Doncaster Rovers set for '˜new era' - Coppinger

The 35-year-old winger - currently preparing for his 13th season at the club - thinks Rovers were ‘riding on the fact they were in the Championship’ the season before last.

Having now dropped into League Two, Coppinger is optimistic Rovers can benefit from a completely new start.

“What happened last season has given the club an opportunity to rebuild,” Coppinger, the club’s leading all-time appearance maker, told the Free Press.

“I think the season before last wasn’t brilliant, although we stayed in the league.

“For me now though it feels like a new era for the club. It’s a new start.

“We were sort of still riding on the fact that we were in the Championship a season ago (2014/15).

“Whereas now it’s Doncaster Rovers in League Two.

“We’re rebuilding and we want a return to those days, but we can’t look back, we need to look forward.

“The club has an opportunity to re-structure and go forward under a new manager.

“The owners, the people in charge and the management have done a fantastic job over the summer,” he added.

“Now it’s up to the players to build on that and take things forward.”

Coppinger’s sense of a new start has only been heightened by a fresh feel at Cantley Park.

“Obviously the manager has been wanting to put his stamp on the place. But when you come in during a season it’s difficult,” he said.

“There’s a freshness down at the training ground and things have changed down there a bit.

“It looks like a different place and when you go in you get a different feel.

“It’s always good to come in and feel like things are moving forwards.

“It needed to be done I think.”