fan issues

Game of Chants

by glen wilson1 Comment on Game of Chants
Game of Chants

I’ve had Carly Simon in my head all day. I’ve had worse days. Yesterday Doncaster Rovers signed Curtis Main, prompting a messageboard thread on what fans should sing for him. Alas a Purple Rain adaptation would be hard to build in to, whilst the insanity of Cypress Hill just won’t scan. Thankfully Snod’s Shinpad, in a moment of inspiration akin to that when he chose his username, suggested a revision of the Carly Simon hit. And so Curtis Main, you’ll probably think this song is about you. Continue reading “Game of Chants” →

interviews, Rovers players

The Big Interview: Barry Miller

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on The Big Interview: Barry Miller
The Big Interview: Barry Miller

They say you should never meet your heroes, but in March this year, editor Glen Wilson was able to do just that for issue 69 of popular STAND, and was far from disappointed. Barry Miller was Rovers’ club captain whilst the side was exiled in non-league just over a decade ago. Still living in Doncaster, he is now back with Rovers once again as the club chaplain, and remains one of the nicest men you will ever meet. Continue reading “The Big Interview: Barry Miller” →

Rovers players

Charles Richards – The Forgotten International

by John Coyle11 Comments on Charles Richards – The Forgotten International
Charles Richards – The Forgotten International

Another day, another piece of gold plucked from the pages of popular STAND as we continue our showcase of some of the best content from the fanzine last season. John Coyle has been writing for popular STAND since the very first issue back in 1998; a true font of Rovers knowledge, a gentleman, and, lucky for us (and you), a very engaging writer as well. In issue 68 he looked back at the career at Rovers’ forgotten international, the great Charlie Richards. Continue reading “Charles Richards – The Forgotten International” →

football writing

A Thing About Rugby

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on A Thing About Rugby
A Thing About Rugby

Time for the second part of our look back at the best of popular STAND from 2013-14. Back at the start of the season Rovers took over the running of Doncaster Rugby League Club, or ‘The Dons’ as they’re known in these parts. In issue 69 of the fanzine Kerrang! magazine editor James McMahon put fingers to keyboard for the fanzine to write this touching piece on football, rugby league and family bonds. Continue reading “A Thing About Rugby” →

fan issues, football writing

Armchair Supporters R Us

by Alan PatchingLeave a Comment on Armchair Supporters R Us
Armchair Supporters R Us

Alas, the World Cup is over. Sadly. Wearily. We awake from the bright lights and beauty of a glorious holiday, and stare out of the plane window at the grey runway tarmac of reality that is supporting our local club. All James and no ‘Hamez’. Mundane. Dull. You need a pick-up. To help ease you into your everyday lives we have decided to pick out five of the best received pieces from last season’s fanzine, and share then with you here, to fill the void of the lost 9pm kick-offs. You’re welcome.

We start with this piece from issue 65 of popular STAND, as Jack the Miner envisages the not too inconceivable notion of a man shopping for a football team to support. Continue reading “Armchair Supporters R Us” →

charity and fundraising

popular STAND World Cup Sweep – Round 2

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on popular STAND World Cup Sweep – Round 2
popular STAND World Cup Sweep – Round 2

 

Let us start with a statement of the obvious; the World Cup has now reached the second round stage. Not only that, but by way of the very British virtues of feigning an interest in tennis and reveling in seeing it rain on people’s Glastonbury parade, we have survived a day without football as well. Before the barren no-mans’ land between Group H and Round of 16 1A departs us though it is time to take stock of the popular STAND World Cup Sweep. Continue reading “popular STAND World Cup Sweep – Round 2” →

Rovers managers

Doncaster Rovers Managers | Jack Crayston and Jackie Bestall

by John CoyleLeave a Comment on Doncaster Rovers Managers | Jack Crayston and Jackie Bestall
Doncaster Rovers Managers | Jack Crayston and Jackie Bestall

During Doncaster Rovers’ 1998-99 season, as the club resurrected itself in non-league the matchday programme was put together by a group of very committed supporters. Within that group, contributing to an excellent publication, was long-serving popular STAND contributor John Coyle, who penned a series on the men who have managed the club since re-entering the Football League in 1923. John has very kindly let us reproduce this series here on the popular STAND website, and today we reach the seventh episode, the brief reigns of Jack Crayston and Jackie Bestall. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers Managers | Jack Crayston and Jackie Bestall” →

charity and fundraising

Sweeping Up: popular STAND’s World Cup Charity Sweepstake

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on Sweeping Up: popular STAND’s World Cup Charity Sweepstake
Sweeping Up: popular STAND’s World Cup Charity Sweepstake

 

The week before a World Cup starts is arguably the best bit of it. No shortage of great highlight montages and retrospective articles from past tournaments, coupled with the joy at the prospect of back to back football for every evening from here to eternity. Of course the reality is that the unrelenting football soon begins to grate. And towards the end of the first week, roughly 27 minutes into the second round of group games and the competition’s first tense ‘must-not-lose’ half-way line-off, you’ll find yourself looking longingly at the TV Guide. Continue reading “Sweeping Up: popular STAND’s World Cup Charity Sweepstake” →

football photography

How I watched football 2013-14

by glen wilson5 Comments on How I watched football 2013-14
How I watched football 2013-14

Convention tells us that the seasons in which your football team gets relegated are the worst seasons you can ever experience. ‘Despair’ is a word that’s thrown around a lot. ‘Hapless’ is another. This past year I watched Doncaster Rovers fall from the Championship, but neither of those words come close to fitting what I experienced, because, you know what, I really enjoyed it. I know I’m supposed to be in a permanent despondent funk as I mooch about the house toe-ending household pets, but the truth is I can’t look back on the 2013-14 season anything other than fondly. Continue reading “How I watched football 2013-14” →