Retro: Final farewell as Belle Vue says goodbye

Nearly 10 years ago this week, a ball was kicked at Doncaster Rovers' Belle Vue ground for the very last time.
Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans look on as the last game at Belle Vue gets underwayDoncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans look on as the last game at Belle Vue gets underway
Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest Rovers fans look on as the last game at Belle Vue gets underway

The date was December 23, 2006 when, on a chilly winter’s day, Rovers took on League One leaders Nottingham Forest to bring the curtain down on 84 years of football action ahead of the club’s move to the sparkling new Keepmoat Stadium just a stone’s throw away.

Doncaster finished their time at the stadium with a win, a bizarre looping goal from Theo Streete ensuring a 1-0 victory in front of nearly 9,000 fans.

Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans say farewell to Belle VueDoncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans say farewell to Belle Vue
Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest Rovers fans say farewell to Belle Vue
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A similarly sized crowd had witnessed Rovers’ first ever match at the stadium, then dubbed Low Pastures, on August 26, 1922.

On that occasion, Rovers also triumphed 1-0, Arthur Charlesworth providing the only goal of the game in front of 10,000 supporters.

The farewell to Belle Vue was a moving one. Supporters turned up early to enjoy their last lingering looks at the crumbling stadium.

Souvenir programmes were produced, tributes were paid, songs were sung, fireworks were let off and the terraces were packed one last time with a sea of red and white as fans bid a tearful farewell to the old girl.

Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans say farewell to Belle VueDoncaster Rovers v Notts Forest
Rovers fans say farewell to Belle Vue
Doncaster Rovers v Notts Forest Rovers fans say farewell to Belle Vue
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was more to cheer about just a few days later when, on New Year’s Day 2007, Rovers began their tenacy at the Keepmoat, Mark McCammon, Paul Heffernan and Jonathan Forte all on the scoresheet in front of 14,470 fans as Sean O’Driscoll’s side beat West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town 3-0.

And what of Belle Vue?

Well, following the last game, various fixtures and fittings were sold off to other clubs as well as keepsakes for supporters.

The ground itself faced a less than glorious finale when the Main Stand was ripped apart in a gas explosion on February 7, 2007, hastening the stadium’s demolition.

A new housing estate is now taking shape on the site following a series of delays.