Next up in our series previewing next season’s newest opponents in League One is Doncaster Rovers, who were crowned champions of League Two on a dramatic final day of the season.
2024/25 Campaign
After missing out the previous season in the lottery of the play-off semi-finals, Donny eyes were on an automatic return to League One this time around after a three year absence. They started the season well, winning four of their first five matches and did not leave the top seven in the league after match day three, which was a 1-0 over Morecambe. Between October and January 1, Rovers lost just three of their 15 matches and began 2025 in the automatic promotion places. A run of seven wins from nine up to March saw Rovers firmly within the auto spots, but with League Two proving to be one of the tightest ever, no side – Doncaster included – were able to accrue a healthy lead. While the sides around them at the top were slipping up, Rovers quietly went about their business, remaining unbeaten in their final eleven matches of the campaign. A 3-0 win at Tranmere on match day 43 took them to the top of the division, with a 2-1 win over Bradford on the penultimate day securing promotion. They were confirmed as champions on the final day after a 2-1 win at Notts County.
The Manager
Grant McCann is in his second spell at the Eco-Power Stadium, having rejoined the club in July 2023 after a first term came to an end in 2019. After leading Rovers to a ten match winning run at the end of the 2023/24 season to lead them to the play-offs, he went one better this time around the secure them promotion. A former Northern Ireland international, McCann made over 500 career appearances across the UK, most of which came at Cheltenham Town, Peterborough United, and Scunthorpe United.
The Stadium
Known as the Keepmoat Stadium until 2021, the Eco-Power Stadium opened in 2006 to replace their old Belle Vue Stadium. An all-seater bowl, the stadium holds 15,000 fans and is also home to Doncaster Belles women’s team and Doncaster Knights rugby league side, and was also temporarily home to Harrogate Town while they renovated their pitch during the first month of the 2020-21 season. The venue was also home to England Women’s biggest ever victory as the Lionesses beat Latvia 20-0 in November 2021. It has also hosted the Women’s FA Cup Final in 2013, three matches in the men’s Rugby League World Cup in 2022, as well as concerts from the likes of Elton John and McFly.
Head to Head Record
Matches Played: 47
Exeter City wins: 19
Draws: 5
Doncaster Rovers wins: 23
First competitive match: December 12, 1959 | Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Exeter City | Division Four
Last competitive match: April 29, 2017 | Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Exeter City | League Two
Biggest Exeter City win: 5-1 (twice)
Biggest Doncaster Rovers win: 6-1 (September 1982)
Previous Fixture
April 29, 2017 | Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Exeter City | League Two
Exeter City secured a play-off place after beating league leaders Doncaster Rovers 3-1. The Grecians knew going into the match that a victory would be good enough to seal a top seven finish and took the lead with a superb strike from Jordan Moore-Taylor. James Coppinger replied for the hosts, but second-half strikes from David Wheeler and Liam McAlinden gave the Grecians the victory and the points they needed.
Played for Both
Many players have pulled on the red and white of both City and Donny, but perhaps the best known name will be James Coppinger, who is the only player in Doncaster Rovers history to make over 600 appearances. George Friend is another, with the City legend spending two years in South Yorkshire between 2010-12. Former goalkeeper Gary Woods began his professional career at the club, making 73 appearances from 2009 to 2013, while Jonathan Forte won silverware for Rovers as he picked up the EFL Trophy during a loan spell from Sheffield United in 2007. Former City shot-stopper Jonny Maxted also began his career with Donny.
Did You Know?
All or Nothing: Manchester City, Welcome to Wrexham, Sunderland Til I Die – a club documentary is all the rage these days, but did you know Doncaster Rovers were one of the first to be featured in a fly-on-the-wall documentary in 1998? “They Think It’s All Rovers” aired on Channel 5 and documented the demise of the club after slipping into the non-league football. The tag-line read: “This is a story of fierce local hatreds between fans and management.”