Doncaster Lakers:
Professional Rugby
League first began in Doncaster during the build
up to the 1951/52 season. The club despite now
named Doncaster Lakers were originally nicknamed
'The Dons' before carrying the 'Dragons' moniker
in the period of 1996-2005.
History will be made in December 2006 when the
club moves to the new “state of art” Lakeside
Stadium, however over the years the club had
numerous grounds they referred to as home. From
the birth of 'The Dons' in 1951 until two years
later the home ground was the Greyhound Stadium
when in 1953 the clubs permanent and spiritual
home hosted its maiden fixture.
The ground was located on Bentley Road, just around the corner
from the new St Georges Bridge and later as a mark of respect for the former
Chairman Len Tattersfield, the ground became known as Tatters Field (or
Tattersfield).
Sadly in 1995 when the ground was arguably in its best ever state the curtain
closed on the lengthy Tattersfield era when the ground was sold for housing
developments in order to pay off some of the debts that threatened the end of
Rugby League in the town.
With the re-birth of the club and the addition
of the 'Dragons' title, Belle Vue Stadium the home of Doncaster Rovers F.C.
became a temporary base whilst the Meadow Court Greyhound Stadium was modified
for Rugby League.
(Above) The Meadow Court Stadium on match day in 1997
Sadly the move to the Stainforth based Meadow Court Stadium did not turn out to
be long term as a quick return to Belle Vue for the beginning of the 1998 season
meant that ground sharing with the Rovers was to become a base for the club.
Today in the year 2006, we are on the brink of moving grounds once again, this
time into a purpose built arena with our new moniker the 'Lakers'