2007–08 Bristol Rovers F.C. season

The 2007–08 season covers the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. It marks the 125th year of football played by Bristol Rovers F.C. and their 81st season in The Football League. The team plays in Football League One having won the Football League Two playoff game at Wembley Stadium on 26 May 2007, beating Shrewsbury 3–1 in front of a crowd of 61,589.

Bristol Rovers F.C.
2007–08 season
ChairmanRon Craig
ManagerPaul Trollope
League One16th (W:13 D:17 L:17 F:45 A:53)
FA CupQuarter-finalist
League Cup2nd round
Football League Trophy2nd round
Top goalscorerLeague: Rickie Lambert (13)
All: Rickie Lambert (19)
Highest home attendance12,077 v West Bromwich Albion
Lowest home attendance3,313 v AFC Bournemouth

Chronological list of events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2007–08 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the results section.

  • 7 July: Aaron Lescott signed a new two-year contract, running until the summer of 2009.[1]
  • 10 July: New contracts were signed by Richard Walker, Lewis Haldane and Chris Carruthers. Haldane signed a three-year contract, Walker a two-year one and Carruthers one-year.[2]
  • 10 August: First-Team Coach Paul Trollope and Director of Football Lennie Lawrence both signed extended contracts with the club.[3] Bill Smith resigned from his position as chief executive to concentrate on his other business commitments.[4]
  • 17 August: A delay in the demolition of the Memorial Stadium was announced, meaning that the club will play the whole season there and not move to Cheltenham in January as had previously been announced.[5]
  • 18 August: Craig Disley signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2009.[6]
  • 23 August: Goalkeeping coach Steve Book was registered as a player after backup goalie Mike Green broke his finger in a reserve match.[7]
  • 28 August: Rovers' League Cup run came to an end after a 2–1 defeat to Premier League side West Ham. The game was overshadowed by the injury to Kieron Dyer who suffered a suspected broken leg.[8]
  • 4 September: Charlie Clough, who was promoted to the first team squad in the summer, signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday.[9]
  • 2 October: Edward Ware is appointed to the club's board of directors.[10]
  • 9 October: Rovers' hopes of reaching the Football League Trophy final for the second year running came to an end as they lost their second round tie with AFC Bournemouth 1–0.
  • 15 October: Former Rovers defender Billy Clark was appointed the club's new under-18's coach.[11]
  • 24 November: Both Steve Elliott and Richard Walker received 3 match bans after being handed straight red cards by referee Rob Styles in a bad tempered derby with Swindon Town. Joe Jacobson picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the same game, resulting in a one match suspension for the Welshman.[12]
  • 22 December: Craig Disley received his fifth yellow card of the season in the match away to Leeds resulting in a one-game suspension.[13]
  • 26 December: Captain Stuart Campbell picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. He was suspended for the FA Cup Third Round tie with Fulham
  • 22 January: Rovers beat Fulham in the 3rd round of the FA cup, after drawing the original match 2:2 they won the replay at The Memorial Stadium on penalties after a 0:0 120 minutes.
  • 16 February: Rovers beat Southampton in the 5th round of the FA cup, courtesy of an 84th-minute strike by Rickie Lambert.
  • 9 March: The club-record-equalling FA Cup run ended at the quarter-final stage, with a defeat to West Bromwich Albion, in front of a Memorial Stadium record crowd for football of 12,011.[14]
  • 3 June: The football club announced that the stadium redevelopment would be postponed for a further year after the initial accommodation providers pulled out and a leak on an unofficial club website caused negotiations with an alternative provider to collapse.[15]

Fixtures and results

Legend
Win Draw Loss

League One
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersLeague pos
11 AugustPort ValeAway1–16,808Williams 7Report
18 AugustCrewe AlexandraHome1–17,750Disley 14Report
25 AugustOldham AthleticAway1–05,348Jacobson 9Report
1 SeptemberNottingham ForestHome2–29,080 Anthony, Walker (pen)8Report
8 SeptemberLuton TownAway2–16,131 Lambert (2)6Report
14 SeptemberLeeds UnitedHome0–311,883 7Report
22 SeptemberCarlisle UnitedAway1–16,106 Elliott9Report
29 SeptemberLeyton OrientHome2–37,181 Walker (2 pens)14Report
2 OctoberSouthend UnitedHome1–1 5,762Walker (pen)12 Report
6 OctoberBrighton & Hove AlbionAway0–0 5,82015 Report
12 OctoberHartlepool UnitedAway0–1 4,96315 Report
20 OctoberYeovil TownHome1–1 7,726Elliott17 Report
27 OctoberGillinghamAway2–3 5,333Lambert, Pipe19 Report
3 NovemberAFC BournemouthHome0–2 6,40519 Report
6 NovemberNorthampton TownAway1–0 5,126Lambert18 Report
17 NovemberMillwallHome2–1 6,991Lambert (pen), Haldane17 Report
24 NovemberSwindon TownAway0–1 9,34218 Report
5 DecemberCheltenham TownHome Postponed (Waterlogged pitch)[16]
8 DecemberSwansea CityHome Postponed (Waterlogged pitch)[17]
15 DecemberHuddersfield TownAway1–2 8,118Pipe19 Report
22 DecemberLeeds UnitedAway0–1 27,86319 Report
26 DecemberLuton TownHome1–1 7,556Lambert (pen)20 Report
29 DecemberCarlisle UnitedHome3–0 6,254Lines, Hinton, Williams20 Report
1 JanuarySouthend UnitedAway1–0 7,664Williams19 Report
11 JanuaryTranmere RoversAway2–0 5,887Williams, Lambert16 Report
19 JanuaryWalsallHome1–1 6,276Disley16 Report
29 JanuaryCrewe AlexandraAway1–1 3,942Ben Williams (og)17 Report
2 FebruaryPort ValeHome3–2 6,927Coles, Lines, Lambert (pen)17 Report
5 FebruaryCheltenham TownHome2–0 6,780Hinton, Lambert15 Report
9 FebruaryDoncaster RoversAway0–2 8,168 16 Report
12 FebruaryOldham AthleticHome1–0 5,778Disley13 Report
23 FebruaryTranmere RoversHome1–1 7,777Disley15 Report
1 MarchMillwallAway1–0 9,202Disley13 Report
4 MarchDoncaster RoversHome0–1 5,993 14 Report
12 MarchNorthampton TownHome1–1 4,657Rigg16 Report
15 MarchCheltenham TownAway0–1 5,18716 Report
18 MarchSwansea CityHome0–2 6,41016 Report
22 MarchHuddersfield TownHome2–3 6,585Klein-Davies, Lines17 Report
24 MarchSwansea CityAway2–2 15,048Lambert, Disley18 Report
29 MarchYeovil TownAway0–0 6,65418 Report
5 AprilHartlepool UnitedHome0–0 5,52617 Report
8 AprilNottingham ForestAway1–1 15,860Lambert16 Report
12 AprilAFC BournemouthAway1–2 6,867Lambert16 Report
15 AprilWalsallAway1–0 5,200Lambert15 Report
19 AprilGillinghamHome1–1 6,614Elliott16 Report
22 AprilSwindon TownHome0–1 6,10216 Report
26 AprilBrighton & Hove AlbionHome0–2 7,59016 Report
3 MayLeyton OrientAway1–3 5,132Lambert16 Report

FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
110 NovemberLeyton OrientAway 1–13,157Lambert Report
1 (Replay)20 NovemberLeyton OrientHome Postponed (Waterlogged pitch)[18]
1 (Replay)27 NovemberLeyton OrientHome 3–33,742Hinton, Lambert (pen), DisleyWon 6–5 on Penalties kicksReport
21 DecemberRushden & DiamondsHome 5–14,816Williams, Disley, Hinton, Lambert (2) Report
36 JanuaryFulhamAway 2–213,634Coles, Hinton Report
3 (Replay)15 JanuaryFulhamHome Postponed (Dangerous Playing Conditions)[19]
3 (Replay)22 JanuaryFulhamHome 0–011,882Won 5–3 on Penalties Report
426 JanuaryBarnetAway 1–05,190Lambert Report
516 FebruarySouthamptonHome 1–011,920Lambert Report
QF9 MarchWest Bromwich AlbionHome 1–512,011Coles  Report

League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
114 AugustCrystal PalaceHome 1–1 (FT)
1–1 (AET)		5,566DisleyWon 4–1 on penalty kicks Report
228 AugustWest Ham UnitedHome 1–210,831Williams Report

Football League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
1Bye[20]
29 OctoberAFC BournemouthHome 0–13,313 Report

Squad
No. Pos Nat Player TotalLeague 1FA CupLeague CupFootball League Trophy
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK England ENG Steve Phillips 570460802010
13 GK England ENG Mike Green 0000000000
33 GK England ENG Steve Book 0000000000
2 DF Wales WAL Ryan Green 140120100010
5 DF England ENG Craig Hinton 335242830010
6 DF England ENG Steve Elliott 393333302010
11 DF England ENG Chris Carruthers 240170402010
15 DF Wales WAL Byron Anthony 231201002010
16 DF England ENG Danny Coles 303241620000
21 DF England ENG Tom Parrinello 1000100000
32 DF England ENG Aaron Lescott 430340702000
23 DF Wales WAL Ryan Paddock 0000000000
24 DF England ENG Alex Kite 0000000000
25 DF England ENG Tom Godsell 0000000000
3 MF Wales WAL Joe Jacobson 491401702000
4 MF England ENG Sammy Igoe 280210601000
7 MF Scotland SCO Stuart Campbell 560460702010
14 MF Wales WAL David Pipe 502402702010
17 MF Wales WAL Anthony Pulis 1010000000
17 MF England ENG Andy Sandell 0000000000
18 MF England ENG Chris Lines 362272800010
20 MF England ENG Craig Disley 529446622100
22 MF England ENG James Palmer 0000000000
26 MF Wales WAL Lewis Haldane 381321302010
28 MF England ENG Adam Mahdi 0000000000
30 MF England ENG Charlie Reece 1010000000
31 MF England ENG Charlie Clough 1010000000
8 FW England ENG Andy Williams 526414812110
9 FW England ENG Rickie Lambert 57194613862010
10 FW England ENG Richard Walker 314244402010
19 FW England ENG Sean Rigg 381311501010
27 FW England ENG Matt Groves 2010100000
29 FW Wales WAL Josh Klein-Davies 101101000000
34 FW England ENG James Fraser 0000000000

In

During the 2007–08 season, Rovers signed six new players. Joe Jacobson, David Pipe, Andy Williams, Danny Coles, James Fraser and Jeff Hughes. The total transfer spending for the season is not known, as the Williams and Hughes transfer fees have not been disclosed, however both are known to be "six-figure" sums[21][22] so the total spending is over £250,000.

Date Player Previous Club Contract Cost
5 JulyWales Joe JacobsonCardiff City3 yearsFree[23]
5 JulyEngland Andy WilliamsHereford United3 yearsUndisclosed[21][24]
10 JulyWales David PipeNotts County3 years£50,000[25]
14 AugustEngland James FraserWorthing6 monthsFree[26][27]
1 NovemberEngland Danny ColesHull City3 monthsLoan[28]
8 JanuaryEngland Danny ColesHull City2½ yearsUndisclosed[29]
8 FebruaryWales Anthony PulisStoke City3 monthsLoan[30]
27 MarchEngland Wayne AndrewsCoventry City2 monthsLoan[31]
27 MarchNorthern Ireland Jeff HughesCrystal Palace2 monthsLoan[31]
6 JuneNorthern Ireland Jeff HughesCrystal Palace3 years£120,000[22][32]

Out
Date Player New Club Contract Cost
17 AugustEngland Andy SandellSalisbury City1 monthLoan[33]
17 AugustEngland James PalmerTiverton Town1 monthLoan[34]
31 AugustEngland Andy SandellSalisbury City3 yearsUndisclosed[35]
10 NovemberEngland James PalmerWeston-super-MareReleased[36][37]
16 NovemberWales Josh Klein-DaviesYate Town1 monthLoan[38]
28 DecemberEngland James FraserTiverton Town3 monthsLoan[39][40]
10 MarchEngland Matt GrovesChippenham Town2 monthsLoan[41]
30 JuneEngland Chris CarruthersOxford UnitedReleased[42][43]
30 JuneEngland Sammy IgoeAFC Bournemouth1 yearReleased[42][44]
30 JuneEngland Tom GodsellReleased[45]
30 JuneWales Ryan PaddockWeston-super-MareUnknownReleased[45][46]

In addition to the players listed above, coach Kevin Hodges was released by the club at the end of the season.[47]

Team kit

The team kit for the 2007–08 season is produced by Erreà. The main shirt sponsor is Cowlin Construction and the secondary shirt sponsor is Blackthorn Cider. The home shirt features the traditional blue and white quarters in a darker shade of blue from the previous season, and the away kit is green with black trim.[48]

2007–08 home colours
2007–08 away colours

References
  1. "Lescott signs Bristol Rovers deal". BBC Sport. 7 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  2. "Jigsaw now complete – Trolls". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  3. "Trollope & Lawrence pen new deals". BBC Sport. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2007.
  4. "Chief executive resigns". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2007.
  5. "Football and rugby stay in city". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  6. "Disley signs one-year extension". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  7. "Rovers name Book as keeper cover". BBC Sport. 24 August 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
  8. "Dyer suffers suspected broken leg". BBC Sport. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2007.
  9. "Teenager nets Bristol Rovers deal". BBC Sport. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
  10. "New director joins the board". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
  11. "Clark is handed Rovers youth role". BBC Sport. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
  12. "Suspension Problems for Rovers". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2007.
  13. "Players > Craig Disley". www.soccerbase.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2007.
  14. Bevan, Chris (9 March 2008). "Bristol Rovers 1–5 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  15. "Stadium regeneration delayed". bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  16. "Cheltenham Game Postponed". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
  17. "Swansea City Match Postponed". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  18. "Orient FA Cup Tie Postponed". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2007.
  19. "Pitch Inspection Result: Game Off". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  20. "Rovers Given Trophy Bye". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  21. "Six-figure fee for Andy Williams as striker joins Bristol Rovers". Hereford Times. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
  22. "Hughes leaves Palace for Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
  23. "Pirates land duo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
  24. "Rovers sign Williams and Jacobson". BBC Sport. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
  25. "Bristol Rovers swoop to sign Pipe". BBC Sport. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  26. "Fraser given six-month contract". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
  27. "Phelan signs contract". Worthing Football Club. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  28. "Bristol Rovers sign Hull's Coles". BBC Sport. 1 November 2007. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
  29. "Coles seals Rovers deal". Sky Sports. 8 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  30. "Duo depart Britannia Stadium". Sky Sports. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  31. "Pirates snare loan pair". Sky Sports. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
  32. "SPORT LATEST: BRISTOL ROVERS DEAL WITH DUFFY IS ALMOST DONE". Bristol Evening Post. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  33. "City take Rovers player on loan". The Salisbury Journal. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  34. "Sandell and Palmer out on loan". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  35. "City complete Sandell deal on transfer deadline day". Salisbury Journal. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  36. "Palmer released by Rovers". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  37. "Weston FC – Latest News". Weston-super-Mare AFC. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  38. "Josh moves in Lodge loan". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
  39. "ROVERS RECALL KLEIN-DAVIES". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  40. "Bye and Fraser agree to extend loan spells at Tiverton". This is Exeter. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  41. "Groves and Fraser loan news". bristolrovers.co.uk. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  42. "Rovers release Igoe & Carruthers". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  43. "United sign Carruthers". Oxford Mail. 5 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  44. "Bournemouth sign midfielder Igoe". BBC Sport. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  45. "Trolls reflects after four exit". bristolrovers.co.uk. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2008.
  46. "Four new signings for Weston". Weston & Somerset Mercury. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  47. "Reserves withdraw from Pontins League". bristolrovers.co.uk. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
  48. "2007–08 away shirt revealed". bristolrovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
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