Doncaster Rovers: Chairman gets them on the mend
RYAN'S TOUGHEST PATIENT
PLASTIC surgeon John Ryan discovered his most desperate patient of all time when he took control of Doncaster Rovers 10 years ago.
With the club relegated to the Conference and their old Belle Vue stadium almost burnt down, thanks to an arson attempt by a previous owner, the Rovers fans could be forgiven for feeling suspicious of their new benefactor.
But Ryan, whose clients under his knife have included Melinda Messenger, had already proved he was more than capable of handling the knockers.
And furthermore, the lifelong Donny fan was about to provide his beloved team with the kind of uplifting wonders which would return them to the Championship for the first time since a Jimmy Hill hat-trick for Fulham condemned them to relegation from the second tier 50 years earlier.
Funds
Promotion was secured with a glorious Wembley play-off final victory over Leeds in May.
Now they have a chance to establish themselves at their new level in the Keepmoat Stadium just a few short years since they were trawling through non-league backwaters. Whether their current squad will follow Blackpool’s lead by surviving in their new surroundings, or follow Scunthorpe back to League One is open to debate.
But after a decade of bankrolling Rovers, Ryan is unlikely to leave manager Sean O’Driscoll short of funds to help keep his club in the Championship.
They have already completed the signing of free-scoring Northern Ireland winger Stuart Elliott from Hull following a successful loan spell.
Darren Byfield, brought in on a free transfer from Bristol City also has a proven scoring record at this level.
The spirit of last year’s promotion campaign cannot be over-stated. Few gave them a chance of beating Leeds and the performances of experienced players like Neil Sullivan, Paul Heffernan and James Hayter proved inspirational.
A comfortable mid-table position would represent over-achievement for Donny.
KEY MAN: Neil Sullivan
PREDICTION: 19th
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