Doncaster Rovers striker Joe Ironside has been urged to stay sharp and ready to make an impact despite playing a secondary role to Billy Sharp in the early stages of the season.
Rovers have had a strong start to the campaign as they look to go one better than the top seven finish last season. Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Grant McCann has reassured Ironside that his importance to the team cannot be underestimated, even if he’s been used more sparingly so far.
Ironside, who netted 20 goals in the 2023-24 season, has found himself in the shadow of Sharp, who has grabbed the spotlight with four goals already this season, three of them in the league. Despite featuring in every match, Ironside has only started two league games, compared to Sharp’s three. His sole goal came in the Football League Trophy against Huddersfield Town, leaving him eager to impress in the league as well.
However, McCann knows the 38-year-old Sharp, despite his incredible form, won’t be able to carry the full load throughout a long and demanding season. With Doncaster pushing for promotion from League Two, the manager is keen to ensure all his forwards are ready to step up, and Ironside will have a key role to play.
“Joe’s so important for us,” McCann emphasized. “I said that to him the other day. We’ve got a lot of games left—you don’t just get to where you want to with one centre-forward, you need competition. Joe understands that.”
While Ironside has been limited to substitute appearances in recent weeks, he showed his value during Doncaster’s 1-0 victory over Gillingham. Coming on for Sharp after an hour, Ironside worked tirelessly, pressing the opposition defence and bringing energy to the frontline, even if he couldn’t find the back of the net.
Rovers are currently top of League Two, with four wins from five, the most recent of which came against fellow promotion hopefuls Gillingham.
Who is Joe Ironside?
Ironside began his career at Sheffield United, where he came through the youth system. Despite showing promise, he found first-team opportunities limited, making only a handful of appearances for the Blades between 2010 and 2014.
During his time at Sheffield United, Ironside gained valuable experience through several loan spells. He spent time at clubs like Halifax Town, Harrogate Town, and Alfreton Town, where he established himself as a reliable forward.
After leaving Sheffield United in 2014, Ironside moved to Alfreton Town on a permanent deal, where he scored a respectable 10 goals in 39 appearances. His performances earned him a move to Nuneaton Town and then Kidderminster Harriers, where he truly began to make a name for himself. At Kidderminster, Ironside hit form, scoring 41 goals over two seasons, and his goal-scoring prowess attracted interest from higher leagues.
In 2019, Ironside signed for Macclesfield Town, and shortly after, he joined Cambridge United. His time at Cambridge marked one of the high points of his career. He played a pivotal role in their promotion to League One during the 2020-21 season, scoring crucial goals, including 14 league goals that campaign. His efforts helped Cambridge return to the third tier of English football for the first time in nearly 20 years.
In 2023, Ironside joined Doncaster Rovers, where he was a key figure in their failed play-off campaign last season.
Writer’s View
Joe Ironside is a vital asset to Doncaster Rovers, even though he has taken on more of a supporting role in the season’s early stages. Despite not starting regularly, Ironside brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of scoring at lower league levels, making him a key figure in the squad. His presence ensures that Doncaster have reliable depth in the striker position, particularly as veteran forward Sharp, who has been leading the line, cannot be expected to play every match at full intensity due to his age.
Ironside’s work ethic and attitude are invaluable in maintaining squad morale and competitiveness. As the season progresses, and with the physical demands of League Two, Ironside’s role is likely to expand, and his ability to contribute when given the opportunity will be crucial in keeping Doncaster’s promotion push on track.
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