Owen Bailey on why he chose to re-commit to Doncaster Rovers as he sets Championship target
Rovers’ captain has signed a new, long-term contract
Owen Bailey has provided Doncaster Rovers fans with the news they all wanted to hear.
The captain has agreed a new, three-year contract that ties him down in DN4 until 2029. The news, understandably, was met with vociferous backing by supporters who were desperate for the 27-year-old to commit his future.
Speaking in an in-house interview, the skipper outlined the reasoning behind his decision: "There's just a real good feeling around the place. There's a lot of work going on off-the-pitch to improve and obviously the gaffer has been massive for my development and my career.
"He made it clear he wanted to keep me at the club and he's done a lot for me and we had some good conversations. The club's been great for me and my family so long may that continue.
"I've really felt the love since coming to the club. It's a new thing for me because I'm not someone who really likes the headlines or having songs sung about them but it's a real great feeling how it makes me and my family feel loved. I'm thankful and long may that continue really."
This summer has seen the club adopt the tagline 'Championship Ready' with the message relayed through its marketing and media output. Manager Grant McCann has made no secret of his desire to return Rovers to the second tier - a division they've not played in since 2014 - and now his captain concurs that reaching that level is an aim he also shares
"It's no real surprise to hear we want to be in the Championship," Bailey adds. "That's where we're striving to be as a club and as a player that's where I want to be.
"You can see every day how driven the gaffer is to try and get us there and there's a collective belief that we can do it. We'll be trying to finish as high as we can in the league and eventually we want to finish up in the Championship, whether that be this season, next season or whenever."