Harper and his Hartlepool United team-mates watched as fans carried a coffin around Belle Vue to mark its impending demise as a Football League club back in October 1997.

Just 1,526 supporters were at the dilapidated stadium – which had had its main stand almost burned to the ground two years earlier in an arson attempt for which then Doncaster chairman and owner Ken
Richardson was later jailed – to see a 2-2 draw.

The club – supported by Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan as a boy – were relegated to the Conference at the end of the campaign, 15 points adrift and with a goal difference of minus 83.

Yet almost 11 years later, Rovers are in English football's second flight, and playing at a modern 15,000-capacity stadium after a remarkable rise, quite literally, from the ashes.

And goalkeeper Harper – who will be in goal at the Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow – admits it will be a far cry from that eventful Saturday afternoon.

He told the Gazette: "It's a nice, new stadium from when I was last there – I went there with Hartlepool about 35 years ago!

"It was when they were having some big protests, and they carried a coffin, though I'm not sure if it was into the ground or out of the ground. It'll probably have been 11 years ago. We drew – it was 2-2."

Doncaster-born Keegan – who started his career at nearby Scunthorpe United after being rejected by his hometown club – is one of the town's most famous sons.

And the links don't end there, with newly-promoted Doncaster having three former Newcastle players in their ranks – Tomi Ameobi, James Coppinger and Lewis Guy.


Coppinger and Guy both made substitute appearances for United before leaving Tyneside, while Ameobi – Shola's younger brother – was released in 2005.

Ameobi signed from Leeds United this week, with Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll tipping the 19-year-old striker as "one for the future" after he penned a one-year deal at the Championship club.

Harper added: "I think Shola's brother, who used to come in and train with us, might be there.

"There's also James Coppinger, who was a young lad at our place, and Lewis Guy as well. He'll be a goal threat as well. There'll be a few old faces, and I'm sure we'll take a few fans down there."

Shay Given was in goal last Saturday for Newcastle's 4-1 win over Hartlepool at Victoria Park, and Harper is looking forward to his first run out of the new season.

"I wasn't going to be involved (last) Saturday, anyway," added the 33-year-old.

"Shay was going to play an hour, and I was probably going to play an hour this week.

"I understand it took us a while to get going (against Hartlepool), but when we got up to speed, we were pretty comfortable.

"Those are the sort of games you need, and we'll be looking to keep it going on Saturday. It's all about fitness, and steering clear of injuries.

"It's nice to win in pre-season, but it's not the be all and end all.

"The focus is August 17 (against Manchester United), which is a very tough game. We're building towards that, and we'd quite happily lose
every pre-season game, and then go there and win.

"A win in the first game of the season would be nice. It's about fitness and trying to get your form ready for the first game of the season."

Tickets for the away end, priced £15 for adults and £5 for concessions, are available from Doncaster's ticket office on 01302 762576.