Former Rovers goalkeeper Harry Gregg says his move to Belle Vue in 1952 left him feeling like a film star.
Gregg is being inducted into Rovers’ hall of fame prior to the visit of Fleetwood Town on Saturday, although he cannot be present he has recorded an interview which will be shown on the big screen and an interview with him features in the matchday programme.
“I felt like a film star when I signed for Doncaster, it had been a difficult up-bringing for me as a young boy as my father left us, my mother had to raise six of us, she was wonderful,” Gregg said.
“I was glad to be there and be involved, I remember just thinking that I have made it, I’m playing for Doncaster Rovers. I was lucky enough to make it a bit further on in life but those days playing for Rovers are fresh and mean as much to me and are as every bit as important as they were at the end. Doncaster Rovers is very much a part of my life.”
Gregg became close friends with two players that have cemented themselves in the Rovers history books: Alick Jeffrey and Charlie Williams.
“When Charlie was playing he would go and head a ball out for a throw in and would get back into position and I would be shouting at him to watch the centre forward, he would turn round to me and say ‘don’t you worry about it me old flower’,” says Gregg.
“Don’t let anyone tell you different, I have played with players like George Best and so on but Alick Jeffrey was a terrific kid, he was in the starting line-up at the age of 15, and he was also a brilliant singer.
“Him and Charlie Williams were two of the most important people in my life, and I think that things could have turned out differently for Alick, who was supposed to join Manchester United, but broke a leg before the move happened.”
Harry Gregg is the programme interview for Saturday’s visit of Fleetwood Town. The programme costs just £3 and is available from booths outside the Keepmoat Stadium.
Tickets for the game are available now from the Club Doncaster Box Office on 01302 762576 or by going to tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.