Steve Coppell will reach 1,000 games in management at Doncaster on Tuesday night, and tomorrow's matchday programme - the last before he reaches the milestone - marks the millennium with a special eight-page feature.

As well as an illustrated review of Steve's career, the feature includes special tributes from some of Steve's closest friends in the footballing world.

Former Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright, whose career was launched by Coppell, writes, "I'll be eternally grateful that Steve always allowed me to play the way I wanted - he told me to play with my instincts and never let anybody take that away from me. He has played an integral part in my life, not just my career."

Alan Pardew, who preceded Steve as Royals boss after playing under him at Palace, notes, "The qualities that run through everything that Steve does are his honesty and integrity. He treats people with the kind of respect that every manager should and his credibility has always remained intact because of that."

TV commentator Martin Tyler, who has known Steve since his playing days at Manchester United, states, "Steve is dedicated, detailed, determined and durable, and I can only congratulate him for surviving so long in such a precarious profession! Although Steve keeps his real personality hidden away from the media gaze, he's one of the wittiest people I have ever come across."

Among the other tributes included are Steve's friends Joe Royle and Stan Ternent, celebrity Man United fan Eamonn Holmes and former Palace chairman Ron Noades, who handed Steve his first opportunity in management.

This weekend's programme also includes extensive interviews with loan signings Dave Kitson and Glen Little, and will be on sale for £3 from sellers around the ground.