Front man Guy grabs goal to get off to great start.
In less than two days time, Doncaster Rovers will know which division they will compete in next season.
Victory on Saturday against Leicester City will guarantee survival for Paul Dickov’s men and ensure a sixth season of Championship football in seven years.
In build up to the game, www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk has taken a look back through the years at times that Rovers have stood up and been counted.
Get in touch on Twitter @drfc_official and use the hashtag #RoversSpirit to share your best memories of games.
Game 4
9th August 2008
Coca Cola Championship
Pride Park, Derby
Derby County 0
Doncaster Rovers 1 (Guy, 59)
As if beating Leeds United in a play-off final wasn’t enough fairytale stuff for Rovers fans, they were literally pinching themselves when Sean O’Driscoll’s men carried that form on in to the start of the following season.
Roared on by a hopeful, rather than expectant, away support that topped three thousand from South Yorkshire, Rovers showed no fear when faced with a raucous Pride Park crowd and Paul Jewell’s star studded side; among them former Rover Paul Green.
Green’s inclusion added a twist to the plot having agreed to sign for the then Premier League Rams prior to their (inevitable) relegation and Rovers’ Wembley success.
Although this was the Club’s first inclusion in the second tier for over fifty years, the attractive football, preached by former Bournemouth boss O’Driscoll, which had won them plaudits the previous season started at the back with ball playing defenders who were comfortable in possession; most notably record signing Matt Mills.
Mills had a stormer, as did midfielders Brian Stock and Richie Wellens, whose understanding ensured that Jewell’s men couldn’t live with the visitors.
However it was left to an unlikely source to poach Rovers a winner just short of the hour mark. Unlucky not to be ahead earlier on, James O’Connor’s through ball was dummied by Gareth Taylor which allowed Lewis Guy to poke home.
Rovers were good value for their lead and the only surprise was that the margin of victory wasn’t greater.
O’Driscoll’s side continued to be one of the better footballing teams in the division but weren’t rewarded for such attractive football and found themselves bottom of the pile at Christmas.
They persevered, however and climbed to a more than respectable 14th position at the end of the season.