Retford United to host Rovers in their pre-season glamour clash

Doncaster Rovers' Craig Nelthorpe on the attack against Retford United's Lee Holmes. (Picture: CHRIS BULL D5095CB)

Paul Dickov’s men will prepare for life in the Championship with a visit to the Jones & Co Stadium on Saturday 6th July – and Rovers have promised to bring the first team.

The friendly will be the Badgers’ first home friendly of the summer, and a club spokesman welcomed the money spinning tie.

“This is a superb opportunity to see the Championship side as they visit Retford, and there should be a healthy crowd with a large following from the town making up the Retford branch of the Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club.”

Doncaster Rovers last visited Cannon Park in July 2007, when 1,464 watched the Doncaster side win 3-1.

On that day Waide Fairhurst, Richie Wellens and an own goal accounted for Rovers’ win, Lee Holmes with a reply for Retford.

“We would like to thank Paul Dickov and the Doncaster Rovers officials for agreeing to the game and we look forward to their visit in July,” the club spokesman added.

Ticket details will be made public shortly.

Another highlight of the pre-season schedule for Richard Sennett’s men is a derby game against Evo-Stik Premier side and near neighbours Worksop Town.

Tigers, now managed by ex Retford boss Mark Shaw, will visit on Saturday 13th July.

Other pre-season games include a visit to Appleby Frodingham on 9th July, a game at Clipstone on 20th July, the visit of AFC Mansfield on 24th July, a home game against Sutton Coldfield Town on 3rd August and Saturday 3rd August’s visit of Kidsgrove Athletic.