Alex Newby spoke to www.rochdaleafc.co.uk after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal on Monday, completing a move to Rochdale that has been in the pipeline for some time.
“This move has been a long time coming due to what has gone on with the Coronavirus, so I’m delighted to get it wrapped up and sorted,” said Newby.
“I’ve had my heart set on coming here for a long time. I spoke to Brian [Barry-Murphy] and Lee [Riley] back in March and it has just been a waiting game since then.”
The 24-year-old spent the last two-and-a-half seasons at Chorley, notching up over 90 appearances and helping the Magpies clinch promotion to the National League during his time there. He believes his time at Victory Park will stand him in good stead for the future.
“Playing in the Football League has been my goal since the start [of my playing career], so I’m delighted that it has materialised.
“I played a lot of games at Chorley, and when you’re playing games regularly, you’re learning, so it has been perfect for me. I want to kick on now and hopefully prove that I can do the same at this level.”
Newby worked under Riley, Dale’s first team coach, earlier in his career. Riley was a coach at Morecambe when he was a scholar there, and Newby is looking forward to working with him again, as well as Manager Brian Barry-Murphy.
“I know Lee – I’ve worked with him the past. He was a coach with the Youth Team at Morecambe when I was a scholar there. He is a great coach and I work really well with him.
“Brian sold the Club to me, but it didn’t take much selling, because I wanted to come here. He is the type of Manager that I want to work with, and I can’t wait to do that.
“Lee has been sending me videos of games and how the team play. I’ve watched a lot of footage. Brian and Lee have been brilliant at keeping me involved and keeping me in the loop, so that has helped me a lot ahead of starting training.”
Newby’s twin brother Elliot is also a professional footballer and spent the last two seasons playing alongside Alex at Chorley.
He says his brother has been very supportive of his move into the Football League.
“We’ve played together all of our lives, so we had a good understanding on the pitch. But I’m happy now to go away and do my own thing and push on. He, and all the family, have been really supportive and I wouldn’t be anywhere near here without their support, so I’m very grateful for that.”