One Direction star Louis to make Doncaster Rovers bow

One Direction heartthrob Louis Tomlinson will make his Doncaster debut in a reserve team fixture on Wednesday, with over 4,000 fans expected to cheer him on.
Louis Tomlinson at Keepmoat Stadium.Louis Tomlinson at Keepmoat Stadium.
Louis Tomlinson at Keepmoat Stadium.

Rovers fan Tomlinson, who is one fifth of the multi-million selling boyband, agreed a non-contract deal last summer as part of an ongoing association with the club in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The 22-year-old Bessacarr boy missed out on a planned appearance in September after being injured in a charity fixture but will pull on the red and white jersey when Doncaster reserves take on Yorkshire rivals Rotherham in their last Final Third Development League game of the season.

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The Keepmoat Stadium is anticipating an influx of ‘Directioners’ - the collective name for the group’s fanatical followers - for the fixture, with some travelling from as far afield as Denmark, France and Italy.

It is not known whether Tomlinson, who picked up two Brit Awards with his 1D band-mates last week and boasts 15.5million Twitter followers, will start the match but he is guaranteed to be given the chance to prove his footballing ‘X Factor’ at some stage.

Doncaster spokesman Shaun Lockwood told Press Association: “We’ve built a relationship with Louis over the last two years and last summer we announced he had signed for us and would play in a development game.

“He played in a celebrity match here in 2012 which was successful in raising funds for Bluebell Wood and this was a case of ‘can we do something different?’

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“When his schedule allows he comes to watch us, because he supports the team, and he’s been here a few times for training sessions ahead of the game.

“He’s met all the players, but I should probably say they’ve met him because there are certainly a few wives, girlfriends and daughters glad that he’s been around.”

The club have yet to sound out their most famous fan as a potential investor, but will be keeping tabs on his on-field performance.

“There’s not been a conversation about investing in the club as far as I’m aware,” added Lockwood.

“I suspect he’s probably more focused on his own career for the time being. But the manager (Paul Dickov) has told Louis he’ll be keeping an eye on him though, so we’ll have to see how he plays!”