WELL, it's arrived! The day we have been whetting our lips for since that great day out at Wembley in May, and what better start than against former Premiership side Derby County in front of what should be a 30,000 crowd.
But the same headache with organising the away travel is still there. With the parking around Pride Park not too clever, a lot of fans have opted for coach travel.
I made the foolish decision to go on holiday last week and came back to find it's the busiest weekend for coach companies and it has been a bit difficult rounding enough coaches up, but we got there (hopefully). No wonder I am going grey!
Hopefully with the Rams making so many signings we will catch them at the right time as they will not have gelled. Last season we were a medium fish in a medium sized fish bowl, this season we are a small fish in a big bowl.
But like Bristol City showed last season, one of the promoted teams could be up there challenging.
We have come so far in ten years and it was great to hear the radio programme last Tuesday night talking with fans and club officials.
To think we now have nearly 8,000 season ticket holders is beyond our wildest dreams, especially when you consider that in our last season in Football League before being relegated to the Conference in 1997-98 we struggled to get 2,000 in total to the games. But remember to stick with the club no matter what.
Sean O'Driscoll has not tinkered too much with the squad during close season, but with the few additions it all bodes well, although we start the season with Darren Byfield, Sean McDaid and Gordon Greer all out injured.
With the signings of Matt Mills and Darren the club will be labelled the Wags team of the Championship with Darren's wife being pop diva Jamelia, and Matt's girlfriend Hannah from Hollyoaks. What other celebs will we attract this season?
This season will be different for me, for after ten years of reporting for Trax FM, I have been silenced. The authorities have hiked up the cost of the broadcasting license so much that it's uneconomical to do reports unless they could find some form of sponsorship.
So it will be back amongst the fans at away games for me - I promise I won't start singing!
Hopefully by this time next week the builders may have finished the Supporters' Cub shop which will be located in the community changing rooms in the North Stand.
You will be able to do bus bookings and buy a great array of programmes. We may even get our home match coach parked on the hallowed car park (fingers crossed!).
n Coach times for Derby are Retford (11.15), Harworth Pit gates (11.20), Rosso/Bawtry (11.30), Hare and Tortoise (11.35), Infirmary (11.45) and car park one at the Keepmoat (12.00). You can join the Supporters' Club on the coaches tommorrow to receive discounted away travel.
n Let us know as soon as possible if coach travel is required for Tuesday at Notts Count: Retford (4.45), Harworth (4.50), Rosso (5), Infirmary (5.15) and Keepmoat car park 1 (5.30). Ring me on my new mobile number of 0796 1727769 or at home on 01427 880154 or Len South on 01302 817347.
Doncaster Rovers: Preview for the season, including ins and outs and squad numbers. Don't miss Saturday's Green'Un newspaperWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 644 words and appears in Doncaster Star newspaper.
