James Batchelor
If you scroll through the 'Past Seasons' pages of this website you'll regularly encounter the name J.Batchelor in the goal-scoring column. Batch is thus far the only member of the R'sonists to have had a trial with the actual Rovers side and his ability showed, particularly at WorldNET where he remained a consistent goal threat. Commitments to local Saturday football eventually curtailed James' time with the R'sonists, much to the delight of opposition defences.
Nathan Batchelor
Mr Consistent, Nath was an ever present in the first four years of the R'sonists and not just for this side but in everything connected with Rovers, match attendance, fanzine production, everything. A capable enough player Nath dutifully filled in as goalkeeper for the best part of two seasons as we struggled to pin down a regular stopper. As manager Nath was also prolific, presiding over the side's heaviest fixture period in their existence. His commitment in those years was integral to keeping the R'sonists going.
Darren Blake
Big Daz was another member who joined the R'sonists with something approaching a footballing background having played for Lincoln City's reserves in the late 1980s. Though he was not quite at his fighting weight during his R'sonists spell his ability certainly remained and his vision and quick thinking regularly did for opposition players in the middle of midfield, as Ray Houghton can testify. A popular member of the side not just because of his amiable nature, but also because he ran his own sandwich firm and would turn up for matches with Friday afternoon's leftover stock for the side.
Paul Burton
There are many players in football who are remembered most for one great goal; Carlos Alberto, Marco Tardelli, Theo Streete, and add to that list Paul 'from the halfway line' Burton. One of the original R'sonists Paul earnt his reputation at Worldnet 2000 with a lobbed effort from the centre circle. That wasn't his only contribution to the R'sonists cause of course, he was also a handy midfielder and also possessed the longest hair of any R'sonist to date.
Trevor Charlton
Every side needs to employ a token North Easterner at some point in their existence and Trevor was ours. Tricky Trev joined the R'sonists in 2009 and the Mackem proved a valuable addition over the next three years; useful anywhere down the centre of the field, but refuses to travel outside the confines of the borough unless its to his native Sunderland. In keeping with North-East sterotyping, his profile picture was taken during a mid-December match in Hull.
John Coyle
John was not only integral to the R'sonists establishment, but also to its first great triumph... as he almost single-handidly steered the side to WorldNET Quiz Trophy Glory. As well as the odd cameo on the field John was most integral to the R'sonists during a two year spell as manager and match organiser, helping to keep the side going after Nath stepped down in 2002. Still a keen supporter of the R'sonists John always makes an effort to check on the progress of the side and remains a popular figure in the IFA , helping our regularly as a pitch co-ordinator at Boddington Hall.
Richard Dillon
One of perplexingly high number of R'sonists players to have graduated from the Rossington Comprehensive School Class of 99, Rich made his debut for the R'sonists in 2009 having been brought along by workmate Alan Cullingworth. An accomplished defender at home either in the centre or at full-back Rich gave a welcome boost to the R’sonists back line, and as a near tee-total twenty-something from Doncaster, also virtually a statistical anomaly.
Alex Dougall
Alex was the youngest member of the first ever R'sonists side, lining up at WorldNET '98 whilst still at school. After a brief period away owing to his southern base Alex returned to the R'sonists fold when he began studying in Sheffield and quickly re-established himself as an integral squad presence. A calm and reassured centre-half he was made captain and led the R'sonists to the 2006 WorldNET Plate Final. Has dropped away from the side in recent years, but we know where he lives... and we know his dad.
Ross Dougall
The elder half of the Dougall clan, your typical Bedfordshire based, Scottish, Doncaster Rovers supporting family. Ross, like his brother was with the R'sonists at the very beginning and has made fleeting returns to the fold since as a capable full-back or midfielder. Often to be spotted at Rovers games where he'll tell you he fully intends to play for the R'sonists again... an assurance he's now given us across four divisions of Rovers football. Just kidding Ross.
Lee Drobac
Brought into the fold by Macca, Drobac first appeared for the R'sonists as a goalkeeper, but it soon became apparent his abilities gained much further reward when he was leathering the ball in the other net. A quick, strong and talented forward he can be relied on to get goals, but also to take IFA football in the right spirit and you'll often have to interrupt his joking with the referee before you can get a pass to him.
Paul Exton
One of the longer serving R'sonists members Exton made his debut back in 2001-2002. As if playing alongside AB wasn't touch enough, Paul had to overcome the double-whammy of having been taught by him ast school as well. Despite this he maneged to thrive in the R'sonists squad as an energetic and hard-working box-to-box midfielder who could be relied on to find the net too. Suffered a terrible leg-break in 2009 and missed two years of football as a result, made a brief come-back for the R'sonists in 2011, but has sadly been unable to take the field for us again since.
Ian Gostling
The mercurial Ian Gostling could always be relied on to be first to reply to the call to play for the R'sonists... its just a shame that 90% of that time his reply was a no. Came into the side in 2008 where he did an excellent job of filling the ginger midfielder role vacated by the injured Paul Exton. A handy winger who can play a good ball Gozzer became strangely absent during Exton's brief return to fitness, confirming suspicion that they are indeed the same person.
Nigel Johnson
Big Nige joined the R'sonists in 2002 to slot effortlessly into the towering lumbering centre-back role. Nigel's play certainly developed during his time with the R'sonists as he settled into our prefered method of playing the ball out rather than leathering it. Useful in the air he also chipped in with the odd goal. Also played his entire R'sonists career, stubbornly unco-ordinated in the same pair of royal blue shorts.
D.J. Millington
DJ Millington, nicknamed the magician back in 2001, not because of his mesmeric wing-play but because a skin condition meant he had to play a game at Scunthorpe in a pair of white silk goves. Another one of the original R'sonists DJ could be relied on as much for his ability playing out wide as he could a perfectly timed retort on the original mailing list. Also holds the record for the most number of foul throw-ins taken in a single game with 4 in an IFA Cup game at Huddersfield.
Paul Nelson
Paul Nelson was a regular at centre-back in the R'sonists early years holding that position into his mid-fifties meaning he stands proudly as the side's oldest ever player. A solid performer and brilliant in the air where he not only stifled many an opposition attack but also contributed a regular stream of goals from set-pieces. Still a great supporter of the R'sonists Paul regularly attends WorldNET to cheer the lads on, though we have long sussed that it is as much a chance to revisit his student ale-houses in Headingley. That was until WorldNET 2012 when Paul donned his boots once again to become the odlest ever player in the main competition at 64-years young.
Allan Riggall
Allan joined the R'sonists in August 2009 having been recruited (roped into playing) by former classmate Glen Wilson. Al was a capable midfield player able to play either out wide or in the middle and indeed found the net on his debut for the side away at Watford. Unfortunately other commitments have meant his appearances have been fleeting, and he made is last R’sonists appearance at Peterborough in 2011.
Adrian Sill
Another one of the original R'sonists alongside brother Gregg, Ade Sill was not only a capable midfield player, but for many years also the brains behind the R'sonists technical wing and indeed founded the side's first website. Made a valuable contribution to the side that shocked WorldNET 2001 with a goal straight from a corner against Wolves and also returned for the second of the club's Ayr excursions to which he flew from London... the flash get.
Greg Sill
One of the original R'sonists Greg is on this page tentatively as he has had spells away from the side in the past but he always returns, and is welcomed every time. A quiet lad (at least by R'sonists standards) Greg has always been a great addition to the side either playing on the wing up front. His pace and finishing mean that he's scored goals in each and every spell playing for the R'sonists and is one of the club's all time top scorers... probably, had we kept any records.
Andy Spiers
One of the original pioneers of the Donny R'sonists Andy co-ordinated the mailing list from which the side was originally formed in 1998. Andy featured in that year's WorldNET competition and went on to be a regular until the 2002 tournament, notching valuable goals along the way including the equaliser in the infamous 4-4 draw with Ayr at WorldNET 2000.
Joe Stevens
Joe became a regular in the R'sonists set-up completely by accident and to some extent against his will, dragged into the fold simply by virtue of being Glen WIlson's housemate at University. Despite these tenuous links to the side he scored on his debut at Hull, and went on to make the infamous trip to Ayr in 2003 as well as countless WorldNET appearances. No matter how competent his appearances in a variety of positions he is still remembered most for falling over when twenty-yards from his nearest opponent in pursuit of a through-ball against Dunfermline, and for introducing the side to Sailor Jerrys rum.
Neil Tissington
One of the more entertaining members of the R'sonists side, not strictly for his displays at full-back, more his general demeanour, as shown when he inadvertantly burst into a room containing much of the Millwall side at WorldNET 2006 clad only in a strategically placed sock. Tisso also infamously gave Ray Houghton feedback on his radio show whilst attempting to tackle him, and spent half an hour in an Ayr nightclub feeing his way along the venue's walls in search of the exit. His finest moment though came at Hull with a glorious twenty-five yard goal and Giggs-esque shirt-twirling celebration which all those who didn't see it remain sceptical of.
Mark West
Another of the Donny R'sonists early members and another to have musical leanings, marking the side's status as the rock and roll club of choice in the IFA world. Mark managed a signle WorldNET appearance in his time with the side, appearing in the first Leeds tournament of 2000, but ever the self-effacing type he states himself that he had "no personal highlights to remember". Come on Mark, don't be so hard on yourself.
Additional Players
There are of course dozens of other ex-R'sonists out there and we intend to add as many as possible in time, so if you're not on this list and should be please let us know... ideally with an accompanying highlights reel montage of your greatest moments and a full breakdown of your appearances and one or two humiliating facts to help us pad out your profile.