Ambitious 13th tier English side Doncaster City unveil new stadium plans and applies for the Scottish Cup by using a 12th century treaty.
The Sports Direct bankrolled club currently sit top of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior Football League Division Two and are aiming to one day become a rival to Doncaster Rovers.
But they want to take part in the Scottish Cup next season and used a treaty from the 12th century that states that Doncaster is legally part of Scotland.
Congratulations!! @ScottishFA What a win! đđ #AllBlueArentwe #Scotland #SCOUKR pic.twitter.com/K4LIb5WJwT
â Doncaster City FC (@DoncasterCityFC) September 21, 2022
If there are complaints, they plan on using Berwick Rangers and Tweedmouth Rangers as examples of teams who are based in England but take part in Scottish competitions including the Scottish Cup.
Both of those clubs are part of the Scottish league system though, with Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League and Tweedmouth part of the East of Scotland set up.
The Daily Record report that theyâve used the Treaty of Durham which was signed in 1136, and Doncaster has never been formally declared as English since then.
Doncaster City spokesman Luke Van Dome said: âWe have made an application to the Scottish FA for consideration to be entered into the 2022/23 Scottish Cup after finding out our club is in fact based in Scotland.
“We are Doncasterâs newest addition to the footballing world and like any other club we love the fairytales domestic cups can provide. Doncaster became Scottish soil when King Stephen of England passed it to King David I of Scotland in the first Treaty of Durham, and it has not been claimed back.
“In fact as recently as 2014 during the Scotland independence referendum Doncaster Mayor Peter Davies stated he should have a vote due to Doncaster being a Scottish town.
“Doncaster City is on the rise and we dream of a home tie against Rangers or Celtic and why shouldnât we be welcoming them down? The likes of Cardiff and Swansea compete in the EFL despite their geographical location.â
The club is based at the Marra Falcons Stadium, in the area of Armthorpe, and is backed by football agent Willie McKay while also managed by former Sheffield Wednesday player Terry Curran.
New plans including building a âhub of football for the North of Englandâ in Bawtry.
The spokesperson added: âWhen teams coming from abroad or fly up north a lot of the time they are staying at hotels where thereâs a lot of distractions.
“The idea is that everything is in one place and they can fly into Doncaster Sheffield Airport.â
The plans include indoor and outdoor training pitches, accommodation, entertainment facilities and places to eat, the spokesperson said.
The site will also be the home of Doncaster City, who released a video of the proposed designs.
âWork on the pitch we are going to use has already started,â said the spokesperson.
“The complex depends on planning permission. We have got a meeting at the end of the month regarding that.â
A letter in support of the proposals has apparently been submitted by none other than Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, with LA Galaxy, Norwich and Reading also among those clubs in support.
Discussing Doncaster Cityâs plans for the future, the spokesperson said: âTo get as high as they can. A lot of people on Twitter from various teams say it will never happen but itâs been done before.
“We have got a bit of an advantage in terms of people known to the club.”
They continued: âWe know how difficult itâs going to be.
“Itâs not going to be an overnight thing but there is no point not having ambition with these sorts of things.
“Itâs not just about Doncaster City, itâs for the profile of Doncaster and Doncaster sport. I think people should be behind it.â
Doncaster City, who are sponsored by Sports Direct, currently sit top of the league after two matches in their maiden season.
The club has generated media interest locally, regionally and nationally since its formation, owing to McKayâs reputation and their bold plans and presence on social media.
âPeople are saying they donât care but I think they are taking notice,â the spokesperson added.
âIf they didnât care they wouldnât follow us and take the time to tweet us.
“People get the wrong perception of us. We are not trying to take over, we are building our own thing.â
There is plenty of reaction as the ambitious 13th tier English side unveil new stadium plans and applies for the Scottish Cup…
@kelly_owls: Intriguing đ
@callumrjb: This looks bang on to be fair. Iâm so intrigued
@MJKilbyScott: This is outstanding guys!!! Canât wait!!!
@GCP1989: Some serious people behind this start up club in #Doncaster đ
@KratosPrint73: Looks awesome so hope it all come to fruition.
@aaron_challoner: #DoncasterCityFC #Doncaster I can’t lie this looks absolutely amazing. Fair play đ
@OlliefromDonny: Pipe dream
@RPH26: Brilliant to see, hope it all works out. đđ»
@eyup_mate: You ant been granted city status tho so erm wtf
â Ryan (@RyanBYorkshire) September 13, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login