After the announcement of the 2017/18 fixtures, first up for Doncaster Rovers is a home tie against Gillingham on August 5. So what do we know about the team coming to the Keepmoat Stadium on the opening day of the season?
About
Gillingham play their home games at the Priestfield Stadium which has a capacity of 11,582. The club are often referred to as the Gills and were founded in 1893 as “New Brompton”. The first team are managed by Adrian Pennock.
Josh Wright was last season’s top goal scorer with 13 goals, scoring a goal on average very 280 minutes played. 17 players got on the score sheet last season, with Cody McDonald also tallying up double figures with 12 goals. Former Arsenal youngster and Doncaster Rovers loanee Jay Emmanuel-Thomas helped himself to nine goals.
The last time Rovers and Gillingham met was at the Keepmoat Stadium on January 16 2016. The game saw Rovers come from two behind thanks to a Cameron Stewart free-kick and a goal from Andy Williams, with the match finishing two a piece.
2016/17 campaign
Final league position: 20th
Gillingham started the season with a flyer as they won the first three fixtures, including a victory in the EFL Cup. A 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road over Premier League side Watford followed but hearts were broken following the 5-0 away defeat at Scunthorpe as the result spoilt an undefeated month in the league. Their EFL Cup run came to an end at White Hart Lane losing 5-0 to the Premier League outfit.
Gillingham then went on a run of 14 games in all competitions with only one win, which came against Coventry at the Priestfield Stadium. At the turn of the year Gillingham sat in 16th having collected 30 points from their first 24 games. They recruited Premier League duo Harry Cornick and Joe Quigley from Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season, although their form did not pick up. By the start of March, the team was gearing up for relegation fight as they entered the last 10 games.
Gills fans experienced a nervy final-day fixture away at Northampton as a win would have guaranteed safety regardless of results elsewhere. The game finished as a goalless draw, but their League One status was guaranteed as Port Vale lost away at Bolton.
Transfer activity
Gillingham have added to their ranks in the off season by adding former Southend defender Luke O’Neill on a free transfer and Gabriel Zakuani after the defender failed to agree terms with former club Northampton Town.
Secure your seat for the opening fixture
The only way to secure your seat for this fixture and all of Doncaster Rovers home fixtures is by purchasing a Silver Membership. Silver Memberships are available from £339, working out at only £14.74 per game. This a saving of over £6 based on standard matchday tickets.
To purchase your Silver Membership today click HERE, visit the Club Doncaster Box Office or call them on 01302 762 576.
Don’t worry if you can make it to every game we also have Bronze Memberships available. For only £10 a bronze membership could be yours and offering you savings of up to £4 on standard matchday tickets. For more information on Bronze Memberships click HERE or call 01302 762576.