The waiting will finally be over for Rovers when they get their season underway on Saturday (3pm) at home to League 2 outfit York City in the Capital One Cup first round.
The game acts as a the perfect curtain raiser to the League season for the former Viking settlements – Danum and Jorvik – who have not crossed swords for over eight years since the Minstermen were relegated to the Blue Square Premier.
Gary Mills’ side secured a return to the football league with a play-off final win over Luton Town at Wembley in May having previously shown their cup pedigree with a 2-0 FA Trophy final victory against Newport County at the same venue only eight days before.
For Rovers fans it will be a chance to potentially see new signings Dave Syers, David Cotterill, Robbie Blake, Rob Jones and Paul Quinn in action at the reopening of the Keepmoat Stadium on a Viking-themed afternoon.
With regards to the serious battle on the pitch, Dean Saunders may have to utilise his squad to full effect as he has injury worries at centre half and is sweating on the fitness of Liam Wakefield and Jones, though new signing Paul Quinn may feature.
Paul Keegan and the aforementioned Blake both got 90 minutes under their belt in the trying 4-0 defeat at Gainsborough on Tuesday night and could vie for starting places in Saunders’ side.
The visitors, who boast former Rovers ‘keeper Michael Ingham in their ranks, finished pre-season in fine fashion, defeating a Sunderland XI 3-0 at Bootham Crescent with goals through Michael Coulson (2) and Ashley Chambers.
Last meeting (Nationwide Division 3, 24/04/04, Belle Vue):
Doncaster Rovers 3 (Blundell, C. Brown 2)
York City 1 (Dunning)
Attendance – 7843
Head to head in Doncaster (all competitions): Rovers 18, City 10, Draws 10.
Live and exclusive coverage of Doncaster Rovers v York City at Keepmoat Stadium in the Capital One Cup on Saturday 11th August 2012 will be available onRovers Player from 2:30pm. Contact the commentary team on Twitter @drfc_official throughout the afternoon.