Doncaster Rovers duo reflect on 'outstanding' pre-season Ireland tour + chances of a repeat next year
Rovers round off their pre-season schedule this weekend
Could Doncaster Rovers be set for another fan-friendly, pre-season jaunt abroad next summer?
That's certainly the hope after a successful, week-long tour of Ireland earlier this month.
Manager Grant McCann was beaming after the trip to Dublin and especially Belfast, his home city, where Rovers played three matches and held a number of events that saw the squad and coaches interact with travelling supporters. Chief executive Gavin Baldwin was present for the tour and concurs that it was a huge success. Naturally, some fans have already asked if a similar trip is in the pipeline again next summer.
"Wherever we go, it's always a football decision," Baldwin told the Free Press. "The budget's available, but I think me and Grant both sat down after Ireland and said how great it was. And equally, the feedback from the fans has been unbelievable.
"We got some really good messages and Paul Mayfield spoke on behalf of the fans, saying how great the actual week was and how much he enjoyed it. So, I think we've learned from that as well.
"And also, it's worth noting how well-attended all three games were by the fans. But just being in that Linfield crowd and seeing the fans there, it was amazing."
Indeed, the final game of the tour was an emotional one for McCann, managing at Windsor Park - the HQ of his beloved Northern Ireland - and up against his good pal David Healy's Linfield. "The whole trip was outstanding, start to finish," McCann reflected. "It's probably one of the best pre-season trips I've been on, either as a player or manager. The hotel was fantastic, the facilities were outstanding. Everything just went really smoothly.
"Even down to the smallest of details, such as the coach driver that took us everywhere who was brilliant. Everything was bang on and it was an excellent trip."