Donny Rovers Win Their First Major Final

Doncaster Rovers have become the first Yorkshire club to lift a 'major trophy' in 11 years after winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final on April 1st 2007.

01 Apr 2007

Captain Graeme Lee headed an extra time winner as Doncaster defeated Bristol Rovers 3-2 and lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Lee directed home Kevin Thornton's corner in the 110th minute to hand the Yorkshire club an unforgettable victory on their first ever appearance in a major final.

Jonathan Forte broke the deadlock after only 55 seconds of playing time to give Sean O'Driscoll's side a fantastic start. Paul Heffernan then made it 2-0 in the fifth minute after seizing goalkeeper Neil Sullivan's long kick.

In the 109th minute Donny saw a second successive corner that played right to the head of Graeme Lee and saw the ball advance into the net and put Doncaster into a 3-2 lead.

Fans witnessed a thrilling game between two good teams playing hard, competitive football. It was a great day for Doncaster Rovers as the team collected their winners' medals and Graeme Lee lifted the Trophy, and saw the club winning their first major national cup competition after 128 years of trying. A fantastic occasion and a superb result played out in front of a huge fan base at the stadium and before a television audience.

Club chairman, John Ryan told the Doncaster Free press: “It’s a proud day for me but I must have died a thousand deaths after being two goals in front.

“I've been the chairman for nine years now and we've had some hard times but today was a special day. All credit to Bristol Rovers. I thought they fought very hard and gave us a real scare."