2023–24 Bristol Rovers F.C. season explained

Club:	Bristol Rovers
Season:	2023–24
Owner:	Hussain AlSaeed
Chairman:	Tom Gorringe
Chrtitle:	CEO
Manager:	Joey Barton (until 26 October)^[1] Andy Mangan Matt Taylor (from 1 December)^[2]
Stadium:	Memorial Stadium
League Result:	15th
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Third round
Cup2:	EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:	First round
Cup3:	EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:	Second round
League Topscorer:	Chris Martin (16)
Season Topscorer:	Chris Martin (16)
Highest Attendance:	10,335 vs. Norwich City (17 January 2024, FA Cup Third round replay)
Lowest Attendance:	978 vs. West Ham United U21 (19 September 2023, EFL Trophy Group Stage)
Pattern La1:	_blueborder
Pattern B1:	_bluequarters23
Pattern Ra1:	_blueborder
Pattern Sh1:	_whitesides
Pattern So1:	_band_white
Leftarm1:	FFFFFF
Rightarm1:	FFFFFF
Shorts1:	0000FF
Socks1:	0000FF
Pattern La2:	_blackborder
Pattern B2:	_blackcollar
Pattern Ra2:	_blackborder
Pattern So2:	_blacktop
Leftarm2:	DCDCDC
Body2:	DCDCDC
Rightarm2:	DCDCDC
Shorts2:	000000
Socks2:	DCDCDC
Prevseason:	2022–23
Nextseason:	2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 141st season in the history of Bristol Rovers and their second consecutive season in League One. The club are participating in League One, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Current squad

No.	Name	Position	Nationality	Date of birth (Age)	Previous club	Date signed	Fee	Contract end
Goalkeepers
31					Academy	1 July 2023	Trainee	30 June 2028
33				2 May 2003		25 July 2023	Loan	31 May 2024
35	Matt Hall			24 April 2003		26 July 2023	Free	30 June 2025
Defenders
2						1 July 2022	Undisclosed	30 June 2025
3						6 August 2022	Free	30 June 2024
5						1 July 2023	Free	30 June 2025
17						3 August 2023	Undisclosed	30 June 2026
25	Tristan Crama	CB		8 November 2001	Brentford	25 July 2023	Loan	31 May 2024
26						1 February 2024	Loan	31 May 2024
30					Academy	1 July 2021	Trainee	30 June 2024
32						4 July 2023	Free	30 June 2024
42						17 August 2023	Free	30 June 2025
Midfielders
4	Josh Grant	DM			Chelsea	18 July 2020	Free	30 June 2024
6	Sam Finley	CM			Fleetwood Town	1 July 2021	Free	30 June 2024
8	Grant Ward	CM			Blackpool	27 January 2023	Free	30 June 2025
10						1 February 2024	Loan	31 May 2024
14	Jordan Rossiter	DM			Fleetwood Town	1 July 2022	Undisclosed	30 June 2024
19				11 September 2003		15 August 2023	Loan	31 May 2024
21	Antony Evans	AM			SC Paderborn	31 August 2021	Free	30 June 2025
22						26 January 2024	Undisclosed	30 June 2027
23	Luke McCormick	AM			AFC Wimbledon	24 August 2022	Undisclosed	30 June 2025
34		CM			Academy	1 July 2023	Trainee	30 June 2024
37					Academy	13 November 2023	Trainee	30 June 2024
45						1 February 2024	Loan	31 May 2024
Forwards
7						18 October 2022	Free	30 June 2024
9						4 July 2022	Free	30 June 2024
11						1 July 2023	Free	30 June 2026
18				4 November 1988		26 September 2023	Free	30 June 2024
20						1 July 2023	Free	30 June 2025
43				22 February 2008	Academy	3 November 2023	Trainee	30 June 2024
					Academy	1 July 2022	Trainee	30 June 2024
Out on loan
28						1 July 2022	Free	30 June 2024
	Ryan Jones				Weston-super-Mare	16 October 2020	Undisclosed	30 June 2024

Transfers

In

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred from	Fee	Ref
1 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[3]
1 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[4]
1 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[5]
4 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[6]
26 July 2023		Matt Hall		Free Transfer	^[7]
3 August 2023				Undisclosed fee	^[8]
17 August 2023				Free Transfer	^[9]
27 September 2023					^[10]
26 January 2024				Undisclosed fee	^[11]

Out

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Ref
30 June 2023				Released	^[12] ^[13]
30 June 2023				Released	^[14]
30 June 2023				Released	^[15]
30 June 2023
30 June 2023		Malik Sesay		Released	^[16]
30 June 2023
30 June 2023		Lucas Vaughan		Released	^[17]
5 July 2023		Jamie Egan		Free Transfer	^[18]
3 August 2023		Lene Burden		Free Transfer	^[19]
1 September 2023				Undisclosed fee	^[20]
11 January 2024				Undisclosed fee	^[21]
13 January 2024				Contract terminated	^[22] ^[23]
1 February 2024				Undisclosed fee	^[24]

Loaned in

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned from	On loan until	Ref
25 July 2023				End of season	^[25]
25 July 2023				End of season
15 August 2023				End of season	^[26]
18 August 2023				4 January 2024	^[27] ^[28]
25 August 2023				10 January 2024	^[29] ^[30]
1 February 2024				End of season	^[31]
1 February 2024				End of season	^[32]
1 February 2024				End of season	^[33]

Loaned out

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned to	On loan until	Ref
6 January 2022	LB	Trevor Clarke	Shamrock Rovers	30 November 2023	^[34]
25 July 2023				14 November 2023	^[35] ^[36]
12 August 2023				October 2023	^[37] ^[38]
31 August 2023				3 January 2024	^[39] ^[40]
1 September 2023	CM			End of Season	^[41] ^[42]
30 September 2023				14 December 2023	^[43] ^[44]
6 October 2023		Will Larvin		6 November 2023	^[45]
12 October 2023		Theo Lynden		12 November 2023	^[46] ^[47]
21 October 2023				November 2023	^[48]
15 December 2023				12 January 2024	^[49] ^[50] ^[51]
30 January 2024				End of season	^[52]
3 February 2024				End of season	^[53]

Preseason and friendlies

On 27 June, Rovers revealed their pre-season schedule, with matches against Melksham Town, Eastleigh, Brentford B, Swansea City and Chesterfield.^[54]

Competitions

League One

See main article: 2023–24 EFL League One.

Matches

The league fixtures were released on 22 June 2023.^[55]

FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Cup.

The draw for the First Round was made on 15 October 2023.^[56]

EFL Cup

The draw for the First Round was made on 22 June 2023.^[57]

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup.

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

The draw for the group stage was made on 21 June 2023,^[58] with the invited club being drawn the following day.^[59] After finishing second in the group, they were drawn away to Crawley Town in the second round.^[60]

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
1	18		CF	Chris Martin	16	0	0	0	16
2	21		AM	Antony Evans	6	2	0	2	10
3	11		RW	Luke Thomas	5	1	0	1	7
4	9		CF	John Marquis	4	2	0	0	6
5	10		CF	Aaron Collins	3	1	0	1	5
5	7		LW	Scott Sinclair	4	0	0	0	4
	N/A			Own goals	1	2	0	1	4
8	19		AM	Harvey Vale	2	1	0	0	3
	23		CM	Luke McCormick	2	1	0	0	3
	42		RB	Jack Hunt	3	0	0	0	3
11	8		CM	Grant Ward	1	1	0	0	2
	10		AM	Brandon Aguilera	2	0	0	0	2
	20		AM	Jevani Brown	1	1	0	0	2
14	4		LB	Josh Grant	1	0	0	0	1
	5		CB	James Wilson	0	1	0	0	1
	6		CM	Sam Finley	0	0	0	1	1
	26		CB	Elkan Baggott	1	0	0	0	1
	28		RB	James Gibbons	0	0	0	1	1
Total					52	13	0	7	72

Disciplinary record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name	League One									League Trophy			Total
1	21		CM	Antony Evans	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	13	0	0
2	6		CM	Sam Finley	10	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0	0
3	17		CB	Connor Taylor	6	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	9	0	0
4	9		CF	John Marquis	7	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	0
5	5		CB	James Wilson	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	1
	18		CF	Chris Martin	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	0
	7	11		RW	Luke Thomas	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	6	0	0
		30		RB	Luca Hoole	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
		42		RB	Jack Hunt	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
10	4		LB	Josh Grant	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	22		DM	Lamare Bogarde	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
	22		DM	Kamil Conteh	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	0
	25		CB	Tristan Crama	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	1
16	10		CF	Aaron Collins	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	19		AM	Harvey Vale	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	28		RB	James Gibbons	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	0	1
17	10		AM	Brandon Aguilera	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	15		CM	Ryan Woods	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1
	23		CM	Luke McCormick	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
	32		LB	George Friend	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
21	2		CB	James Connolly	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	20		AM	Jevani Brown	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	26		CB	Elkan Baggott	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	33		GK	Matthew Cox	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total					90	3	3	4	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	1	102	3	4

Notes and References

1. Web site: Club Statement: Joey Barton. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 October 2023. 26 October 2023.
2. News: Matt Taylor Announced as Bristol Rovers Manager . 1 December 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 1 December 2023.
3. Web site: Brown Signs for Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 June 2023. 26 June 2023.
4. News: Bristol Rovers sign Thomas after Barnsley exit . 24 June 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 24 June 2023.
5. News: Bristol Rovers sign defender Wilson . 23 June 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 23 June 2023.
6. Web site: Rovers Gain a New Friend. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2023. 4 July 2023.
7. News: Bristol Rovers sign ex-Saints goalkeeper Hall . 26 July 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 26 July 2023.
8. Web site: Connor Taylor is Back!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 August 2023. 3 August 2023.
9. Web site: Jack Hunt Joins Rovers!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 17 August 2023. 17 August 2023.
10. Web site: Chris Martin Joins Rovers!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 27 September 2023. 27 September 2023.
11. Web site: Kamil Conteh Joins Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 January 2024. 26 January 2024.
12. News: 2022/23 Retained and Released List . 20 May 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 20 May 2023.
13. News: Harry Anderson signs for Stevenage . 16 June 2023 . Stevenage FC . 16 June 2023.
14. Web site: LOCOS CAPTURE COUTTS. inverurielocos.com. 6 August 2023. 6 August 2023.
15. News: Stags land left-back . 26 May 2023 . Mansfield Town FC . 26 May 2023.
16. Web site: Player Coming's & Going's. swindonsupermarinefc.com. 25 August 2023. 21 October 2023.
17. 1687162637677707268. Vaughan-tastic! Lucas Vaughan returns! Following a hugely successful spell last season on loan from Bristol Rovers, we are delighted to welcome back Lucas Vaughan to the club. Lucas will be in the squad for Tuesdays visit of Worcester City. #upthelyd. LydneyTownAFC. Lydney Town A.F.C.. 3 August 2023. 6 August 2023.
18. Web site: Jamie Egan signs for Drogheda United. droghedaunited.ie. 5 July 2023. 6 July 2023.
19. News: Two new arrivals at the SKYex . 3 August 2023 . Hayes & Yeading United FC . 3 August 2023.
20. Web site: Ryan Loft Departs Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 1 September 2023. 1 September 2023.
21. News: Belshaw Departs Rovers . 11 January 2024 . Bristol Rovers FC . 11 January 2024.
22. Web site: Trevor Clarke Departs Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 13 January 2024. 13 January 2024.
23. Web site: Transfer News - Trevor Clarke. www.shamrockrovers/ie. 13 January 2024. 13 January 2024.
24. Web site: Aaron Collins Departs Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 1 February 2024.
25. Web site: Rovers Sign Bees Duo. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 25 July 2023. 25 July 2023.
26. News: Harvey Vale Joins Rovers! . 15 August 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 15 August 2023.
27. News: Bogarde Returns to Rovers . 18 August 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 18 August 2023.
28. Web site: Lamare Bogarde Recalled to Parent Club Aston Villa. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 January 2024. 4 January 2024.
29. Web site: Ryan Woods Joins Rovers!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 25 August 2023. 25 August 2023.
30. Web site: Ryan Woods Returns to Hull City. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 10 January 2024. 10 January 2024.
31. Web site: Elkan Baggott Signs on Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 1 February 2024.
32. Web site: Vaughan completes Bristol Rovers loan. www.wearehullcity.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 2 February 2024.
33. Web site: Aguilera loaned to Bristol Rovers. www.nottinghamforest.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 2 February 2024.
34. Web site: 6 January 2023 . Trevor Clarke joins Shamrock Rovers on loan . 6 January 2023 . www.bristolrovers.co.uk.
35. Web site: Jed Ward joins on a season long loan. www.wealdstone-fc.com. 25 July 2023. 25 July 2023.
36. 1724518914804031653. PLAYER NEWS Goalkeeper @Jed_ward20 has been recalled by parent club @Official_BRFC and features for them this evening against Newport County. We wish Jed all the best back in the EFL and thank him for his spell at the club.. WealdstoneFC. Wealdstone F.C.. 14 November 2023. 14 November 2023.
37. Web site: HARVEY GREENSLADE RETURNS ON LOAN. www.trurocityfc.net. 12 August 2023. 14 August 2023.
38. Web site: GREENSLADE STAY EXTENDED ANOTHER MONTH. www.trurocityfc.net. 8 September 2023. 9 September 2023.
39. News: James Connolly Loan Deal . 31 August 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 31 August 2023.
40. Web site: James Connolly Recalled From Morecambe F.C Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 January 2024. 3 January 2024.
41. News: Midfielder Ryan Jones joins on loan from Bristol Rovers . 1 September 2023 . Bromley FC . 1 September 2023.
42. News: Ryan Jones Extends Bromley Loan . 8 January 2024 . Bristol Rovers FC . 8 January 2024.
43. News: James Belshaw Loan Deal . 1 October 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 30 September 2023.
44. 1735368089489862977. Massive thank you to everyone at @FGRFC_Official for the past few weeks! Great people and a fantastic club. I wish you all the best for the future! . jbelly31. James Belshaw. 14 December 2023. 14 December 2023.
45. Web site: Yate bring in two on loan. yatetownfc.co.uk. 6 October 2023. 17 October 2023.
46. 1712482404865327384. New signing We are very pleased to announce the loan signing of 18 year old Theo Lynden from Bristol Rovers. Mark Collier said " With our current suspensions and injuries, it was paramount we added to the squad, Theo trained with us this week, he will be in Saturdays match day squad and will have important role to play over the next month" Melksham Town FC would like to thank @Official_BRFC for their assistance with this loan deal.. MELKSHAMTOWNFC. Melksham Town F.C.. 12 October 2023. 17 October 2023.
47. 1723702382515663222. Theo Lynden has been recalled from his loan spell by @Official_BRFC Manager, Mark Collier commented, ‘Theo was an absolute pleasure to manage and joined in immediately with the lads from the first training session. He asked questions and clearly wanted to be a part of the squad. His attitude and ability was therefore all to see. I personally wish him the very best going forward with his career. Hopefully, we have helped him with his development on and off the pitch.’ Thank you @theolynden05 and @Official_BRFC . MELKSHAMTOWNFC. Melksham Town F.C.. 12 November 2023. 14 November 2023.
48. Web site: Jerry's All Yellow. www.tivertontownfc.co.uk. 21 October 2023. 21 October 2023.
49. News: Belshaw joins on emergency loan! . 16 December 2023 . Harrogate Town AFC . 15 December 2023.
50. News: Belshaw's loan is extended! . 22 December 2023 . Harrogate Town AFC . 22 December 2023.
51. News: Belshaw's loan extended for another seven days . 6 January 2024 . Harrogate Town AFC . 5 January 2024.
52. Web site: James Gibbons Joins Cambridge on Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 30 January 2024. 30 January 2024.
53. Web site: Harvey Greenslade Joins Oxford City on Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 February 2024. 3 February 2024.
54. News: 2023/24 Friendlies Guide . 27 June 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 27 June 2023.
55. Web site: 2023/24 League One Fixtures Released. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 22 June 2023. 22 June 2023.
56. Web site: THE EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND PROPER DRAW WAS MADE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. www.thefa.com. 15 October 2023. 16 October 2023.
57. Web site: Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed. www.efl.com. 22 June 2023. 22 June 2023.
58. Web site: EFL Trophy groups and draw numbers confirmed. www.efl.com. 21 June 2023. 22 June 2023.
59. Web site: EFL Trophy Group Stage draw confirmed. www.efl.com. 22 June 2023. 22 June 2023.
60. News: Crawley (A) Fixture Announcement . 28 November 2023 . Bristol Rovers FC . 28 November 2023.