Mac, 8, applies for job as Doncaster manager

Such was his impressive application for the job when Dean Saunders was prised away to Wolverhampton Wanderers recently that club chairman John Ryan rang him up for an interview.

In the end, 57-year-old former Doncaster player and Wales international Brian Flynn got the job at the League One promotion-chasers but Mr Ryan said: “In his letter, Mac did promise to get us in the Premiership in three years so it was a tough decision.

“When I got Mac’s letter my first thought was to give him a ring because I was a mad Rovers fan when I was eight, too. There was a bit of a silence when I rang because I think he thought someone was winding him up.

“I would have loved it if the chairman back when I was eight had contacted me.

“I do get quite a lot of letters and I reply to them all.”

The Wilson family, who live off York Road, were guests of the club for Saturday’s game against Leyton Orient and mother Sally explained: “He loves the Rovers and has been coming for the last few years. I think he was a little bit disappointed not to get the job but they have told him they will keep his letter on file.”

Mac’s father Adi added: “We were absolutely amazed when we got the call from the chairman. Mac adores Doncaster Rovers.”

Sitting on the home bench before Saturday’s game, which Rovers won 2-0 to remain second in the table but only on goal difference to leaders Tranmere Rovers, the youngster, who plays for Sprotborough and Cusworth Crusaders, said: “I was very surprised to get the call but I would just like to become a manager – Brian Flynn is just keeping the seat warm for me.

“I would have given my dad a job as kit man here. He’s been practising with the washer but it took him two days to learn how to use it so he wouldn’t have been very good at it.”