Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Will Puddy today joined National League side Braintree Town in a one month loan deal.

Will joined Rovers, on non contract terms, on 11th August 2014 as emergency cover when Steve Mildenhall was unavailable for the game at Barnet and youth team goalkeeper Kieran Preston was on international duty with Scotland.

He made his debut at The Hive a day later and remained with the club for the remainder of the season, appearing in 15 league games and starting in the Play Off Final against Grimsby Town at Wembley, having signed a permanent deal midway through the season.

As a youngster he spent seven years with Bristol City before signing for Cheltenham Town in 2006.

Whilst at Whaddon Road he went out on loan to a number of local non league clubs before making a solitary appearance prior to a move to Salisbury City in October 2010. One month later he signed for Swindon Supermarine and in August 2011 he joined Chippenham Town.

In January 2012 he returned to Salisbury City, where he played for the remainder of the 2011/12 season. In 2012/13 he played over 40 games as the club won promotion  via the play offs and in 2013/14 he kept 14 clean sheets in 40 appearances and won the club's Player of the Season Award.

His first team game time was limited to 50 minutes last season as he struggled to shake off a persistent groin injury, though he did feature in a number of friendly fixtures before the season ended and was on the bench for much of the second half of the season.

Has signed a new contract in the summer, but has yet to feature in the first team this season and finds himself behind Kelle Roos and Steve Mildenhall in the pecking order, so his move to Braintree, who face Forest Green Rovers tomorrow, will provide him with some much needed game time and we wish him every success whilst he is with them.