Doncaster Rovers rise: from relegation fight to League One challenge

Doncaster Rovers have established themselves as England’s most productive side over the past 20 months, amassing 143 points across the top four divisions — more than any other club in that span. The turnaround began in February 2024, when Doncaster were 22nd in League Two and trailing Sutton United 1-0 with minutes left. Owen Bailey headed a cross into the box, Joe Ironside was knocked to the turf, and Doncaster were awarded a late penalty. Ironside converted and Bailey later recalled that moment as the catalyst for a sustained revival. The result sparked a climb that would redefine the club’s trajectory.

That point proved to be the first in a remarkable stretch, followed by a run of 143 points in 20 months, including a sequence of 10 straight wins in March and April 2024 that propelled Doncaster up the table and into the League Two play-offs, where Crewe eliminated them on penalties. The club then clinched the League Two title last season and has carried that momentum into their return to League One, starting the current campaign with a strong surge that included a 4-0 victory over Championship leaders Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup. Up next is a trip to Tottenham on Wednesday, a test many did not foresee when the season began.

The man steering the revival is Grant McCann, known by supporters as Super Grant McCann. In a second spell in charge, the Belfast-born coach has been described as understated and intensely focused on culture and development, aided by loyal assistants Cliff Byrne and Lee Glover. McCann’s teams play attractive, progressive football with a fearless edge, and his recruitment has become a defining feature of Doncaster’s ascent. His track record includes identifying and developing talent at Hull City and Peterborough United, where he worked with players who later moved to the Premier League. At Doncaster, he identified Luke Molyneux, who chose to sign a new contract after turning down interest from elsewhere, and Owen Bailey, a Gateshead academy graduate who has become the club’s captain and a key goal threat from midfield. Between them, Molyneux and Bailey have contributed 30 goals in 2024-25, underscoring the effectiveness of McCann’s recruitment and development approach.

The broader club project is built around stable leadership and an era of calculated decision-making. Chairman Terry Bramall, who has been at Doncaster for two decades, has been pivotal in sustaining investment and forging a strong bond with McCann and chief executive Gavin Baldwin. After the title celebration last year, Bramall brought in independent management experts to assess senior staff dynamics, a move that reflected the club’s willingness to align culture with performance. The joint effort has helped secure alignment across the squad, coaching staff and recruitment. The result is a team that can compete with teams above them and that continues to chase a return to the Championship.

At the heart of the squad are experienced forwards and young talents who have become the backbone of Doncaster’s success. Veteran striker Billy Sharp continues to add goals at the age of 39, while Bailey’s midfield contributions have provided a steady mix of energy and leadership. The squad also features promising youngsters and a goalkeeper with growing credibility after a season of solid displays. The club’s strategy emphasizes a blend of proven contributors and emerging talents, a formula that has driven results across a demanding schedule.

The 2023–24 season’s nadir in December — when consecutive defeats felt like Groundhog Day and crowds dipped — now stands in the rearview mirror as McCann and Bramall rebuilt the club’s energy. The manager has spoken of the need to lift not just the players but the entire football operation, a change that coincided with a shift in leadership and recruitment focus. The result has been a more cohesive unit in which recruitment decisions are made quickly and decisively, aligning with McCann’s style and Doncaster’s ambitions.

Looking ahead, the ambition remains clear: to secure a return to the Championship as quickly as possible. McCann has been emphatic about racing toward higher levels, acknowledging the challenge ahead while stressing the importance of belief and sustained effort. With four points separating Doncaster from the league leaders and a calendar full of ambition, the club’s trajectory suggests that the near-term goal of climbing again to second tier status remains firmly within reach. As McCann put it, the club will pursue the target with a focus on belief, preparation and collective effort, the hallmarks of a revival that has captured the attention of supporters and neutrals alike.