List of Doncaster Rovers F.C. players (1879–1918)

This list contains players who have appeared in nationally organised first-team competition for Doncaster Rovers from its creation in 1879 until the end of First World War. Players that also represented the club after the war are included.

Explanation of list

Players should be listed in chronological order according to the season in which they first played for the club, and then by alphabetical order of their surname. Initially, the club only played friendlies, their first cup match being in October 1885. Doncaster joined their first league, the Midland Alliance, in 1890. To varying degrees in subsequent years, friendlies still formed a significant part of the fixtures throughout the season. Further information on competitions/seasons which are regarded as eligible for appearance stats are provided below.

League appearances

League appearances and goals should include data for the following league spells:

Midland Alliance: 1890−91
Midland Football League: 1891−92 to 1900−01; 1903−04; 1905−06 to 1915
Football League: 1901−02 to 1902−03; 1904−05
Midland Combination: 1915−16

Total appearances

The figures for total appearances and goals should include the League figures together with the following competitions:

FA Cup
Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Minor Challenge Cup
Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Senior Challenge Cup
Gainsborough News Charity Cup
Wharncliffe Charity Cup
Wharncliffe Charity League
Mexborough Montague Charity Cup
The Yorkshire League
Friendlies (pre 1890−91 when Doncaster weren't in a league)

History

First match as Doncaster Rovers

The first match was in September 1879 when Albert Jenkins got together a group of young men to play against The Yorkshire Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in which they drew 4−4 after being behind 4−0 at half time. It was after this match that the group of players decided to play further games and call themselves Doncaster Rovers on the walk back into the town. The first match played under this name was a 0−0 draw on 3 October 1879 at Rawmarsh F.C.. The line up in a 2−2−6 formation was:^[1]

Goalkeeper: William Walker
Right back: Albert Jenkins
Left back: John Mitchell
Right half back: Thomas Clark
Left half back: William H. Salmon
Outside right: William Chadwick
Inside right: William Bedford
Centre forward: Arthur Roper
Centre forward: John Boyle Gosling
Inside left: William Simpson
Outside left: William Titterington

First Football League match

After already playing their first game of the 1901–02 season in the Midland League on 2 September, Doncaster were voted into the Football League following New Brighton Tower folding as a club. Continuing with the squad they already had, the first match was against Burslem Port Vale on Saturday 7 September 1901. The crowd at the Intake Ground was 2,000. It was 0–0 at half time, then Len Goodson scored two for Rovers. The Vale then scored 3 goals, with Frank Bailey getting the equaliser making the final score 3–3. The line up was a 2–3–5 formation of:^[1]

Players

Name	Position	Club career	League apps	League goals	Total apps	Total goals	Notes
William Bedford	Inside right	1879–85				4	During this time, not all scorers in games were recorded
Albert Jenkins	Right back	1879–86?					Also club founder, captain and secretary
John Mitchell	Left back	1879–85					Went on to play for Bolton Wanderers on the first day of the inaugural season of the Football League in September 1888
Patrick Stirling		1885?–?					Became Mayor of Doncaster in 1914
Billy Bridgewater	Inside Right / Centre forward	1886–87 1888–89 1891–93		7		23	During this time, not all scorers in games were recorded
Walter Langton	Left back / Centre forward	1887−1905	45	28	48	48	Appearance stats not including seasons 1887−1901 nor 1903−04 which are likely to at least put him well over 200 total appearances
James Gresham	Forward	1890–91		7		12
Bob Herrod	Inside Right / Outside Right	1890–91		11		14
Tom Kisbey	Centre forward	1890–91		9		12
Jim Massey	Goalkeeper	1890–93		0		0
Harry Thickett	Full back	1891	2	0	2	0	Doncaster born, he went on to play for England twice, and won the First Division title once and FA Cup twice with Sheffield United before managing Bristol City
William Hopewell	Half back	1892–93
Billy Calder	Outside Forward	1893–96		5		9	First manager of Doncaster, in 1920
Richard Fenwick	Goalkeeper	1893–94		0		0
Jack Eggett	Goalkeeper	1894–1903	67	0	70	0	Appearance stats not including 1894−1901
Billy Linward	Outside Left	1895−1901		53		65
Ellis Wright	Left half	1895−1905	80	3	83	3	Appearance stats not including 1895−1901, 1903−04
Billy Longden	Outside Right / Right half	1896−1902	31	2	33	2	Stats only for 1901−02 season, he scored 17 League and 5 other goals in total
Arnold Oxspring	Inside Right / Outside Right	1897–1900		51		56
Harry Crump	Left half	1900−01		0		1
Len Goodson	Outside Left	1900–02 1905−06 1909	38	6	40	6	Scored Doncaster's first goal in the Football League Stats not including 1899–1901, 1905−06 and 1908−09 seasons where he scored 33 league and 14 other goals
John Murphy	Inside Left / Left half	1900−04	62	8	65	8	Stats not including Midland League seasons 1900−01 and 1903−04 when he scored 22 league goals
George Simpson	Full back	1900−03	64	2	65	2	Stats not including 1900−01
Tommy Vail	Centre forward	1900−01		20		26
Frank Bailey	Outside Left	1901–02	22	6	23	6
Arthur Birch	Right back	1901−04	34	0	34	0	Stats not including 1903−04 season
Ernest Dowson	Right half	1901−02	2	0	2	0
Arthur Jones	Centre half	1901−02	21	1	23	1
Billy Langham	Outside Right	1901–03 1906−07	62	16	65	16	Playing stats for first period, scored 9 League goals in second period
Manny Lindley	Outside Right	1901–02	1	0	1	0
John McKenzie	Right half	1901−02	2	0	2	0
Ike Marsh	Left back	1901−03	33	2	35	3
Frank Pepper	Right half	1901−02	1	0	1	0
Jack Price	Forward	1901–03	59	17	61	18
Jack Aston	Inside Forward	1902–03	30	3	31	3
Fred Bann	Centre half	1902	1	0	1	0
Phil Bratley	Centre half	1902−03	3	0	3	0
Alonzo Drake	Forward	1902–03	36	7	37	7
Frank Foxall	Inside Left	1902–03	12	2	12	2
Andrew Gordon	Centre half	1902−05	43	0	46	0
Charlie Laverick	Full back	1902−04	8	0	8	0	Stats not including 1903−04 season
Willie Nettleton	Outside Right	1902–03	1	1	1	1
John Parker	Centre forward	1902−03	2	1	2	1
James Pettit	Right half	1902−03	1	0	1	0
Arthur Pyle	Inside Right	1902–03	5	2	5	2
George Ratcliffe	Left winger	1902–03	27	7	28	7
Charlie Richards	Inside Right	1902–03	7	0	7	0
Harry Roberts	Centre forward	1902−09	5	19	5	22	Includes all goals, but only Football League appearances
Albert Robinson	Left back	1902−03	3	0	3	0
Jack Stables	Goalkeeper	1902–03	1	0	1	0
Tom Woodland	Outside Left	1902−03	4	0	4	0
E Bradley	Inside Left	1903−05	4	0	4	0	Stats don't include 1903−04 where he scored 3 league goals
Jimmy Dyer	Forward	1903–04		11		11
Joe Moran	Outside Left	1903–04		12		12
Willie Wragg	Wing half / Full back	1903?−04?		0		0
Sam Bedford	Outside Right	1904−06	1	0	1	0	Stats only for 1904−05 season, he scored 1 league goal in 1905−06
Josh Burn	Right back	1904–05	19	0	21	0
William Butler	Left back	1904–06	7	0	7	0	Stats not including September 1905−October 1906
James Carnegie	Centre forward	1904–05	14	3	15	3
George Crowcroft	Inside Left	1904–05	0	0	1	0
Harry Davies	Left back	1904–05	26	1	28	1
Teddy Daw	Goalkeeper	1904–05	2	0	2	0
Charles Flowitt	Inside Left	1904−05	3	0	3	0
James Gould	Inside Left	1904−05	2	0	2	0
Jimmy Hanson	Inside Right	1904−05	14	2	16	2
Eddie Harling	Goalkeeper	1904–05	1	0	1	0
Sinjon Hawkins	Right back	1904−05	1	0	1	0
David Howard	Right back	1904−05	1	0	1	0
Len Hyde	Inside Right / Outside Right	1904–05	32	1	33	1
Billy Law	Outside Left	1904–05	26	2	27	2
George McGhee	Inside Forward	1904–05	11	3	11	3
James McIntyre	Inside Left	1904–05	8	0	8	0
Matt Moralee	Half back	1904–06	32	2	34	2	Stats for first season, also scored 1 League and 2 FA Cup goals in second season
Bob Norris	Left half	1904−05	21	3	23	3
Laurie Pember	Inside Left	1904−05	17	0	19	0
Joe Raby	Inside Forward	1904–05	2	0	2	0
John Russell	Inside Right	1904–05	3	0	4	0
Bert Shinner	Inside Forward	1904–05	12	3	14	3
Tommy Thorpe	Goalkeeper	1904–05	31	0	32	0
Tommy Tompkins	Forward / Half back	1904–05	15	1	17	2
George Whittaker	Outside Right	1904−05	2	0	2	0
Alf Wilkinson	Centre forward	1904−05	2	0	2	0
Jack Almond	Forward	1905–06		8		8
Bill Brelsford	Centre half / Right half	1907−10		5		6
Fred Charles	Inside Forward	1907–09		7		11
Fred Thompson	Goalkeeper	1908–09		0		0
William Jex	Inside Left	1908−09 1910−11 1913−14	65	49		58	Appearances not including 1913−14
John Allen	Full back	1909−10		0		0
John Pattinson	Winger	1909, 1912–13		10		12
Tommy Simons	Centre forward	1909−10		12		14
Peter Turner	Inside Forward	1909–10		0		0
Billy Bromage	Outside Left	1910–13		20		26
Samuel Gunton	Full back	1910−11		0		0
Charlie Woodruff	Outside Right	1910–13		18		20
Tommy Astill	Inside Left	1911–13		14		18
Harry Bromage	Goalkeeper	1911–13		0		0
Harold Buddery	Forward	1911–13		22		24
Fred Shreeve	Full back	1911−13		3		3
Bert Cook	Outside Left	1912–13		4		5
Arthur Reed	Forward	1912	0	0	1	2
Willis Walker	Goalkeeper	1912–1914		0		0
Bob Hewitson	Goalkeeper	1913?–?		0		0
Tommy Birtles	Outside Right	1914–15		6		8
Jack Hall	Outside Right	1914–15		5		5
Freddy Hicks	Right half back	1914–15		0		0
Horace Husler	Goalkeeper	1914–15		0		0
Charles Alton	Full back	1915−16		0		0
Bernard Frith	Outside Left	1915–?		1		1
Alfred Smelt	Right back	1915−?		0		0

Notes

References

General

Bluff, Tony (2011). Donny:Doncaster Rovers F.C. The Complete History (1879−2010). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9569848-3-8.
Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. SoccerData. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.

Specific

^ ^a ^b ^c Bluff, Tony (2011). Donny:Doncaster Rovers F.C. The Complete History (1879−2010). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9569848-3-8.
^ Jack Almond:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Tommy Birtles:- "Player profile - Tommy Birtles". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
^ Bill Brelsford:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Billy Bridgewater:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Harold Buddery:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Billy Calder:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Fred Charles:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Bert Cook:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
^ Jimmy Dyer:- "James Arthur Dyer profile". mufcinfo. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
^ Bernard Frith:- "Players 1914-15". Sky is Blue. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
^ Frank Foxall:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 94. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
^ Bob Herrod:- "Player profile - Bob Herrod". Foxestalk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
^ Bob Hewitson:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records. soccerdata. p. 123. ISBN 1-899468-63-3.
^ Freddy Hicks:- "Player profile - Freddy Hicks". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
^ Albert Jenkins:- Bluff, Tony (2011). Donny:Doncaster Rovers F.C. The Complete History (1879−2010). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9569848-3-8.
^ Billy Law:- Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 143. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
^ John Mitchell:− Marland, Simon (2011). Bolton Wanderers: the complete record. DB Publishing. ISBN 978-1859839720.
^ Joe Moran:- "Player profile - Joe Moran". Foxes History. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
^ Matt Moralee:- "Liverpool 1 - 0 Doncaster Rovers". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
^ Matt Moralee:- Brodie, John; Dickinson, Jason. Sheffield Wednesday: The Complete Record. DB Publishing. ISBN 9781859839737.
^ Jack Price:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 212. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
^ Arthur Reed:- Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
^ Charlie Richards:- Bostock, Adam; Pilger, Sam; Butler, Cliff; Mitten, Andy; Meek, David; Taylor, Frank OBE; Barnes, Justyn; Tyrell, Tom; Ferguson, Jim (2001) [1998]. The Official Manchester United Illustrated Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). London: Manchester United Books. ISBN 0-233-99964-7.
^ Fred Shreeve:- "Frederick Shreeve". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ Fred Shreeve:- "West Ham United Statistics - Frederick Shreeve". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ Alfred Smelt:- "Players 1914-15". Sky is Blue. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
^ Peter Turner:- Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 229. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
^ Charlie Woodruff:- "charlie woodruff - fact file". ?. Retrieved 24 January 2013.

[bluff-1] Bluff, Tony (2011). Donny:Doncaster Rovers F.C. The Complete History (1879−2010). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9569848-3-8.

[2] Jack Almond:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[3] Tommy Birtles:- "Player profile - Tommy Birtles". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.

[4] Bill Brelsford:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[5] Billy Bridgewater:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[6] Harold Buddery:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[7] Billy Calder:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[8] Fred Charles:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[9] Bert Cook:- Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.

[10] Jimmy Dyer:- "James Arthur Dyer profile". mufcinfo. Retrieved 23 January 2013.

[11] Bernard Frith:- "Players 1914-15". Sky is Blue. Retrieved 11 May 2013.

[12] Frank Foxall:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 94. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.

[13] Bob Herrod:- "Player profile - Bob Herrod". Foxestalk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.

[14] Bob Hewitson:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records. soccerdata. p. 123. ISBN 1-899468-63-3.

[15] Freddy Hicks:- "Player profile - Freddy Hicks". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.

[16] Albert Jenkins:- Bluff, Tony (2011). Donny:Doncaster Rovers F.C. The Complete History (1879−2010). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0-9569848-3-8.

[17] Billy Law:- Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 143. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.

[18] John Mitchell:− Marland, Simon (2011). Bolton Wanderers: the complete record. DB Publishing. ISBN 978-1859839720.

[19] Joe Moran:- "Player profile - Joe Moran". Foxes History. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.

[20] Matt Moralee:- "Liverpool 1 - 0 Doncaster Rovers". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 21 January 2013.

[21] Matt Moralee:- Brodie, John; Dickinson, Jason. Sheffield Wednesday: The Complete Record. DB Publishing. ISBN 9781859839737.

[22] Jack Price:- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 212. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.

[bcfc-23] Arthur Reed:- Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.

[24] Charlie Richards:- Bostock, Adam; Pilger, Sam; Butler, Cliff; Mitten, Andy; Meek, David; Taylor, Frank OBE; Barnes, Justyn; Tyrell, Tom; Ferguson, Jim (2001) [1998]. The Official Manchester United Illustrated Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). London: Manchester United Books. ISBN 0-233-99964-7.

[25] Fred Shreeve:- "Frederick Shreeve". Retrieved 7 June 2011.

[26] Fred Shreeve:- "West Ham United Statistics - Frederick Shreeve". Retrieved 7 June 2011.

[27] Alfred Smelt:- "Players 1914-15". Sky is Blue. Retrieved 11 May 2013.

[28] Peter Turner:- Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 229. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.

[29] Charlie Woodruff:- "charlie woodruff - fact file". ?. Retrieved 24 January 2013.

[1]

v t e Doncaster Rovers Football Club
Club	Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers Academy Doncaster Rovers Belles
Matches	2003 Football Conference play-off final 2007 Football League Trophy final 2008 Football League One play-off final
Grounds	Intake Ground Bennetthorpe Ground Belle Vue Keepmoat Stadium
Personnel	Players with over 100 appearances Players 1879–1918 Records and statistics Managers
Seasons	1997–98 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

v t e Lists of male footballers in England by club
Premier League	AFC Bournemouth Arsenal 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Aston Villa Brentford 100+ 25–99 1–24 Internationals Hall of Fame POTY Brighton & Hove Albion Chelsea 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Crystal Palace 100+ POTY Everton 100+ Internationals Hall of Fame Fulham 100+ 25–99 1–24 Ipswich Town 100+ Hall of Fame POTY Leicester City Liverpool 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Manchester City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Manchester United 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Captains Newcastle United Nottingham Forest 100+ Internationals Southampton 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers
Championship	Blackburn Rovers Bristol City Burnley 100+ Internationals Cardiff City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Captains Internationals Coventry City 100+ Internationals POTY Derby County 100+ POTY Hull City Leeds United Luton Town 100+ POTY Middlesbrough Millwall Norwich City 100+ 25–99 Hall of Fame POTY Oxford United Plymouth Argyle 100+ POTY Portsmouth Preston North End 100+ POTY Queens Park Rangers Sheffield United 100+ 25–99 Internationals POTY Sheffield Wednesday All Internationals POTY Stoke City 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Sunderland Swansea City 100+ Internationals Watford 50+ 1–49 POTY West Bromwich Albion
League One	Barnsley Birmingham City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Blackpool Bolton Wanderers 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Bristol Rovers 100+ 25–99 Internationals POTY Burton Albion Cambridge United Charlton Athletic Crawley Town Exeter City Huddersfield Town Leyton Orient Lincoln City 100+ 25–99 Mansfield Town Northampton Town Peterborough United Reading 100+ 25–99 1–24 Internationals POTY Rotherham United Shrewsbury Town Stevenage Stockport County Wigan Athletic Wrexham 100+ 25–99 1–24 Wycombe Wanderers
League Two	Accrington Stanley AFC Wimbledon Barrow Bradford City 50+ 1–49 Bromley Carlisle United Cheltenham Town Chesterfield Colchester United 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Crewe Alexandra Doncaster Rovers 100+ 1879–1918 Fleetwood Town Gillingham 50+ 25–49 1–24 Grimsby Town Harrogate Town Milton Keynes Dons Morecambe Newport County Notts County Port Vale 25+ 1–24 POTY Salford City Swindon Town Tranmere Rovers 100+ 1921–1939 1945–present Walsall
Non-League	Bradford (Park Avenue) Bury 100+ 25–99 1–24 Chester 100+ 25–99 1–24 Darlington 100+ 25–99 1–24 Dagenham & Redbridge Nelson Oldham Athletic 100+ 25–99 1–24 Rochdale 100+ 25–99 1–24 Southend United Torquay United Yeovil Town 100+ Internationals York City 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY
Defunct	Halifax Town Hereford United Macclesfield Town Scarborough Wanderers Wigan Borough
Clubs are grouped by their division in the 2024–25 season. Includes the Welsh clubs where lists have been created. 'POTY' = 'Player of the Year / Season'.