When Donny Dog got banned

As the old joke goes, 'Police' and 'Intelligence' aren't two words which go particularly well together in a sentence and it's something which Donny Dog found out to his cost in 2006.

Donny Dog at Belle Vue (Photo: Unknown)

Portrayed by the late Andy Liney - the elected Supporter-Director at the time, Doncaster Rovers' furry mascot was a regular at grounds up and down the country on away days for several seasons during the mid-2000s - providing lots of laughter along the way. There was also the occasional bit of mischief; no time more so than when he took part in some dirty dancing with Bradford's scantily-clad cheerleaders at Valley Parade who proceeded to jump on him once the routine finished - only for the tail to appear firmly between his legs as he lay flat out on the pitch!

Nevertheless, it was during another trip to West Yorkshire (some six weeks before that incident at Valley Parade) which saw Donny Dog become a victim of inept, over-zealous and stupid policing.

Rovers were mid-table in League One and playing away at Huddersfield Town who were positioned inside the top six and looking a good shout for a Play-Off spot at the end of the season. Though it was a Yorkshire Derby, the rivalry between Rovers and the Terriers wasn't particularly intense and, if anything, this was just another away day.

Nobody could have anticipated what was about to unfold as the fleet of half-a-dozen or so away supporters buses pulled into the car park at the Galpharm Stadium.

As was customary, Liney was kitted out in the dog costume throughout the journey, but was informed upon arrival that he wouldn't be permitted entry into the stadium because he posed a safety risk and his presence could lead to serious disorder. 

If it wasn't so stupid and ludicrous then it'd have been funny but West Yorkshire's finest continued to hide behind their 'intelligence' so Donny Dog missed a re-union with furry friend 'Terry the Terrier' whilst on the pitch, Rovers and Huddersfield played out a 2-2 draw.

Donny Dog plays a prank on Dean Windass (Photo: Unknown).

Upset by the incident, then-chairman John Ryan clearly had a bone to pick with West Yorkshire Police as he demanded an apology from them in the days afterwards, whilst the story made both local and national news headlines with everyone intrigued to find out why a bloke nearing pension age donning a dog costume posed such a risk to public safety.

Rumours suggested that the individual behind the 'intelligence' was none other than the club's own Police Football Liaison Officer who was renowned for taking a very 'Hands On' approach to matters at the time.

The PC had witnessed Donny Dog jokingly swinging a noose at Hartlepool's fans the previous Saturday (playing on the centuries-old story of when three monkeys were hung in the town - leading to the club's own mascot being called 'Hangus The Monkey'), but had interpreted it as inciting the crowd and this was, allegedly, his way of flexing his muscle.

Unsurprisingly, he was replaced as Police Football Liaison Officer a couple of years later.

Donny Dog's popularity, at least, increased ten-fold following the incident as mascot friends rallied round and wrote letters of support and it wouldn't be another five years until the mascot (later portrayed by Tracy Chandler) made the notorious Sky Sports News ticker-tape...