Things got rolling in the Football League over the past week with the fixtures for the 2022/23 season confirmed. The draws for the group stage of the Papa John’s Trophy and Carabao Cup first round took place. The end of the week also saw a significant departure from Doncaster Rovers.
Doncaster Rovers Weekly Round-Up: Fixtures Announced, Cup Draws & Striker Exit
“Enjoy the running, enjoy the burning in your legs and enjoy the struggle. I think they will. It’ll be a tough couple of weeks for them but it’ll stand them in good stead.”
– The gaffer reflects on a tough first day of pre-seasonREAD MORE https://t.co/tclDMUR4Oe #drfc pic.twitter.com/3ysmk72GXb
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) June 21, 2022
Fixtures and Cup Draws
Last Thursday, Rovers find out they would start the League Two season with a trip to Bradford City’s Valley Parade in a Yorkshire derby.
It will be the first league meeting between the sides since April 2019 when Doncaster won the League One clash 1-0.
Rovers have been dealt a testing start to the season with several of the sides they face early among the favourites for promotion.
So….what dates stand out for you?#drfc pic.twitter.com/W2OJ5hwStw
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) June 23, 2022
In their first seven games, they will host Sutton United, Stockport County, Salford City and Mansfield Town at the Eco-Power Stadium, whilst visiting Bradford, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town.
After last season, Rovers cannot afford to have a lacklustre start.
Meanwhile, Doncaster will host Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup first round which will take place on the week commencing August 8.
The Papa John’s Trophy draw saw them placed alongside Barnsley, Lincoln and Newcastle United U21 in group E.
Joe Dodoo Exit Confirmed
Rovers striker Joe Dodoo has had his contract terminated by mutual consent. His exit provides Donny with more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.
Gary McSheffrey earlier confirmed there was space for two or three more signings (after Harrison Biggins and before George Miller & Luke Molyneux) and insisted they’d have to ‘get creative’ for five or six (in total), indicating a few exits were needed.
Confirming Dodoo’s exit, the club said in a statement; “We thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Dodoo scored eight goals in 39 games for Rovers having joined on a free last summer after Rovers’ failed efforts to sign a striker during the 2021 summer transfer window.
New Kits Sees Doncaster Rovers Revert Back to Tradition
Hoops are back!
Our new home kit has been unveiledhttps://t.co/stxB8vMuTQ#drfc pic.twitter.com/WQ1Vgv0dll
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) June 23, 2022
The Doncaster Rovers kit of last season represented a slight change with far more red than white on the shirt. Whether it was liked or not, it will not be remembered as one of the club’s finest having been worn for such a dismal season of football.
The new kit has been announced over the past week and sees a return to a more balanced red and white hooped strip.
