Club Statement: Squad Numbers

[Dons News]

Doncaster Rugby League would like to clarify the situation regarding squad numbers in League 1. 

In order to allow you the supporters a chance to vote for our 2016 home and away kit we had to start the manufacturing of our kit earlier than normal.

At this time during the close season when our kit was manufactured by FI-TA in Australia, it was undecided whether there would be squad numbers in League 1.

This was due to League 1 clubs having a higher turnover of playing staff, with some teams using over 40 players in a single season.

Since this period, regulations on squad numbers have changed and a couple of teams in the division have decided to use squad numbers with player names on the shirts, despite a number of sides in the division finding themselves in the same position as ourselves.

As our kit manufacturer is based in Australia this year, we cannot facilitate this move to have squad numbers and reiterate it is not a cost cutting exercise.

The club are aware of criticisms from a section of supporters for not having player numbers in the matchday programme, however this is impossible as team sheets are released less than an hour before kick-off and the programme print deadline is four days before a match.

It has also been suggested to hand team sheets out on the turnstiles when fans enter the Keepmoat Stadium, however this is also not possible, due to the short period of time between when the teams are released and kick-off.

This season we have had full use of the big screen at the Keepmoat Stadium for the first time, which has been a learning curve for everyone involved.

Moving forward we will look to utilise the big screen and scoreboard even further to get team information to enhance the matchday experience further for supporters.

We hope this clears up any issues supporters have regarding squad numbers.

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