Doncaster Rovers. Pub Team Champions 2003/04 (Photo: Doncaster Free Press).
After an exhilarating season of surprise, suspense and success, this was the day that 'relegation favourites' Doncaster Rovers finally got their hands on the Division Three championship trophy!
Nobody expected Rovers to do anything before a ball was kicked yet time and again Dave Penney's unlikely lads defied the odds to prove people wrong. There were so many brilliant moments during the course of the season; the opening day win in the red hot sunshine at Leyton Orient, beating undefeated Oxford at Belle Vue to kick-start things, the thrilling comeback to snatch a point at Cambridge, hammering Bristol Rovers with the goal of Macca's backside, beating Swansea to go top of the table at Christmas, Leo's hat-trick against Leyton Orient in January, the 'Mansfield moment' courtesy of a brilliant, hard-working Scouser in attack, Ricky's winner at Yeovil a month later, and then the bumper Belle Vue crowd which witnessed promotion with a win over Cambridge on Easter Monday!
Everyone across the town was absolutely enthralled by this fascinating story - the togetherness was immense and so many players had a massive influence on things. From Andy Warrington's consistent form and many clean-sheets between the sticks to the sturdy partnership of Steve Foster and Mark Albrighton at centre-back, nobody else in the division could get close to competing with Rovers. Paul Green's flair in midfield, coupled with the tough-tackling of Ricky Ravenhill and ruthlessness of John Doolan made the team a formidable force, whilst the elegance of Michael McIndoe out wide, coupled with the unlikely but hugely successful partnership of Gregg Blundell, a young Chris Brown (on loan from Sunderland) and serial wind-up merchant Leo Fortune-West ensured so many opponents were so often ripped to shreds!
Even now, memories of this team always provoke a smile! It was absolutely brilliant times to experience and a golden, vintage era for DRFC (especially considering the few years afterwards as well) which is unlikely to ever be repeated. Even those who played almost cameo roles in 2003/04 - such as Adebayo Akinfenwa who was only signed in the latter stages of the campaign, are remembered very fondly for their contribution!
Everything was already settled in the Division Three table ahead of this final day meeting with Rovers having won the title with a draw at Boston the previous weekend and Carlisle already relegated to the Football Conference, but there was, nevertheless, a feverish sell-out crowd inside Belle Vue ready to see the title presentation!
Even Carlisle fans were in good spirits and travelled in decent numbers despite the non-league abyss that was awaiting them the following season. They were hopeful about the future because Paul Simpson's effective management style had seen them in promotion form, despite being rooted to the bottom, since the New Year, but they'd just come up short of pulling off a miraculous escape!
On the pitch, the result wasn't too important - the game being a sideshow almost before the main event of the title presentation afterwards which everyone was buzzing about. Rovers' line-up was primarily about ensuring certain players registered enough league appearances to be eligible for a Division Three title winner's medal - John McGrath being one such figure, whilst Franny Tierney was given a rare outing and a young Jon Maloney even came on for the final few minutes.
What unfolded during the course of the 90 minutes wasn't too exciting and the result was settled courtesy of a strike by the tireless Blundell in the second half which was his 20th goal of the season and earned him a nice bonus for reaching that tally. Earlier in the game, he'd not been able to convert a penalty, having taken it ahead of McIndoe, but nobody was holding any grudges!
There was a joyful pitch invasion at the final whistle with fans from both clubs seen swapping shirts with one another and expressing sympathy and congratulations. There was never any sign of trouble, aggravation or problems - something that's sadly missing in football nowadays since the invention of social media which gives opportunity for idiots to be abusive or act up in a tribalistic manner.
Doncaster Rovers couldn't quite get things right for the party, however, and, in a typical 'Fawlty Towers' manner, it wasn't 'We Are The Champions' by Queen blasting over the PA system as the champagne was sprayed and the trophy was hoisted aloft in the air - instead it was the cheesy and cringey 'Stand Up For The Champions' song by Right Said Fred which contains absolutely zero pump-up adrenaline and 'umph' in its lyrics!
The celebrations continued long after the final whistle with an up close and personal appearance by the unlikely heroes in the Belle Vue directors box - with cries ringing around of 'Champions', 'One John Ryan', 'Rovers Til I Die' and 'Are You Watching Richardson' as can be seen in this video.
Having been dubbed a 'Pub Team' for a reason, there's no doubt that beers flowed throughout the night and there would have been a few sore heads on the open top bus tour the following morning which saw Rovers receive a civic reception at the Mansion House - being greeted by thousands who lined the streets in red and white colours en route to applaud their efforts.
What a time! What a team! What a season!
For a photo gallery of well over 100 images from the big day, click here. For photos of the open top bus tour, click here.
Fans celebrate promotion! (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Mark Albrighton and Dave Morley (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Fozzie celebrates before no doubt downing a few beers (Photo: Doncaster Star)
A flower arrangement at ASDA roundabout commemorating the club's promotion (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Getting their hands on the trophy (Photo: Doncaster Star)
In the dressing room afterwards (Photo: Unknown)
The champions in the Directors Box (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Dave Penney at the Civic Reception (Photo: Unknown)
The title-winning manager holds the trophy (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Chairman John Ryan on the open top bus (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Crowds mob the players after the final whistle (Photo: John Ennis)
Two Macca's - Michael and John (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Dodgy dancing from Adebayo Akinfenwa (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Michael McIndoe in the days when his whereabouts were known (Photo: Doncaster Star)
A smiling Dave Penney with silverware (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Paul Green signs an autograph with Donny Dog in the background (Photo: Doncaster Star)
The champions at the Mansion House - including a few dodgy hairstyles (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Celebrating success (Photo: Doncaster Star)
The skipper and the manager (Photo: Unknown)
Mickey Walker waves the flag on the open top bus tour (Photo: Doncaster Star).
This is what a back-to-back promotion winning chairman looked like in 2004 (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Rob O'Brien, John McGrath and JJ Melligan (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Fist pumps with a trophy! (Photo: Doncaster Star)
Simon Marples pictured with a bottle of water (and friends) after a heavy night out (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Four Scousers; one trophy (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Outside the Mansion House (Photo: Doncaster Star).
The champions get their hands on the prize! (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Crowds get ready for the team's arrival in Donny Town Centre (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Get ready to celebrate (Photo: Unknown).
Team unity! (Photo: Doncaster Star).
In the Belle Vue car park (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Dave Penney with the trophy (Photo: Doncaster Star).
Celebrating success (Photo: Doncaster Rovers).
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