Rovers' supporter liaison officer (SLO) Dean Medcalf discusses his role for the club he has supported since he was four years old.
Dean's Rovers journey began thanks to his granddad Keith who has been a season ticket holder for over 70 years and used to run the supporters club in Scawsby. Having been taken to his first game when he was four, Keith decided to keep up the tradition and take Dean along when he was four.
Rovers has become a huge part of Dean’s life and when an opportunity arose to be part of things by becoming an SLO, the decision was easy.
“The club has always been a massive part of my life from a very young age, so when the opportunity came along in the form of a vacancy of an SLO at the club, it was an something that I jumped at,” he said.
“Since the beginning of the 2012/13 season it has been a UEFA requirement for a Football League Club to appoint an SLO. At the majority of clubs this is a voluntary role, however, every club carries out the role differently.
“Many clubs give it to an existing member of staff just so the title is assigned to someone where as other clubs like Rovers give it to lifelong fans who offer to do the role.”
Dean has gone above and beyond especially when it comes to engaging with away supporters ahead of their visit to the Keepmoat Stadium and has been a key part in Rovers’ award-winning away fan experience.
“Before a home game, I email the opposition SLO to introduce myself and to pass on some information that is aimed to assist the visiting fans and help them get the most out of their visit,” he added.
“I join opposition clubs forums, Facebook groups and find popular Twitter pages to post information and answer any questions that travelling fans may have and post the club’s away fans guide for more detailed information.
“I feel it just makes the visiting fans feel welcome at the Keepmoat Stadium and the information makes their trip a little bit easier. This season the club and I turned the away guide into a video that is can post to visiting fans and I think we’re the first club to do that.”