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Title: Bye Bye Lakers – Hello Don’s Author: Doncaster Rugby League  ID & Publication: 20070611052 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Sport (Local)

Doncaster Rugby League Club have made the decision to drop their second name, ‘Lakers’ in a bid to represent the start of a new era.

Doncaster based businessmen Craig Harrison (Chairman) and Shane Miller (Chief Executive) were quick to act on numerous requests from fans including an internet poll on their official web site – www.doncasterrlfc.co.uk – which shows an overwhelming majority of voters wishing for the club to revert to its traditional name of Doncaster Rugby League Club, nicknamed ‘The Dons’.

‘We have been in-undated with passionate requests to go back to being the ‘Dons’, since taking over the club earlier this month. As Doncaster folk ourselves we know only too well the pride the fans have in the ‘Dons’ name and we are delighted to be in a position to deliver this request.’ said Miller.

Fans of the club have hoped for the club to adopt the nickname ‘Dons’ for over a decade since the club left its spiritual home, Tattersfield, in 1995 and followed the trend of that time in adopting new nicknames alongside the likes of Leeds Rhinos, formerly Leeds RLFC nicknamed Loiners.

Despite the name Rhinos now being synonymous with Leeds Rugby League, similarly Bulls at Bradford, Miller is happy with the ‘Dons’, saying: ‘A number of clubs have recently decided to revert back to their original titles, particularly in the Co-operatve National Leagues. A good example is Halifax who also had similar requests from fans to drop their un-popular ‘Blue Sox’ name and Whitehaven who have had tremendous success since doing away with their ‘Warriors’ moniker.

The club will play the remainder of the season in the ‘Lakers’ kit which features the logos of Doncaster College (front), Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping (back) and Miller’s own company, Custom Property Developments on the sleeves, before involving the supporters in the design process of the 2008 season’s shirt.

‘We will also be selling off all existing Lakers merchandise will on gameday’s at a reduced rate in our Club Shop under the Keepmoat Stadium West Stand.’ added Miller, who is pleading for those who protested against the name by boycotting matches to make a return’.

Editor’s Comments:

To coincide with this announcement by the club, all future articles will have a title representing the story (rather than a generic one such as Doncaster Lakers), and an author of ‘Doncaster Rugby League’ – to fit in with the structure of all other articles on the site.

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