When Brian Flynn found out he would not continue to manage Doncaster Rovers after winning League One

Minutes before, Rovers had been confirmed as League One champions following the 18 seconds of madness that decided their clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Brentford.

Behind Flynn, the celebrations of players, staff and supporters showed no signs of abating.

But while joy was clearly the overriding emotion from the Welshman, there was clearly a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Having stepped up from head of scouting to manager following Dean Saunders’ mid-season departure to Wolves, Flynn completed the job alongside Rob Jones that his countryman had started.

But that incredible day at Brentford would be the last game he took charge of Rovers - and he knew it then.

“I knew that Paul Dickov was given the job with five games to go,” Flynn said earlier this season.

“In football, you get to know these things.

“There was one other person involved who possibly could have had the job but Paul Dickov was given it. He wasn’t offered it, he was given it.

“Football! But you can’t take that [Brentford] away from me!”

Flynn also mapped out the run to the end of the season and how the demands changed under then-chairman John Ryan.

“With ten games to go, we were handily placed and I spoke to John Ryan and he said ‘minimum play-offs, if you want a chance of managing the club this season’,” Flynn said.

“With five games to go he said ‘promotion.’ Those are the rules.

“On the Friday night [before Brentford], we were in the hotel and he called me for a meeting after the meal.

“And the message there was ‘champions, otherwise you’re finished.’

“Saturday was fantastic, I can’t remember much about Saturday night.

“On Tuesday I received a call from the club - ‘do you want to apply for the manager’s job?’

“That’s how it happened.

“There is no common sense in football. Especially in management.”

Dickov was confirmed as manager 23 days after Rovers were crowned League One champions. Flynn remained at the club as director of football until August that year.

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