New loan signing Andy Butler speaks about the transformation from fan to footballer.
Andy Butler today revealed how surreal it will be for him to represent his hometown club following his loan move from neighbours Sheffield United.Balby-born Butler, who used to watch Rovers at Belle Vue, has penned a deal until January and said that the onus is on him to do well.
“I always thought it would be weird playing for my home town team and I’ve got to do well or I’ll probably get chased out of town! I’ve had a lot of text messages from my mates saying they can’t believe how real it is but I’m excited about it.
“I used to come and watch when they were giving tickets away for a penny so I’ve seen them when they were in the Conference and I suppose it’s special because I’m a Doncaster boy and want to see Doncaster do well,” he said.
The experienced defender was signed by the Blades in the summer, however re-joined his former employers Walsall on a temporary basis.
“It’s been quick, the loan with Walsall ran out and Dean Smith needed funds for midfielders and strikers before getting a call from the gaffer asking if I wanted to come here and it gives me the opportunity to play games which is all I want to do,” he said.
“I pride my game on leading from the back and being a good organiser; I was a captain at Walsall for a few years and want to bring some leadership to here.
“If you’re consistent then you’ll do well in this league, barring Bristol City no one has been a standout performer and we’re early enough in the season now that if you string a few results together you push yourselves right back up there.”
Butler also mentioned that, as well as living in the area, he has strong ties with some existing members of the Doncaster Rovers staff.
“I’m still from round here so its ideal for me,” he said.
“I used to share digs with Jamie McCombe at Scunthorpe so know him well and Paul Wilson, who was youth team coach at Scunthorpe, was so influential in my career that I named my daughter ‘Willow’ after him.”