Club Doncaster Foundation kick off yearly play on the pitch events with annual Fit Rovers game

On a day where celebrations were happening just down the road for other teams within the Club Doncaster organisation, Club Doncaster Foundation were having their own celebrations, with Team Jan lifting the trophy on 3rd May, following a jam-packed annual play on the pitch event.

New for 2025, both the Retro Rovers and Fit Rovers Ladies got to experience playing on the pitch for the first time, with small sided games during the afternoon. 

The main event shortly followed with 34 Fit Rovers participants taking to the pitch, in what would turn out to be, the most action packed fixture in the Play on the Pitch history. 

Another new addition for 2025, saw both teams wear specially designed warm up t-shirts, created by assistant managers Ben Howe and Jake Woodward.

Former Doncaster Rovers players, Jan Budtz and Tim Ryan were in the dugouts once again, to oversee both teams, with Howe and new face Woodward as their assistants.

In what was a tight opening half, with end to end activity, it was only 5 minutes from half time when Lee Adams broke the deadlock for Team Jan, with a fantastic strike from the edge of the area. 

An action packed second half saw an array of goals from different participants, seeing the lead change hands multiple times. Josh Dams, Callum Vickers, Gavin Grayson & Kenny Raggett all got their names on the scoresheet, alongside an own goal from Barry Miller, resulting in a 3-3 stalemate after 90 minutes. 

Both teams also took advantage of a 20minute power play each, with ex-Rovers player Ricky Ravenhill taking to the field, to play his part in their efforts to claim the trophy. 

With a winner needed on the evening, the decision was made to continue with a golden goal scenario. 7 minutes in, the ball was played through the defence, with Raggett beating the off-side trap to slot home the winning goal and claim the win for Team Jan. 

Chris Jackson, has been a Rovers fan since he was little and got the chance to play alongside some childhood heroes. “It’s been amazing, I’ve been a rovers fan for years, I’ve been to all the games at Belle Vue and Eco-Power, so to get the chance to play on the pitch and pIay alongside Ricky, while also having Tim as my manager.

“It was incredible. I’ve been able to have conversations with them too. 

“It’s amazing, I thought about joining Fit Rovers for a long time, it’s a really good set of people, it’s a really good community and I’d recommend it for anyone.”

Raggett who scored the winning goal, has been attending Fit Rovers for 7 years, has already took part in the event but was drafted in a couple of days before the game, due to one player having to pull out. “It’s been different joining in today, the team have played a few games. A lot of them I don’t know. It was great though, they welcomed me in with open arms, and made me feel like part of the team.

“Compared to when I played back in 2018, it was a little bit harder for me, but I loved it, every second, just like I did the first time. 

“I joked with the keeper Dave, that if I managed to score past him, he’d owe me some money and I ended up getting two, so I don’t think he was very happy about that! I don’t think he thought I’d score! 

“It’s been great though and to get the winning goal too and have everyone celebrate with me, it was great.”

Howe, Health & Wellbeing Officer for the Foundation, headed up the event and spoke of how pleased he was with the day: “It was a fantastic day for all those involved. 

“The atmosphere around the place for the full day was brilliant, all 3 games were played in great spirit and were well supported. The atmosphere continued to build throughout the day, and the noise throughout the final event pushed the lads all the way to the end! 

“A top day all round and a pleasure to be involved in everybody’s experience.” 

All players were treated to fish and chips from Doncaster business, Fishbits, after the game, as part of the post match event, which saw Lee Adams & Paul Setterfield named the two man of the matches for Team Jan. Team Tim’s two man of the matches were named as Joseph French & Ray Brown. 

A huge thankyou to all of our sponsors for the event. Goldhofer Transport were the main sponsor of the event and were joined by Specialist Trailer Hire Ltd, Plumco Plumbing & Heating Suppliers and the UCDon’s High Performance Centre.

Funded by both NHS South Yorkshire ICB and Public Health Doncaster, the Fit Rovers programmes see participants supported through 6 or 8 week fitness courses, through a variety of physical activities and classroom based workshops.

The programmes include Fit Rovers Mens, Fit Rovers Ladies, award winning Fit Rovers Families - pre & post natal and new for 2025, Fit Rovers Dads, alongside other drop in sessions under the Fit Rovers programme.

Interested in getting involved in the courses delivered here at the Foundation? Please contact fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk, fitroversladies@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk or fitfamilies@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk, or call 07523 905254.