‘It’s nice to just chat to other people’: Rovers fans join Oxford United fans for matchday watch-along.

A group of Doncaster Rovers fans received a special matchday care package as they were invited to tune in to the Oxford United and Rovers fixture with other fans of both clubs. 

The virtual matchday watch-along, hosted by Club Doncaster Foundation and Oxford United in the Community, aimed to help combat loneliness in the respective areas and get people talking over the shared interest of football. 

Special guest John Bostock also joined the group for the call, as well as former Rovers and Oxford player, Les Robinson. 

One participant said: “I had a hip replacement and I’m still struggling with my mobility.  

“I’ve been nowhere and I’ve seen nobody. So it’s really nice just to chat to other people.” 

The watch-along forms part of the EFL Trust’s “Tackling Loneliness Together” project, something that the Foundation have supported since its launch last year.   

“It was a shame about the result but we were able to get everyone on the call talking and engaging with each other”, explained Club Doncaster Foundation community development manager Nick Gillott.  

“We organised the watch-along to get people talking over a shared interest of football and we’ve done just that. 

"These types of conversations are so important and can help make someone's day.” 

 As part of the tackling loneliness together project, the Foundation have made over 2,000 phone calls and have delivered over 500 care packages to Doncaster residents.   

 If you would like to find out more about the “Tackling Loneliness Together Projects”, please visit www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk or www.ouitc.org, where you will find ways to contact and get involved.   

 If you know someone in the Doncaster area who could benefit from our support, please email scott.beresford@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk