Doncaster Rovers: Chief executive Gavin Baldwin gives candid interview to Free Press

Doncaster Rovers are completely at one and excited about the challenge that lies ahead, says chief executive Gavin Baldwin.

Darren Ferguson and his squad return to pre-season training on Monday with the very clear objective of bouncing back to League One at the first time of asking.

In an interview with the Free Press this week, Baldwin spoke candidly about how the pain of relegation has now turned into anticipation ahead of the new season. He:

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n admitted Rovers, as a club, were guilty of taking their eye off the ball after the FA Cup defeat to Stoke City in January

n said the pain of relegation hit the owners hard, which was the cue for decisive action in the transfer market

n declared promotion straight back to League One as the club’s clear objective

n vowed to channel Club Doncaster revenue into the football arm of the business in order to achieve that goal

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n revealed this year’s budget is on par with last season’s League One budget

n and backed Darren Ferguson to deliver promotion and said the club was at one with the manager’s vision.

“I don’t think the on-field and off-field staff have ever bought into a vision as much as this one [since I have been at the club],” Baldwin told the Free Press.

“They’re all genuinely excited about the future and everyone is pulling in the same direction.

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“There’s a good feeling at the club at the moment. We’ve just got to make sure we deliver.”

He added: “The biggest statement was probably the owners saying to myself and Darren ‘there’s some money up front, go and get your team’.

“It changes the mood when people see players coming in, like Tommy Rowe coming in and signing. You can’t help but get excited.

“We all buy into what Darren wants to achieve. We believe that if anyone can, Darren can.

“We’re excited. It’s a nice place to be.”

See this week’s Free Press for a full transcript of the Gavin Baldwin interview.