Doncaster Rugby League Club is delighted to announce that they have signed a new lease to stay at the Keepmoat Stadium for the next ten years.

Dons chief executive Carl Hall said: "This is excellent news for everyone connected with the club as we look forward to the start of the new season in the Co-operative Championship."

Construction work for the 15,231 capacity Keepmoat Stadium commenced late 2005 and cost approximately £32 million to complete. The stadium was funded by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and run by the council owned Stadium Management Company (SMC).

However, the stadium was running at a loss and the town Mayor, Peter Davies, called for a new operator to take over from the SMC so that DMBC could concentrate on its ‘core business' of running the council.

It was therefore confirmed in the summer of 2012 that Doncaster Rovers Football Club had secured a 99 year operating lease from DMBC to lead the management of the stadium with a view to improving operating results across the stadium sports partnership.

Hall added: "Securing our status at one of the best stadiums in rugby league was a high priority for the Dons as we look to build on last season's success and continue to make good progress.

"Our match day attendances significantly increased in 2012 and we're hopeful this upward trend will continue in 2013 with the nine forthcoming Yorkshire derbies we will have at the stadium.

"I believe Gavin (Baldwin) and his team are doing a tremendous job in the day-to-day running of the Keepmoat Stadium and its future is in very good hands."

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of Doncaster Rovers, said: "We are pleased to extend the deal for one of our key partners, the Dons, for the next 10 years.

"This will give them stability and with their promotion last season, we are really excited by the success this brings to the stadium.

"As a key part of the ‘Club Doncaster' project they will be wearing Rovers colours as their second kit next season.

"We are currently looking how we can work with them on projects such as joint season tickets and double headers as we look to make the Keepmoat Stadium, the main venue for community sport and entertainment within Doncaster."

The stadium held its first sporting fixture on Wednesday 27th December 2006, with the rugby league match between the Dons and local rivals Sheffield Eagles in front of 5,400 spectators. The stadium was officially opened on Friday 3rd August 2007 with Doncaster Rovers playing a Manchester United select XI.

A mini-stadium is situated beside the main stadium, featuring a six-lane running track and a 500 seat stand. The venue is also the home of Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club, Doncaster Athletic Club and the Doncaster Mustangs American football team.

The Dons first home game of the New Year is a pre-season friendly against fellow Championship side Keighley Cougars on Sunday 20th January (3pm kick-off).

The blue and gold's will then entertain Super League improvers Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday 27th January before the season opener against Dewsbury Rams on Sunday 3rd February.

Please note both the Wildcats and Rams games have a 3pm kick-off at the Keepmoat Stadium and match day tickets are now available to purchase at the ticket office.

I suppose it does provide stability for the club but i would have preferred to have come to deal with the Knights. The atmosphere would be better in a smaller ground like Castle Park and their cow pie is awesome.

I agree looks as though we won't be trying that avenue now
the bus service to Castle Park leaves the Keepmoat standing, and as you say better atmosphere in the smaller ground.

Maybe the transport issue is one that should be on the agenda for club Doncaster , if they want more people to use the stadium they need to improve how people can get there more easily. Personally think it's the right decision to stay at the keepmoat, if the club want to move forward, just my opinion.

I can see both points, and can agree with playing at both stadiums, however, from a personal point of view, the media facilities at the Keepmoat leave those at Castle Park far behind.

The ten year lease at the Keepmoat gets my backing (not that they need it)

The Public transport issue was raised by the Rovers fans through The VSC (Vicking Supporters Cub) with Gavin Baldwin. I understand and I believe that they came to an agreement with First buses for the bus that runs along Stadium Way to depart some minutes later than usual on Saturday, after the final whistle, thus enabling fans to obviously use it. Now I fully appreciate we don’t have the Rovers fans numbers, but the point is, if there are sufficient numbers using the service on a Sunday could this not be taken up with The Dons Management to approach Mr Baldwin and see if they can’t do the same for the Dons fans.

How bad are the buses? I've never had to use them but it looks like I'll be needing to this season

This is all fine and dandy but what about the cow pie?

Only the fairly fit supporters will be able to see the end of matches if they are using the bus. You will notice several disabled leaving in good time to make sure they catch the bus to town. I dread to think what will happen if more than 50 fans rely on public transport. As I've said before there are three buses per hour passing Castle Park.

The bus going back into town leaves at 4.50 and is punctual.
If you stop to clap the players at the end of a match for a couple of minutes you risk missing the bus.
It is also a disincentive to go up into the bar because it's an hour to the next one as far as I know.
Not that there as ever been any incentive for me with the fare on offer.
What a rip off under the council.
We will see what happens under the Rovers tenure.
My observations are that when it comes to profiteering things change but rarely get better.

Valid points and which is why I made the lobbying suggestion. It is obvious we are staying at the Keepmoat and therefore obvious the fans that you speak of have a voice and try and improve the Public Transport times.