Ex-chairman fearful for ‘rudderless’ Rovers

Ryan stepped down as chairman on Saturday with the 63-year-old at loggerheads with fellow majority shareholder Terry Bramall about the future direction of the club.

Angry Ryan outlined a list of frustrations in a candid press conference after the game at Barnsley.

Top of these was his belief that some of his boardroom colleagues have gone behind his back to negotiate with potential investors Sequentia Capital, who remain keen on taking over the club. Bramall, however, has denied the claim he has spoken to Sequentia without Ryan’s knowledge.

Ryan is also scathing of the decision by the club, against his wishes, to purchase Doncaster RLFC.

A press conference announcing the news was set to take place this morning, only to be postponed yesterday afternoon.

It will be held on a revised date, Rovers have announced.

Meanwhile, life president Milton admits he is fearful for the future of Rovers without lifelong fan Ryan in the boardroom and wants supporters to make their feelings known.

Milton said: “I know better than most the work and dedication he had put into his beloved Rovers.

“Now the ship is left without a rudder and before it sinks into oblivion through lack of interest and motivation it is therefore time for all supporters to stand up and be counted in Delia Smith of Norwich City style. ‘Let’s be having you – where are you?’

“Everyone with a love of Doncaster Rovers needs to express themselves in every way possible before the present regime causes a disaster and then walk away.

“It is up to us all to show our support for John Ryan and those close to him to see the club gets back to its former glory.”

Milton feels the only way forward for Rovers is with potential investors Sequentia.

He added: “Like all Rovers supporters I was both sad and horrified to see John Ryan announce his resignation.

“John was obviously disappointed to see a lack of support from the other investors and their failure to take advantage of the large investment which the Sequentia Capital group were prepared to put up for the re-structure of the club.

“And, what is more, see it keep its place in the Championship, and with visions for taking the club even farther.

“(This is) something that the present investors were not prepared to do, it seems.”