By Rovers Reporter Zak Armitage
A key figure in the recent history of Doncaster Rovers, defender James O'Connor played well over 200 games during a six-year stint at the Keepmoat Stadium. I recently caught up with the 36-year-old who was more than happy to reflect on his time in South Yorkshire.
To start at the beginning of O'Connor's career at Doncaster, you have to go back to 2006, when Dave Penney convinced him to make the move to Rovers from AFC Bournemouth, who were dealing with financial challenges at the time. He explained how the move came about and what made Doncaster the right team to join.
"I'd just been at Bournemouth for a year I'd previously had talks with Rovers the year before but I'd been on loan at Bournemouth that season, so I decided to sign for Bournemouth then. A year later Donny came back in, Dave Penney was the manager at the time and I could see the ambition of the club and John Ryan imparticular, so I came up for talks. As soon as I came up for talks at Belle Vue I could see what the club was trying to do and I wanted to be a part in that."
O'Connor arrived at Doncaster in what promised to be an exciting time for the club who were set to move to their new home at the Keepmoat. Part of the last squad to play at Belle Vue, I asked him what he thought of the move to the new stadium and if he had a favourite out of the two.
"Obviously the development at the Keepmoat Stadium was well underway when I joined, I had 6 months playing at Belle Vue and it was a great ground, with a great atmosphere, a really good pitch as well. The atmosphere on the night games particularly was brilliant, I remember a cup game against Derby, who were a Premier League side at the time which we won on penalties and the atmosphere that night was fantastic.
"But if I had to pick a favourite ground out of the two I would go for the Keepmoat, right from the first game there against Huddersfield it was a really good atmosphere and we had some fantastic times, getting a promotion there. Some amazing games at Championship level as well so seen as I played the majority of my games at the Keepmoat I would say that's my favourite out of the two."
O'Connor's first piece of Silverware with Rovers came in his first campaign with Doncaster, as they beat Bristol Rovers to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, O'Connor was excellent that day, putting in a man of the match performance, he reflected on that day at the Millennium Stadium.
"The Johnstone Paint Trophy final was an unbelievable day for the club. The first major trophy and an unbelievable day, there was a great attendance (60 thousand), and an amazing game that went to extra-time.
"For me individually it was probably the first time I'd played in front of a crowd that big and to put a good performance in and to be fortunate enough to be named man of the match was an amazing thing for myself personally and my family, "a very proud moment", a standout day in my career really and also a fantastic moment for the club and the Town as a whole."
This wouldn't be the only success O'Connor would have during his spell at Donny as just a season later the former Aston Villa man put in another man-of-the-match performance, this time in the League One play-off final victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United. I asked him to reflect on one of his best outings donning the Red & White of Rovers.
"To follow the (Johnstone Paint Trophy victory) up with the game against Leeds was great preparation for us all. All the Boys who had played against Bristol Rovers the year before turned up in the game against Leeds knowing what to expect atmosphere-wise.
"I promised myself the second time (final) that I would try and take in as much as possible and that's what I did. The preparation wasn't great for Wembley, losing out on automatic promotion on the last day of the season and a few of us were carrying niggles and injuries against Leeds but that day we put on a fantastic team performance. Individually I played well again that day and I'm very thankful to have once again got the Man of the Match award in what was a big day for Doncaster. I'll remember that forever."
Rovers would then start to solidify themselves as an established Championship outfit, but a poor 2011-12 season saw Rovers relegated back to League One. O'Connor reflected on what would turn out to be his last season in South Yorkshire.
"The 2011-12 season was probably the most difficult one for me in my whole career. It was the first time I'd experienced any kind of real disappointment, being out of the side for a lengthy period of time.
"Much happened during that time at the club with 'The Experiment' as they called it and it didn't really work out. At that time it wasn't good for me individually or certain people who had been at the club for a long time and it was difficult to take. Obviously, I wouldn't have wanted to end my time at Doncaster that way, but unfortunately, that's Football sometimes and looking back I remember the better times at the club and it was probably the happiest and most enjoyable time of my career and I'm very grateful for that."
To conclude our interview O'Connor reflected on his time at Rovers as a whole.
"Like I touched on before it's probably the happiest time of my career, I experienced some great highs there and met some amazing people at the club.
"I think I had a great relationship with the supporters, which was a two-way thing, as I gave my all for the fans and I had full backing from them and it was always much appreciated. Whenever I've gone back ever since I've always had a really good reception and I'd like to think I'm well-thought-of by the people up there because they certainly are from me. They're still the first team I look out for on a Saturday afternoon and I wish Rovers all the best in the future and I hope to get up there in some form myself in the future as well.
A real character and one of the most iconic figures at Doncaster since the start of the 21st century, it's clear that O'Connor values Rovers very highly and looks back fondly on his memories in South Yorkshire. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank him for taking the time to open up to me about his spell with Donny.
