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Frustrated fans left feeling sceptical by Doncaster owner’s statement on club’s future

Frustrated fans have been left feeling sceptical by the Doncaster Rovers owner’s statement on the future, published on Thursday.

Rovers have just one win in nine and could face their lowest finish for 20 years League Two with the club currently 12th, with 51 points from 29 games played.

As can be seen below, recent games has seen fans express disappointment and an increasing injury list is making it tougher to end the season with some sort of pride.

Now it’s the turn of the owner to do just that, with some big claims judging by this statement, but are buying into it?

OWNER’S STATEMENT:

Following a board meeting held earlier this week, Doncaster Rovers owner Terry Bramall has confirmed he will provide a major injection of funds into the playing budget for the 2023/24 season.

Terry said: “Since the passing of my dear friend Dick Watson, the focus of our approach has been to run the club more sustainably – a process accelerated following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This approach was with good intention. We have stated before that the legacy of our ownership would be to leave a club that could survive without a constant need for its owners’ funding and thus safeguard its future should the worst happen to myself or David – ensuring the first step in those unfortunate circumstances would not be administration.

“Through the hard work, commitment and creativity of our staff, led by chief executive Gavin Baldwin, it is clear while he and our core staff remain in place, there is a model of operation that can support the club.

“With that in mind, both he and our staff should be proud of their achievements. Two sell-out concerts, three Rugby League World Cup matches and an England Lionesses fixture have all taken place at the stadium in the past 18 months. These activities, plus our other business operations, have allowed us to reduce season memberships to their lowest price in two decades. It is obvious that with our staff, we have a special group of people who would go above and beyond to ensure that the club would survive the most difficult of circumstances.

“During this time, as a supporter base, you have shown incredibly loyalty to Doncaster Rovers, through both the pandemic and relegation to League Two. Losing only 26 season ticket holders despite relegation was a phenomenal show of support and even over the past month, the number of individuals who have renewed their season membership for next season has been encouraging.

“Personally, I feel now is the time to reward the perseverance and loyalty of both our supporters and staff.

“I do not believe this club belongs in League Two. I am now 80 and I want to see the club do more than survive – I want it to thrive. For this reason, I will be putting forward a significant financial injection into first team resources for next season.”

Rovers chairman David Blunt said: “I think I speak on behalf of all associated with the club in saying that we are grateful for the level of support Terry has shown the club, both historically and following his decision to inject further funds into the first team. We are once again thankful for his continued support.

“Due to our model of operation this season, it is clear that head coach Danny Schofield has dealt with challenges that perhaps his predecessors have not shared. Therefore, he will be given the opportunity to move forward next season with the additional resources provided by Terry.

“With the finances available, there should be no reason why the club cannot be challenging for promotion next season. Danny understands the level of financial support that has been offered and is confident that it is at a level that can achieve that objective.”

YOUR 2023/24 SEASON MEMBERSHIP ARE NOW ON SALE

Adults from £229 – 13 and under from £20

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Player Tommy Rowe admits he’s ‘deeply concerned’ about Doncaster Rovers’ recent form, but is trying to keep hopeful his side can turn it around.

“Anything positive can come from anything negative,” he said prior to the 2-0 defeat at home to Crewe last Saturday, as per Doncaster Free Press.

“The run we have been on is massively disappointing.

“We have got a way of training now to try and improve our chance of winning on Saturday. That’s the first thing we can make sure of.

“It’s about pride, it’s about respect, it’s about trying to win the next game. You can get bogged down thinking long-term, we can’t think long-term right now.

“We have got to put a performance in first and foremost because that’s the only way to bring unity.”

“You have a fanbase that comes out to watch you perform, we have got to embrace early moments in games and try and give them a better statement that we are here to deliver.

“It can only get positive from there,” he said, again, before the defeat against Crewe.

“It’s not a positive in any fashion because you don’t want to see your fanbase having to boo a team off. You don’t want to be a part of that as a player, it’s not nice.

“But equally these performances have happened. We are not brushing them away. We will take accountability right here, right now and say ‘we have to deliver’.”

Rowe also spoke to unhappy supporters after the 2-0 defeat to Northampton.

“It’s something I always like to do, whether it’s a kid who wants a photo or someone who wants an autograph they are great moments for me as a player, win or lose,” says Rowe.

“These people have waited for you after the game, in the cold sometimes. I’m cold walking out, they are cold waiting there.

“All I can do is spend that time to speak to them. We have some good, honest chats. It’s great for me to have that as a footballer.

“I’m not on social media because those moments mean so much more to me.”

“The hardest thing in football is picking your teammates up from a defeat and we have had a few of them so you can imagine what the mood is like,” he says

“But we have to, as a team not just the staff, find a way to pick each other up.

“Right now we are hurting like crazy, it’s killing us in terms of results but we can only take care of the next thing. That’s what we need to work on, our ability to win games.”

As mentioned, frustrated fans were left feeling sceptical by the Doncaster owner’s statement on the club’s future…

@AnthonyOgden98: Hmm.. could it just be what we want to hear to sell season tickets 🤔 I’ll believe it when I see it.. thoughts @theNETTOFC?

@AdDaws: 2 years too late, I’m afraid.

@critch243: This would have held more weight and more credibility if it was said before the end of the early bird Membership closed. the cynic in me says Membership renewals are abysmal, is this purely to entice more sales 🤔 not enough to perused me to renew to little to late #DRFC

@Matty_Vickers: The board are feeling it, probably releasing a statement because a record low in numbers expected for new season tickets for 23/24 season.

@JT__90: Words mean nothing! Need to see this, been lied to by these lot constantly for last few years!

@MC_Thunda: We’ve heard significant funds before, don’t believe a word until I see it

@Kyle_thornton23: Throw some Cash towards @donnybelles too. Them girls deserve way more and the club is in Danger of being left behind

@jkwainman: I’d love to believe it. Surely the recent Meet the Owners meeting would have been a good time to announce it though. The cynic in me thinks it’s a tactical announcement before a planned protest. I’d love to be proved wrong however but…

@AlanWard1969: Ill have a little bet with everyone. We will be bottom 10 after 10 games next season. The club will blame agents fees and the correct player not being available but the budget is there for a swoop in January.

@Adamlukevicker1: Believe it when I see it

@IzzyNixon1: heard it all, talking the talk but never walk the walk

@MattyGarland: Must not have had much season ticket sales

@Matty_Vickers: Never heard such rubbish. Another lie added to the long list.

@AndyTomlin1: Better late than never I guess? Leaves me a bit more optimistic for next season, though still concerned about Schofield. Not sure he’s got the minerals but would love to be proved wrong.

@EllisMatthewFox: More lies…

@ScottThornton4: False promises AGAIN & AGAIN put the club up for sale !

@djoftherovers: It wouldn’t have cost have as much had you invested as you had said you was. Also what purpose does blunt serve the club ?? He doesn’t invest any of his money and he’s overseen the last possibly the worst football in 20 years

@Messigoat123456: No ambition so sell the club ⚫️🟡⚫️

@oggycompton: 5 years of absolute lies. Nobody believes you. Actions… words…. and all that

@Gazz_TheRover: As much as I’d like to believe this I will very much to be waiting to see proof before I change my mind on next seasons commitment #drfc

@MightyroverMatt: I’ll believe it when I see it, however if it is the case DS isn’t the one to be trusted with injected funds, management clear out and start with someone capable of pushing a team forward because it certainly isn’t Mr Fundamentals

@ShirtByShirtMT: I’m not falling for this. Heard it all before.

@masonhurst18: The aim was championship footy and since then been relegated and be lucky to get a mid table finish in league 2 but now all of a sudden you want to put money into the club when there’s a bit of pressure on you , sack the board

@Roverstill87971: Lies upon lies? Maybe the owners are starting to feel the money loss, season ticket sales down massively and he says this! ALSO proves that OUR voices are being heard and he doesn’t like it! We all need to get together and sick with the banners and chants!Its clearly working #drfc

@RileyGilbert16: Should have done this when we had Wellens ffs

@joedrfcbaker200: Get Schofield fucked off and prove it. New boss in who has capacity to do well in league two. All well and good finding managers that play ‘attractive football’ but that doesn’t get promotion out this division. League two is the scrappiest bag of shit football and as poor as it

@challo_drfc: If you believe this then you’ll believe owt they say. It’s quite clear that this statement has been made because of the abuse the club is getting the flags and the planned protests, and ST sales so far have been encouraging I find that hard to believe #drfc

@SallyHonch_x: See the protests are working, and thats with about 20 of us singing. Join in and keep letting them know our thoughts! I understand why people dont want to go to the games but we need to keep making noise #drfc @SustainableReds @DRFCBOARDOUT @theNETTOFC

@jimmy_jmj98: It’s not all about the money – it’s about how it’s spent. I have absolutely no confidence in anyone at #DRFC to spend money wisely or effectively

@18Dapper: Unfortunately we’ve heard this before. Blunt needs to get himself gone. Brammall putting in, why is David here #DRFC? I hope this time it comes through but I’m no longer holding my breath.

@Stuart_James10: I smell complete bullshit. Believe it when I see it because the last 5 years all I’ve seen is bargain basement and cheapest options

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