Boro’ made Danny Rose one of their first summer 2022 acquisitions – and it turned out to be quite a good decision all told. Nine goals in total would be the striker’s return during the 2022-3 League Two campaign; one in which we secured promotion to League Two. But the stats alone don’t totally tell the story of Rose’s contribution. Of those nine goals, some were absolutely crucial. And, even if he wasn’t on target, his role in harassing defenders created opportunities for others to put the ball in the back of the net.

The trouble is that Boro’ needed to run a tight ship. We did include Rose on our retained list for our return back to League One. But the club revealed not long after confirming the list that Rose was on the move; a move to Grimsby Town for an undisclosed five-figure sum. Was it because we needed the cash to allocate elsewhere? Or was Rose being based up north a factor in the decision? Either way, the striker would be off; leaving behind strong memories and very much an integral part of a tight-knit Boro’ squad.

Danny Rose: Before Boro’

A native of Barnsley, Rose got his first break with his hometown club; turning pro at Oakwell in March 2011. In the next couple of years, he started to edge his way into first-team contention. It’d be another ‘B’ team at which Rose would be getting himself noticed. A loan spell to Bury in late March 2014 lasted barely a month before being recalled, but he was back at Gigg Lane at the start of the 2014-5 season on loan with a view to a permanent deal. That view was actually a short-lived one; the loan made permanent just three days later. He’d remain with the Shakers for two seasons – before moving to Mansfield Town.