charity and fundraising

popular STAND 2018 World Cup charity sweepstake

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on popular STAND 2018 World Cup charity sweepstake
popular STAND 2018 World Cup charity sweepstake

There’s a World Cup coming up. No, really. England may be playing down their chances, Wales haven’t even bothered qualifying, but there is still much fun to be had. Nigeria and Colombia battling it out for the hearts of the kit hipsters, France and Belgium vying to see who can implode the most spectacularly despite an embarrassment of playing riches; Vladimir Putin contemplating joining in a Mexican Wave. And, of course, the World Cup sweepstake. Continue reading “popular STAND 2018 World Cup charity sweepstake” →

football photography

How I watched football: 2017-18

by glen wilson6 Comments on How I watched football: 2017-18
How I watched football: 2017-18

‘What the hell are you doing here watching this?’

I was asked that question by an assistant referee on a freezing late February afternoon at Holmesdale. I couldn’t answer it then. I’m still not sure I can. What possesses me to get on a bus and travel for the best part of an hour to the fringes of Bromley, the outskirts of the outskirts, to watch twenty-two men really test the boundaries of what can be defined as a game of football? Continue reading “How I watched football: 2017-18” →

football writing, history

Death of a club: Doncaster Rovers 1997-98

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on Death of a club: Doncaster Rovers 1997-98
Death of a club: Doncaster Rovers 1997-98

‘As Danny said, We’re not dead, we’re still alive. But in football terms, you know, we are dead really.’
Lee Warren, April 1998

There have been many things said about Doncaster Rovers’ worst ever season. Insightful things; erudite things even, but even a thousand Shakespeare’s hammering away eternally on a thousand typewriters couldn’t have nailed better than Lee Warren. This was our captain, interviewed on the way to a must-win away game, trying so hard to say captainly things, but ultimately unable to suspend belief long enough to see out a sentence. Continue reading “Death of a club: Doncaster Rovers 1997-98” →

match reports

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: 250 word match report

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: 250 word match report
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: 250 word match report

Blackburn came to the Keepmoat knowing all they had to do for promotion was match Shrewsbury’s result. Doncaster meanwhile would move into the top half of the table, mathematically safe from relegation, if they were to pull off a miraculous victory. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: 250 word match report” →

match reports

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United: 250 word match report

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United: 250 word match report
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United: 250 word match report

The Keepmoat Stadium was bathed in brilliant sunshine for the visit of Oxford United. The first half somewhat mirrored the lower table position of the two teams as there was plenty of promise from both camps, but also a distinct lack of quality in the final third. Couple that with a rather whistle-happy referee, and it all led to a pretty frustrating half. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United: 250 word match report” →

match reports

Milton Keynes 1-2 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on Milton Keynes 1-2 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report
Milton Keynes 1-2 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report

In the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries, when men had more money than sense they would construct a folly. These were buildings whose appearance would suggest they held a great purpose, but were often constructed primarily for decoration – their extravagant architecture used as a means to bely the fact they were merely empty monuments. Continue reading “Milton Keynes 1-2 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report” →