In wishing O'Connor every success in the move, manager Sean O'Driscoll is quoted as saying: "Without major new investment we are left with no option other than to accept an offer for one of our talented young players. While I am not happy losing James, with the money received reinvested back into the squad we have a chance of strengthening the squad overall. This season we have found new players like Shaun Cooper, Josh Gowling and Callum Hart, and they, and players like them are the way forward for our club if we are to realise our ambitions".
The man himself released a statement on the Clubs Official Web Site saying: "This offer has come as a complete surprise and I have decided that this is the right move at the right time for me. Doncaster are an ambitious club and they showed me how ambitious they are. I have really enjoyed my time at Bournemouth and would like to thank Sean, Richard and all the players for everything".
Chairman Peter Phillips, is quoted as saying: "We will be sorry to lose James. He is a talented young player who has developed into an exciting attacking full back in his time here. But the transfer fee we were able to negotiate with Doncaster represents a good deal for the club. We are fortunate to have so many versatile, high quality players in our squad at present and this deal gives a big boost to the manager's budget to attract new players".
And in a rare quote from Chief Exec, Laurence Jones: "The Club has already demonstrated its ambition by extending James Hayter's contract and it is critical that Sean has access to funds to bring in players to strengthen the squad. Without access to investment from outside the only other option for the club in this case was to consider the offer from Doncaster Rovers for James O'Connor which will provide funds for Sean to strengthen his playing squad and does form part of the overall vision for us to build a squad that will compete with the very best in the division next season".