Ollie commits his future to the club
Ollie Clarke has today become the second player this week to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.
The midfielder has battled back from a number of injuries to cement a place in the starting XI with some impressive performances this season.
By penning a new deal, he joins Tom Lockyer who yesterday committed his future to Bristol Rovers.
Manager John Ward said: “Ollie has worked hard to come back from injury and his attitude has been excellent. It proves what a strong character he is.
“We gave him a run in the team at the end of last year, and we thought we had a good player on our hands – and he has certainly proven that this season.
“We are building for the future, and Ollie and Tom Lockyer are great examples to other players.
“As a partnership, they are two young men who want to be here, and that is terrific for the club.”
The 21-year-old has suffered a spate of injury problems since signing his first professional contract at the club, though he is a highly rated player who has impressed each of the club’s manager’s in the last three years.
He has previously spent time on loan with Gloucester City last and local non- league side Mangotsfield United.
He made his first team debut when going on as a second half substitute in the final game of the 2010/11 season, at Colchester United.
Having spent the majority of the following season on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on the first day of pre season training, Ollie recovered in time to spend the last month or so of the campaign on loan with Clevedon Town and he was offered a new one year contract with Rovers.
John Ward finally gave Ollie a run in the side towards the end of last season and the youngster seized the opportunity with both hands.
Chairman Nick Higgs said: “I am really pleased that Ollie has committed his future to the club.
“He has had some difficult periods over the last few years, picking up a number of bad injuries, but he has battled back and shown the tremendous strength he possesses.
“Ollie has joined Tom Lockyer in signing a contract extension with us, and I think there is a really exciting future for Bristol Rovers with these two in the middle of the field.”