Knights Join Zeeon for Programmes for 2023/24

We’re excited to announce the Knights will be doing Zeeon for all programmes ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Zeeon is an extremely engaging platform and we look forward to seeing all the kinds of new and inspiring content we will be able to produce for our supporters and sponsors.

Will Biggs, Managing Director and Founder of Zeeon, is also thrilled about the prospect of working with the Knights.

He said: “We’re very excited to be working alongside Doncaster Knights in their matchday programmes for the 2023/24 season. We want to make it easier for fans to access match information, engage with squad lineups, and consume the club’s content.”

For more information on Zeeon, click HERE.

Terry Oades

We are sad to announce that former First XV prop Terry Oades has passed away.

Terry played for the club in the 1960s. Also responsible for building and maintenance work on the old clubhouse, his efforts earned him a chain gang awards tie in 1988.

Our condolences go to his wife Shirley and his family at this sad time.

Terry’s funeral will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 30 at Everton Church to be followed by a private family burial.

2024 Six Nations England Home Game Tickets

The deadline for securing tickets for England 2024 Six Nations home games is August 31.

Current DRFC members (those who have been season ticket holders for a minimum of 2 years) who wish to apply for tickets to England’s games against Wales & Ireland, please complete our online form HERE.

As always, the club receive a limited number of tickets for each game, so should demand outstrip supply then tickets will be allocated via a ballot and successful applicants will receive a confirmation email.

Knights Season Ticket Holders To Have Free Entry to Phoenix Games

We are excited to announce all Knights season ticket holders will receive free entry to all Doncaster Phoenix home games for the 2023/24 season.

All supporters will have to do is show their season ticket card (physical or digital) at the gate on Phoenix gamedays to gain their free entry to enjoy some great rugby at Castle Park.

Phoenix Chairman Dave Thomas said: “We look forward to welcoming Knights season ticket holders to our home games this season.

“We know a number of supporters are unable to travel to Knights’ away games, or there may be Saturdays when Phoenix are the only team playing locally – so please get along and cheer us on.”

We hope our supporters will take up this generous offer from Phoenix and give support to a great club, starting with their game against Sandal on Saturday, September 2.

Be sure to collect your physical season ticket from our reception at Castle Park (Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30) or digitally download it to make the most of this offer.

2023/24 Season Tickets Now Ready for Collection

We are pleased to confirm 2023/24 season tickets are now available for collection or digital download.

Make sure you are prepared for the beginning of the Knights new season on Friday, September 8 by collecting or downloading your card now.

For physical card collection:

Season ticket cards can now be collected from reception at Castle Park between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 every Monday to Friday.

For digital download:

You can now keep your ticket safe with our Knights’ Ticketing App (recommended to use a mobile device).

Click HERE, insert the email address with which you purchased your ticket and then click on ‘Forgot Credentials’.

You will then be sent an email to re-set your password.

Log into the app with your email address and new password.

Install the app onto your phone’s home screen.

Upon arrival at the ground for each home game, open your app to view your tickets and scan for entry to Castle Park.

If you have any queries or issues regarding your season ticket, please call the club on 01302 831388.

Team News | Knights Take Large Travelling Squad for RGC Friendly

Doncaster Knights have named their large travelling squad for the friendly against RGC in North Wales ahead of the 2023/24 season.

DoR Steve Boden and Head Coach Joe Ford have named a starting 15 alongside a replacements bench of 17 players to ensure game-time for as many faces as possible.

The starting front row is formed by new signings Harrison Courtney and Corrie Barrett at loosehead and tighthead with the familiar face of George Roberts between the two at hooker.

Knights Academy graduate Adam Hopkinson has experienced Ben Murphy alongside him in the second row pairing.

The back row of all new signings then rounds out the pack with Harry Wilson and Fyn Brown on the flanks and Seb Nagle-Taylor at number eight.

Alex Dolly sits in his usual scrum half berth with Billy McBryde moving forward in the back-line to start at fly-half.

Knight Academy player Will Metcalfe mans the wing opposite Maliq Holden with new boy AJ Cant at fullback.

A slightly new centre pairing is tested as Connor Edwards has Harry Davey starting outside of him.

The bench is a large one – beginning with prop replacement options of Conor Davidson, Andrew Foster, Karl Garside and Knights Academy’s Calvin Mitchell.

Hooker replacements are new loan signing Harri Morris and Knights Academy’s Archie Upton.

The second row is covered by Ehize Ehizode, Evan Mintern and Knights Academy’s James Harrison.

Back row is then provided cover by Rhys Tait and new boys Jack Digby and Archie Smeaton.

Moving into the backs, Ollie Fox covers scrum half with Sam Olver and Knights Academy’s Tom Parkin ready to come on at fly half.

The replacements are then rounded out by Joe Margetts and loan signing Joe Bedlow.

Kick-off is at 17:15 at Stadiwm CSM on Saturday, Aug 19, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 Maliq Holden, 13 Harry Davey, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Will Metcalfe; 10 Billy McBryde, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Harrison Courtney, 2 George Roberts, 3 Corrie Barrett, 4 Adam Hopkinson, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Harry Wilson, 7 Fyn Brown, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Replacements | 16 Harri Morris, 17 Conor Davidson, 18 Andrew Foster, 19 Evan Mintern, 20 Ehize Ehizode, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Joe Margetts, 23 Archie Smeaton, Rhys Tait, Jack Digby, Tom Parkin, Sam Olver, Joe Bedlow, Calvin Mitchell, Karl Garside, James Harrison, Archie Upton.

1875 Club – Our New Hospitality Offer

We are delighted to officially launch our 1875 Club.

The 1875 Club is our newest hospitality offer for supporters looking to enhance their match day experience in a relaxed and social surrounding at Castle Park. 

With a delicious menu, superb pitch views and an electric atmosphere, our 1875 Club will be a fine choice for a matchday at Castle Park.

What’s included:

  • Locally sourced, seasonal two-course meal
  • Private cash bar
  • Digital Matchday Programme & Teamsheet
  • Complimentary Tea & Coffee
  • Private Balcony View of the Pitch

Dress code: Informal, Club shirts welcome

Please note: You must have a match ticket for access.

You can make your upgrade now by clicking HERE.

Thursday Nights Are Phoenix Nights

Doncaster Phoenix are hoping to make Thursday the new Friday at Castle Park this pre-season.

Start your weekend early in August as Doncaster Phoenix offer up some rugby fayre at Castle Park later this month in their pre-season friendlies.

On Thursday, August 24 the team play host to friends from Sheffield RUFC for a 7:30pm kick-off and the bar will be open.

On the following Thursday, August 31 – Phoenix invite you to the Phoenix and Demons Season Launch Evening.

Starting from 7pm in the Arms Park Suite come along for a beer or two, pick up fixture lists for the season, membership cards and meet some of the players and coaches.

The teams will also announce the winners of the Monthly Draw for August and there will be a welcome from new Phoenix club Chairman Dave Thomas.

Former Players Tackle Swimming Challenge for My Name’5 Doddie

Later this month a group of former Doncaster rugby players will take to the water to undertake a 10km Open Water swim to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The DRUFC Has Beens Swimming Association – which includes a number of Doncaster and Phoenix old boys like Mark Longworth, James Mell, Matt Brain, Chris Conway, Mike Bailey, Dave Senior and Mark Jasnikowski – will take on the challenge on Saturday August 19 at Thrybergh Country Park.

Mark Jasnikowski said: “Rugby is in our blood but the years have taken their toll and the joints and muscles aren’t working as well as they used to. The group was set up to help improve and maintain collective fitness levels post lockdown.

“We meet regularly at Hatfield Water Park at the SwimYourSwim sessions – though it’s funny how numbers peak in the summer months, when more backs take to the water.

“Supported by SwimYourSwim, we plan to complete a 10km swim in 5 hours either individually or as part of relay squads and we have chosen to raise funds for Doddie Weir’s Foundation due to his inspirational character and obvious links to the game we love.”

For more information about the challenge or to donate to the cause click HERE.

Knights Take On Phoenix in 20/20 Cricket Challenge

This Sunday (Aug 13), Doncaster Knights will take on Doncaster Phoenix in a 20/20 cricket game.

For those cricket fans already missing the Ashes and fed-up with the rain interrupting The Hundred then look no further – the clash between the two Doncaster sides will take place at Doncaster Cricket Club, Bennetthorpe.

Whilst both clubs play their rugby at Castle Park, due to their league positions they obviously don’t play each other. so this is one of the few events where the two clubs can come face to face.

Phoenix President Paul Curzon said: “The fixture used to be a regular summer event pre-Covid, so we are pleased to get it back in the calendar and thank our friends at Doncaster Cricket Club for hosting the game.

“The players from both the Knights and Phoenix have been busy training over the last few weeks so the cricket match will be a great opportunity to have a bit of fun, a beer or two and hopefully beat the recent poor weather.”

The game starts at 2pm, bar and food facilities will be available all afternoon and a fundraising raffle will also be held.

Entry to the game is Free – so get along for a great afternoon!