DONCASTER ROVERS signing Billy Sharp says he is driven to succeed in his latest spell at his second footballing home – following a bittersweet return to English football at Hull City.
Sharp had a brief stint in the Major League Soccer (MLS) at La Galaxy after departing from his childhood team, Sheffield United, in the summer of 2023. He then returned home and joined Championship play-off contender Hull in the beginning of 2024.
The 38-year-old is hoping to make up for lost time on that front in his fourth spell at Rovers and rapidly connect with the fans—something he felt he didn’t achieve at the MKM Stadium—despite enjoying his time in and around the club.
After making 13 appearances for the Tigers in all competitions without scoring, Sharp stated: “The move to Hull was a great challenge for me, it was a great club.”
“Even though I was only there for four months, I have to say that the changing room was among the greatest I’ve ever used. They truly gave me a warm welcome. It devastated me that I was unable to make a bigger contribution on the pitch.
“I have two starts and play football to score goals. With me, the manager was excellent, and I picked up a lot from him. We behaved as though we were playing Manchester City.
“I was devastated that I didn’t score for the supporters since it was the first time I had never scored at a club I had been at and the first time I had not scored in the play-offs, even though we had all the possession against every opposition.
“The one big disappointment of my time at Hull was that I didn’t really connect with the fans. I know if I’d got that first goal – I had that chance at Rotherham – I’d have gone on a run. It just wasn’t to be. I’d have loved to just get one and my 250th league goal, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
He continued: “I want to get that first goal (at Doncaster) and get that connection with the fans. You feed off them, especially me. I thrive off the fan backing. I can’t wait to get going.”
Leave a Reply