2012–13 Bristol Rovers F.C. season

Season events

May

• – Goalkeeper Conor Gough joined Rovers from Charlton Athletic on a two-year contract.
• – Ellis Harrison, Mitch Harding, Jordan Goddard and Ross Staley were all awarded professional contracts.
• – Defender Gary Sawyer signed a two-year contract with League One side Leyton Orient after rejecting Rovers' offer of a new deal.
• – Rovers announced that 10 players would be released upon completion of their contracts at the end of June. Among them was Byron Anthony who had been with the club since 2006.
• – Jim Paterson agreed a new one-year deal at Rovers.

June

• – Danny Woodards verbally agreed a new contract with Rovers.
• – Young winger Shaquille Hunter agreed to sign his first professional contract with Bristol Rovers despite rumoured interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Fulham.

July

• – Craig Stanley's contract at Rovers was terminated by mutual consent.
• – Goalkeeping coach Carl Emberson left for Luton Town joining up with former boss Paul Buckle as assistant manager.
• – Midfielder Oliver Norburn rejoins Rovers, signing a one-year contract. Wayne Brown signed a new six-month contract.
• – Northern Ireland Under-21 international Seanan Clucas signed for Rovers on a one-year contract.
• – Youth Team Coach Jamie Fullarton left Rovers to take up a youth coaching role at Crystal Palace.
• – Defender Lee Brown signed a contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2014.
• – Planning permission for Rovers' proposed 21,700 all seater stadium in Frenchay was approved by South Gloucestershire Council with councillors voting 11 to 1 in favour.
• – Former Rovers striker Marcus Stewart rejoined the club as Youth Development Coach.
• – Stoke City midfielder Matthew Lund rejoined Rovers on a six-month loan deal.
• – Rovers agree to sign Faroese international defender Rógvi Baldvinsson from Ålgård FK for an undisclosed fee. Former Bristol City striker David Clarkson agreed a two-year deal with Rovers.
• – Scotland international defender Garry Kenneth agreed a three-year deal with Rovers.

August

• – Winger Mustapha Carayol left for Championship side Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £300,000.
• – Chris Zebroski left Rovers after one season, joining fellow League Two side Cheltenham Town.
• – Rógvi Baldvinsson announced that he was to return to Norway and not joining Rovers, citing personal reasons.
• – German midfielder Fabian Broghammer signed for Rovers after playing a number of pre-season games while on trial.
• – Chelsea goalkeeper Sam Walker joined on loan until January. Rovers are knocked out of the League Cup in the first round by Ipswich Town.
• – Rovers agreed the permanent signing of defender Tom Parkes from Leicester City.
• – Former England goalkeeper Dave Beasant joined Rovers as part-time goalkeeping coach.
• – Rovers submit an official complaint to the Football League over the circumstances which led to the match with Wycombe Wanderers being abandoned after 66 minutes with Rovers leading 3–1.
• – Defender Cian Bolger joined Rovers on loan until January from Leicester City. Bolger had previously played for Rovers on loan in the past two seasons.

September

• – Yeovil Town knock Rovers out of the Football League Trophy in the first round.
• – Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge joins Rovers on a one-month loan deal.
• – Striker Tom Eaves joins Rovers on loan from Bolton Wanderers for three months. Former Scotland international Derek Riordan signed on a short-term deal until Christmas. Riordan is currently on bail and is due to go on trial on 9 October over an alleged assault in an Edinburgh nightclub.

October

• – Midfielder Jordan Goddard and forward Mitch Harding join Gloucester City on loan for one month.
• – Neil Etheridge's loan from Fulham was extended to 20 December.
• – Jordan Goddard & Mitch Harding extend their loan deals with Gloucester City for another month.

November

• – Tom Curtis is appointed Director of the Youth Academy at Rovers, leaving his job as head coach of the Antigua and Barbuda national team in the process.
• – Sheffield United come from behind to beat Rovers 2–1 in the FA Cup first round. The result meant that Rovers had failed to win a single cup game this season. However, all three cup matches were against higher division sides.
• – On loan goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was recalled by parent club Fulham.
• – Guy Branston joined on a month-long loan deal from Aldershot Town.

December

• – Midfielder Wayne Brown rejected a contract extension, opting to re-join Finnish side TPS.
• – Manager Mark McGhee was relieved of his duties following the 4–1 away defeat to York City. It followed a run of 10 games with only one win and one draw leaving the club 23rd in League Two.
• – Former Bristol City, Cheltenham Town, Carlisle United and Colchester United manager John Ward was appointed Bristol Rovers manager for the second time, initially until the end of the season with a view to a contract extension upon its completion. His first spell in charge was between 1993 and 1996 and included a trip to Wembley Stadium in the 1995 Second Division Play-Off Final.
• – Derek Riordan was officially released by Rovers on completion of his contract after new manager John Ward confirmed he had returned to Scotland on Christmas Eve.
• – Rovers agreed one-month loan deals with Queens Park Rangers and Colchester United for Tom Hitchcock and John-Joe O'Toole starting 1 January. Rovers also signed goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall from Millwall on an emergency loan which would be extended "as soon as possible".

January

• – Defender Mark McChrystal joined on a short-term deal from Tranmere Rovers after having a bid for Cian Bolger turned down by Leicester City.
• – Plans to build a Sainsbury's store on the Memorial Stadium site were approved. This allowed Rovers to proceed with plans to build the proposed UWE Stadium.
• – Port Vale defender Clayton McDonald joined on an emergency loan.
• – Stoke City forward Ryan Brunt joined Rovers on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

February

• – Defender Tom Parkes was named League Two Player of the Month for January by the Football League. Manager John Ward was nominated for January's League Two Manager of the Month but lost out to Martin Allen manager of Gillingham, the only side to score any points against Rovers in January.
• – French striker Oumare Tounkara signed for Rovers on a deal until the end of the season.

March

• – Stuart Naylor was appointed new full-time goalkeeping coach until the end of the season, replacing Dave Beasant who was previously in the role part-time.

April

• – Defender Michael Smith signed a new two-year deal with Rovers.
• – Striker Matt Harrold agreed a new one-year deal at Rovers with the option of a further year extension.
• – John Ward agreed to a new one year rolling contract. Eurocams were announced as new home shirt sponsors and Highspec Travel Services as new away shirt sponsors. Second year scholars Josh Southway and Pat Keary signed one year contracts while first year scholar Jamie Lucas signed a two-year contract.
• – Assistant manager Shaun North left Rovers with immediate effect, development coach Marcus Stewart took over the role for the final game of the season. Alefein Santos signed his first professional deal with Rovers.
• – Jim Paterson signed a one-year contract extension having triggered a clause in his previous contract.
• – Rovers finish the season in 14th place on 60 points.
• – It was confirmed that winger Joe Anyinsah would be released upon completion of his contract.
• – Defender Mark McChrystal agreed a two-year contract with Rovers.

First team

As of 27 April 2013.

Transfers

In

Out

Squad statistics

Appearances, goals and cards

:As of 27 April 2013

Top scorers

Source: Soccerbase

Apps = Appearances made; Goals = Goals scored.

End-of-season awards

Competitions

Overall

League Two

Standings

Results summary

Results by round

Scores Overview

Bristol Rovers score given first.

Matches

Preseason friendlies

Anyinsah Zebroski

Young Clarkson

Fielden

Hunter

Harrold

Adomah Pearson

Davies

League Two

August

Potter

Abandoned after 66 minutes for safety reasons Richards

September

Fenton Ellison

Broghammer Rodman

Lee Whelpdale

Richards

October

Kenneth Norburn Akinfenwa

Lund Howe Downes

Yussuff Antwi Parkes

November

Clarkson Norburn Hurst Cresswell

Anyinsah Eaves Dickenson

Grant Kenneth Richards

Williamson

Eaves Smith W. Brown McHugh Hanson Doyle

December

Ainsworth

Chambers Walker

Postponed due to waterlogged pitch

Reid Richards

Postponed due to waterlogged pitch

January

Lund

Burton

Richards O'Toole

Postponed for safety reasons.

Noble Harrison Anyinsah

February

Brunt

Richards

Frecklington

March

O'Toole Richards

L. Brown

Gnanduillet

April

Reed Tounkara Woodards

Davies Thompson

Jarvis Jarvis Harrold

League Cup

Smith Cresswell

Football League Trophy

McAllister Foley

FA Cup

Porter

References

References

1. (2 May 2012). "ROVERS SIGN YOUNG CHARLTON KEEPER". Bristol Rovers F.C..
2. (4 May 2012). "DECISION TIME". Bristol Rovers F.C..
3. (13 May 2012). "FIRST DEPARTURE CONFIRMED". Bristol Rovers F.C..
4. (17 May 2012). "ROVERS ANNOUNCE RETAINED LIST". Bristol Rovers F.C..
5. (22 May 2012). "PATERSON SIGNS A NEW CONTRACT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
6. (12 June 2012). "WOODARDS SIGNALS HIS INTENTIONS TO STAY". Bristol Rovers F.C..
7. (18 June 2012). "HUNTER SIGNS FIRST PRO CONTRACT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
8. Haughton, Warren. (18 June 2012). "Hunter turns down Premier League big boys to sign for Bristol Rovers". talkSPORT.
9. (2 July 2012). "STANLEY LEAVES". Bristol Rovers F.C.}}{{dead link.
10. (3 July 2012). "EMBERSON LEAVES". Bristol Rovers F.C..
11. (4 July 2012). "OLLIE RETURNS". Bristol Rovers F.C..
12. (4 July 2012). "WAYNE'S RETURN". Bristol Rovers F.C.}}{{dead link.
13. (5 July 2012). "ANOTHER NEW SIGNING". Bristol Rovers F.C..
14. (16 July 2012). "JAMIE OFF TO PALACE". Bristol Rovers F.C..
15. (18 July 2012). "LEE BROWN SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION". Bristol Rovers F.C..
16. (19 July 2012). "STADIUM APPROVED". Bristol Rovers F.C..
17. (18 January 2013). "Councillors approve stadium plans". southglos.gov.uk.
18. (21 July 2012). "MARCUS STEWART JOINS THE COACHING TEAM". Bristol Rovers F.C..
19. (26 July 2012). "LUND SIGNS NEW LOAN DEAL". Bristol Rovers F.C..
20. (27 July 2012). "ROVERS AGREE TERMS WITH BALDVINSSON". Bristol Rovers F.C..
21. (27 July 2012). "CLARKSON SET TO SIGN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
22. (30 July 2012). "ROVERS AGREE TERMS WITH GARRY KENNETH". Bristol Rovers F.C..
23. (1 August 2012). "MUZZY LEAVES". Bristol Rovers F.C..
24. (2 August 2012). "Zebroski Signs". Cheltenham Town F.C..
25. Rógvi, Baldvinsson. (11 August 2012). "To all the Rovers fans: youve been brilliant so far and i wish the gas all t best, but this is sadly not t place for me. Going back t norway".
26. Rógvi, Baldvinsson. (11 August 2012). "This has nothing with BRFC to do, but me personally. Hope u guys can understand. Up the gas. The gaffer was brill about it #utg".
27. (13 August 2012). "ROGVI LEAVES". Bristol Rovers F.C..
28. (12 August 2012). "FABIAN'S DEAL". Bristol Rovers F.C..
29. (14 August 2012). "WALKER JOINS ON LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
30. (14 August 2012). "IPSWICH MATCH REPORT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
31. (20 August 2012). "PARKES SET TO JOIN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
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33. (30 August 2012). "Bristol Rovers complain over Wycombe Wanderers call-off". BBC Sport.
34. (31 August 2012). "BOLGER'S BACK". Bristol Rovers F.C..
35. (4 September 2012). "Bristol Rovers 0–3 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport.
36. (20 September 2012). "Etheridge Loan Deal". fulhamfc.com.
37. (27 September 2012). "EAVES JOINS ON LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
38. (27 September 2012). "DEREK RIORDAN SIGNS FOR ROVERS". Bristol Rovers F.C..
39. (14 September 2012). "SPL player Derek Riordan to go on trial over Picture House 'assault'". BBC News.
40. (1 October 2012). "GODDARD AND HARDING OUT ON LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
41. (23 October 2012). "Etheridge Extends Loan". Fulham F.C..
42. (30 October 2012). "GODDARD & HARDING EXTEND THEIR LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
43. (1 November 2012). "ROVERS APPOINT NEW DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY". Bristol Rovers F.C..
44. (3 November 2012). "ROVERS OUT OF THE CUP". Bristol Rovers F.C..
45. (21 November 2012). "ETHERIDGE RECALLED". Bristol Rovers F.C..
46. (22 November 2012). "BRANSTON SIGNS ON LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
47. (13 December 2012). "WAYNE BROWN TO LEAVE THE CLUB". Bristol Rovers F.C..
48. (13 December 2012). "WAYNE BROWN PALAA TPS:N KESKIKENTÄLLE". Turun Palloseura.
49. (15 December 2012). "McGHEE RELIEVED OF DUTIES". Bristol Rovers F.C..
50. (17 December 2012). "JOHN WARD APPOINTED AS NEW MANAGER". Bristol Rovers F.C..
51. (24 December 2012). "WARD ON LOANS AND ALDERSHOT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
52. (31 December 2012). "Bristol Rovers sign Tom Hitchcock and John-Joe O'Toole". BBC Sport.
53. (31 December 2012). "Breaking News: Bristol Rovers set to confirm signing of Steve Mildenhall from Millwall". thisisbristol.co.uk.
54. Bristol Rovers F.C.. (31 December 2012). "Mildenhall's emergency loan to be extended until the end of the season as soon as possible.".
55. Bristol Rovers F.C.. (3 January 2013). "Rovers sign defender Mark McChrystal on a short term contract #BristolRovers".
56. (3 January 2013). "Leicester City have turned down a bid from Bristol Rovers for Cian Bolger". Sky Sports.
57. (16 January 2013). "SAINSBURY'S APPROVED". Bristol Rovers F.C..
58. (21 January 2013). "ROVERS SIGN McDONALD ON LOAN". Bristol Rovers F.C..
59. (23 January 2013). "BRUNT JOINS ROVERS". Bristol Rovers F.C..
60. (15 February 2013). "Parkes named Player of the Month". The Football League.
61. (15 February 2013). "Allen named Manager of the Month". The Football League.
62. (28 February 2013). "TOUNKARA SIGNS UNTIL END OF THE SEASON". Bristol Rovers F.C..
63. (28 March 2013). "Bristol Rovers offer Stuart Naylor coaching role until the end of the season". thisisbristol.co.uk.
64. (16 April 2013). "Michael Smith: Bristol Rovers defender signs two-year deal". BBC Sport.
65. (17 April 2013). "NEW DEAL FOR MATT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
66. (19 April 2013). "WARD AGREES NEW CONTRACT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
67. (19 April 2013). "EUROCAMS NEW HOME SHIRT SPONSORS". Bristol Rovers F.C..
68. (19 April 2013). "THREE SCHOLARS SIGN PRO CONTRACTS". Bristol Rovers F.C..
69. (23 April 2013). "SHAUN NORTH LEAVES THE CLUB". Bristol Rovers F.C..
70. (23 April 2013). "SANTOS SIGNS PRO CONTRACT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
71. (25 April 2013). "ONE YEAR DEAL FOR PATERSON". Bristol Rovers F.C..
72. (29 April 2013). "NO DEAL FOR JOE". Bristol Rovers F.C..
73. (30 April 2013). "McCHRYSTAL SIGNS NEW CONTRACT". Bristol Rovers F.C..
74. "Fixtures & results - Bristol Rovers".
75. "Latest Bristol R Results, Fixtures & Betting Odds | Soccer Base".
76. Match was played over three 30 minutes periods