Brian Deane reflects on his memories of starting out at Doncaster Rovers

Former England international Brian Deane says it was like ‘walking out at Wembley’ when he made his Doncaster Rovers debut at Belle Vue back in 1985.

Signed at the age of 17, Deane made his first team breakthrough under Dave Cusack, with the pair forming a close bond during Deane’s time in Red and White.

“I made my debut there as a 17-year-old,” said Deane via NewBettingOffers.co.uk.

Brian Deane played under Dave Cusack at Doncaster Rovers in the 1980s

placeholder image — Brian Deane played under Dave Cusack at Doncaster Rovers in the 1980s

“It was like walking out at Wembley for me. It was a huge ground and the pitch was brilliant compared to the other ones I was playing on at the time. Doncaster was a great club to play for at that time. The recruitment was brilliant and it had a very good youth system.

“I had been playing in the Northern Intermediate League before I made my debut and I ended up scoring one of my first goals against Whitby Town in the FA Cup. I bumped into their manager when I scored that goal the other day and he mentioned it, which brought back fond memories of my time at Doncaster. I have nothing but good things to say about Doncaster.

“I had broken my leg the season before, then I went down to trial with Doncaster. Fortunately for me, the chief scout had been at Leeds United when I was on trial there a few years earlier, so he invited me down. Doncaster felt very welcoming and that allowed me to show the best version of myself. For that, I owe them a lot.”

Deane made three appearances during the 1985/86 season as he was eased into first team action. He scored two goals in 23 matches a year later but admitted he also learned some tough lessons during this time.

“I owe Dave Cusack, who was the manager at Doncaster at the time, a massive amount. He’s still a good friend of mine. He gave me my chance in football and without that I might never have become a professional footballer.

“The resilience I built up under Dave Cusack helped me survive a short period with Dave McKay. I remember an incident with Dave Cusack after we lost 1-0 at home to Mansfield. At that time I was one of three young lads who used to get the brunt of the hairdryer treatment and after that game it was my turn. He absolutely tore a strip off me.

“I went to see him the next day because I was quite confused and upset. He told me after the game their manager wanted to sign me and asked how much I was worth, and he told him I wasn’t for sale because he thought I was going all the way to the top. It was a lightbulb moment for me and I realised he was just trying to prepare me for the next level. He was building my resilience.

“When you’re a manager or coach, you have to be able to put different heads on when you’re dealing with different players. He did that for me and I can’t count the number of times I’ve thanked him for giving me my opportunity.”

Deane scored 10 times in 50 appearances during his third and final season at Belle Vue. However, following the team’s relegation to the fourth-tier, he decided it was time to move on to pastures new.

He joined Sheffield United in 1988 and won back-to-back promotions with the Blades to reach the top-flight before going on to also score the first ever goal of the Premier League era after the rebrand in 1992.

Deane, who represented England three times, also had spells with Leeds United, Benfica, Leicester City and West Ham along with two further spells at Bramall Lane.