Doncaster Rovers defender's gratitude for Accrington Stanley boss

The Doncaster Rovers full back will be reunited with Coleman when Accrington visit the Keepmoat on Saturday.

Halliday spent the 2015/16 season on loan with Stanley – alongside fellow Rovers defender Joe Wright – from Middlesbrough for his first taste of league football.

“I really enjoyed it,” the 24-year-old said.

“John and Jimmy [Bell, assistant manager] gave me the chance to play in the league at the time.

“I’m thankful for that.

“It was an enjoyable time for myself.

“We made the play-offs and we missed out on automatic on the last day, which was hard to swallow.

“In terms of myself, it was a great experience for me.

“I was a young lad out on loan.

“I believe so. At the time I was at Middlesbrough and I didn’t really get a chance.

“John and Jimmy gave me that chance and I’m indebted for that.”

Accrington missed out on an automatic promotion place on goal difference alone before being edged out by a single goal in the play-off semi-finals by AFC Wimbledon.

And Halliday believes the experience stood him in good stead for the future and taught him a valuable lesson about not dwelling on disappointments in the game.

“You dust yourself down and go again the following season,” he said.

“That is what we need to do here. I thought we had a good game on Saturday and played really well but the result wasn’t there for us.”