Josh McEachran is Bristol Rovers' most experienced addition in the summer transfer window and knows what it takes to make a successful squad.
The 32-year-old has Champions League experience with Chelsea, 275 games in the English Football League and gained promotion to the Sky Bet Championship with Oxford United as recently as 2024.
McEachran is now entering a new chapter in his career with his eleventh separate club. Speaking to BRTV in his first interview at the Gas, the midfielder is ready to give everything for his new team and wants to use his experience to help the young players at Rovers.
The former England youth international is the Pirates' fifth summer signing, following Jack Sparkes, Macauley Southam-Hales, Alfie Kilgour and Brad Young, and is excited to get going in a fresh environment.
First of all, Josh, welcome to Bristol Rovers. How does it feel to be here?
“I am delighted to be here. I think I met the manager two to three weeks ago now, and as soon as I met him and Ricky Martin, it was something that I was really excited about and something that I wanted to be a part of. So, here I am, and I can’t wait to get started now.”
What convinced you to join the Club?
“Obviously, the size of the Club. I think nobody expected relegation last year for Bristol Rovers, really. Looking from the outside, everyone knows how big a Club it is.
"So, to be in League Two, nobody wants to be here but that’s our job now as players to get us out of the league. So, the main reason I joined was obviously the first initial conversation with Darrell and Ricky. It was just something that I wanted to be a part of.”
You mentioned Darrell and Ricky. What were those conversations like?
“They were really good and were really positive. I am just excited now.”
You’re an experienced player. How much do you think that will help the group?
“It will help massively. I am 32 now, so I’ve got a lot of experience in the Championship and League One. Day to day, I want to help the young lads as much as possible. I think I’m probably one of the oldest in the changing room now. So, I think that will be vitally important going forward.”
You have been a part of some really successful changing rooms as well. What does it take to be a success?
“I think standards are massive. Day to day, pushing each other. I think everyone needs to be going in the right direction. If there are one or two not pulling their weight, it’s about everyone else getting around them and pulling them in the right direction.
"So, off the pitch is massive and obviously, day to day, what you do in training is huge. You can’t just turn up on a gameday and expect it to happen. That day-to-day routine is massive.”
What are your ambitions for the season?
“Obviously, everyone knows that we want to get promoted. So, that’s the main one, but it starts now, really. The lads have been back for a week; this is my first day today. So, I am excited to get going now, but it is like what I said before it’s what you do day to day. That will bring you great success.”
Pre-season is already underway. How ready are you to meet the team and make some new friendships?
“I am really excited. Weirdly enough, this is the first changing room where I don’t know anyone. So, it’s exciting for me just to get to know everyone. Everyone this morning has been really welcoming, so they seem like really good lads who want to work hard and do well for each other. So, I’m really looking forward to it.”
How excited are you to step out onto The Mem pitch?
“I have played a few times, and it’s a tough place to go if you’re the away team. So, I’m going to be on the flip side of that now, and I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got Harrogate Town on the first game of the season. So, I’m excited to see all the fans there. I’m sure we’ll have a great turnout, so I can’t wait to get going.”
Have you got a message for the Gasheads?
“I am really excited to be here. I will give 110 per cent every game. Obviously coming here in previous years, it’s a really tough place to come. So, I just want to give my all, and I can’t wait to meet them all.”
