Happy memories, a few tears and closure?- Billy Sharp reflects on his Doncaster Rovers legacy
There was a brief moment, late on Saturday afternoon, where you could hear a pin drop in the press room at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Billy Sharp was reflecting poignantly on his various spells at Doncaster Rovers, as the end of his fourth and final stint (as a player, at least) fast approaches. Earlier in the day Sharp had scored what could potentially be his last-ever goal for Rovers in an otherwise fairly humdrum score-draw against Stevenage.
A typical poacher's strike from Sharp - his 68th goal in the red-and-white hoops - sparked the kind of celebrations that are often reserved for derby wins or important promotion tussles.
Speaking to the Free Press and BBC Radio Sheffield's Robbie Andrews, the 40-year-old conducted a fascinating interview that laid bare his adulation for Rovers. Sharp's love affair with this club goes back a long way and is deep-rooted thanks to the support that he received during a tragic period in 2011 following the death of his newborn son. Understandably then, Sharp was emotional post-match.
"Doncaster's been here for me when I was in a tough spell. I scored a goal the other end (of the stadium) which meant a great deal to me...."
At that point he took a moment to compose himself, clearly fighting back the tears.
"I felt I owed the club something. Last season was special to get that promotion and win the league with a good group of people. The manager's been good with me and it's been great to be back. To get promoted was great and to score today was great as well.
"It's my second home and the people of Doncaster have been good for me and my family, so I thank them for that."
After such a fairy-tale ending to his final home game, Sharp has one more run-out at Peterborough next week. And whilst it may be asking a bit too much for him to net the four that he needs to reach 300 career goals, another landmark is well within his sights.
"I know if I get a chance that I'm going to score," he added. "I need two more for 70 goals for Doncaster, so hopefully I can do that next week. That feeling today was special and it's probably - maybe - the last ever time I do it, so it was nice."
So what's next? Sharp still feels he could do another year as a player, although he's remaining non-committal at this stage as to what comes next. If this is the end, then he admits there's unlikely to be a better way to go out than scoring in front of the Black Bank.
"Yes, it's not worked out in a lot of occasions I've played football, but today I've got the goal which has got us something out of the game. As a striker, you want to score goals to get something for your club. So do that today was good.
"I know I can play on, I know I can score goals so I'll never say never. I'll see what the options are. But, you've got to try and find a bit of closure. So maybe that goal gets me it."