David Ball talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Summer addition David Ball insists he will be putting his feelings of affection for his former employers aside temporarily as he returns to Fleetwood Town with his new side, for the first game of the 2017/18 Sky Bet League One campaign.
The former Cod Army attacker arrived at AESSEAL New York Stadium as one of Paul Warne’s first signings of the summer and the release of the fixture list means that Ball’s league debut in his new club’s colours, will be against his former employers in a meeting he admits he is relishing the prospect of.
“Of course, but for a number of reasons,” Ball told www.themillers.co.uk.
“It's obviously my debut for Rotherham, where I have really enjoyed my time for the last six weeks or so and I'm raring to go
“Then it's against the team that I've left and had some good memories with. So I'm just looking forward to it and on the day I'll be giving 100% for Rotherham and I'm sure all the lads I know at Fleetwood will be doing the same against me.”
Ball enjoyed a five-year stint at Highbury Stadium which coincided with Fleetwood’s rise up the divisions and came to a conclusion as the club narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship.
The 27-year-old admits that it will be an alien experience to get changed in the away dressing room at his former home, but is relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with some of his old teammates.
“It's a long time in football. It'll be strange but exciting at the same time,” Ball added.
“I had some good times there and a lot of the history they've made in the last few years I've been a part of, so I hope they remember me fondly.”
Meanwhile, his new manager explained earlier in the week that he has tapped into Ball’s knowledge of Saturday’s opponents and also has Jamie Proctor amongst his ranks, who will come up against his old club.
“To be fair, if I was the manager and had one of the lads that played against their opponents for so long then I'd ask them,” Ball explained.
“I know Fleetwood more than anyone so I was probably a good person to talk to.
“I'm sure Procs will be going back to make a point as well and it would be great if we could go there and get the three points to get our season up and running.”