Doncaster Rovers boss reflects on mixed experiences against Kidderminster ahead of FA Cup showdown
Doncaster Rovers face Kidderminster Harriers in the first round of the FA Cup
When it comes to the FA Cup first round, Doncaster Rovers have so far always got the job done with Grant McCann in charge.
They progressed to the third round of last season’s competition with wins over Crewe and Chesterfield before losing to Southampton.
The year before that they overcame Barrow, Kettering and Hull City before falling short in the fourth round against Crystal Palace.
Infact, Rovers have only once failed to reach the third round of the FA Cup on one occasion throughout McCann’s previous four seasons with the club - including that first spell - and that came in the second round when his team were beaten by Peterborough United in 2023.
However, that doesn’t mean McCann’s completely immune to cup upsets as he’ll be reminded when his team travels to newly-promoted National League side Kidderminster Harriers - a team who the Northern Irishmen says he has had mixed results against as a player.
“I've played against Kidderminster a few times,” McCann said.
“Kidderminster is not far from Cheltenham, it was a bit of a derby game when I played for Cheltenham over the years.”
McCann had a record of three wins, two draws and one defeat against Kidderminster, notably scoring the winner against them for Cheltenham in August 2003.
However, he’ll have less fond memories of playing against them more than a decade later in 2014 where Peterborough suffered a cup upset, losing 3-2 at Aggborough, with McCann coming on as a second half substitute.
“I remember playing them in the FA Cup for Peterborough as well, and getting beat in the early stages.
“So I've got some good memories and some bad memories of Kidderminster. I think it's a really good club, it's a club that probably should be in the Football League to be honest. A lovely little stadium, a good friend of mine, Mark Yates, who I played with at Cheltenham, played for Doncaster and Kidderminster, managed them as well.
“So it’ll be an interesting game when it comes around.”
McCann went on to share his thoughts on the club’s manager Paul Wootton, who last season led the Worcestershire side to promotion via the National League North play-offs.
He added: “We'll certainly go and watch Kidderminster play.
“See what they're about, see how they're doing down there. Paul Wootton is somebody I know I've played against over the years. He's always been a fierce and competitive player to play against, so I'm sure he'll be no doubt any different as a manager.”