Bobby Kamwa is ready to make an impression at The Memorial Stadium after moving to Bristol Rovers from fellow Sky Bet League Two team Newport County.
The 26-year-old showed he was a man for the big occasion last term, scoring winners for the Exiles in their final two fixtures of the campaign against Oldham Athletic and Barrow to keep them in the fourth tier.
After departing Newport in the summer, Kamwa has decided to switch to the Pirates, signing a two-year contract with the Gas and working under Steve Evans, who has been aware of the forward for some time.
Speaking to BRTV, Kamwa is looking forward to making his mark on the pitch and is excited to play in front of The Mem crowd as a home player.
Bobby, first of all, welcome to Bristol Rovers Football Club. How does it feel to be here?
"Thanks, first of all. It feels good, it's a big club, I'm happy to be here, and I'm ready to get going."
We’re well into the first week of pre-season. What's it been like already?
"Pre-season's pre-season, you know, pre-season's always tough. It hasn't been easy, but it's been good work that's been put out for the boys for this week, and we're just raring to crack on.
Have you had a good chance to meet the teammates and find out who the characters are in the squad?
"Yeah, I've had a good chance to meet all of them, and there are always a few characters in the changing rooms. One that stood out for me was Ellis, you know, a big character, but he’s a good, good guy, and I'm hoping to get to know more."
And what about the gaffer? What were his conversations like with you before you joined?
"Pretty much straightforward. I understood what he wanted; he understood what I wanted. So it's just, you know, this season for me and the group to produce and for the club to go where it deserves to be."
As part of your announcement, he said he knew you from when you were 12 or 13 at Leeds. How much did you know about him?
"Do you know, I actually did. When he was at Leeds, I used to go do the ball boys. So I used to go do the ball boying and stuff like that. That's how, that's why I kind of knew of him and stuff like that, but yeah, it goes a long while."
Does he remember those times when you were the ball boy?
"I'm not too sure, but when I spoke to him, obviously he kept mentioning he knows me from Leeds and stuff. I didn't know that he paid that much attention, but yeah, he must, you know, he must have paid a lot of attention."
And what about Bristol Rovers as a Football Club before joining? What did you know, and what do you do now?
"I was at Newport, and you watch teams regularly, and because they were at the bottom of us at some point, struggling, and somehow they just started flying up the league.
"So obviously I took interest in them since then, and obviously it was, when I first got the phone call, it was an attraction. You always want to be part of a team that's doing well. It was a no-brainer."
You played in that game at the Mem. What was that like as an opposition player?
"It was tough. It was a tough game because obviously we knew that we wanted to go there and get three points. But obviously, Bristol Rovers, that day, they were just something else, and obviously we couldn't really affect that game as we wanted. I'd say the better side won that day.
How much are you looking forward to being on the right side of that and the atmosphere, because it feels like it was building as every game passed towards the end of last season, and it's only going to get better next?
"Yeah, of course. I'm someone who thrives on big moments, and I love the occasion. I'm someone who's raring to show what I can do, and hopefully I can do it in a Bristol Rovers shirt. It's a big, big ask, but I know I'm capable of doing it. So that's why I decided to come here."
You showed that you're a big-game player towards the end of last season, with three goals in two games to help Newport stay up. Are you feeling really confident going into this new season?
"Obviously, my time at Newport was great, but obviously I moved on. I wish them the best, but now, as players, you always want better for yourself, and I want to climb up the leagues.
"That's why I thought it was the best choice for me to come to Bristol Rovers. Obviously, I've got a lot in my belly to show out there. So when the time comes, I'd rather let my feet do the talking.
What about the character from your side? What do you bring to the dressing room?
"I'm a big character. I was in the Newport changing room, you know, because you do need big characters to avoid relegation and stuff like that. So obviously in here there's already big characters, so all of us put together we've got a good chance."
Finally, pre-season on the training pitch is well underway. How excited are you to get on the pitch and get some real action going?
"Yeah, I can't wait, you know. This week's been tough, but we need it, we need it as players during the first week back. Obviously, there'll be a few more running stuff and stuff like that, but I just can't wait to just get on the ball and start playing again."
