LIVE updates as Doncaster Rovers fans put questions to the club’s owners
and live on Freeview channel 276
Major shareholders David Blunt, Terry Bramall and Gavin Baldwin will be present at the club’s annual Meet the Owners event, as will head of football operations James Coppinger and first-team head coach Danny Schofield.
Doncaster’s hierarchy is facing pressure from sections of the fanbase following two tough years which has seen the team fall back into the fourth tier, having been in contention for promotion to the Championship in early 2021.
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Hide AdLast month chief executive Baldwin revealed the club is now self-sustainable and operating without owner funding, which raised questions over the future commitment of Bramall and Blunt.
Tonight’s event is due to begin at around 6.30pm with a presentation from Coppinger on first team affairs, including the changes made since he took on the role.
Questions will then be taken from supporters until 8pm.
Scroll down for live updates.
LIVE updates as Doncaster Rovers fans put questions to the club’s owners
Key Events
- Major shareholders David Blunt, Terry Bramall and Gavin Baldwin face fans’ questions
- Head of football operations James Coppinger and head coach Danny Schofield will also answer questions from supporters
That’s your lot
A few stories to come on some of the biggest talking points of the night over the next 24 hours.
Final word
GB praises the role of the club’s backroom staff and those at the Belles and the Dons in the club’s efforts to be successful.
Some top people behind the scenes at the club in fairness.
Final question
Do we have 18/19 players good enough to play for Doncaster?
JC: ‘I one-hundred per cent think we have got 18 or 19.
‘We turned down three or four interested clubs in January for our players.
‘League Two it’s very, very tight on what we can recruit. A lot of the times when we have recruited we haven’t necessarily recruited better players.
‘For me it’s about having a group of players you can keep together for a longer period of time.
‘We have unbelievable players with ubelievable character and that is bigger than any individual.’
Last few questions
TB:
‘I’m not aware of that we have got lots of people knocking on the door to want to buy Club Doncaster. We just strive to make it valuable and make it an attractive club to belong to.
‘We are not going to give the club away.’
Says they want to make sure the next owners are essentially the right ones. More on that later.
JC says he off some social media platforms
Doesn’t want to get abuse and to let others’ opinions influence his.
JC on how far recruitment search pans
‘Its as wide and thorough as our resources make it. Linking staff to our identity; disappointment, setbacks. This is a tough industry to be in, it’s ruthless.
‘When we recruit staff the identity slide shows us how we align.
‘We might not be able to handpick the best of the best but we believe we can get people to be a part of the club and fall in love with this club.’
GB says he’s never felt so comfortable with the current footballing staff. JC: ‘I feel like we have got a real strong group. It takes time.
‘You recruit a staff member, you have to look after that staff member, make them feel valued and looked after’.
A question on the club’s long-term ambition
‘The reality is League One is far easier to be sustainable than League Two.
‘League Two is a challenge. Club Doncaster, whatever people think of it, is probably funding 75 per cent of the playing budget.
‘Doncaster Rovers would lose millions.’
Copps earlier spoke of the importance of supporting your club through the hard times.
Gavin Baldwin asks Copps about the importance of continuity
‘Moving forward, continuity for me is success for this football club.’
They have a meeting with DB on Wednesday about next season’s budget and getting players tied down permanently. Copps wants a squad of 18/19 going into pre-season.
A timely question from Baldwin with Mr Blunt present.
A question on the January transfer window and more short-term loans
JC: ‘In terms of Kyle Knoyle and Adam Clayton the two decisions were solely football decisions.
‘Kyle Knoyle made it clear he didn’t want to be at the club. We made him an improved over. We got a sum of money we were assured we could reinvest in the training facility.
‘It isn’t about what we do on the playing budget. We have to support these players.
‘In terms of loan players, sometimes resources dictate what we can and can’t do. We are forming some fantastic relationships with clubs.
‘I understand your concerns - I have the same concerns - but it’s about making do with what we’ve got available.’