Some new faces arrive at the Keepmoat Stadium

Doncaster Rovers, the Dons and the Belles are not the only sides you will see around the Keepmoat over the next few months – but there have been no new additions to the Club Doncaster family.

The Keepmoat’s facilities have been snapped up as a training base for Boston United, some 70 miles from their Lincolnshire home.

The Pilgrims have entered into an agreement with Club Doncaster to use the 4G pitch beside the stadium as well as the athletics stadium facilities.

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Though it may be a long way the club’s home, it is not so far for manager Craig Elliott who, like most of his squad, is based in Yorkshire.

Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Stock-KeepmoatStadium MC 3Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Stock-KeepmoatStadium MC 3
Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Stock-KeepmoatStadium MC 3

And Elliott believes Boston will have the edge on their National League North rivals when it comes to training facilities.

“It’s been a great move for us,” he told Lincolnshire Live.

“All the equipment we use is top of the range. There are good hills next to it and there’s a lakeside run as well.

“There’s a 4G pitch and on Saturday we had use of an athletics track. We don’t have to travel about to use things as it’s all in one place, which is very helpful.

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“We previously trained at a school in Mansfield and it felt a bit remote and tricky to get to, but the Keepmoat has got good links to all major motorways.

“A lot of professional teams probably don’t have the facilities we have got, so we’re very lucky.”

Though most training will take place away from Boston, Elliott says there plans to hold open sessions at the club’s Jakemans Stadium home.

He said: “This came from the fans’ forum and I think it’s a really good idea. We’re going to have open training sessions on the pitch during the season..

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“It’s a two-way thing. It brings the fans closer to us and allows to use the pitch more than we have previously.

“Boston’s obviously quite a journey for most of the players, so it’s a difficult balance, but it’ll be good to have some training sessions on the pitch. That’s one thing we’ll be looking to do this season.”

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