APRIL IS THE CRUELLEST MONTH

To the casual observer, the lone figure at the bottom of the garden, was studying his border for early signs of plant growth. Nothing so trivial was happening. His thoughts were numbed by the not unexpected defeat at Chester ; the bitter reality of of Doncaster's loss of league status, was not eased by the the long months of preparation.

From the mists of the Chester game, clearer thoughts crept through from another era, and a teenage youth was dancing on the terraces with a group of Doncaster supporters. It was towards the end of the game and a scoreline of Chester 1 Rovers 4 had exploded from a flurry of late goals. Bob Gilfillan had certainly scored, he always seemed to - and the warm memory of flying toilet rolls, a bobby's helmet, and waving scarves ensured that Chester would remain a highlight of the glories of 60's Rovers.

It is said that if you remember the sixties, you can't have been there. He can remember being there, but his memories are not detailed and photographic, but a series of highlights. His first game was at home to Wigan in the cup. New to the area, despite his roots in Thorne, he was convinced he would never take to this team after an Edinburgh childhood with Hearts. The mild irritaion he felt at Rovers failure to beat a non-league outfit developed into a passion. Friday night floodlights, Belle Vue Belles, 21,000 crowd against Darlington, Laurie Sheffield leaving for Norwich, Tony Coleman whacking the ref, George Rayner, £10,000 Flowers, CHAMPIONS!

Up and down, jumble and joy, the "lone gardener," returned to his house to tell his Rovers-shirted teenage sons, the sanitised version of his visit to Chester 30 years previously, having noticed with some satisfaction that buds had indeed started to protrude from the lifeless garden.