Come and join us say Rovers

Rovers are targeting fans of Castleford, Pontefract and Featherstone in a bid to increase gates at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Said chairman John Ryan's PA Dave Parker last night:"We have fans south of the town in Retford and Worksop, so why not try and attract fans from north of Doncaster?

"People living in Ackworth, Pontefract and Knottingley can be in the Doncaster boundary within 15 minutes.

"We know that the area is a rugby league stronghold - though football is also very popular - but the rugby season finishes early next month and doesn't start again until late January or early February.

"We are hoping that a few hundred fans will travel over here in the close season and hopefully after that because the sports operate on different days when the seasons overlap.

"Over 3,000 Castleford fans travelled on both occasions that the Tigers played the Dons this season, and Featherstone fans, know what a great stadium the Keepmoat is."

Pontefract-based HARBRO, who supplied the club with free sweets when they visited flood victims at Adwick Leisure Centre in July, plan to offer their 500 strong workforce a day out at a Rovers game.

Rovers also plan to lay on free transport for Castleford fans, if there is sufficient interest, for at least one game.

Parker has close links with the 13-a-side game and said Castleford, who finished top of National League One, were supportive of the initiative and had agreed to let their ground be used as a picking up spot.

"Castleford have agreed to publish an article about the scheme in the programme for their play-off at home to Widnes tonight," said Parker. "It will be interesting to see the response."

Parker said that if the scheme proved successful, the club would encourage Rovers fans to give rugby league a try.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll was set to check on striker Mark McCammon and midfielders Brian Stock and Martin Woods, when the players reported back for training today after yesterday's day off.