Last season’s League Two play-off winners Crewe Alexandra visit the Keepmoat tonight, as they look to build on from their promotion.
The Railwaymen, were formed in 1877, and were one of the founding members of the old division 2. The club were also promotion winner’s back 1997, when they reached division 1 (the championship).
The stars of last season have now moved on from Crewe, most notably Nick Powell who secured a move to Manchester United, whilst Ashley Westwood, moved to Aston Villa.
Both were products of the Crewe Academy, which played a huge part in the current side’s success, the academy has produced talent many times before. Players such as Danny Murphy, Rob Jones (former Liverpool FC players), Neil Lennon and Dean Ashton, were all successful products.
Other former players who established themselves, whilst at Crewe include, Geoff Thomas, David Platt and Robbie Savage.
One player rising through the Crewe Academy at this moment in time is manager Dean Saunders’ son Callum. Callum is one of many promising youngsters at the club and is attracting interest from some of the top Premier League side.
Much of the success behind the Crewe Academy has been through former manager and now Director of Football Dario Gradi. The Italian has been at the club since 1983, and under his tenure, through promotion of youth and sell on value, the club has continued to make profit.
Gradi stepped down as managed in 2007, before stepping back in, in 2009 after Gudjon Thordarson was sacked due to a run of poor results.
Then in 2011, Steve Davis was announced manager and Gradi returned to the director of football role. Under Davis, the club went on a twelve match unbeaten run at the end of last season, which saw them claim the final play-off spot.
The current side, still boast plenty of players from the academy, and most are under the age of 25.
The clubs top scorers include Mathias Pogba, brother of former Manchester United and now Juventus star Paul Pogba. He has four goals in eleven league games so far this season, while Max Clayton and AJ Leitch-Smith, both join Pogba on four goals, so far this term.
Steve Davis’ side currently sit in eighteenth position in League One and are struggling to pick up results away from home, with only one win from seven games away from Gresty Road.
In 2006, The Railwaymen, were voted the ‘most admired club’, in the football league awards, sponsored by Four Four Two magazine and the League Paper.
The sides last met back in 2007/08 season, when Rovers beat Crewe, both home and away, with a 2-0 defeat for The Railwaymen on their last visit to the Keepmoat. Altogether, the sides have met 91 times, with Doncaster winning 38 and Crewe winning 29.
Team News:
Shelton Martis and Paul Quinn are both available for the game whilst David Cotterill and Kyle Bennett both face fitness tests.
Crewe have no new injury worries and look set to name the same side that beat Wycombe 4-1 on Saturday.
Weather:
Mostly dry this evening while remaining predominantly cloudy. However, some light rain or drizzle may persist across later through the night.
Travel:
Travel:
Delays at the Lakeside Shopping Village roundabout due to on-going roadworks. Access to the stadium via the Middlebank roundabout.
A630 Balby Road – New section of inbound Bus Lane between Oswin Ave and Greenfield Lane - This will involve 24/7 inbound lane closures, with restricted outbound lane closures, although in the main these will be removed by 1530hrs to cater for the evening peak period.
Rovers Player:
Live and exclusive coverage of Doncaster Rovers v Crewe Alexandra at Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday 6th November 2012 will be available on Rovers Player from 7.30pm. Contact the commentary team via our official Twitter feed @drfc_official throughout the afternoon.
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