£1,000 mark passed by 'Black Bank' supporters.
Doncaster Rovers are calling on supporters to be the ‘twelfth man’ when the club return for the 2015/16 league season, starting with a party atmosphere at the ‘Sunday Funday’ home game against local rivals Scunthorpe United.After Sunday’s match, the Club has decided that the Polypipe South Stand will be unreserved seating for next season. In an attempt to improve the matchday atmosphere at the Keepmoat Stadium, a supporters movement named the ‘Black Bank’ have raised in excess of £1,000 for flags, banners etc to get the ball rolling.
The figure of over £1,000 has been raised in total since the beginning of March by the group. Half of this was raised using the online project funding site Crowdfunder, with the rest coming in donations made directly to the group which included a bucket collection at the recent Rovers vs Fleetwood Town fixture.
The money raised will be used to fund banners that have been designed and submitted by supporters. Designs are chosen by public vote, with over 350 votes cast on blackbank.co.uk for the first flag vote. The group are also planning in funding streamers, confetti and other such items to help create a 'party' atmosphere next season.
Lee Croft, an active fan in the 'Black Bank' said “It’s fair to say that in this past season there hasn't been much to cheer about at the Keepmoat, but as fans we can’t influence what happens on the pitch but we can influence what happens in the stands.”
“When the club announced the decision to make the South unreserved, a group of us all came together to really make this work. We ran a poll to see what supporters wanted to name it and ‘Black Bank’ won due to the historic roots of the area of the Keepmoat is built on as well as the double meaning of a ‘bank’ rising which is exactly the sort of atmosphere we want to create.”
“We do want all fans to buy into it, which is why we've been working hard to generate funds so we can help to decorate the area with flags and banners on match-days to help make it look more like home. Which we hope will result in more noise from the home fans collectively encouraging and cheering on the team, we’d like to think that this will rub off on the players and we can really be the 12th man the team deserves.”
For more information on the Black Bank contact info@blackbank.co.uk or visit www.blackbank.co.uk
Supporters can still get their 15/16 season tickets from as little as £6.48 per game!