Bristol City
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Bristol City
Dom Ballard press conference
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New signing Dom Ballard met the local media ahead of Bristol City’s 2026/27 league opener with Millwall on Saturday, August 15th (3pm).
He discusses settling in at Bristol City, his rise to the Sky Bet Championship and much more.
Well Don, welcome to to Brazil. I know you've been here for a little bit of time. You starting to to find your feet and know where you're going and all those kind of things.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's been a really easy transition. The staff, the players, I mean it's a lovely training ground. Stadium's brilliant. So uh yeah, it's been a really easy transition.
SPEAKER_02And before you came in there was a sort of a a protracted chase of you. How aware of you were that over the other the time, or were you able to just focus on preseasoning and getting yourself ready?
SPEAKER_00Um obviously I was aware of it. Um I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but yeah, my my goal was just to get fit. Um so if it ever does come through, uh I can come here in the best shape um I can be in and as sharp as I can be. So uh yeah, on a daily basis I was was still training properly, was still working hard. Um but yeah, it was it was always the back of the mind.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and and it's always nice to be wanted, but but why were you keen to to end up here? What what did Bristol City sell to you, I guess?
SPEAKER_00Um their direction in the next uh few years, I think, is is evident. Um speaking to the the GAFA uh know a couple of players as well, so yeah, I think it was for me a no-brainer, um, but but mainly it was a direction that the the football club wants to go in. Um that aligns with mine. Um I want to be a uh Premier League player one day, and the club wants to be a Premier League club, so um it was it was a no-brainer.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and and after the season you had last year, you know, amazing time. You kind of want to test yourself at the top level eventually, but but at the next level up and prove that you can do it there.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, of course. Um spent around two and a half years uh in League One and took my time to farm my feet, but eventually it um it happened and scored a lot of goals last year. So uh yeah, I guess it's the the same approach going into this. Hopefully, I can do it in a shorter space of time. Um I believe the jump's big, but uh being in men's football now and have done it in a league, I think I can definitely go on and do it in a more competitive league. Um, yeah, look, the championship's a great league, it's it's exciting for me.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and I don't think it's probably not one thing, but uh what was it about last season that something clicked or something happened that that you had that confidence to go and have the amazing season that you did?
SPEAKER_00Um I d I don't know. I think my I've had a good track record of scoring a lot of goals, um, all from my youth. Uh I think it was confidence, really. Uh, once you get a couple really early on in the season and you start building that momentum, you go into games not thinking, Am I gonna score? But how many, and you have that sort of mindset of I'm always gonna score, I'm always gonna score. If I get a chance, I'm gonna take it. So um, yeah, I think it was a mindset, mindset shift, a bit of confidence. So, yeah, that was the main factor. Obviously, the gaffer at Orient helped me, um, the players there helped me, so yeah, but I have that same feeling here. So I think it's uh it's definitely the right place to be.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and you obviously for Orient played against your uh your gaffer's team now in in Lincoln last year, so you got an idea of of what he did with them, it might be different here at City, but was that another attraction? Because you look at what they did last season, and that that was pretty impressive.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think um Lincoln were a team that were sniffing around playoffs and wanted to push to uh a championship club, and I think Bristol right now are in the same sort of position, so for him it's very much the same same goals, same attitude as he had last year. Um and yeah, playing against his teams it was always tough. Um, and you knew what you were gonna get when you went there, but trying to stop it was hard. He created loads of chances for strikers, and um yeah, so that all that sort of stuff was uh definitely in the back of my mind when speaking to him, and playing against the team means that I can see how I fit in that team, and um yeah, I definitely saw myself in.
SPEAKER_02So that was gonna be our next question. Where do you see yourself if you can get into the starting line up for City with the sort of formation that they've been using so far?
SPEAKER_00I think um it could be a little bit different for me. Um obviously Tolly being here as well, could definitely uh play out front together. I played up front a lot by myself last year, a couple of times playing up front in a two, but um yeah, this year I think I might be dropping in a bit more, getting on the ball a bit more. Um the gaffer has filled me with confidence in terms of being able to drop into them little spaces, getting on the ball a bit more. So yeah, it's um adapting my game and hopefully I can take it in my stride and but still have them goal scoring moments.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, because it you know it every footballer can be can adapt to to whatever they they need to, but that probably takes a little bit of a having the right mindset. But was that a concern or are you quite keen to try and unlearn not new skills but play in a slightly different position?
SPEAKER_00Um I think at my age it's definitely a a good thing because I I see it as a development. I always think I'm gonna be a striker, so I want to score loads of goals, but um it's definitely a development for me because I think running behind I'm really good at that, but uh showing feet, linking play, uh bringing other players into the game would definitely be something that I can get better at. Um and the like I said, the gaffers filled me with confidence, so I I really feel like I can do it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and and it's a learning process, not just for you, but quite a lot of new additions, managers coming in trying to get everybody playing in a slightly different style. It it wouldn't be a shock if it takes a few weeks for everything to click in the way, I'm sure you'd all like to.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it could take a few weeks, and um patience is key, but at the same time, like every team, we want to hit the ground running. Um we believe if we start well, it gives us the best platform to achieve great things this year. Um also moving forward, like um if things click quicker and the hard work's on the training pitch, we we work hard on a daily basis, things will naturally quick uh click quicker. Um, but yeah, nah, it's it's gonna be take time, it's gonna relationships are gonna need to build. But um, yeah, we definitely think uh the dressing room and stuff, there's there's a lot of good lads in there. So I I believe it'll click hopefully faster than everyone thinks it will.
SPEAKER_02Well, fingers crossed that is the uh the the case, and and for an opening weekend in the uh the the championship, it doesn't get that much tougher than the mill war. Had a great season last year, always a big physical test. What are you looking forward to?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's a great game. Um, like I said, I've I've never played in the championship before, so I think Mill is very much a game where it's like this is championship and that's uh the level that we're gonna have to get to. It's a great test. If we uh if we walk away, hopefully winning the game, it's uh will fill us all with confidence. And you say about Jellin, I think that's a great, great way to hopefully get three points down at Ashton Gate. I think it's gonna be pretty busy as well. So yeah, it's it's gonna be a really good uh moment for us, hopefully.
SPEAKER_02Very best of luck this weekend now and for the rest of the season.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, I appreciate it.
SPEAKER_04Hello again. Um just a point on you and Lauren coming into the club at the same time, and you probably saw a fair bit of each other in League One last year. How do you think your your two styles match up? You're different sort of players, aren't you?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we are different. We have a lot of similar attributes. Uh we both like scoring goals. Um, but yeah, there is definitely things that we're gonna have to work on together and understand each other's game. Like I said, the gaffer sees us playing at times in a two, so uh yeah, if I can understand his game as much as I can and he understands mine, then yeah, I think um it could be a real real cool dynamic.
SPEAKER_04Were there times last season when you were in the battle for the golden boot with him?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there yeah, there was, yeah. I uh yeah, it was a situation of sometimes looking at your phone after the game and seeing if uh Tolly scored, but yeah, I I managed to get the upper hand a little bit in that, but um yeah, he obviously had a wonderful season as well.
SPEAKER_04You mentioned it to him?
SPEAKER_00Uh I think it's uh I haven't mentioned it to him, but I think he knows.
SPEAKER_04What uh what do you think are the qualities that you bring to the side?
SPEAKER_00Um I'm dynamic. I think the the Gaffer sees that as one of my biggest strengths. He wants our football to be dynamic, very high-paced, very positive way of playing football as his Lincoln team were. So uh yeah, I think that's what I'll bring to the team. Loads of energy and and hopefully a loads of goals.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, golden boots, League One player of the year, young player of the year. I mean, your confidence levels come into this year, albeit your stepping up, must be as high as they've ever been, aren't they?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think coming off back of last year I was obviously really confident, um, had a really nice summer break, but I know where I want to be, and I want to be in the Premier League one day. So um to me it was I have to stay on top of it, keep pushing, keep driving, and this is the next step for me, and yeah, hopefully I can carry that confidence in and like I said, get a few goals uh early on, so then I can just push on from there.
SPEAKER_04And obviously, you you have a an experience of high-level football already, and you had to take a step back to come forward. How useful do you think that was? Clearly, very useful experience for you.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was the best thing I've ever done. Um I think it's very easy nowadays with uh the standard of the academies and the setups now to just be comfortable, to sit, go on a few loans and be very comfortable. Um but the best thing for me obviously um was to to get out and eventually I did, and later in Orient was that club, and I I'll forever be grateful for uh the opportunities I got there. Um I took my opportunities and then now I'm here, so uh yeah, it was definitely the best thing I ever did, and I'm so grateful I did it.
SPEAKER_04Southampton game's coming up pretty soon, isn't it?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it won't be long before you're going back. Nah, that would be a good one. I think the first one's back at St. Mary's as well. So um yeah, I'd like to score back there. I really would. Great, thank you.
SPEAKER_01Just to go back to you and uh Tolly, is that how you have you guys spent some time together? Has it been kind of getting to know each other sort of off the pitch as well as on it, so that you can work on that that way.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think um we talk off pitch, of course, we do. He's uh he's he's welcomed me with open arms to be fair. There could have been that little bit of tension, but he's been he's been really good with me. Um but more importantly on the pitch, we spend a lot of time together. Um with him finishing drills or whatever it is, but everything's positive and it's really nice. Um I've only been here a week and I already feel like we're building a connection and I think we're both very excited by the prospect that we could both score a lot of goals this year.
SPEAKER_01I dare I say it, two up front is a little bit old school, isn't it? People usually you strikers usually get left up on your own these days.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it could be seen as old school. I think the plans that the Gaffer has um can be very much like he wants me dropping into spaces, he wants me creating just as much as scoring goals. Um, and like I said, that's good for my development. Um Tolly's a bit more of an old-fashioned nine, wants to be in the box all the time, big frame. So uh yeah, I think our dynamic together is uh is definitely something to be excited by.
SPEAKER_01And what was it like coming in and the training and things like that? Because obviously you've you've sort of stepped through those levels, haven't you? Was it surprising? How did you how did you feel those sort of first few sessions went for you?
SPEAKER_00Um yeah, I I really enjoyed it. Obviously, you get a new new little buzz. Um but yeah, I I've played at Savanton in the first team, I've trained a bit, um, been in the England setup. So I guess the level is something that I'm uh not used to, but I I'm capable of, and I know I was, so and also coming into this season on the confidence that I've got. So yeah, it's it's it's obviously a step up, and but it's something that I I wanted to do and wanted to achieve. So now I've just got to take it with both hands.
SPEAKER_01And just looking at the squad and the players that have been brought in has been a lot of change there. What have you guys been doing extra stuff outside of that to try and bond the team to to kind of get to know each other, I suppose?
SPEAKER_00I think the the lads have um obviously only joined in a week ago. Uh I played golf, so uh that that we went and played golf a little bit, but um yeah, we're we're organising a few things, and uh like you said, I think it's just as important that we uh build bonds off the pitch, not just on it, because you've got to fight for the for the man next to you, right? So um yeah, I'm I'm sure a little bit of that will be going on, but yeah, the dress room's great um and and the staff too, so it's been a really nice, easy transition.
SPEAKER_03Thanks, mate. Don, you mentioned confidence a lot just in the time you've been talking there. I was reading an interview you did back in your Southampton days where you spoke about you'd be going to bed at night picturing goals that you score the next day. When you've had those sort of lone experiences that maybe haven't gone quite as well at this Little, has that always stuck with you that confidence?
SPEAKER_00Um I think it has. I think it's very easy to go negative very quickly. Um starting with my time at Reading, I absolutely adored it. I'm I'm not from far from Reading, so it was like a local club to me, and I was I was loving every minute of it. And then Blackpool and Cambridge, it was um yeah, it was a tough time. I was playing under two gaffers that I didn't sign for, and they played a style of football that I probably didn't suit, but yet again, I I saw it as a uh opportunity to grow, an opportunity to develop in myself. So I believe in everything happens for a reason, and uh, I think that gives me the confidence of almost take every opportunity as a as a lesson, as a challenge, and try and develop off that.
SPEAKER_03It's gotta be quite an interesting experience last season as well when you're in that form and the team's maybe struggling. It's quite a hard balance to strike, maybe of where where you're at person and where the teams are.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, 100%. It was um there was some times where you'd go into the change room and knowing you'd have scored a couple or whatever it is, um, but the team might have still lost the game, and it was uh definitely character building. Um it was as a young 20-year-old lad last year, it was definitely something where I I learnt a lot and um I'm grateful for it. Um but yeah, like scoring the goals was was my job and I I felt like I did that last year.
SPEAKER_03Let's be a 21-year-old and have have had that vast amount of experience. Like, do you feel that bit older? Do you feel like you've got a career, start of a career behind you coming into here?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean I've played a fair few games in League One. Um and yeah, I think I can I can use that when I come here. I'm might be 21, but I I feel like I'm quite mature in the game of football. I've still obviously got a lot to learn and a lot of time to learn, so yeah, I'll use that and utilize it, but yeah, definitely that that is another part of the confidence where I believe I've played a lot of men's games now. I I understand how it goes. So yeah, just just take that into a championship.
SPEAKER_03We spoke to Sam Tickle a few weeks ago and he basically said goalkeeping's goalkeeping, whatever level you play at. Is that kind of how you feel with the step? What do you see as the differences between League One and the Championship?
SPEAKER_00Um I think physically a players will be a lot better, um, and obviously tactically with with probably better coaching, better staff. Uh there's a lot of differences, but similar to what Tick Tickle probably said, I think it's um for me it's the goal in front of you doesn't move, right? Um, and if I get a chance, I I'm gonna score. So yeah, I think it like he said, it's it the same job, isn't it?
SPEAKER_03Do you kind of feel like it's the wrong way of phrasing it, but you come up with a bit of a point to prove that yeah, I've done it in League One, you speak about wanting to be a Premier League player. Do you come up thinking, right, I need to I want to show that I can do this in the championship, I'm a championship standard striker?
SPEAKER_00100%, 100%. Um we all want to strive to be the best person we can be, and for me that's scoring and scoring and scoring more. So yeah, I'm I'm gonna use that hunger, that fight to to come up and to try and score just as many goals as I did last year, if not more. It might not happen in the first season, but um hopefully it does, and if it doesn't happen in the first season, it'll be next season, and that's my mentality. So anything I can do, whether it be scoring a goal or this year, getting an assist, whatever it is, um I'll do it.
SPEAKER_03I know you've only been here a week or so. How are you finding Bristol as a city as well?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's really nice to be fair. It's uh London was a bit manic, um, so it's quite nice. It seems like peace and quiet coming down here. Um, but yeah, definitely a really cool city. I don't live far, so I I commute a little bit, but spend a bit of time in the city too, and yeah, it's very pretty. The the misses are very happy.
SPEAKER_03Also want the result you guys would have wanted, but you must enjoy that experience as well being at Ashton Gay.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, of course, the stadium's lovely. The fans, I think, like I said this weekend, hopefully it's going to be a really good atmosphere, and yeah, I'm I'm really looking forward to to getting in the league. It wasn't a great result the other day, we all know that. Um, but there was definitely positives to take from the game. The first half I thought the boys are really good, and then second half struggled to find find a goal, but um we definitely created chances, and for me it was a I felt like I can score goals in this team, which ultimately for me was the most important thing.
SPEAKER_03And although you've come in that bit later, I guess there's no better way of learning and adjusting and playing games week in, week out. Maybe you might not have had the preseason here, but you're gonna be playing and learning on the job.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, 100%. Um I've got the experience, so I feel like I didn't need to be here the whole time and I can sort of jump in head first. Um and yeah, look, nothing in preseason can prepare you for the championship test. Like we said, Mill was it's gonna be a great test, and um nothing you can do can really prepare you for that. So we're gonna have to just grab it and try and uh win the game. Best of luck on Saturday. Thank you.