Sean O'Driscoll is one of the most respected managers in the division having achieved so much playing with real style along the way. In August 2000, he was appointed manager
of Bournemouth and despite limited financial resources he worked
wonders winning promotion via the playoffs in 2003 and despite being
relegated his side earned plaudits for their style of football. In 2006 he left Dean Court after 22
years as a player and manager to become manager at Doncaster Rovers. He made a steady start to his career
at Belle Vue, including many draws. He lead Doncaster Rovers to
3-2 success over Bristol Rovers in the Football League Trophy final
in 2007. In O'Driscoll's first full season in charge, 2007-08, he steered Doncaster to promotion into the Championship after a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium. The following season, 2008-09, saw his
side initially struggle to adapt to the demands of the Championship,
but they ended up 14th, comfortably clear of relegation. He was linked with a move to Burnley
last season but signed a new deal at Doncaster but many feel that
he will move onto to a bigger club in the near future.
It was a good season for Doncaster last time out, once again tipped to struggle they played good football and only a few injuries late on in the season ending the chances of the playoffs. Sean O'Driscoll had them working the ball well in midfield and they added goal to the team with Billy Sharp scoring fifteen on loan from Sheffield United. They struggled to find the consistency to maintain a promotion push but they were never in any real danger of relegation and for a second sussivive season they proved the critics wrong but flirting with the playoffs and finishing comfortably in mid table.
Billy Sharp
He began his career at Sheffield United before making a move to Scunthorpe United where he helped the club to back to back promotions scoring fifty three goals in just eight two games. Those goals won him a move back to Sheffield
United but he struggled with the move despite a bright start and
was loaned out to Doncaster last season were he re-found his goal
touch. Sharp is strong and deceptively quick
and an excellent finisher who has time on his side to improve his
all round game and be a top striker at this level.
Doncaster will start their third season in the Championship in a different frame of mind, expectation is certainly higher this year with avoiding relegation no longer the main aim of the season. That will of course bring it's own pressure and teams will certainly be more wary of Doncaster this year and they will have to cope with teams looking to stop them playing. Sean O'Driscoll has built a good side though and they should be able to cope, the signing of Billy Sharp is a good one and his goals will be a big plus for them whilst Brian Stock will continue to be a key player for them. If they can add another striker and avoid any major injuries then the playoffs are a real possibility for them this year and they could be a real handful for some of the divisions bigger teams.
The club's main colours have been red and white since 1885. However, from 1879-1885 they played in blue and white. The club's first strip was a navy blue and white strip with a yellow diagonal cross. The kit was worn along with a blue Tam O'Shanter with a red toorie at the centre. The pattern of the home shirts has varied throughout the years. However, it has always been either a solid red shirt, a solid white shirt, a red and white striped shirt, or a red and white hooped shirt. A solid red shirt with a black collar was the first design adopted when the club first entered the English Football league in 1901. Since 2001 the club has always played in a red and white hooped home shirt
Rufus Brevett joined QPR from Doncaster back in 1990. the left back joined as back up to Kenny Sansom and quickly won his place in the side helping us to a mid table finish. Brevett then found himself as back up to Clive Wilson but when he got the chance he usually looked a decent player. When Wilson left in 1995 it was a chance for Brevett to step up and he proved to be one of our better defenders and a popular player as well. He
left QPR to join Fulham where he helped them to promotion up the leagues and eventually
found himself back in the premiership with West Ham.
Rangers beat Doncaster in 2008 when
the two sides met at Loftus Road. Goals from Dexter Blackstock and
Emmanuel Ledesma gave us an early lead and we went on to win 2-0. The return game at Doncaster was also
2-0 this time to Doncaster as a Damien Stewart own goal put the
home side on their way to an easy win. Last season saw the same again with
the home sides winning the games. Doncaster hammered us 2-0 away
and should have won by more. The game at Loftus Road was the only
win of Mick Harford's brief reign as QPR manager. Antonio German gave QPR the lead before
we were pegged back in the second half. Jay Simpson scored a late
winner though to give Rangers the three points.
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