The Game
Doncaster vs Argyle. Club Doncaster Sports Village. Saturday, 5 September. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Doncaster Rovers come into the 2026/27 campaign off the back of their joint-best league finish in the past six seasons. They were new to Sky Bet League One last year, having achieved automatic promotion from League Two the campaign before. Therefore, the fact they avoided relegation with relative ease is testament to what a great job manager Grant McCann is doing.
There has been a fair amount of squad turnover this summer, Rovers have brought in fresh faces that are proven at the level to ensure this is where they remain. Alfie May signed on loan from Huddersfield Town; the 33-year-old has averaged just under 20 goals a season across the past five campaigns. Neill Byrne and James Husband arrived from Bradford City and Blackpool respectively and already seem shrewd additions.
In addition to that, McCann has added young talent with a point to prove such as Tommy Simkin, Issac Hutchinson and Jordan Thomas. There are many that feel this recruitment, coupled with managerial continuity, will see Doncaster as dark horses in 2026/27.
McCann's side have not started as well as they would have hoped, losing on the opening day to Mansfield Town before drawing their next three league fixtures against Barnsley, Stevenage and Notts County. Rovers are yet to win, but have only lost once - something has got to give. They come into Saturday's home fixture against Argyle with the aim of securing that first win in front of their supporters - a tough test for Tom Cleverley's side.
The Gaffer
Former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann was picked up by West Ham United as a youngster and came through the Hammers youth ranks. The ex-midfielder went on to have a successful career in the Football League, featuring most notably for Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United and Peterborough United.
Upon retiring in 2015, McCann retuned to Peterborough United where he began coaching, eventually becoming manager in 2016. He lasted nearly two years before being sacked, he would then go on to take charge at Doncaster Rovers. In his only year in charge at Donny, McCann led them to the League One play-offs, in which they lost in the semi-finals on penalties.
This attracted the attention of, then Championship side, Hull City. McCann oversaw relegation to League One before a title-winning campaign that returned the Tigers to the Championship. He steadied the ship whilst back in the second tier before being moved on following a change in ownership in 2022.
Next came an unsuccessful year back at Peterborough United in which the Posh were relegated. He faced the sack again, before pitching up at another of his former clubs, Doncaster Rovers. Within two seasons McCann had got Donny promoted into League One, where they currently remain. His aim now is to, once again, establish Rovers as a force in the third tier.
The Squad
33-year-old forward Alfie May was at Millwall as a youngster, but was released at 14 due to his size. May didn't let that stop him, he forged his career in non-league with variety of sides before eventually making his Football League debut with Doncaster Rovers. After a couple of years May was allowed to join Cheltenham Town, where he excelled. 67 goals in 165 games saw him earn a move to Charlton Athletic in 2023. He spent a season at the Valley before he joined Birmingham City, where he achieved promotion to the Championship. Before he could play a game in the Championship he signed for Huddersfield Town, who subsequently loaned him to Doncaster this summer.
Isaac Hutchinson was another of Donny's summer signings, arriving from Bristol Rovers. The midfielder came through the ranks at Brighton & Hove Albion before moves to Southend United and Derby County. Whilst with the Rams, Hutchinson was loaned to Forest Green Rovers and Crawley Town before being allowed to join Walsall in 2022. In his two seasons with the Saddlers, Hutchinson won Walsall's Player of the Season award, prompting a move to Bristol Rovers in 2024. He struggled to find his feet at Rovers and was loaned to Cheltenham Town, where he starred. Both player and club opted for a permanent departure this summer, allowing him two sign for Doncaster Rovers.
Club captain Owen Bailey signed fresh terms at Donny this summer, extending his stay in South Yorkshire for another three years. He was at Newcastle as a junior, but saw his youth career hampered by significant injuries. He was eventually released and joined Gateshead United, where he rebuilt his career. The midfielder signed for Doncaster in 2023, where he has since remained, making 174 appearances.
Previous Meeting
Just six months ago, in March, the two sides last met. It was Sky Bet League One action at Home Park, Argyle were pushing for the playoffs and Donny trying to put breathing space between themselves and the bottom four. Elliot Lee scored a great goal to put Rovers ahead on 22 minutes, before Bim Pepple levelled in first-half stoppage time. Ronan Curtis missed a penalty early in the second period, but fortunately for the Greens, Herbie Kane netted a winner late on.
The Strip
Argyle will be wearing their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Supporters unable to attend Argyle's Sky Bet League One fixture against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday can follow the action live on Argyle TV.
Our hour-long pre-match show will be live on Argyle TV and YouTube from 2pm.
2pm - Charlie Price and Aaron Cusack are joined by Katie Middleton for the Pre-Match Show, bringing you all the team news, exclusive interviews, and thoughts from inside the camp.
3pm - Kick-off at Club Doncaster Sports Village, with live commentary from Rob McNichol, who will be joined on co-commentary by Lee Makel.
UK & Ireland Supporters
Due to EFL broadcast regulations, live video streaming is unavailable in domestic territories. However, you can listen to every Argyle game live throughout the season with an Argyle TV subscription - available for £5.50 per month or £55 for the year.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can still purchase an individual audio match pass for £2.50.
International Supporters
Live video streaming is available overseas - You can watch every Argyle game live with an Argyle TV International subscription, available for £30 per month or £200 for the year.
If you prefer, you can buy an individual video match pass for £10 per game.
Audio match passes are also available overseas for £2.50, giving you full commentary wherever you are in the world.
Click here to access Argyle TV and view our subscription and match pass options.
