Bristol Rovers

It was only a short statement, issued around midday, but the news it conveyed meant an awful lot to Gasheads because it confirmed that manager Darrell Clarke would be staying with the club and had agreed a new deal to remain at The Memorial Stadium for another three years.

It came at the end of a week when Leeds United had made an approach to Rovers to speak to Darrell about the possibility of him taking over as boss at Elland Road.

After a busy and hectic week Darrell spoke only of the future and said; “I am delighted to have agreed a new contract to remain as manager of Bristol Rovers.

“I would like to thank the club’s owner, Wael Al-Qadi, along with Chairman Steve Hamer and his Directors for giving me the opportunity to stay here and I am now looking forward to continue to help the club move in the right direction.

“A great deal of hard work needs to be undertaken before we kick off the new season but we are all determined to keep progressing and build on the progress we have made during the last two years.”

Support for the manager who has led the club from The Conference to Sky Bet League One in successive seasons has been unprecedented since it was known that Leeds had expressed an interest in securing his services.

“I appreciate each and every message of support I have received and I can’t thank the Bristol Rovers supporters enough for their backing.”

Chairman Steve Hamer said; “We are delighted that Darrell will be staying on as our manager and in recognising the tremendous job he has done for this club, we have offered him a new, improved, three year contract.

“We have complete faith in Darrell’s ability and believe he will to continue his good work as we move up to another level.”

It must be said that both Leeds United and Bristol Rovers have conducted business this week in an exemplary manner and every aspect of the approach from the Championship side has been made in the correct manner.