2020–21 Bristol Rovers F.C. season explained

Club:Bristol Rovers
Season:2020–21
Manager:Ben Garner
(until 14 November)[1]
Paul Tisdale
(19 November – 10 February)[2] [3]
Joey Barton
(from 22 February)[4]
Chairman:Wael al-Qadi
Chrtitle:President
Stadium:Memorial Stadium
League:League One
League Result:24th (relegated)
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Third round
Cup2:EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:First round
Cup3:EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:Third round
League Topscorer:Luke Leahy
(8)
Season Topscorer:Luke Leahy
(10)
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Prevseason:2019–20
Nextseason:2021–22

The 2020–21 Bristol Rovers F.C. season was the 138th edition in Bristol Rovers F.C. history and the fourth consecutive season in EFL League One, Along with League One, the club contested the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

The season covered the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

Transfers

Transfers in

DatePos.Nat.NameFromFeeRef.
18 July 2020 Free transfer [5]
20 July 2020 Free transfer [6]
21 July 2020 Free transfer [7]
22 July 2020 Free transfer [8]
29 July 2020 Undisclosed [9]
3 August 2020 Undisclosed [10]
25 August 2020 Free transfer [11]
28 August 2020 Free transfer [12]
10 September 2020 Free transfer [13]
8 October 2020 Undisclosed [14]
16 October 2020 Ryan Jones Undisclosed [15]
22 October 2020 Free transfer [16]
21 January 2021 Undisclosed [17]

Loans in

Date fromPos.Nat.NameFromDate untilRef.
8 August 2020 17 December 2020 [18] [19]
21 September 2020 End of season [20]
15 October 2020 End of season [21]
4 January 2021 End of season [22]

Loans out

Date fromPos.Nat.NameToDate untilRef.
11 September 2020 Liam Armstrong 21 October 2020 [23] [24]
11 September 2020 Ollie Hulbert 1 January 2021 [25]
11 September 2020 Harry Warwick 1 January 2021
8 October 2020 End of season [26]
9 October 2020 1 January 2021 [27]
13 October 2020 2 January 2021 [28]
16 October 2020 Ryan Jones End of Season
21 October 2020 9 January 2021
23 October 2020 23 January 2021 [29]
23 October 2020 11 January 2021 [30] [31]
24 October 2020 Sam Heal [32]
31 October 2020 December 2020 [33]
20 November 2020 9 January 2021 [34]
18 January 2021 End of Season [35]
26 January 2021 End of Season [36]
24 April 2021 End of Season [37]

Transfers out

DatePos.Nat.NameToFeeRef.
1 July 2020 Josh Bailey Unattached Released
1 July 2020 Free transfer [38]
1 July 2020 Lewis Clutton Released [39]
1 July 2020 Released [40] [41]
1 July 2020 Isaiah Crawford Unattached Released
1 July 2020 George Fowler Unattached Released
1 July 2020 Retired Released [42]
1 July 2020 Rhys Kavanagh Retired Released [43]
1 July 2020 Released [44]
1 July 2020 Ben Morgan Unattached Released
1 July 2020 Released [45]
1 July 2020 Luc Noble Unattached Released [46]
1 July 2020 Levi Paul Unattached Released
1 July 2020 Mason Raymond Unattached Released
1 July 2020 Released [47]
1 July 2020 Released [48]
1 July 2020 Harry Thomas-Barker Released [49]
1 July 2020 Released [50]
16 July 2020 Harry Hodges Free transfer [51]
28 July 2020 Undisclosed [52]
3 August 2020 Free transfer [53]
27 August 2020 Undisclosed [54]

Pre-season

Rovers announced their first pre-season game on 7 August 2020 that would see the first-team play the following day in a behind closed doors friendly against Bristol Manor Farm.[55] They later announced a second fixture against Exeter City.[56]

Competitions

EFL League One

See main article: 2020–21 EFL League One.

Matches

The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.[57]

FA Cup

See main article: 2020–21 FA Cup.

The draw for the first round was made on Monday 26, October.[58] The second round draw was revealed on Monday, 9 November by Danny Cowley.[59] The third round draw was made on 30 November, with Premier League and EFL Championship clubs all entering the competition.[60]

EFL Cup

On 18 August 2020, the first round was drawn.[61]

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup.

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Trophy.

The regional group stage draw was confirmed on 18 August.[62] The second round draw was made by Matt Murray on 20 November, at St Andrew's.[63] The third round was made on 10 December 2020 by Jon Parkin.[64]

Statistics

Players with squad numbers struck through and marked left the club during the playing season.

Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Bristol Rovers.

|-!colspan=15|Players out on loan:|}

Goals record

Rank No. Nat. Po. Name Total
13 LBLuke Leahy 820010
29 CFBrandon Hanlan 71019
311LWSam Nicholson 61018
414 CM60006
517CFJames Daly 31004
68 CMZain Westbrooke 20013
21CFJonah Ayunga 20013
85 CBMax Ehmer 11002
15 CBAlfie Kilgour 11002
22RBJosh Hare 01012
23CMTom Mehew 00022
26CB11002
124 DM10001
6 DMEd Upson 10001
33RMAlex Rodman 10001
41AMErhun Oztumer 01001
47LBAli Koiki 00011
Total 40100858

Disciplinary record

Rank No. Nat.Po. Name League OneLeague TrophyTotal
114CMLuke McCormick 810000000000810
26 CMEd Upson 601000000100701
33 LBLuke Leahy 600100000000700
4 DM500000100100700
26CB600000000100700
65 CBMax Ehmer 600000000000600
725CBCian Harries 500000000000500
815CBAlfie Kilgour 200100000100400
24LBDavid Tutonda 400000000000400
109 CFBrandon Hanlan 300000000000300
32GKAnssi Jaakkola 200100000000300
43RBGeorge Williams300000000000300
1311LWSam Nicholson 200000000000200
20CMCameron Hargreaves 200000000000200
21 CFJonah Ayunga 200000000000200
22RBJosh Hare 200000000000200
33RMAlex Rodman 200000000000200
41AMErhun Oztumer 200000000000200
42CMAbu Ogogo 100000000100200
202 RB100000000000100
13GKJoe Day 001000000000001
17CF100000000000100
37CBPablo Martinez100000000000100
Total 72123001005008112

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statement: Ben Garner. bristolrovers.co.uk. 14 November 2020. 14 November 2020. 14 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114181335/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/ben-garner-statement/. dead.
  2. Web site: Tisdale named new Bristol Rovers manager . British Broadcasting Corporation . 19 November 2020.
  3. Web site: Statement: Paul Tisdale. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 10 February 2021. 10 February 2021. 17 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104459/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/february/paul-tisdale-statement/. dead.
  4. Web site: Joey Barton Announced as Bristol Rovers Manager. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 22 February 2021. 22 February 2021. 17 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104501/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/february/club-statement-manager/. dead.
  5. News: Josh Grant Joins the Gas . 18 July 2020 . . 18 July 2020 . 18 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200718090514/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/josh-grant-joins/ . dead .
  6. News: Jack Baldwin Signs . 20 July 2020 . . 20 July 2020.
  7. News: Max Ehmer Completes Move to the Gas! . 21 July 2020 . . 21 July 2020 . 21 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200721080515/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/max-ehmer-signs/ . dead .
  8. News: Sam Nicholson Joins Rovers! . 22 July 2020 . . 22 July 2020 . 9 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209221720/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/sam-nicholson-signs/ . dead .
  9. News: Jonah Ayunga Joins the Gas! . 29 July 2020 . . 29 July 2020.
  10. News: Zain Westbrooke seals move to the Gas! . 3 August 2020 . . 3 August 2020 . 28 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928080051/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/august/zain-westbrooke-joins-gas/ . dead .
  11. News: Pablo Martinez joins the Development Squad . 25 August 2020 . . 25 August 2020 . 28 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928090120/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/august/pablo-martinez-signs/ . dead .
  12. News: David Tutonda joins the Gas! . 28 August 2020 . . 28 August 2020 . 30 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200830231500/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/august/david-tutonda-signs/ . dead .
  13. News: Rovers Sign Brandon Hanlan . 10 September 2020 . . 10 September 2020.
  14. Web site: The Gas complete the signing of Ben Liddle!. bristol rovers.co.uk. 8 October 2020. 8 October 2020. 29 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029080549/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/ben-liddle-middlesborough-rovers-boro-signs/. dead.
  15. News: Rovers Complete the Signing of Young Prospect, Ryan Jones. bristolrovers.co.uk. 16 October 2020. 16 October 2020. 17 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201017213025/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/ryan-jones-bristol-rovers-signs-weston-super-mare/. dead.
  16. Web site: Ali Koiki Joins Rovers . Bristol Rovers . 22 October 2020.
  17. Web site: George Williams Signs!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 21 January 2021. 21 January 2021. 15 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221115152413/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/january/george-williams-signing/. dead.
  18. News: Jayden Mitchell-Lawson Returns to the Gas on Loan! . 8 August 2020 . . 8 August 2020.
  19. Web site: Jayden Mitchell-Lawson Returned to Derby. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 17 December 2020.
  20. News: Rovers Sign Chelsea Youngster On Loan . 21 September 2020 . . 1 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101153333/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/september/like-mccormick-signs/ . dead .
  21. Web site: Charlton’s Erhun Oztumer makes Bristol Rovers loan move . London News Online . 15 October 2020.
  22. Web site: Day Arrives on Loan . . 4 January 2021 . 4 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210104173058/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/january/joe-day-signs/ . dead .
  23. News: Armstrong Joins Salisbury on Loan . 11 September 2020 . . 11 September 2020.
  24. Web site: Alexis-Andre Jr Joins Salisbury on Loan. bristolrovers.co.uk. 21 October 2020. 21 October 2020. 28 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201128171719/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/Alexis-aarmstrong-loan/. dead.
  25. Web site: Bristol Rovers strike duo Harry Warwick and Ollie Hulbert join Cardiff Met for new season. clabpeldroed.org. 11 September 2020. 12 September 2020.
  26. Web site: Kyle Bennett Completes Loan Move . Bristol Rovers FC . 8 October 2020.
  27. Web site: Kieran Phillips Moves on Loan to Chippenham Town. bristolrovers.co.uk. 9 October 2020. 9 October 2020. 27 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027210852/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/kieran-phillips-loan-chippenham/. dead.
  28. Web site: Lucas Tomlinson Joins Bath City on Loan . Bristol Rovers FC . 13 October 2020 . 18 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201018160850/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/lucas-tomlinson-loan-bath-city/ . dead .
  29. Web site: Pablo Martinez moves on loan to Oxford City. bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 October 2020. 23 October 2020. 27 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027044130/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/pablo-martinez-loan-oxford-city/. dead.
  30. Web site: Abu Ogogo joins Dagenham & Redbridge on loan. bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 October 2020. 23 October 2020. 26 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026194408/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/abu-ogogo-contract-termination/. dead.
  31. Web site: Abu Ogogo Returns To Bristol Rovers. www.daggers.co.uk. 11 January 2021.
  32. Web site: Town sign Rovers player on loan. melkshamtownfc.net. 24 October 2020.
  33. Web site: Taunton Take Young Pirate on Loan . Southern Football League . 2 November 2020.
  34. Web site: Tom Mehew completes loan move to Bath City . Bristol Rovers FC . 20 November 2020 . 25 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201125220200/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tom-mehew-bath-city/ . dead .
  35. Web site: Tom Davies completes loan switch to Barrow AFC. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 18 January 2021.
  36. Web site: Kelly Joins Yeovil Town on Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 January 2021.
  37. Web site: Lucas Tomlinson Joins Torquay United on Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 24 April 2021. 24 April 2021. 24 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210424105315/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/april/lucas-tomlinson-loan/. dead.
  38. News: Tenacious midfielder pens Stags' deal . 1 July 2020 . . 1 July 2020.
  39. News: Penybont swoop for Welsh duo Connor Davies and Lewis Clutton . 10 September 2020 . . 28 August 2020.
  40. News: Retained List Announced . 15 June 2020 . . 15 June 2020 . 15 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615123639/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/june/bristol-rovers-retained-list/ . dead .
  41. News: Tony Craig Joins Yems' Reds . 1 August 2020 . . 1 August 2020.
  42. Web site: Former Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth and Huddersfield Town defender announces retirement aged just 24. Bristol Sport. 12 October 2020. 21 October 2020.
  43. Web site: Former County academy hotshot forced to retire. southwalesargus.co.uk. 10 July 2020. 3 October 2020.
  44. News: Matthews Joins Yems' Reds . 18 June 2020 . . 18 June 2020.
  45. News: Reds Sign Former Bristol Rovers Striker Tom Nichols On One Year Deal . 7 September 2020 . . 7 September 2020.
  46. News: Development Squad and Scholarship releases confirmed... . 27 August 2020 . . 2 June 2020.
  47. Web site: CONTRACT: Gretna-born forward joins United. carlisleunited.co.uk. 4 August 2020. 4 August 2020.
  48. News: Cheltenham sign midfielder Sercombe . 4 August 2020 . . 4 August 2020.
  49. News: Harry Thomas-Barker joins on initial short-term deal . 27 August 2020 . . 27 August 2020.
  50. News: Theo-logical signing as Langton brings in Widdrington . 10 September 2020 . . 31 August 2020 . 29 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200929195958/https://www.lewesfc.com/article/theo-logical-signing-as-langton-brings-in-widdrington . dead .
  51. News: Defender Harry Hodges joins The Magpies . 16 July 2020 . . 16 July 2020 . 20 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720030006/https://dorchestertownfc.co.uk/2020/07/16/defender-harry-hodges-joins-the-magpies/ . dead .
  52. News: Rollin Menayese Completes Switch to Mansfield Town . 28 July 2020 . . 28 July 2020 . 28 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200728131826/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/rollin-menayese-mansfield/ . dead .
  53. News: Luke Russe departs for Chippenham Town . 3 August 2020 . . 3 August 2020.
  54. News: Jonson Clarke-Harris moves to Peterborough United . 27 August 2020 . . 27 August 2020 . 25 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925054400/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/august/jch-moves-peterborough/ . dead .
  55. Web site: First Pre-Season Fixture Confirmed. bristolrovers.co.uk. 7 August 2020. 7 August 2020.
  56. Web site: Pre-Season Fixture Confirmed. bristolrovers.co.uk. 13 August 2020. 13 August 2020.
  57. News: Sky Bet League One fixtures 2020/21 . 21 August 2020 . . 21 August 2020.
  58. Web site: EFL League One And Two Clubs Join Emirates FA Cup After Monday’s first round Draw . The FA . 28 October 2020.
  59. Web site: FA Cup second-round draw in full . British Broadcasting Corporation . 9 November 2020.
  60. Web site: Premier League and Championship clubs join Emirates FA Cup After third round Draw . The Football Association . 10 December 2020.
  61. Web site: Rovers to face Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup 1st round. bristolrovers.co.uk. 18 August 2020.
  62. News: EFL Trophy Regional Groups confirmed . 18 August 2020 . . 18 August 2020.
  63. Web site: Papa John’s Trophy Round Two draw . English Football League . 27 November 2020.
  64. Web site: Papa John's Trophy: Round Three ties confirmed . English Football League . 12 January 2021.