2025–26 Doncaster Rovers F.C. season
| 2025–26 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Doncaster Rovers Limited |
| Chairman | Terry Bramall |
| Manager | Grant McCann |
| Stadium | Eco-Power Stadium |
The 2025–26 season is the 147th season in the history of Doncaster Rovers Football Club and their first season back in League One since the 2021–22 season following promotion from League Two in the preceding season. The club are participating in League One, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
Transfers and contracts
In
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 June 2025 | CB |  Seán Grehan |
 Crystal Palace |
Undisclosed | [1] |
| 1 July 2025[a] | CM | Robbie Gotts |
Barrow |
Bosman | [2] |
| 1 July 2025[b] | CF | Brandon Hanlan |
Wycombe Wanderers |
[3] | |
| 1 July 2025[c] | LW |  Glenn Middleton |
Dundee United |
[4] | |
| 1 July 2025[d] | CB | Matty Pearson |
Huddersfield Town |
[5] |
- ^ The transfer was announced on 15 May, and would become official on July 1 once his Barrow contract had expired
- ^ The transfer was announced on 13 June, and would become official on July 1 once his Wycombe contract had expired
- ^ The transfer was announced on 3 June, and would become official on July 1 once his Dundee United contract had expired
- ^ The transfer was announced on 12 June, and would become official on July 1 once his Huddersfield contract had expired
Out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|
Loaned in
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 June 2025 | GK |  Thimothée Lo-Tutala |
Hull City |
31 May 2026 | [6] |
| 24 June 2025 | RW | Damola Ajayi |
Tottenham Hotspur |
[7] | |
| 27 June 2025 | CB | Connor O'Riordan |
Blackburn Rovers |
[8] | |
| 5 August 2025 | DM |  Charlie Crew |
Leeds United |
[9] |
Loaned out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2025 | CM | Sam Straughan-Brown |
Peterborough Sports |
31 May 2026 | [10] |
| 2 July 2025 | CB | Bobby Faulkner |
Harrogate Town |
[11] | |
| 24 July 2025 | CM | Will Flint |
Gateshead |
[12] | |
| 31 July 2025 | CB | Kasper Williams |
Bridlington Town |
11 September 2025 | [13] |
| 8 August 2025 | LW | Kyle Hurst |
Gateshead |
1 January 2026 | [14] |
Released / Out of Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2025 | CB | Tom Anderson |
Shrewsbury Town |
1 July 2025 | [15][16] |
| CF | Jack Goodman |
Basford United |
[17][18] | ||
| CB | Joseph Olowu |
Stockport County |
[19][20] | ||
| RW | Tavonga Kuleya |
Belper Town |
6 July 2025 | [17][21] | |
| AM | Jack Degruchy |
Stoskbridge Park Steels |
17 July 2025 | [17][22] | |
| LB | Freddie Allen |
[17] | |||
| CB | Richard Wood |
[17] | |||
New Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Contract until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2025 | GK | Jacob Bryant |
30 June 2026[a] | [23] |
| CM | Sam Straughan-Brown |
30 June 2027[b][a] | [23] | |
| CB | Kasper Williams |
[23] | ||
| 5 June 2025 | CB | Bobby Faulkner |
30 June 2026[a] | [24] |
| 4 July 2025 | DM | George Broadbent |
30 June 2027[a] | [25] |
| 10 July 2025 | CB | Jay McGrath |
30 June 2028[a] | [26] |
Pre-season and friendlies
On 27 May, Doncaster Rovers confirmed their first two pre-season friendlies, a double-header against Stamford and Peterborough Sports.[27] A week later, a match against Milton Keynes Dons at a neutral venue was confirmed.[28] A fourth fixture was added, against Gateshead.[29] On 20 June, two further friendlies were confirmed against Blackpool and Alfreton Town.[30][31]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 8 July 2025 Friendly | Alfreton Town | 2–3 | Doncaster Rovers | Alfreton |
| 19:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: North Street | |
| Note: 120-minute match. | ||||
| 12 July 2025 Friendly | Peterborough Sports | 1–1 | Doncaster Rovers | Peterborough |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lincoln Road |
| 15 July 2025 Friendly | Gateshead | 0–7 | Doncaster Rovers | Wokingham |
| 13:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Cantley Park Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors) | ||
| Note: Fixture was originally schedued to take place at Gateshead International Stadium, but was moved to behind-closed-doors at an alternative venue due to concerns over the playing surface.[32] | ||||
| 19 July 2025 Friendly | Milton Keynes Dons | 1–3 | Doncaster Rovers | Dunstable |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Creasey Park |
| 26 July 2025 Friendly | Doncaster Rovers | 1–1 | Blackpool | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium |
Competitions
League One
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Stockport County | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 |
| 9 | Leyton Orient | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| 10 | Doncaster Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 11 | Exeter City | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 6 |
| 12 | Mansfield Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[33]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[33]
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
Last updated: 19 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway
Results by round
Matches
On 26 June, the League One fixtures were announced, with Doncaster hosting Exeter City on the opening weekend.[34]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 2 August 2025 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–0 | Exeter City | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium Attendance: 8,688 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 9 August 2025 2 | Mansfield Town | 1–2 | Doncaster Rovers | Mansfield |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 8,798 Referee: Andrew Humphries |
| 16 August 2025 3 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–1 | Wycombe Wanderers | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium Referee: Martin Coy |
| 19 August 2025 4 | Huddersfield Town | 2–0 | Doncaster Rovers | Doncaster |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Kirklees Stadium Attendance: 18,529 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 30 August 2025 6 | Doncaster Rovers | v | Rotherham United | Doncaster |
| 12:30 BST | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium | |||
| Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[35] | ||||
FA Cup
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
EFL Cup
Doncaster were drawn away to Middlesbrough in the first round[36][37] and to Accrington Stanley in the second round.[38][39]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 12 August 2025 First round | Middlesbrough | 0–4 | Doncaster Rovers | Middlesbrough |
| 19:30 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 11,979 Referee: Matt Corlett |
| 26 August 2025 Second round | Accrington Stanley | v | Doncaster Rovers | Accrington |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Crown Ground |
EFL Trophy
Doncaster were drawn against Bradford City, Grimsby Town and Everton U21 in the group stage.[40]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Bradford City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | L2 | Grimsby Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | ACA | Everton U21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: EFL
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 2 September 2025 North Group C | Doncaster Rovers | v | Everton U21 | Doncaster |
| 19:00 BST | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium |
| 7 October 2025 North Group C | Grimsby Town | v | Doncaster Rovers | Cleethorpes |
| 19:00 BST | Stadium: Blundell Park |
| 11 November 2025 North Group C | Doncaster Rovers | v | Bradford City | Doncaster |
| 19:00 GMT | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
- As of match played 19 August 2025
Players with no appearances are not included on the list
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | League One | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK | IRL
|
Ian Lawlor | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG
|
Jamie Sterry | 1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | SCO
|
James Maxwell | 2 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | ENG
|
Owen Bailey | 5 | 2 | 4+0 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG
|
Matty Pearson | 2 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | IRL
|
Jay McGrath | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | ENG
|
Luke Molyneux | 5 | 1 | 4+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG
|
George Broadbent | 4 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG
|
Brandon Hanlan | 4 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG
|
Joe Sbarra | 2 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | ENG
|
Jordan Gibson | 5 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | IRL
|
Connor O'Riordan | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | ENG
|
Billy Sharp | 5 | 1 | 2+2 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | WAL
|
Harry Clifton | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | ENG
|
Tom Nixon | 2 | 1 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | SCO
|
Glenn Middleton | 5 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | WAL
|
Charlie Crew | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | ENG
|
Damola Ajayi | 5 | 1 | 0+4 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | ENG
|
Joe Ironside | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | ENG
|
Robbie Gotts | 5 | 1 | 1+3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | ENG
|
Jack Senior | 5 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | IRL
|
Seán Grehan | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 29 | GK | FRA
|
Thimothée Lo-Tutala | 4 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 33 | MF | ENG
|
Ben Close | 1 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
References
- ^ "Rovers sign defender Seán Grehan from Crystal Palace". Doncaster Rovers FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Rovers sign midfielder Robbie Gotts". Doncaster Rovers FC. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Striker Brandon Hanlan joins Rovers". Doncaster Rovers FC. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Rovers sign winger Glenn Middleton". Doncaster Rovers FC. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Rovers sign experienced defender Matty Pearson". Doncaster Rovers FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Thimothée Lo-Tutala secures Rovers return". Doncaster Rovers FC. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Spurs forward Damola Ajayi joins on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Rovers sign Blackburn defender Connor O'Riordan on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Crew on his Rovers return". Doncaster Rovers FC. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "Straughan-Brown heads to Peterborough Sports on season-long loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Faulkner joins Harrogate Town on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Flint heads to Gateshead on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Williams joins Bridlington Town on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Hurst heads to Gateshead on loan". Doncaster Rovers FC. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Anderson to leave Rovers after rejecting new deal". Doncaster Rovers FC. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Town snap up Tom Anderson". Shrewsbury Town FC. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Retained list confirmed". Doncaster Rovers FC. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Goodman Is Back". X. Basford United FC. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Olowu to depart Rovers after rejecting new deal offer". Doncaster Rovers FC. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Title-winning defender becomes first Summer signing". Stockport County FC. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Tavonga Kuleya Returns to The Raygar Stadium". Belper Town FC. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ @drfc_official (17 July 2025). "All the very best to Jack Degruchy following his move to Stocksbridge Park Steels" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Straughan-Brown, Williams and Bryant sign first pro contracts". Doncaster Rovers FC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Faulkner signs new Rovers contract". Doncaster Rovers FC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Broadbent signs new deal with Rovers". Doncaster Rovers FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Jay McGrath signs new Rovers contract". Doncaster Rovers FC. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Rovers set for friendly double-header". Doncaster Rovers FC. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Rovers set for MK Dons friendly at AFC Dunstable". Doncaster Rovers FC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Rovers to face Gateshead in pre-season". Doncaster Rovers FC. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Rovers to host Blackpool in final pre-season friendly". Doncaster Rovers FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Rovers to begin pre-season with Alfreton Town friendly". Doncaster Rovers FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Gateshead friendly to be played behind-closed-doors". Doncaster Rovers FC. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "League One 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Luton Town vs AFC Wimbledon season opener live on Sky Sports". Sky Sports. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Rotherham clash selected for broadcast with kick-off brought forward". Doncaster Rovers FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ @drfc_official (4 July 2025). "We can confirm our Carabao Cup first round tie away at Middlesbrough will take place on Tuesday, August 12 with a 7.30pm kick-off" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 July 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Rovers to visit League Two side in Carabao Cup". Doncaster Rovers FC. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Date confirmed for Carabao Cup trip to Accrington". Doncaster Rovers FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.