As Bristol Rovers prepare to welcome Swindon Town to The Memorial Stadium in Sky Bet League Two, here are five players who have played for both teams.
The Pirates will be searching for their first victory in the fourth tier since beating Salford City at home towards the end of September, with the Gas most recently losing 4-0 to Barnet on Tuesday night.
The Robins will also want to bounce back after midweek disappointment. Ian Holloway's men missed the chance to move to the top of Sky Bet League Two, losing 1-0 to Cheltenham Town.
This is the first league meeting between the two teams since 2022, with Rovers searching for their first victory in the West County derby since 2017.
Read about five players who have played for both teams below...
Ollie Clarke
Currently playing as a midfielder for Swindon, Bristol-born Clarke began his youth career and his early senior career with the Gas.
Clarke progressed through the ranks at Rovers’ Pirates Academy before joining the professional ranks in 2009. He made a few loan spells at Gloucester City, Mangotsfield United and Clevedon Town before making his debut for Rovers in the 2010/11 season, coming on as a substitute for Harry Pell against Colchester United in the 88th minute.
Unfortunately, a ruptured ACL ruled him out of action for most of the 2011/12 season. Clarke scored 21 goals for the Gas in 269 appearances across all competitions, including a wonder goal against Newport County in March 2016 in a 4-1 victory.
The midfielder signed for Mansfield Town in 2020 and spent four seasons with them before joining Swindon Town in the 2024/25 season. Now, captain, he has made 54 appearances for the Robins and netted seven goals.
Joel Cotterill
On loan at Rovers from Swansea City, Cotterill has also represented Swindon.
First going on loan to Stockport County for the 2023/24 campaign, he only made nine appearances for the Hatters, but the midfielder had a much more successful stint at Swindon the following campaign.
He made 41 league appearances for Swindon and scored a 30-yard strike against Port Vale in a 3-3 draw. Cotterill joined the Gas on loan for the 2025/26 season on transfer deadline day and scored his first goal for the Pirates in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, with Rovers beating Bromley 2-1.
Tom Nichols
Currently representing Swindon in midfield and up front, Nichols spent time with the Gas between 2017 and 2020.
After earning his stripes with Exeter City, Bath City and Peterborough United, Nichols signed for the Pirates in the summer transfer window of 2017. He debuted for Rovers against Charlton Athletic as a 15th-minute substitute.
He scored one of his nine goals for the Gas against his former club, Peterborough United, in a 2-2 draw, finding the back of the net from the penalty spot. He played 117 times for the Pirates across all competitions, playing for the Gas more than any other team.
Nichols spent time with Crawley Town, Gillingham and Mansfield Town before signing for Swindon Town on loan in January 2025. After making 20 appearances in the 2024/25 season for the Robins, he made the move permanent and signed a two-year contract.
He has since scored a goal for the Robins in the first 20 minutes of their clash against Oldham Athletic in August, with Swindon beating the Latics 2-0.
Cian Harries
Harries, who currently plays for National League side Forest Green Rovers, has spent time with both the Gas and the Robins.
The defender signed for Bristol Rovers from Swansea City in 2020, and in the 2021/22 season, scored an impressive volley from outside of the box against Mansfield Town.
He made a further 46 appearances for the Pirates and swiftly moved to Swindon Town on a one-year contract. However, he had only made seven appearances for the Robins. He had brief stints with Aldershot Town and Woking before signing with Forest Green Rovers in January of this year.
Kyle Bennett
After spending his youth career and the beginning of his senior career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Kyle Bennett signed for Rovers from Portsmouth in 2018. The midfielder scored his first goal against Oxford United, as an equaliser in a late 2-1 comeback win for the Gas.
During his time at Rovers, he spent time on loan at Swindon during the 2018/19 campaign, playing 15 times in Sky Bet League Two, scoring four goals.
He scored a memorable long-range goal against Colchester United in the 66th minute, helping Swindon to finish mid-table during the 2018/19 season.
Departing the Pirates permanently at the end of the 2020/21 season, he has since had spells with AFC Telford United, Hednesford Town and Stratford Town before signing for Shifnal Town in June 2023.
