Exclusive: Ryan stops at Rovers as former allies look to return and help run the Keepmoat

The wealthy duo stepped down only three months ago and Rovers have since been relegated from the Championship.

Talks have also reached an advanced stage with Doncaster Council about taking over the running of the Keepmoat Stadium.

Watson and Bramall made their fortunes with the Keepmoat property company and are worth around £700m.

News of the pair’s imminent return to the board will be a major shot in the arm for the club along with Ryan’s decision to stay.

There had been fears that Ryan might quit this summer in the wake of relegation to League One and the failure of the link-up with agent Willie McKay that brought several former Premier League players to the club.

But speaking yesterday to the Yorkshire Post, Ryan confirmed that he was not leaving and is fully committed to the task of leading the revival next season.

“There have been all sorts of rumours flying about but I am staying,” he said. “I did consider whether I should go but I don’t want to desert the club now we have gone down. If anything, the club needs Dick, Terry and myself more than ever.

“I am very hopeful that they will be coming back to the board.

“We have been talking about it, they feel the club is being well run now, and I am keen to get them back.”

Ryan has spent the last 14 years as Rovers chairman while Watson and Bramall joined the board six years ago and acquired 30 per cent stakes in the club.

When the pair tendered their resignations in January, it left Ryan feeling ‘bruised and battered’ and questioning his ability to stay on as the ‘last man standing.’ Watson’s siblings, Andrew and Sarah (Kell), had also stepped down.

Over the last few weeks, the club’s chief executive Dave Morris has been replaced by operations director Gavin Baldwin on an interim basis and McKay’s involvement has now been scaled down.

Club officals have also stepped up negotiations over the stadium, which has lost more than £2.5m since opening in 2006.

The council approved a £170,000 grant this year to help keep the 15,000-seater stadium afloat.

A report written by the council’s director of finance said the authority could either sell the stadium, continue with its existing operators, Stadium Management Company (SMC), or find a new operator.

As Rovers have a 25-year lease on the stadium, they have been identified as a suitable company to replace SMC.

Mayor Peter Davies also expressed a desire to find a solution “that does not involve ratepayers having their pockets picked”.

Manager Dean Saunders will now be looking to turn youth players into saleable assests.

Not since midfielder Paul Green’s departure to Derby County four years ago have Rovers had a home-grown star playing regularly in the first team.

But Saunders may have already found his first ‘rough diamond’ in the shape of left-back James Husband, who has been given his opportunity in the last two games against Middlesbrough and Coventry City.

The Yorkshire Post understands that a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, have already started to monitor the progress of the Leeds-born teenager.

Saunders has welcomed the news about the board, saying: “It is good news for everyone at the club that Terry and Dick are, hopefully, getting back involved. I have got my fingers crossed that they are coming back and we are going to have a good season next season.

“We have three men there (Watson, Bramall and Ryan) who I would never, ever criticise. They are at the top of their professions in their business lives. Hopefully, we will get some funds to get a good team on the pitch and they will help me through shifting players in and out of the club.

“But, whatever happens, I will have a team that can compete and is hard to play against.

“I want to pay them back for the faith they have shown in me.”

Rovers play their final Championship fixture at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday.