Albemarle Homes are a family-run homebuilding business with properties across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. They pride themselves on providing top-tier quality housing at a reasonable price for their communities, whilst promising to supply houses and everything inside that will stand the test of time.
This season, Albemarle continued their sponsorship commitment, appearing as a kit sponsor on the sleeve of our 150th anniversary shirt. As a kit sponsor, we also gifted Albemarle with a signed framed shirt for them to hang in their office as a thank you for their support to the club.

This deal would not have happened without the support from Albemarle’s Managing Director, Daryll Barker, and Land & Planning Manager, Bryn Iwanyckyj. Bryn shared their thoughts saying how “we are committed to the communities where we build, from supporting local schools and grassroots initiatives to sponsoring the professionals. We believe that investing in local projects helps strengthen communities and create lasting connections that go far beyond the homes we deliver. We are delighted to once again be a sponsor for the Doncaster Knights and wish them continued success for the season.”

Tom Foy, Commercial Manager at Doncaster Knights, shared his delight in the deal extension: “We are proud to work with an organisation who puts the community at the heart of their business providing new homes in our local community. I was especially impressed to learn about ‘The Albemarle Standard’ which means that people buying their new home will get modern features and a premium finish as standard.”

This agreement is a prime example of community support within the Doncaster area, and testament of the relationship between Albemarle and the club. It is a relationship that everyone involved hopes will continue to evolve for years to come. To learn more about all offerings Albemarle Homes have, you can read more on their website.

If you are interested about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.

With a tumultuous start to the day with the weather, the game promised to be a well fought affair, with the better team being the one to control the conditions the best and capitalise on their chances.

As both teams got to grips with the wind and drizzle, mistakes were made by both sides with plenty of first half scrums, testing both packs’ stamina.

It was slow out the blocks for the Knights though, as the home side used familiarity to their advantage, niggling away at Doncaster, and within 7 minutes of the game, caught the Knights on the back foot with a good move through the backs, allowing Will Robinson to take a hard line and ease through under the sticks. Caldy added the extras.

Doncaster responded quickly with a lineout to Caldy on their 22-meter line. Second row, Euan McVie, turned it over in the line as Dolly gathered it and hit Morgan Strong in the line, beating a few defenders and finishing under the sticks. Dolly converted simply.

Caldy regained front foot ball and camped themselves in the Knights’ 22 winning a few penalties, keeping it in the corner. They scored their second try of the game from a driving maul on the 5-meter line. Conversion missed due to a swirling wind.

A lull came in the game as the weather began to settle too, both teams conceding handling errors, but Doncaster piled on the pressure coming close on a couple of occasions.

The breakthrough for the Knights came with 5 minutes to go in the half, Zach Kerr breaking the line and jostling past defenders to finish a brilliant solo try. Dolly kept his 100% kick rate in the game.

Half-time, 12-14 to the Knights. With the rain stopping, Doncaster were only just getting started.

Doncaster applied early scoreboard pressure through Alex Dolly slotting a penalty from in front of the posts.

Caldy went a man down within 10 minutes of the second half to give Doncaster some continued momentum and capitalised immediately through loanee, Tom Currie, driving over the line from close quarters. Dolly, again, adding two more. 12-24.

The Knights did not give up and kept Caldy from entering their half, and after coming close once already, they came even closer, scoring in the corner after a brilliantly worked backs move thanks to Jordan Olowofela, securing the bonus point. Dolly battled the wind and slotted home the extras.

A number of changes from the Knights came on to pump more energy into the match, and off a lineout, Morgan Bunting completed a brilliant, missed pass for Rokoduguni to dive over the line and make the scoreline 12-38 after Dolly added two more.

More misery followed again for Caldy as they had another man in the bin, discipline going out the window. Knights came close twice more, dropping it over the line on both occasions.

One last moment of magic came for the Knights with a terrific line break from full back, Harry Davey, as he off-loaded it to Ollie Fox who nodded through a weak-foot, inch-perfect grubber for Morgan Bunting to run on to and touch in down in the try zone.

As a consolation, Caldy entered the Knights’ 22 for the first time in the second half, and made the most of it scoring another driving maul from the 5-meter line.

An incredible performance from Doncaster that Joe Ford described as, “another step in the right direction. This win was won by our forwards who grafted from minute 1 to 80. These are performances we know we’re capable of and are confident will carry on through the league.”

Full time: Caldy, 19-43 Doncaster Knights.

Doncaster Knights are delighted to extend their current contract with Pinders, keeping them as official printing partner.

Pinders are a print, display and signage company who provide companies with signs, boards, posters, retail graphics and much more. Pinders and the Knights have worked together for a few season now, and everyone is delighted for the contract extension. As the Knights’ official print and signage partner, they supply us with all our pitch-side and driveway boards, and all other signage around Castle Park as we showcase all our other supporters in business.

Head of Sales at Pinders, Jeff Owen, came across to Castle Park to resign the deal saying “we are delighted to extend our successful partnership as print and signage suppliers to Doncaster Knights and Castle Park until the end of the 2027 season and then hopefully beyond. We have enjoyed an excellent relationship since 2019 and look forward to many more years of continued success and we eagerly anticipate the remainder of what is sure to be a successful Championship campaign.”

Tom Foy, Head of Commercial at Doncaster Knights, reflected on the deal saying “as the official Print & Signage partner for Doncaster Knights, Pinders plays an integral role in providing high-quality printed materials and signage that enhance the club’s professional image. This partnership ensures the Knights’ branding and communications maintain a consistent, polished look, which resonates well with supporters and partners alike. The extension of our agreement with Pinders allows the club to meet all our signage needs efficiently, supporting everything from game-day visuals to broader marketing efforts.”

This deal is proof of a great business and personal relationship between Pinders and the club, and one that has proven to stand the test of time, and everyone involved hopes that this will continue for many more years to come. To learn more about all offerings Pinders have, you can read more on their website.

If you are interested about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.

Be part of our history and have a personalised brick on our 150th Anniversary wall

As we proudly celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Doncaster Knights, we’re excited to launch a unique opportunity for fans and supporters to become part of our club’s history. To mark this milestone, Castle Park will erecting an ‘Anniversary Wall,’ where fans can purchase customisable granite plaques that will be placed permanently on display. Each plaque will not only pay tribute to our incredible history but also celebrate the loyal community that has supported the Knights throughout the years.

This ‘Anniversary Wall’ offers our fans a special chance to secure their place in the club’s legacy. Starting at just £60, you can personalise a brick with your name, a special message, or even a tribute to a loved one who share your passion for Doncaster Knights. The plaques provide the perfect opportunity to mark special occasions such as birthdays, marriages, and anniversaries, or any other special occasions, allowing you to leave a lasting symbol of pride and connection to the club.

A portion of the funds raised through this initiative will be directly reinvested into the club, supporting upgrades to various areas of Castle Park. In this way, each plaque represents a shared commitment to both the legacy and the future of Doncaster Knights. Our ‘Anniversary Wall’ will be a place for fans to gather and reflect, honouring both the past heroes and present supporters who have played a part in our journey.

This wall will serve as a lasting tribute to the Knights Family, from our founding days to today’s loyal fanbase. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a new addition to the Knights Family, this is your chance to leave a mark on our home, Castle Park, and become part of a historic milestone as we celebrate a century and a half of passion, pride, and community.

For more information on how to order and personalise your brick and create a lasting legacy, just in time for Christmas, please click this link, or contact Tom Foy: tomfoy@castle-park.co.uk. Let’s build a future as bright as our past, one brick at a time!

Future Ticketing and Doncaster Knights Rugby Football Club are celebrating the club’s 150th anniversary with a new multi-year contract extension.

Future Ticketing said the renewed partnership with Doncaster Knights is further proof of the leading ticketing software provider’s strengthening presence in the English rugby union market.

Future Ticketing’s leading high-performance software and API (Application Programming Interface) empowers venues and events to sell tickets, manage business and build partner integrations. Future Ticketing’s next-generation API-first infrastructure for the ticketing world enables multiple partner integrations including payment processing, accountancy and finance, access control, CRM, data analytics, revenue optimisation and social platforms to speak to one another.

Established in Ireland in 2015, Future Ticketing partners with clients globally, selling tickets in over 170 countries across multiple venues and events including rugby union and rugby league, horse racing, football, basketball, cricket and other sports, outdoor shows, music festivals, and visitor attractions.

Castle Park, a multi-million pound development with a conference and function centre, is home to the historic Yorkshire-based club which currently plays in the RFU Championship.

Castle Park has also hosted England Under 20s and England Women’s Six Nations home fixtures, with the Knights using Future Ticketing’s leading high-performance software and API to manage ticketing and access control. 

The Knights sell season tickets, match day tickets, hospitality tickets and gift vouchers which are redeemable online and allow the Knights’ customers to treat friends, family or corporate guests to an exclusive experience at Castle Park.

The Knights have also used Future Ticketing’s flexible solution to sell tickets for events, awards evenings and concerts at their prestigious venue.

Tom Foy, Commercial Manager, Doncaster Knights, said he is excited to be continuing the partnership with Future Ticketing: “We believe this will have a positive impact on fan experience and operational efficiency here at Doncaster Knights. This partnership reflects the club’s ongoing commitment to improving ticketing processes for supporters, enhancing digital engagement, and simplifying the purchasing experience.

“In partnership with Future Ticketing, we will be bringing a streamlined ticketing process, making it easier for fans to purchase tickets online, manage their bookings, and access the stadium. The partnership also supports the club’s goals of enhancing the matchday experience, improving fan engagement through data-driven insights, and creating a more seamless and efficient system for the club’s operations.”

“Extending our partnership means our systems will continue to evolve with additional features and innovations, aiming to keep Doncaster Knights at the forefront of digital transformation in rugby ticketing. By leveraging Future Ticketing’s technology, the club ensures its ticketing system remains flexible and responsive to changing fan needs, especially in the growing era of mobile and online transactions.”

Paul Leavy, Client Success Manager, Future Ticketing, said: “As part of the contract extension, Doncaster Knights RFC will continue to benefit from Future Ticketing’s API first approach, with an API access control integration and the installation of new turnstiles. 

“Future Ticketing’s leading high-performance API will also allow the Knights to build further partner integrations and sell tickets through a new fan engagement club app.

“Future Ticketing is excited to continue to partner with the Knights to ensure they integrate their preferred partners, access more data opportunities and build an even deeper relationship with their loyal customers and fans.”

The first episode of our new podcast is out NOW!

This series gives you an insight into life at Doncaster Knights, a professional rugby team in the second tier of English rugby. With discussion topics such as past and upcoming games; behind the scenes insights from the players; and just some general rugby chit-chat. 

Many thanks to the players who appeared on this episode, Thom Smith, Andrew Turner, and Fred Davies for making this first episode such a great experience, and our host, Dominic Leach. Thank you very much to Agustín Defelitto of ArgonMediaUK for producing, editing and shooting the podcast, we look forward to working together again in the future.

If you haven’t watched it yet, you can catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. All links for these can be found below. We hope you enjoy!

Apple Podcasts– https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/doncast/id1777576357

YouTube– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsW_ITZ2cnw

Spotify– https://open.spotify.com/episode/05mkHCyHg6grQUhHDvMNu6?si=5900f347b6a04d8c

Connectus Business Solutions partners with Doncaster Knights for the club’s 150th Anniversary season

Doncaster Knights Rugby Club is thrilled to announce a new sponsorship with Connectus Business Solutions, marking a key collaboration in the Knights’ 150th anniversary season. As a leading Business Managed Services Partner, Connectus has over two decades of experience in IT services, helping organisations across the UK streamline operations through secure, efficient, and scalable IT solutions. Known for its expertise in broadband, cyber-security, and communications, Connectus supports major clients, including TUI, WizzAir, and the Crown Commercial Service.

This season, Connectus will sponsor several key elements of the Doncaster Knights’ match day experience. Their brand will feature prominently on post protectors and the Clubhouse balcony, with the added bonus as they sponsor Head Coach, Joe Ford. As part of their partnership package, Connectus will enjoy match day hospitality and will serve as match ball sponsors for the Knights’ upcoming Premiership Cup fixture against Sale Sharks on 1st November—a fitting celebration of both local community support and cross-regional connections.

Reflecting on the partnership, Connectus CEO Roy Shelton shared, “Connectus Business Solutions has a long and proud tradition of supporting sports from grassroots to professional levels, including Bentley Village FC and Sale Sharks. We are excited about this new collaboration with Doncaster Knights and look forward to supporting the team throughout the coming season.”

Tracey Owen, Commercial & Partnerships Executive for Doncaster Knights, expressed her excitement, stating, “We are delighted to have Connectus as a new sponsorship partner and look forward to working with Roy and Chris in the years to come. The team truly appreciates Roy’s history with Castle Park and his commitment to growing Connectus locally. It’s a huge welcome back to Roy, and we are delighted he and Connectus have chosen to support the Doncaster Knights.”

The Knights are grateful to Connectus for their support and look forward to building a strong, lasting partnership with them. With shared values of community and growth, this collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting journey for both parties. If you’d like to learn more about what Connectus do, see more on their website.

For those interested in sponsorship opportunities with Doncaster Knights, please contact Tracey Owen: towen@castle-park.co.uk or 07720 160626 to learn more about the benefits of becoming part of the Knights’ journey.

Doncaster Knights are delighted to extend their partnership with Doncaster-based tech company, TwentyFourIT.

TwentyFourIT is an IT support and cyber security company with bases in Doncaster and Bracknell, that provide tailor-made IT Support across South Yorkshire, the UK and even internationally. Gold Members of the Doncaster Chamber, TwentyFourIT have earned this accolade by serving more than 100 local businesses in the local region with best-in-class IT Support, Solutions and Cyber Security Services.
The IT firm have been loyal supporters and benefactors of Doncaster Knights for many seasons, providing help with our Internet and emails. This season opted for a larger deal, alongside their usual advertising, with sponsorship of the Knights training kit for the 150th anniversary year.

Last week, Director, Michael Smith, and Chief Technical Officer, Tony Houlihan popped down to Castle Park to celebrate the deal. Houlihan, who is a passionate rugby fan himself, said “rugby is not just a sport. It’s a community, a way of life, and a symbol of what we stand for – resilience, teamwork, family and dedication. These values mirror what we strive for in our business every day. Sponsoring the Knights is just one of the ways we are giving back to the community that has supported us for so long.”

Tracey Owen, Commercial and Partnership Executive, has been pivotal in negotiations in this deal, expressing how “we, as a club, are delighted that TwentyFour IT are continuing with their sponsorship at Doncaster Knights this season, in our very special 150th Anniversary Year. TwentyFour IT are our official Training & Leisurewear Sponsor this season, which sees their branding across all training kit. A highly valued sponsor at Doncaster Knights we welcome them into all home games in their Executive Box where they regularly entertain their clients and local businesses in and around Doncaster. We are thrilled that our partnership with TwentyFour IT continues to grow and thank them very much for all their ongoing support.”

This deal is proof of a great business and personal relationship between TwentyFourIT and the club, and one that has proven to stand the test of time, and everyone involved hopes that this will continue for years to come. To learn more about all offerings TwentyFourIT have, you can read more on their website.

If you are interested about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.