As we count down to the launch of the 2016/17 Doncaster Rovers official home kit, doncasterroversfc.co.uk is taking a look at kits that will go down in history as having significance upon the club.
Fans have until 23:59 on 10th June to pre-order the new kitSeason: 2005/06
Supplier: Carlotti
Sponsor: Streetwise Sports
The red and white hoops of Doncaster Rovers were firmly thrust in to the spotlight thanks to their exploits in the Carling Cup where Dave Penney’s side were denied a semi-final place in a penalty shootout having taken Premier League Arsenal the distance.
Rovers were less than flattering in the early stages of the league campaign and only took one win from their opening nine games. They did however battle to a narrow victory in the first round of the League Cup and earn a money-spinning second round tie against Manchester City at Belle Vue. Despite losing goalkeeper Andy Warrington to a horrific leg break, Penney could call on unknown Danish understudy Jan Budtz to thwart the Premier League stars in a tense penalty shootout.
A Paul Heffernan double eased Gillingham out in the third round and set up another tie for the Sky Sports cameras to savour as the Yorkshire side routed Aston Villa deservedly 3-0; Michael McIndoe, Heffernan and Sean Thornton with the goals.
Just over three weeks later, Rovers welcomed the Gunners in the quarter finals and the eyes of the world watched the action unfold at Belle Vue hoping for a giant-killing. They very nearly got one as McIndoe opened the scoring early on and the hosts looked comfortable for an hour until Quincy Owusu-Abeyie struck and took the game to extra time. Again the upset was on when Paul Green forced home from close range but Gilberto Silva’s strike in added time in extra time forced the shootout where Rovers fell just short.
That was to be the story of the season too as it wasn’t until the latter end of the season when Rovers regained their rhythm and strung together a run of six wins in eight games but missed their play-off target by a mere two points; the cup exploits eventually catching up with them.
We are all #ForeverRovers