I’d like to start by saying that after such a miserable season, even the highs of some dramatic results under caretaker manager Stuart Campbell, none of us could have predicted the explosion of off the pitch action which surrounded Bristol Rovers. With the hiring of popular choice Paul Buckle to take the helm as the fifth manager in seven months.
Paul Buckle is an exceptional talent who completely turned around the fortunes of Torquay United; a club in distress. After taking over at the club in June 2007, Paul refreshed their whole squad and backroom staff, and turned around their fortunes. In just four years he took them from the brink of joining The Conference South to promotion challengers in League Two. He also reached the FA Trophy final and the fifth round of the FA Cup and did so with an outstanding club record win percentage of 46%.
After his appointment, Buckle handed a list to the Bristol Rovers board of directors, of players which he has worked with or kept a close eye on over the last couple of years and wished for us to sign. Buckle was left to enjoy a couple of well earned weeks off while the board started work on trying to capture some of these players. When Buckle returned, the board had made contact and started negotiations with many clubs and players and soon we had made our first signing.
Just over a month down the line and we have now signed 14 players after the release of 17. Notable signings being our new number one Scott Bevan, defenders Michael Smith and Cian Bolger (six-month loan), midfielders Craig Stanley, Matt Gill and Mustapha Carayol, and finally strikers Chris Zebroski, Joe Anyinsah, Matt Harrold and Scott McGleish. Knowing that Buckle likes to play a very attacking gun-ho style game with the ‘We’ll score more goals than you’ attitude, it wasn’t surprising to see that he has really bolstered our attack which now sees nine strikers all competing for first team football. This healthy style has really impressed me and I know it has driven strong optimism into many of you to.
Although it was sad to see the departure of many players, some of which had been at Bristol Rovers for many years, it was clearly indicated from the beginning of the new regime that a completely fresh squad and staff is what’s desperately needed, and Paul Buckle had delivered on that.
Paul Buckle will start the season with his trusted right hand man Shaun North who he has bought along with him from Torquay United. North was quick to state that he is no ‘yes’ man and that he brings options to assist Buckle.
I attended the first pre-season friendly away to Mangotsfield Utd, which saw 4 second half goals destroy them. It was brilliant to finally get a glimpse of the players and management team together and to see Stuart Campbell in his fully deserving new role as player/coach. Most of the players looked fit and all wanted to show what they are capable of. Notable players in the match were Zebroski who was a pain for the Mangotsfield defence the entire first half. McGleish also impressed. The second half saw Wayne Brown and Michael Smith dominate the right flank, and Ben Swallow tore up the field with a man of the match performance scoring two goals.
Since then we have beaten Bath City away 2-0, Salisbury City away 5-2, Burnley at home 2-0 a tight 2-1 loss to Reading and finally a win away at Gloucester City 3-2. All looks good so far and it’s nice to finally hear the gasheads talking about Bristol Rovers with pride again. Our couple of really tough home friendlies against Burnley and Reading, were a true test of how versatile and competitive our squad is, and I must say I was more than impressed with how we coped against both of them.
It’s starting to get very exciting now as the season draws nearer and we all pray we are destined for a great season, which starts at newly promoted AFC Wimbledon on Saturday 6th August, 12:45 kick off. With the excitement surrounding both clubs at the moment, Bristol Rovers being one of the favourite for promotion this season and AFC Wimbledon playing their first football league match, the game has been chosen to air live on Sky Sports.
AFC Wimbledon will be full of confidence and know how to win games and punish their opponents, so there in no way this can be considered a walk in the park. I have spoken to a couple of their fans and they are worried about playing us but as I said they know what they are capable of and look forward to the contest.
I will be attending the match and hope that many of you do also. We want to show the league and viewers what Bristol Rovers are all about and what great fans we have.
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I’ll see you in my dreams.
Written by Daryl Parsons, We Are Going Up’s Bristol Rovers Blogger
Daryl tweets at @bs13gas
