Saying goodbye to Belle Vue...

Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Coca Cola League One
Saturday 23rd December 2006

Belle Vue: it was a crumbling wreck, but it was our crumbling wreck.

Although it's now 14 years since Doncaster Rovers left for pastures new, memories of the old ground remain perfectly vivid in my mind and it's a place which I'll always look back on fondly considering it's where I spent a sizeable chunk of my younger days.

Who can recall the scent of food cooking, mid-afternoon from the stone-walled snack bars located at either end of the Main Stand and Popside Terraces whilst some obscure hit from yesteryear blasted out from the crackly PA system that was often, quite literally, held together with duck tape? Or the times when people clambered up onto fences and trees overlooking the ground to get a free glimpse of the big occasions? And lets also take a moment to remember the eyesore 'double-decker' portacabins located behind the Town End which began a permanent fixture towards the end, as well the numerous pillars, poles and wiring which supported the structure of the Main Stand.

Belle Vue oozed both character and characters, too - many of whom have been lost in the passage of time but are forever remembered in DRFC folklore due to the many occasions when they caused fits of laughter for venting their frustrations, often in a unique (and sometimes expletive!) way, to some unfortunate soul who just happened to be in close proximity.

Come the final whistle, there was also the challenge of trudging through the pot-hole ridden car park, often filled with murky rain-water but illuminated by the glow of the floodlights as 'Simply The Best' blasted aloud from the PA system regardless of whether Rovers won or lost!

Visiting players no doubt despised Belle Vue for it's tight, cold, compact, grim and unwelcoming nature - just ask the supposed superstars from Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal who experienced a jam-packed Belle Vue during those famous nights under the floodlights in the Carling Cup, or the individual opponents who'd get a red card and jog to the wrong players' tunnel, forgetting there was two, only to cop for some joyful banter from the 'dugout hecklers' who once so memorably upset Colin Todd.

Football has changed almost beyond recognition in the past 14 years and Belle Vue now seems a lifetime ago when you consider the ultra-modern, luxurious all-seater venues which are found right across the country nowadays. Yet by the same token, it seems like only yesterday that this place was home; a place where the heart was, where Doncaster Rovers belonged and where things were brilliant as the 'pub team having a laugh' turned into a resurgent force to be reckoned with.

The last game at Belle Vue was against League One table-toppers Nottingham Forest on Saturday 23rd December 2006 - a typical, wintry day but, importantly, with better weather than seven days earlier when a waterlogged pitch put paid to what was meant to be the penultimate home fixture against old rivals Yeovil Town.

It was a very strange day with raw emotion felt everywhere and the club had arranged plenty of things to 'celebrate' the occasion including a special commemorative matchday programme, a pitchside performance by tenor Martin Toal, post-game fireworks and appearances by dozens of former players.

The ground was looking worn out, even decrepit, as it prepared for its final matchday - not helped by windy weather a few weeks previously either which had caused damaged to the 'Earth Mortgages' advertising which subsequently had to be removed from the Main Stand roof.

Remarkably, the game didn't sell-out. Tickets were £30 and had to be purchased in a package which also included the aforementioned Yeovil fixture that was subsequently played at the Keepmoat Stadium. The crowd was 8,923 - well under the 10,590 maximum capacity, but there was nevertheless a special 'big game' atmosphere as the away end was packed to the rafters.

Going into the clash, it felt like nothing else mattered - Rovers HAD to win. There would be no second chance to put things right afterwards if Sean O'Driscoll's men didn't get it right first time - the result would go down in the history books so victory was imperative!

After much pre-game 'razzmatazz' the teams eventually entered the pitch to Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' classical masterpiece which superseded an incredibly cagey, tense and nervous opening 45 minutes during which there wasn't a great deal of drama.

With the score goalless at the break, Rovers were in need of someone to warm the appetite and deliver an early festive present; someone to 'put a great big smile on somebody's face' as Wizzard once said in his memorable 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' song which The Vikettes (remember them!) danced along to during the interval.

In the second half, step-forward Theo Streete, whose complete fluke of an effort from wide out on the right-wing was fumbled by the visiting 'keeper and ended up in the net. Rovers led 1-0 and whilst nobody knew quite how the shot had gone in, nobody cared either as rapturous cheers and jubilant celebrations were well underway whilst those from the East Midlands were stunned into silence.

The final minutes of the final act at Belle Vue ticked away amidst a mixture of emotions on the terraces; those who wanted desperately to win were mingled alongside those who were having flashbacks to the heroes they'd worshipped from the very same terraces for decades. It was jubilation tinged with sadness yet filled with pride, hope and excitement about the future. Eventually, Andre Mariner blew for full-time and that was it; a 1-0 success and Theo Streete had written his name into DRFC folklore, but there would never, ever be another competitive game at the ground and the chance to mingle in the same spots with the dozens of faces who'd become so familiar over the years.

Celebrations afterwards included more opera displays, a lap of honour and a chance for supporters to stroll around the ground. An hour later, the floodlights were switched off as things started to feel very final; it truly was the end of an era!

Nevertheless, there was one final chapter still to be written in the Belle Vue story.

Just over a month after the final game, some undesirable succeeded where old chairman Ken Richardson failed and inadvertently blew a hole in the Main Stand at three o'clock in the morning during a break-in that required the immediate demolition of what remained.

So Belle Vue was a crumbling wreck, but it was our unique, homely, much-loved crumbling wreck that created so many memories and which we all loved despite its flaws, poles, pillars, loose wires, dodgy snack bars and 'double-decker' portacabins.

Many thanks to John Turner for allowing me to use his photos from the Mansfield Town (12/12/2006) and Nottingham Forest (23/12/2006) games for this particular post.

Grimsby Town (Reserves) 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (U23s)

Grimsby Town (Reserves) 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (U23s)

Central League

Tuesday 18th February 2020

Doncaster Rovers’ Under 23s delivered a composed team performance as they held Grimsby Town’s more experienced second-string to a 1-1 draw at a chilly Blundell Park.

Loanee Jason Lokilo opened the scoring with a curling free-kick in just the second minute of the game, before the Mariners earned a share of the spoils thanks to a close-range equaliser not long after the hour mark.

In some ways, it was the proverbial game of two halves; Rovers on top and the better side during the first 45 minutes, whilst the hosts improved and caused more problems after the re-start - quite possibly due to a half-time ‘dressing down’ (to be polite) from manager Ian Holloway, who was watching on from the stands.

Grimsby named a strong and experienced xi for the mid-afternoon encounter, including three-time promotion winner Matt Green and many other players on the periphery of their first team squad. By contrast, Rovers’ line-up was much younger with the exception of centre-back Alex Baptiste who featured for 90 minutes as he continues his comeback from injury. Three youth team players - Elliott Walker, Will McGowan and Jack Watson all started, with several more amongst the options on the substitutes bench.

The odds seemed to favour the hosts but Rovers were having none of it. 

Within only a few seconds of the visitors getting proceedings underway they won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of their opponents’ box. Danny Amos was amongst those to eye up the possibilities from the set-piece, but it was ultimately left for Lokilo and his left-foot strike was sublime as he curled it over a four-man wall and into the net - giving the home ‘keeper no chance whatsoever.

Remarkably, Rovers then squandered a chance to double their lead just two minutes later. This time, Max Watters’ right-wing cross towards the back-post area found a stretching Watson, but the frontman was unable to get accuracy on his shot and it trickled agonisingly wide.

The early minutes continued to be filled with positives for Under 23s boss Gary McSheffrey as his players worked hard, looked composed, enjoyed more possession, and had the hosts firmly on the back foot.

Nevertheless, Grimsby should have got back on level terms from their first chance of the game on 13 minutes. There was some slack marking at a corner with a player in a black and white shirt allowed to get a free header. Thankfully, the effort was straight at ‘keeper Louis Jones - anywhere else and it might well have been more costly!

Aside from that set-piece lapse, in open play the youngsters were the ones continuing to pose the most problems. Lokilo always required close attention because of his neat and nifty movement, Amos advanced into dangerous positions and was often involved in link-up play, Myron Gibbons’ pace was a threat and skipper AJ Greaves looked as battling, tenacious and determined as ever - putting in the sort of performance which suggests he’s getting closer to a first team appearance.

On 20 minutes, Doncaster went close once more as Gibbons took the ball out of defence with a long-busting 80-yard run and though he was dispossessed on the edge of the Mariners’ area, the ball fell kindly for Greaves who flashed a low shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

The hosts’ performance was causing more concern than enjoyment for the majority of the 250-strong crowd. Though they were pressing well at times, they weren’t doing much else. Instead, Rovers looked calm when put under pressure - best demonstrated when both McGowan and Branden Horton did well to keep possession under pressure, deep inside their own half, before Greaves played an excellent ball out wide.

Around the half-hour mark, Doncaster forced a series of mini-openings. Firstly, the home ‘keeper had to be quick off his line to get his hands on Amos’ low ball into the danger zone, then Lokilo had a shot saved. Soon afterwards, an absolutely exquisite turn-and-release by Watson put Watters in the clear though a covering defender was able to get a timely block on his subsequent shot.

Grimsby still weren’t doing much up at the other end. One free-kick which they won, when Lokilo was penalised, saw a player lash a shot harmlessly over the upright and in open play they remained foiled by a Rovers side who seemed to want it a whole lot more.

The hosts did go close to finding an equaliser approaching half-time as another mix-up saw Jones not quite deal with a ball into the box. Under pressure, Baptiste’s hurried clearance hit an opponent square in the face on the edge of the box and it ricocheted out to a team-mate whose low 20-yard deive was gathered.

Before the interval, Greaves was cautioned following a clumsy challenge in the centre circle. Though the referee allowed play to continue, Baptiste then conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box - with the subsequent set-piece attempt easily blocked by the defensive wall.

Watching from the comfort and warmth of an executive box on the other side of the pitch, Holloway can’t have been pleased with what he saw from his players during the first 45 minutes. He certainly looked stony-faced (and understandably so) as he made his way across the pitch and down the tunnel at half-time - probably thinking about just how much he’d hammer his players for their lacklustre showing up to this point!

Whatever he said obviously had a desired effect as his team improved; showing desire and willingness, whereas previously they hadn’t really done so.

Jones did well to palm over a stinging shot from the edge of the area as the Mariners signaled their intentions within two minutes of the re-start, and the Rovers ‘keeper then kept out a more tame effort a few minutes later.

With the hour-mark fast-approaching, the team in black and white were starting to see more of the ball and a counter-attack from them culminated when a low strike caught a deflection and whistled wide of Jones’ right-hand post.

Incredibly, Rovers then survived an even bigger scare on the hour mark. Another set-piece into the danger zone caused utter chaos and a thunderous, acrobatic five-yard shot rattled the crossbar before it bounced down and was cleared away in the nick of time. Somehow, it remained 1-0 to Doncaster.

Jones kept out a more routine attempt shortly afterwards, but by now it was clear the tide had turned and Town were on the front foot with all the momentum. Rovers weren’t doing badly; it was simply that Grimsby’s experience was starting to show.

The youngsters’ resilience couldn’t last forever and, midway through the half, the leveller which the hosts desperately craved finally arrived. McGowan did well to regain possession, having initially conceded it, before he looked to have been fouled in the middle. The referee thought otherwise and let play continue and the ball was quickly moved out to the right flank before a cross was delivered towards the edge of the six-yard box where a stabbed finish made it 1-1. It was disappointing but not surprising as the equaliser had definitely been coming.

With a quarter of the game remaining, Grimsby now appeared the more likely to snatch a win - especially as they mustered up another half-chance with a shot which, again, went wide via a slight deflection off a defender.

Nevertheless, whenever Rovers had possession, they looked calm, cool, composed and not flustered by what they were up against - a trait that was evident throughout proceedings.

With 15 minutes left, Gibbons could have become the match-winner as he took responsibility with a box-to-box, lung-busting run during a counter-attack. However, despite a three-on-two scenario in the Reds’ favour, a poor touch meant a defender was able to make an interception - in hindsight, a better option might have been to play in Lokilo, who was advancing unmarked through the middle.

Only a minute later, Lokilo himself took up another good position and received an intelligent pass from Greaves, though a heavy touch denied the loanee a chance to get a shot away.

Baptiste blocked a shot at the other end as Town threatened a winner, yet arguably the mist gilt-edged chance of the closing stages saw a home player flash a header wide after a cross into the area from the left flank.

Ultimately, there was to be no further goals as the remaining minutes were played out with plenty of endeavour but no clear-cut openings.

It was an encouraging, spirited and good collective showing from the lads and they should be pleased with their efforts. As with every game, there is room for improvement and things that can be learned from it - for example, individual decision-making at times could have been better. Overall though, the signs are encouraging.

Next up for the lads (in the Central League) is a trip to Scunthorpe United on Tuesday 3rd March. Before that, the Premier League Cup group stage concludes with a home clash against Exeter City next Monday (24th February).

Team: Louis Jones, Elliott Walker (Ben Blythe), Alex Baptiste, Branden Horton, Danny Amos, AJ Greaves, Will McGowan, Max Watters (Liam Ravenhill), Jason Lokilo, Jack Watson (Junior Smith), Myron Gibbons (Lirak Hasani). Unused Sub: Kian Johnson.

Birmingham City 1-1 Brentford

Birmingham City 1-1 Brentford
Sky Bet Championship
Saturday 15th February 2020

A point apiece was a fair reflection from this end-to-end, intriguing contest played in terrible weather as Storm Dennis swept through St Andrews.

Lukas Jutkiewicz's early stab-shot had the home crowd celebrating but the Blues' deserved lead lasted just four minutes with Ethan Pinnock finding a leveller from a well-worked set-piece. Thereafter, the promotion-chasing visitors definitely had the better of things though they lacked a sting up as 'keeper Lee Camp was equal to their best efforts.

With Leeds beating Bristol City, the gap between Brentford and the automatic promotion spots has widened to three points so they'll no doubt be kicking themselves that they couldn't get three points which would have firmly kept up the pressure on their rivals.

I usually spend my Saturday's watching Doncaster Rovers' youngsters in the EFL Youth Alliance but with no fixture scheduled this week, the break allowed for a 'random' trip somewhere and, after being offered a ticket for this game, it was too good to turn down.

As with most of my previous visits to St Andrews, the weather was miserable and reminiscent of when I saw the Blues bugger things up against Blackpool in the play-offs, eight years ago. I've only been once to St Andrews since - witnessing a 1-1 draw in the Second City derby with Aston Villa in October 2016 and I got caught in a downpour that day, as well.

The trip to the West Midlands wasn't good with Cross Country trains providing a chaotic 'sardine special' service with one carriage out of use altogether, no seat reservations and, effectively, three carriages of people crammed tightly together into two, with dozens of Huddersfield supporters also making their way to Derby. The conditions were totally unacceptable, undoubtedly compromising public safety, and any health and safety inspector worth their wage would have slammed the provider for such a shambles; not to mention how problematic/severe things may have been if an accident had occurred. I'll leave my thoughts on them at that!

Having seen Brentford beat Barnsley in such impressive fashion on Sky Sports earlier in the season, I was looking forward to seeing them 'live'. In my opinion, even though they're unfashionable, ugly to outsiders and quite a small club, they've been absolutely fantastic in the Championship this season - punching above their weight to great effect. Their huge +27 goal difference perfectly underlines their credentials and they'd be worthy of promotion in my eyes.

Despite that, they began this game in lethargic fashion as Birmingham's pace and fluidity tore them to shreds in the opening quarter-hour. Before youngster Jude Bellingham (more on him further down in this post) saw a powerful 20-yard shot ricochet off the post inside 10 minutes, they'd already survived a couple of scares with the hosts grabbing the initiative from the very first whistle.

The opener wasn't a surprise with visiting 'keeper David Raya falling for Scott Hogan's near-post dummy when Gary Gardner got into a dangerous position close to the byline and flashed a low ball across the goalmouth which was turned home by Jutkiewicz.

At 1-0, Birmingham's lead was absolutely deserved but they couldn't hold onto it.

From the Bees' first corner-kick, Emiliano Marcondes' clever right-sided delivery evaded everyone who'd packed out the six-yard box aside from Pinnock who was on hand to head home at the far-stick. It was an excellent set-piece routine, highly intelligent, perfectly executed and quite similar to one that Harrogate Town adopted in a couple of games when I saw them last season.

Given it was still relatively early in the game I wondered if it might turn out to be a goal-fest and, although that proved not to be the case, it was still quite entertaining, absorbing and good to watch, despite the BBC Sport website describing it as 'drab' - were they even at the game?

Brentford gained momentum as the first period wore on and had more possession with the hosts seeming content to sit back, keep their shape and work off any long-throw opportunities which occasionally arose. The Bees' extra time on the ball culminated in a few chances - most notably when Camp expertly foiled Ollie Watkins in a one-on-one where the odds seemed stacked in the favour of the striker, The ex-Nottingham Forest 'keeper also defied his critics (of which there are quite a few at St Andrews) by showing great agility to keep out a teasing effort from Said Benrahma close to the interval.

At the other end, the Blues did muster up a couple of chances with Marc Roberts having a header saved, whilst an attempt by Ivan Sunjic lacked accuracy.

Thomas Frank's team continued to play on the front foot after half-time but again they remained frustrated in their efforts to take three points back to West London. Watkins saw a shot deflected wide and Camp made another good stop to deny Benrahma but their best opportunity was amidst an almighty, old-fashioned goalmouth scramble.

Birmingham saw a penalty appeal turned down in the closing stages when Pinnock unquestionably handled the ball inside the area. It was clear and obvious (no need for VAR) and maybe referee Steve Martin thought if he awarded it, he'd get accused of favouratism considering he'd made a string of mistakes (e.g. twice wrongly-awarding goal-kicks instead of corners) which went against Brentford, as well as turning down a penalty for them earlier in the game.

The officials didn't have a good game; being less diplomatic their collective performance was sh*te and their ineptitude was perfectly summed up when the Fourth Official held the board up to signal 112 minutes of injury-time when, in actual fact, there was only meant to be four extra minutes.

A point apiece was fair enough and Birmingham will probably be the happier, in reflection, even though they'll feel hard done by considering their aforementioned penalty shout.

Whether Pep Clotet can persuade the teenage Jude Bellingham to stay at St Andrews remains to be seen, however, you don't need to be Albert Einstein to work out that with almost 30 appearances already to his name, the 16-year-old has a very bright future ahead of him. He's tall, gangly and strong for his age, and although his touch let him down a bit as the game wore on, he certainly posed some problems whenever the hosts got the ball into good areas. He'll only get better with experience and it's no surprise that the Premier League vultures are already circling in the hope of tempting him elsewhere.

Finally, I'm a massive fan that, in 2020, Birmingham enter the pitch to 'The Tamperer'. Even though they've chopped and changed it over the past decade or so, it's a classic banging tune, unique to them and long may it last!