Centre back Andy in search of three points for liefelong friend.
Andy Butler has said that he will attempt to overcome the emotion surrounding Saturday’s derby game against Barnsley.
The match provides the chance for Butler to pay a fitting tribute to lifelong friend Rick Hawcroft who passed away recently at the age of 31.
“It will be an emotional day but I’ve got friends and family who’ll be there for me and there'll be here at the game on Saturday too and I can’t thank the club enough for what they’ve done,” said Butler.
“It means a lot to me and hopefully he gets a good reception and with the applause on the 8th minute I want all the fans to get involved.
“He was a Doncaster lad and my best friend. It (the occasion) won’t bother me, I know I’ve had my time with Rickie and I enjoyed it and that’s what I’ve got to remember now.”
Butler revealed what lengths he would go to to commemorate his friend; someone as keen on football as himself.
“He came to a few games, he never singled out a particular team but he just loved football and played Sunday league and would come and watch me as well, Butler said.
“I’m going to get a tattoo of him on my side, which is just a little bit of something that I can dedicate to him because he was close to me.
“It shows how much a family club this is and how much they want to get behind Doncaster and Yorkshire; it just shows you how close the club is to the fans and how much they can dedicate to people from this area.
“We all need that little boost and there’s no better place to do that than in a derby game against Barnsley.”
Collection buckets for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity – who tended to Rick – will be present at Saturday’s game against Barnsley.
Tickets for Doncaster v Barnsley are available by CLICKING HERE or calling 01302 762576.