports

Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Charlton Athletic: 250 word match report

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Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Charlton Athletic: 250 word match report

The match ball was waiting on a plinth. Shit had gotten serious at the Keepmoat. “It’s all a bonus,” said Mike as I passed him pre-match. And he wasn’t wrong. Blue sky, relatively full house, big noise, genuinely affable Rovers side. Nowt to lose and all to love. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Charlton Athletic: 250 word match report” →

Rovers players

Marquis the sad? On a mystifying precedent

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Marquis the sad? On a mystifying precedent

Before I crack on with what passes for a column in these parts, here are some words cribbed from Rovers fans on the internet. “This running round like a headless chicken just doesn’t cut it. I’ll drive him to his next club”… “He must’ve become a professional footballer through the Make-A-Wish foundation”… “Take any money offered and run, get someone who wants to play for the Rovers”. Continue reading “Marquis the sad? On a mystifying precedent” →

match reports

Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Coventry City: 250 word match report

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Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Coventry City: 250 word match report

“Peterborough are one up” announced a succession of West Stand voices, adding tension to the nervousness fuelled by an unconvincing opening quarter in which only the visitors had really threatened. Rovers defence opening up for Brandon Mason to thankfully showed a full-back’s instinct rather than a forward’s. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Coventry City: 250 word match report” →

football writing

Let’s get VAR, VAR away from here

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Let’s get VAR, VAR away from here

I’m not a fan of video assistant referees (VAR). It’s merely technology for technology’s sake, like talking toilets on Virgin Trains. We’ve absolutely no real need for it, but someone with money thought it was a good idea, so now here we are, pissing into the mouth of Tomorrow’s World. Continue reading “Let’s get VAR, VAR away from here” →