Bristol Rovers

Rovers have today offered second year scholar Alfie Kilgour his first professional contract.

The seventeen year old central defender has twice been on the bench for Darrell Clarke’s first team this season, for the home game against Accrington Stanley and, more recently, the game against Wycombe Wanderers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Darrell rates the young defender highly and said; “Alfie spent time training with the first team squad at the end of last season and featured in a number of our pre-season games in the summer, when he impressed myself and my staff.

“Awarding him a pro contract now is a reward for the hard work he has put in on the training ground and in the games he has played at all levels.

“He is a very good footballer and someone we think has a bright future in the game.”

Chairman Nick Higgs added; “I would like to congratulate Alfie on being awarded his first professional contract with the club.

“I know that our supporters like to see young, local, players come through to play for the first team and I hope they will have the opportunity of seeing Alfie make his Rovers debut in the not too distant future.

“As supporters will be aware Ellis Harrison, Tom Lockyer, Ollie Clarke, Chris Lines, Dominic Thomas, Danny Greenslade, Jamie Lucas, Kieran Preston, Tyler Lyttle, Ryan Broom and Jay Malpas have all spent time in our Academy and are now members of Darrell’s first team squad.

“The fact that Alfie is to follow those players into the pro ranks is testament to the work being carried out by our Academy staff and I’m sure they will take a great deal of pride in seeing another of their young players becoming a professional footballer with the club.”

Alfie has been with Rovers since he was eight years old, when he joined what was then our Centre of Excellence.

In the period between the end of last season and our appearance in the Promotion Final at Wembley, he was one of the young players selected by Darrell to train with the first team.

He made quite an impression on the manager as he was joined the first team squad for a number of training sessions when the players reported back for pre-season training and he featured in our pre-season games against Salisbury, Sutton, Cirencester and Reading.

A strong defender who is good in the air and strong in the tackle, Alfie has worked hard to develop his skills and understanding of the game.