Keepmoat Stadium - Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers - Keepmoat Stadium

Doncaster Rovers Football Club
Keepmoat Stadium
Stadium Way
Doncaster
Yorkshire
DN4 5JW



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HISTORY/FACTS ABOUT DONCASTER ROVERS:

• Doncaster Rovers Football Club were formed in 1879. They were formed by Albert Jenkins, a fitter who worked at Doncaster's Great Northern Railway Works. Jenkins who was born in Doncaster, played for the club from 1879 till at least 1886.
• Rovers first entered in the FA Cup in the 1888-89 season losing to Rotherham Town 9-1 at home.
• They were first elected in the Football League in 1901, a replacement for New Brighton Tower FC.
• Doncaster's record League victory in 10-0 against Darlington in January 1964.
• Doncaster's 1st ever League title win was in 1897, winning the Midland Football League.
• Other successes include winning the League One title in 2013, League One Play Off winners in 2008, 2003 Play Off Final winners in the Conference and runners up in League Two in 2017.
• Doncaster have played at 3 previous grounds. Their 1st ground was the Intake Ground, they played there from 1885-1915. It is still being used today as a football field. Their 2nd ground was The Bennethorpe Ground, they played there for 2 years in 1920-1922. The club then moved to Belle Vue and played there until 2006 before moving to The Keepmoat on New Year's Day in 2007.

MY VISITS:

VISIT 1: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Gillingham 13/12/14

VISIT 2: Doncaster Rovers 2-2 Gillingham 16/1/16
VISIT 3: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Gillingham 5/8/17
VISIT 4: Doncaster Rovers 3-3 Gillingham 20/10/18
VISIT 5: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Gillingham 3/8/19

VISIT 1:

Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Gillingham
Saturday 13th December 2014
League One

My 1st visit to the Keepmoat came in December 2014 just before Christmas. Of course at the time it was a fixture to look out for as I was keen on ticking the ground off. All I remember of the day is that it was a rare Peter Taylor win as well which made Christmas even better! Anyway the time I went up there, I went by coach as I remember at the time was thinking of going by train but train prices were a bit dear, so decided to coach it in the end. Certainly a memorable day to remember!

VISIT 2:

Doncaster Rovers 2-2 Gillingham
Saturday 16th January 2016
League One

My 2nd visit to Doncaster came in January 2016. Haven't got too much to say as of course I've visited Doncaster before, but yeah anyway, I left home around half 8 and left London just before 11 for Doncaster. Got into Doncaster round 12.20 as I thought I'd go and visit their old ground, Belle Vue and what was nice to see was the old terracing stand still exists at the old Belle Vue ground (as you can see below) which is soon to be demolished into houses. One of the best parts to away days which I like to do is visit old grounds which aren't there anymore as it's history. It's a shame some old grounds are remembered in some way, but it's not to see Belle Vue is sort of still there, with the road named after it. Anyway after seeing Gillingham lose a 2 goal lead once again, I left Doncaster just before 6 and got home around half 9, but yeah was a decent day.

The old Belle Vue terracing stand.



3RD VISIT TO THE KEEPMOAT; DONCASTER 0-0 GILLINGHAM:

Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Gillingham
Saturday 5th August 2017
League One




Well, it's finally here, a brand new season. Although at the end of last season, I couldn't wait to see the season come to a close but leading up to August, I couldn't wait to have my football fix again, it's been too long. Leading up to the game, as soon as the fixtures got announced in June, I already looked at Trainline to see how much tickets were from Kings Cross to Doncaster, and relatively cheap. I think in the end it was about £7.05 there and about £14.50 back from London, so not overally bad. After a normal shift at work the night before, I woke up at around 8.15 and left home just before 9am. After arriving into Kings Cross about 10, it was a nice feeling knowing football was back as there was a good number of football fans at Kings Cross, Plymouth, AFC Wimbledon, Blackpool, Bradford to name a few. After finding a seat on my train and leaving before 11am, a gentleman came up to me and sat next to me and asked me if I was going to the game today, not knowing he was a Doncaster fan! After he got up to go to the food bar, I noticed he had a Doncaster badge on his shirt, so was a nice chat with him on the way up to Doncaster. After a while, noticed there were a few Aldershot Town fans and one of them came over and spoke to us, of course I had to mention I've been there a number of times and not a particular fan of them! (Due to my ex supporting them) luckily he doesn't know my ex and not good friends with her, I don't think that would have gone down so well haha. With Aldershot playing at Halifax, a ground yet to tick off. Just as I was getting off, there were some Brentford fans who were getting off at Doncaster as well, taking the cheaper route going via Doncaster to Sheffield as they had Sheffield United away. So anyway, I arrived into Doncaster at about 12.30pm. I was quite eager to get to WH Smith's as I wanted to buy 'Football 2018' magazine as I like reading up the Season Previews. Sadly I wasn't successful, so after having a look round the town, I grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's, read a bit of FourFourTwo and then made my way to the ground. Took a few pics before going in, and then went in the ground. Onto the game itself, as I said to a Doncaster fan on the way up, I'd happily take a point before the game and so it happened. It's a point I'm happy with, but bit disappointed with the lack of chances. If we had a few more, we may have snatched it, but as Doncaster played pretty well themselves, Tomas Holy kept us in it as they had a chance off the line, hit the bar and other chances. Still early days and a good point. A good day overall really. After leaving Doncaster just before 6pm, I got home shortly after 9. Onto Reading away in the League Cup on Tuesday now, my 2nd visit to The Madejski.






THE GROUND:

The Keepmoat Stadium has been home of Doncaster Rovers since 2007 after previously playing at Belle Vue from 1922 to 2006. The Keepmoat has a total capacity of 15,231 of which away supporters can be allocated up to 3,344 supporters in the Case Construction Stand which is behind the goal. Although sometimes away supporters can be allocated in the corner of the ground which I have experienced before with Gillingham, depending on how much expected supporters are going. Doncaster railway station is the nearest to the ground, I would say it would take a good 30 minute walk to the ground. I've always walked to the ground as normally I book trains at a good time, but if you don't fancy the walk to the ground, according to Football Ground Guide, you can get the number 56 bus from Doncaster Interchange Bus Station or a taxi to the ground.











GROUND PHOTOS: