Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Moore on the importance of lockdown football as his team prepare to make history

Darren Moore believes the continuation of football through the latest coronavirus lockdown is important for society, and he only needs look to the ground Doncaster Rovers will be playing in on Tuesday to see the sport's standing in a community.
NEW BEGINNINGS: A construction worker walks past an artist's impression of Plough Lane, where Doncaster Rovers will be the first opponentsNEW BEGINNINGS: A construction worker walks past an artist's impression of Plough Lane, where Doncaster Rovers will be the first opponents
NEW BEGINNINGS: A construction worker walks past an artist's impression of Plough Lane, where Doncaster Rovers will be the first opponents

Rovers have the honour of being the first opponents to play at the new Plough Lane, a ground that has been decades in the making, when they take on AFC Wimbledon in League One.

The original Dons played at the original Plough Lane – 200 yards from the current site – until 1991 and have been trying to get back ever since.

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The club struggled on into the 21st Century, kidnapped and held in Milton Keynes from 2002 until eventually changing their name to acknowledge the new location two years later. The phoenix club formed 18 years ago has worked its way up to the third tier and its links go beyond the new home, currently managed by former Sheffield United, Hull City and Scarborough striker Glyn Hodges, who began his career with the Crazy Gang.

The game will be Doncaster's last before the country goes into lockdown for a second time but unlike on the last occasion, football will continue.

“I'm really pleased for the continuation of football,” said Moore., whose career stated too late to have played at the old ground. “It's very, very important.

“We understand here at the football club the roles and responsibility we play to the Yorkshire region and certainly Doncaster in terms of the fans looking into the football club and seeing how we're getting on in the league.

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“From our point of view it's good to continue the league and to continue the positivity in terms of something for the public to look forward to.”

Moore is delighted to see the club at last playing in its spiritual home – although the occasion will not be the same without fans.

“There's been a lot of hard work by the football club, let alone the fans and the community,” he acknowledged. “It's wonderful for them to see them back there. There's undoubtedly been a lot of hard work go on over the years to get that club back to where they want to be.

“It's a special moment for them and everyone connected with the area.

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“We've spoken about the positive impact football clubs can have on their communities, especially at this time where things can be seen in a negative context. Having football played is definitely a positive.

“It's a special occasion for them. For us as a team and a football club we know it's a difficult fixture and one we're looking forward to.

“We play the game not the occasion, really. We're the away team so we've just got to be ever-professional like we always are.

“It's a difficult game and we've got to try and perform to get the result.”

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Moore picks from the same squad which defeat leaders Lincoln City 1-0 on Saturday.

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