Chapters still to write for Aaron
AARON Wilbraham is determined his Championshipsaving goal for Bolton will not be his final chapter in football.
The frontman’s goal against Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season secured the Trotters survival in the second tier and guaranteed him legendary status at the club.
But the 38-year-old, who signed a one-year deal at Dale this week, says he’s not done yet.
“It was great to keep
‘I’m looking forward to moving onto a new chapter with Rochdale’
Bolton’s Championship status, but I’m now looking forward to moving onto a new chapter with Rochdale,” said Wilbraham.
“Rochdale is a team that I feel like I’ve played against hundreds of times. I’ve also got loads of friends who have played for the club so I know a bit about it, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience here and being part of the team.
“The manager has been a big factor in why I have joined here. After speaking to him and meeting with him, I just knew straight away what kind of guy he was, so it is good to link up with him.
“I’m also pleased to have signed in time for pre-season. It’s important to get involved as early as possible, to meet all the lads and to get to know all the new faces. It’s also important to get a good pre-season under our belts and look forward to the new season together.”
The prospect of Wilbraham and Calvin Andrew – who has signed a yearlong extension to his contract – forming part of Keith Hill’s forward line will ensure rival defences are in for a tough time.
Andrew reckons last season’s struggle has created a close bond among the squad, with a shared desire to steer clear of the relegation fight.
“The way we finished last season has made us excited to come back in and to do better than we did last season. It has brought everyone closer together - we really needed togetherness to achieve what we did last season and to stay up, so we’re all really looking forward to getting back in and start working.
“Nobody wants to be in that type of position, and that has got to set a fire for all the players, me included, to do better.
“We should be achieving more than we did last season with the types of players that we’ve got here, so it’s exciting to be preparing to come back in for the start of a new season.”