Custom Search

Doncaster Rovers FC was founded in 1879 by a group of apprentices from the LNER Railway Works.

In 1888 Rovers entered the FA Cup for the first time and in 1890 the club became founder members of the Midland Alliance.

Elected to the Football League

They were elected to the Midlands League in 1891, and, after winning the championship in 1897 and 1899, Rovers were elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1901.

Early Tribulations

In 1903 they were forced to apply for re-election, and were voted out of the league in favour of Yorkshire rivals Bradford City.

The club spent the next season in the Midland League and, at the end of the 1903-04 season, applied successfully for re-election.

However, their first season back as a league team ended in disaster, they finished rock bottom and were voted out again.

In August 1914 Doncaster Rovers FC went into liquidation but a new company was formed and took over the formers club's fixtures.

Competitive football was then suspended for the duration of the war, and it was only in 1920 that Rovers were revived.

Move to Belle Vue

However, they were without a ground as theirs was being used as a military depot. Fortunately, with the help of the Doncaster Corporation, a new ground was built and named Belle Vue.

Back in the League

Rovers applied to join the new Third Division (North) in 1921 but were rejected. However, in 1923 the division was expanded and this time their application was accepted.

In 1935, Rovers were promoted to the Second Division where they remained for two seasons before being relegated.

After the Second World War, they won the Third Division (North) championship twice in 1947 and 1950 and established themselves as a mid-table Second Division side until successive relegations in 1958 and 1959 took them back to the Fourth Division.

They had to apply for re-election in 1962.

During the late 1960s Rovers twice won the Fourth Division title but each time failed to gain a foothold in Division Three and throughout the Seventies they remained rooted in Division Four.

They had two spells in the Third Division during the Eighties but by 1988 they were back in Division Four.

Relegation to the Conference

Finally, in 1998, they were relegated to the Conference, the third time they had lost their League status.

Rovers Return

After five seasons in the Conference, Rovers returned to the league via the play-offs, and they went on to win Division Three at the first attempt.

Move to the Keepmoat Stadium

In 2007, they left Belle Vue, their home since 1922, to move to the brand new 15 000 seater Keepmoat Stadium.

In 2008 they reached the play-off final where they beat Leeds United 1-0 to win promotion to the Championship.

Click on the icons below for more on Doncaster Rovers FC;

Return from Doncaster Rovers FC to Football League Championship

Return to The Football Club Home Page

or Search the site

Custom Search