DONCASTER Rovers' reputation as a well-run club with an increasingly good name across footballing circles is complimenting their on-pitch progress under Grant McCann.

That's the bullish eve-of-season verdict of chief executive officer Gavin Baldwin.

The Rovers chief recently revealed that Rovers have volunteered to be a pilot club for the Government's independent football regulator with the club's status as a progressive, but fiscally prudent lower-division club who are not solely reliant on owner funding being viewed as an example to follow.

The way it is being positively seen starts with McCann, that said.

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann is planning for the 2026/27 League One campaign. Picture: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann is planning for the 2026/27 League One campaign. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Baldwin told The Yorkshire Post: "It's got a good name playing wise, thanks to Grant and his staff.

"But equally we find that the Football League and the regulator are talking to us about what's right for football. Because we've got a reputation for not relying on owner funding.

"We've got a reputation for the staff running fast, trying to secure money outside of football.

"And that's what the regulator would want. Because when we're running fast outside football, we're doing things for the community as well.

Doncaster Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin.

"And if we can do a 'win-win' by working for the community, the community loves Doncaster Rovers and respects what we do and it generates revenue or creates value in the practise that means that we're getting money to put into the football team.

"That's the perfect model in my opinion. And we seem to be getting the respect from the Football League and the regulator, hence potentially being a pilot whereby maybe they're looking at us and saying that (other) clubs need to work harder as well off the field to generate revenue."

McCann has certainly been impressed by the training-ground mentality of his players at Cantley Park, heading into the start of the new campaign with Rovers kicking off with a trip to Stockport County in the first round of the EFL Cup on Saturday.

The following weekend, McCann's side step out at Mansfield Town for their League One opener, when they will be backed by a sell-out travelling away contingent.

Rovers have been buoyed by the arrival of a number of new faces, headlined by the marquee addition of Isaac Hutchinson for a six-figure fee, alongside other key signings, including the likes of Alfie May, Jordan Thomas and Tommy Simkin.

McCann commented: "I'll tell you what I've seen, it's a more committed squad. It's a squad that trains well every single day. It's a squad that's focused every day and fit.

"Using the first three, four weeks (of pre-season), it's always about how fit can we get them?. But we've looked a really strong, robust team.

"Too many times last year, I was disappointed coming off the training ground thinking he didn't train well and he didn't train well. He's not training too well…

"I haven't had that in pre season, but that could change in the season. But what I've seen so far is a sheer commitment."