List of Doncaster Rovers F.C. players (1879–1918)

This list contains players who have appeared in nationally organised first-team competition for Doncaster Rovers from its creation in 1879 until the end of First World War. Players that also represented the club after the war are included.

Explanation of list
Players should be listed in chronological order according to the season in which they first played for the club, and then by alphabetical order of their surname. Initially, the club only played friendlies, their first cup match being in October 1885. Doncaster joined their first league, the Midland Alliance, in 1890. To varying degrees in subsequent years, friendlies still formed a significant part of the fixtures throughout the season. Further information on competitions/seasons which are regarded as eligible for appearance stats are provided below.

League appearances
League appearances and goals should include data for the following league spells:
 * Midland Alliance: 1890−91
 * Midland Football League: 1891−92 to 1900−01; 1903−04; 1905−06 to 1915
 * Football League: 1901−02 to 1902−03; 1904−05
 * Midland Combination: 1915−16

Total appearances
The figures for total appearances and goals should include the League figures together with the following competitions:
 * FA Cup
 * Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Minor Challenge Cup
 * Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Senior Challenge Cup
 * Gainsborough News Charity Cup
 * Wharncliffe Charity Cup
 * Wharncliffe Charity League
 * Mexborough Montague Charity Cup
 * The Yorkshire League
 * Friendlies (pre 1890−91 when Doncaster weren't in a league)

First match as Doncaster Rovers
The first match was in September 1879 when Albert Jenkins got together a group of young men to play against The Yorkshire Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in which they drew 4−4 after being behind 4−0 at half time. It was after this match that the group of players decided to play further games and call themselves Doncaster Rovers on the walk back into the town. The first match played under this name was a 0−0 draw on 3 October 1879 at Rawmarsh F.C.. The line up in a 2−2−6 formation was:
 * Goalkeeper: William Walker
 * Right back: Albert Jenkins
 * Left back: John Mitchell
 * Right half back: Thomas Clark
 * Left half back: William H. Salmon
 * Outside right: William Chadwick
 * Inside right: William Bedford
 * Centre forward: Arthur Roper
 * Centre forward: John Boyle Gosling
 * Inside left: William Simpson
 * Outside left: William Titterington

First Football League match
After already playing their first game of the 1901–02 season in the Midland League on 2 September, Doncaster were voted into the Football League following New Brighton Tower folding as a club. Continuing with the squad they already had, the first match was against Burslem Port Vale on Saturday 7 September 1901. The crowd at the Intake Ground was 2,000. It was 0–0 at half time, then Len Goodson scored two for Rovers. The Vale then scored 3 goals, with Frank Bailey getting the equaliser making the final score 3–3. The line up was a 2–3–5 formation of:
 * Goalkeeper: Jack Eggett
 * Full back: George Simpson
 * Full back: Walter Langton
 * Half back: Billy Longden
 * Half back: Arthur Jones
 * Half back: Ellis Wright
 * Forward: Billy Langham
 * Forward: John Murphy
 * Forward: Jack Price
 * Forward: Len Goodson
 * Forward: Frank Bailey