Former Plymouth defender Paul Connolly said it took just one meeting with Paul Jewell to persuade him to join Derby
Defender swaps Pilgrims for Rams
Former Plymouth defender Paul Connolly said it took just one meeting with Paul Jewell to persuade him to join Derby.
The 24-year-old met with the ex-Wigan boss, after making a 10-hour trip from Plymouth, and knew that Pride Park was were he wanted to be.
Connolly was released from Argyle last month and was in talks with a number of Championship clubs before Derby, who have just suffered Premiership relegation, showed an interest.
"I had about four or five other clubs interested in the Championship and I got a phone call from Paul Jewell, who said: 'Can you come up and meet me?'", said Connolly.
"I jumped in the car, drove up on my own and met him. He showed me around the whole club.
"It was late on, it was getting dark and he showed me the training ground, the stadium and we walked around for two hours.
"We talked about football, life in general - we talked about everything.
"As soon as the meeting finished, I drove back to Plymouth - about five hours in the car again. Then I phoned my agent and said I wanted to sign for Derby."
