This whole escapade to me highlights the folly of tieing ourselves up to the Keepmoat/Rovers for the next God knows how many years. Why we couldn't come to some agreement with the Knights is beyond me.

Do we know it's anything to do with the pitch or are we assuming?

Baring in mind it was supposed to be a blank weekend it could very easily be being used for something else.

we couldn't come to an agreement with the Knights because their pitch is being relaid/repaired...shock horror!

I'm not feeling so militant about it as the rest of you, I'd much rather it be here than most other places. It's the day that disappoints me most, but that's just because, personally, Friday's aren't as good for me

Remember this is only for one game. We will have 3 home games at the Keepmoat during July, which the new pitch will allow for some fantastic flowing rugby. In the form that we are in we might see some of the spectacular tries witnessed last season.

In terms of the spectator experience at the Athletics ground, this is a one off. Of all the games to be played here this is perhaps the most appropriate. We know that the Eagles do not bring a lot of support. On their forum page they are moaning about the low home attendances. The smaller arena might make for a better atmosphere (although the running track might hamper that).

In the future this might make a good venue for the under 18s games, as a precursor for the main game?

On a personal note I would have liked to see the game played at Castle Park (if it was available). Perhaps the Knights could be approached to host some games next season whilst pitch works take place (through our new link Paul Cooke), this might prevent having to play 6 weeks of away games?

Lets not over react its 1 game and as stated we didn't have a game planned. Anyway , just checked if Ryanair get me back into the Uk on time 2 more will be able to attend.

Mmmm?
The Athletics ground, a pitch with a running track around it and one stand.
That reminds me of somewhere ... can't think of where offhand.



Like a home from home game for the Shitehawks ... spooky!

I cant say im not disapointed but like jemmo sed its the day thats the most annoying plus there playing tonite so get over a weeks rest compared to our 5 days. It wont stop me goin tho hopefully we can pull off a shock n get to the final where its played at a proper ground ; )

Just when I thought id be able to get to a game for the first time in a few weeks they change it to a Friday and im on nights!

Was really looking forward it as well. Then Jemmo texts me and tells me the match is on the athletics track!

Now ive been looking at this both ways what does eveyone else think. Number 1, The pitch isnt ready and we have to move. Well the pitch seemed fine at our last home game which we played after the work had been done.The grass was just coming through and then a womens cup final was played on it.Its had a few weeks since then so there is no way that the pitch isnt up to it.Theres also some UFC stuff going on it in July which wont help the state of it.

Number 2 , is it tactical. Do the coaching staff think we will have a better chance on the running track if the pitch is tighter? (Iknow Eagles play at similar but it could be done to suit)

Also on the Eagles site it says the stadium is unavailable.Is there something going off there that weekend? Maybe we will be disrupting the Sunday car booters!!

I may well be in the minority with this view, but I do have to take onboard whats been said on the official side of this, and that is the Eagles game appears to be a week too early for the newly re-set pitch/grass to be settled at the root. The Leigh home game is not in doubt but it appears that the Eagles game was not factored in and I can understand that. There are emotive feelings regarding this from Dons and Rovers fans alike. My view is that the playing surface was hammered with the winter weather and didn't have a hope of being in a fit state without the extensive work that has been carried out. Something had to give and for the Dons fans this is what it amounts too. On a personal basis I would have prefered it to be in the main stadium but the alternative venue is fine by me, and is better than playing 'away'. Sorry if this hurts as well but if the improved playing surface helps the Rovers stay in the Championship then that that suits me as well. The people running the Stadium now, need the extra revenue that Championship football brings IMO.

The majority of the ground work was started immediately after the cup final, so, although the pitch had undergone some work, it wasn't complete until after the final.

IIRC, the 'outside' pitch is the same size as the main pitch.

In reading your concerns and points raised about the semi-final being held at the Doncaster Athletics Stadium, I thought it would be remiss of me not to make a general statement covering those aspects.

There is no way we can reserve seats for season pass holders unfortunately, it's simply not practical due to many constrains. A number of seats will therefore be reserved for directors of both clubs, the press and disabled people. The rest of the seats will be there to use on a first come, first served basis.

As stated in my original post announcing the alternative venue, I must stress that the club has explored every possible avenue to ensure the game is to be played in Doncaster and as close to the Keepmoat as possible. Ray Green deserves a lot of credit for the hard work he's put in this week to get this game played within a stones throw of the main pitch.

Ray has held detailed discussions with Keepmoat Stadium and Castle Park representatives but both pitches are unavailable next weekend. The athletics stadium have their own commitments that same weekend and that's why the game is to be played on Friday night. The club would like to thank Kev Lincoln and his club once again for helping us out.

It wasn't as simple as some may think to switch to a venue we're unfamiliar with and the RFL had to physically come out and pass the venue 'fit for purpose'. We still have a lot of work to do before the game to ensure that everything runs as smooth as possible on the night.

I can only imagine the backlash we'd have received if we'd have conceded home advantage and played at Don Valley, which is also predominantly an athletics stadium.

I would like to thank those who have welcomed/accepted the change of venue albeit in circumstances which are totally out of our hands of which we wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience it has caused.

I hope you will all be able to make the game and support the lads on to another cup final (hopefully).

Mark - COYD

Not a problem.