football writing, Rovers players

Chris Balderstone, the last great footballing cricketer

by John CoyleLeave a Comment on Chris Balderstone, the last great footballing cricketer
Chris Balderstone, the last great footballing cricketer

Records, they say, are made to be broken: I write this on a weekend when Wayne Rooney has equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal tally for Manchester United. Rooney will soon break that record, I’m sure, but in these days of sporting specialisation no-one will match one particular record with a strong Doncaster Rovers connection. I refer to the events of Monday 15 September 1975, when one man became the only one to play in a County Championship cricket match and a Football League fixture on the same day. Continue reading “Chris Balderstone, the last great footballing cricketer” →

football writing

Reasons to be cheerful

by LazarusLeave a Comment on Reasons to be cheerful
Reasons to be cheerful

It’s been positive start to the season for Rovers, which has in turn brought a surreal matchday optimism to the Keepmoat. For most of us this has been a novel, and rather pleasant, paradigm shift, following the relentless dread and anguish that has plagued recent years. But do remember to spare a thought for those among us for whom such joys bring nothing but grey clouds. Continue reading “Reasons to be cheerful” →

football writing

Why is everyone talking like a footballer?

by Alan PatchingLeave a Comment on Why is everyone talking like a footballer?
Why is everyone talking like a footballer?

In the unlikely event I’d be invited to take part in Room 101, the first object I’d want to be locked away for eternity is the decline of the English language. The nation that spawned the genius of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Dylan Thomas shouldn’t have to suffer any of its population inserting the word ‘like’ three times into one sentence.   Continue reading “Why is everyone talking like a footballer?” →

football podcast

podular STAND podcast: the 2016-17 season review episode

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on podular STAND podcast: the 2016-17 season review episode
podular STAND podcast: the 2016-17 season review episode

Finally, at long last the disappointment, the frustration and the indifference felt at Doncaster Rovers’ whimpering end to the 2016-17 season has subsided enough, for us to speak of it. And so, round about two weeks later than planned, we finally bring you the much anticipated eighth episode of the fanzine podcast, podular STAND. Continue reading “podular STAND podcast: the 2016-17 season review episode” →

football writing

Where have all the bald, fat footballers gone?

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on Where have all the bald, fat footballers gone?
Where have all the bald, fat footballers gone?

‘Who’s the greatest player you’ve ever played against?’ From 90 minutes to Shoot to the matchday programme; a question asked of every footballer in every football interview I’ve ever chanced to read. Its true purpose as conspicuous as its asking; to tee up the interviewee for the biggest name-drop in their sepia-tinged locker. CLANG – Paul Gascoigne in a testimonial; CLANG – Eric Cantona in a beer advert; CLANG – Lothar Matthaus in some charity wheeze. Continue reading “Where have all the bald, fat footballers gone?” →