We’re all going on a League One tour, but what have Doncaster made of 23-24…

Donny were 22nd after we stuffed them at their place, but incredibly ended up in the play-offs

May 25, 2024

Saturday 25 May 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Doncaster supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Donny fan Jamie Wainman last joined us back in January, after watching his side lose 5-1 at home to County. “Atrocious,” was his verdict. “It’s all about survival now, which I never thought would be the case. Even after the first few games I had a pretty large bet that we’d still finish in the top 10. How wrong I was! I think we may survive by the skin of our teeth but depending on our result against Sutton we could go into serious panic mode.”

The following Saturday, Rovers were 1-0 down at Sutton, before equalising with a penalty six minutes into injury time. Talk about a turning point in a season. Donny lost just 1 of their next 17 games (including 10 wins in a row) to miraculously book a place in the play-offs. I think most fans across the country wanted to see them complete their fairytale season, and they did win 2-0 at Crewe in the first leg, but lost by the same scoreline at home before missing out on penalties.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Not Just Travel. A big thank you to Paul and Tracy.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 148.94 miles

Total steps so far: 237,462

Total raised so far: £1,716

Total completed streets so far: 304 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Tanto scores County’s fifth at Donny in January (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Gareth Southgate needs a last minute replacement for his Euro 2024 squad. Which Doncaster player deserves the nod based on their performances this season?

Even during our poor first half of the season, Owen Bailey and Joe Ironside have both been consistent throughout. Due to his versatility I'd go with Bailey.

With World War 3 getting closer with each passing day, the government have asked me to pass on the following questions:

A) Who’s been your toughest player in 2023-24, most suitable to stick on the frontline?

B) What’s the best food you’ve had at a ground in 2023-24, that we can use for the troops in the trenches to keep morale up?

C) If World War 3 does kick off, how will Doncaster fans react in a crisis?

A) Joe Ironside.

B) I've only ever nicked some chips off my lad’s tray this season. I'm tight so I have my dinner before I go!

C) Currently, the Rovers fanbase is united and singing from the same hymn sheet, so if a leader was appointed instructions would be followed to the letter. Back in January every order would have had a disagreement.

“Let’s win this war.”

“No, let’s not.”

“Appoint this leader, he’s a born winner.”

“His legs have gone, he’s past it.”

You get the idea.

Best moment of 2023-24?

When Biggins' 88th minute header gave us the lead at home to Barrow, having been 2-0 down at half-time.

Worst moment of 2023-24?

You could take your pick from the first half of the season. At home to Salford in October, it was clear Matt Smith was going to cause us problems so we needed to keep him quiet. He scored after two minutes. A real head in hands FFS moment.

Funniest moment of 2023-24?

Maybe slightly controversial, but I’d go with my 11-year-old asking me: “What’s a scab?” After his education, it did make me laugh seeing him chant “you scabby b******s, you know what you are” at Mansfield. (He missed out the swear word!)

Four Four Two said you’d finish 5th. When Saturday Comes said you’d finish 11th. You finished 5th. Discuss.

Well Four Four Two showed amazing hindsight in the end. When McCann was appointed I'll hold my hands up and say I hoped we could get top three, or the play-offs at the least. With injuries into double figures the top three was scuppered, the play-offs seemingly so, and relegation seemed a much more realistic ending to the season. Cue the signings of Lo-Tutala, Matthew Craig (what a player he’ll become) and Adelakun.

As for When Saturday Comes I would have said they were doing us an injustice but then I’d have snapped their hand off when we were sat in 22nd place.

County 1 Doncaster 0 in October. Doncaster 1 County 5 in January. Thoughts?

The game at Edgeley Park, I thought we put in a very rare good performance in an even game and were unlucky to concede a late goal.

At the Eco Power it was men against boys and the less said about that the better.

Best and worst away days of 2023-24?

Due to tight finances and my son going to games (which means it’s double the price on travel, food and drink) I haven't been to too many, but we did go to Grimsby when we won 5-1.

Unbelievably, my son has never seen us lose away in ten games over two seasons so I can’t give an answer to the worst away day!

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If you’re looking to book your summer holiday get in touch with Paul and Tracy Franklin

As a team, Paul and Tracy Franklin are dedicated to delivering for their customers. They recognise that holidays are often the biggest outlay for people and so their top priority is finding them the perfect getaway. Whether you know exactly what you want or are looking for some ideas and inspiration, they can help!

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Using Paul and Tracy as your personal travel consultants means that they can take all the legwork of finding and planning your trips. They can also deal with any bumps in the road should there be any. There are so many variables to a trip and so many places to look most of their customers are so relieved to have someone do that for them! Others are just glad to be able to support a smaller business that delivers a personal touch, as opposed to some of the travel giants out there. Whatever an enquiry looks like they are always keen to get their teeth stuck in, adding value where they can and learning along the way – the world is a big place!

Visit paulandtracyfranklin.notjusttravel.com for further details.

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Photo of the day

Somewhere near Donny’s ground

Parker Cash wraps up warm in his County bobble hat and scarf ahead of our victory at Doncaster back in January.

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Three films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. If (U) at 12.15pm and 2.45pm, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (12A) at 5.30pm, and The Fall Guy (12A) at 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJ

Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.

🍺 Food and drink

If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two.

🎤 Karaoke

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) with Lee. From 8pm.

🎸 Live music

The Dirty Truth at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8pm.

Professor Fonque at The Crown (SK6). 9pm.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#26 – Spotland, Rochdale

Last visit: We’ve won our last five games at Spotland, the most recent of which came in February 2023, during our first season back in the Football League. Rochdale were bottom (which is where they’d finish) but it was a bit of an awkward night for Dave Challinor’s men. Goalless at half-time, it wasn’t until the 55th minute that County took the lead through a Will Collar penalty, before the same man added a second a couple of minutes later. Devante Rodney – on loan at Edgeley Park in 2019-20 – pulled a goal back with five minutes to go, but the Hatters held on to the delight of 2,927 travelling fans.

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