Andy Butler honoured and ready for the challenge of managing hometown club Doncaster Rovers

Butler has been appointed Rovers boss until the end of the season following the departure of Moore to Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.

And the 37-year-old has his eyes on the role on a longer term basis after insisting he is ready for the challenge ahead.

“It’s a huge honour to manage my hometown club and I don’t think I would ever have envisaged that,” he said.

“There’s also a hunger to go out and prove what I can do in what I hope is the next stage of my career.

“The club have entrusted me with the manager spot until the end of the season and hopefully I can do a good job and continue from there.

“I make no bones about it - I’d love to manage the club for as long as I can.”

Balby-born Butler was on the training ground with the squad less than two hours after being offered the opportunity to manage Rovers.

The role will see him end his playing career for the time being and also relinquish his role as boss of Doncaster Rovers Belles.

“I was buzzing when the chairman and Gavin [Baldwin] spoke to me this morning and I’ve grabbed it with both hands,” Butler said.

“The Belles has been a great learning experience for me and also the two games I took charge of earlier in the season due to Covid.

“I’m relishing it. I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and really looking forward to working with the players because we’ve got a fantastic squad here and some fantastic players.

“Hanging up my boots is something I’ll need to do if I’m going to give this my all.

“I tried to manage the Papa John’s Trophy game against Wolves and play at the same time and it’s just too difficult.

“You’re trying to concentrate on your own role but also the roles of the rest of the team and I don’t want one of my mistakes to reflect badly on the team.

“I want to concentrate fully from the side of the pitch because you can get lost in it.”

Barring a two game spell in charge of the side while Moore was self-isolating earlier this season, this will be Butler’s first steps into senior men’s management.

But he feels he is more than ready for the task ahead and the pressures that come with the role.

“The only pressure I get is from myself to keep improving myself,” he said.

“I’ve only just started on this journey and it’s up to myself and the people around me to continue and get better.

“I’m learning from past managers and the good ones and the ones that have not gone so well.

“I’m 37 now. I’ve been in football a long time and hopefully I can use my experiences to help the younger players and the older ones as well.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m ready for the challenge.

“I hope the players are as well because there’s going to be plenty of hard work. It’s going to be enjoyable so let’s enjoy the ride.”

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