The 1-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers has clearly given the Valiants a boost – can they carry it through to their midweek game against Rovers? Here’s our match preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Doncaster Rovers
- Date: Tuesday 24thMarch, 7.45pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK / PVTV for fans abroad
Talking points
Can Vale do it all again?
It wasn’t a classic but the 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend was very welcome. Arguably the margin of victory could have been more if Vale had taken more chances. Same again please?
The wrong Hall?
OVF named goalscorer George Hall as star man against Bolton but plenty of fans felt it was namesake Connor Hall who performed best. We’re happy to go with the majority decision and hope both Halls perform well in midweek!
Known injury list
George Byers, Ryan Croasdale and Ben Heneghan remain injury doubts. Cam Humphreys may miss this one with illness.
Possible Vale line-up (3-4-3)
Gauci – Campbell, C.Hall, Gordon – Gabriel, Ojo, Garrity, Walters, Headley – Sherif, Brown
Connor Hall – high praise
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Doncaster Rovers
- Manager: Grant McCann
- Stadium: Keepmoat stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
45 year-old Grant McCann always seems to be the manager of either Peterborough United or Doncaster Rovers having had three spells and two spells, respectively at the two clubs. He also had a three year stint at Hull City and has now passed 500 games as a manager. His latest spell at Rovers began in May 2023 and he has 78 wins from 168 games in charge as well as guiding the club to promotion last season.
Recent form
Picking up. After four games without a win, Rovers have won two of their last four fixtures.
Team news
A 1-0 away win at Barnsley.
Manager Grant McCann
Opposition history
Essentials
- Most goals: Tom Keetley (186)
- Most appearances: James Coppinger (607)
- Biggest win: 10–0 v Darlington (1964)
Over the years
Brief History
Doncaster Rovers were formed in 1879 and entered the Football League in 1901 as a replacement for New Brighton Tower. They initially only lasted two seasons in the League before being voted out before being elected in again in 1905. Finishing bottom of the League they were promptly voted out again. They returned in 1924. They dropped out of the League again in 1998 before returning in 2003.
Stadia
The club started life at the Intake ground before a brief move to the Bennetthorpe Ground. In 1922, they moved to Belle Vue where they were to remain until 2006. In 2007, the club moved to the 15,000 seater Keepmoat stadium now renamed the Eco-Power stadium in a sponsorship deal.
Trivia
Doncaster were first elected to the Football League in 1901, but they only lasted two seasons before being voted out in favour of local rivals Bradford City.
The Keepmoat stadium
Archive
This site is thirty years old and has thousands of posts. Here are a couple to feature the opposition.
Head-to-head
How it stands
- Vale wins: 25
- Vale losses: 22
- Draws: 9
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1901 in what appears to have been an entertaining 3-3 draw. It was the opening game of the season and Bert Eardley scored Vale’s first-ever goal against Rovers.
Last meeting
The most recent meeting was earlier this season when it finished in a 1-0 loss for the Valiants.
Classic clash
Take a look at our archive above for a 5-0 Vale win from the 1987-88 season.
Port Vale lost their last game against Doncaster
Marko Marosi – played for both
Played for both
Current connections
Goalkeeper Marko Marosi had a five year stay with Rovers. He’s on loan at Tranmere Rovers so won’t feature in this game.
Recent connections
Other players to appear for both in recent years include striker Devante Cole, loan striker Mo Faal, defender Tom Anderson, midfielder Harry Middleton and wingback Danny Amos.
Vintage connection
John Nicholson was a model of consistency at the back for Port Vale during a four year stay between 1961 and 1965. His sale to Doncaster for £5,000 was greeted by protests from supporters. Sadly, his spell at Rovers was to be halted by tragedy as Nicholson was killed in a car crash. He was only 29. Port Vale Directors donated a sizeable sum to his widow after hearing the news.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans
Join the debate:
The Keepmoat stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Doncaster manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Doncaster?
Which current Vale goalkeeper had a spell with Rovers?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Doncaster?
Which current Vale goalkeeper had a spell with Rovers?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Grant McCann
Port Vale 0-1 Doncaster
25
Marko Marosi
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both
0/4 – Danny Amos
1/4 – Harry Middleton
2/4 – Tom Anderson
3/4 – Devante Cole
4/4 – John Nicholson
Sadly I think there’s too few games to keep Vale up. but a good end to the season could be essential to season ticket sales and confidence. Thinking back to the old ground at Bell Vue and being forced to watch games on the open end there in the notorious Bird Cage. What football fans had to put up with !