Doncaster Rovers notebook: Meet the Owners clarity, more loan exits + weather watch

Meet the Owners 2026

The annual Meet the Owners night is always a popular event with Rovers fans and is often held relatively early in the year. It sees manager Grant McCann, chairman Terry Bramall and chief executive Gavin Baldwin sit on the top table and field questions from supporters, with no topic off-limits.

Last year it was held in mid-January but the Free Press understands that the 2026 event is likely to be taking place in February, as the club attempts to "make diaries work" in regards a suitable date. Often staged on a Monday night, it's complicated slightly this year by a couple of Tuesday night matches for Rovers - as well as the closure of the winter transfer window falling on a Monday (February 2).

The club will unveil details of the time and date in due course.

Luton date?

Speaking of dates, the Luton home game will need to be re-arranged after last Sunday's fixture was called off due to a frozen pitch at the Eco-Power Stadium.

At first glance, the only free slot this month is Tuesday, January 20 but amid stacked schedules for both teams the desire may be to move it to February or even March. Further complications could arise depending on how both clubs navigate respective cup competitions, too. Both sides have EFL Trophy ties this month and will have an eye on reaching the next stage given both at home to lower league opponents.

Additionally, Rovers are still involved in the FA Cup and if they advance to the fourth round it will mean yet another league game - against Port Vale in mid-February - having to be rescheduled.

Academy loans

Whilst a clutch of senior players are currently out on loan, a cohort of the club's talented academy are now heading down the same path.

A raft of youngsters, all of whom played a part in the under-18s fine run in the FA Youth Cup, have now gone out to get more experience.

Aaron Cashmore has joined Stamford, Ethan Hodgett leaves for Gainsborough Trinity, Deshaun Musgrave-Dore has signed up with Bridlington Town, Franklin Middleton heads to Ossett United, Harry Glaves has linked up with Pickering Town, Rhomani Murray is off to Bottesford Town, Tyler Parkin has gone to Parkgate and Dylan Corbett is at Brigg Town.

Doubts over Southampton?

Last weekend's postponement plus a glance at the upcoming weather forecast has poured a drop of doubt over whether Saturday's game, the FA Cup third round tie against the Championship Saints, could also be under threat.

A quick scan of this week's weather suggests temperatures are unlikely to get too much above a couple of degrees. In an attempt to get the Luton game on, Rovers say the pitch was "double covered with frost sheeting" and that "lighting rigs were used to provide the best opportunity for the fixture to take place."

Sadly it was to no avail as the mercury failed to get above zero with parts of the pitch unable to thaw out. One to certainly keep an eye on as the week progresses.