Ryan Howley had already donned the famous Bristol Rovers shirt before being unveiled as the Gas' seventh signing of the summer, with the 21-year-old ready to put in the work before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Soon after playing for 60 minutes in the Pirates' 2-1 victory over Chippenham Town in Rovers' pre-season opener, where Darrell Clarke's men released their new Away Kit for the new campaign, Howley jetted off to southern Spain alongside the rest of the squad for a week of intense work.
Howley signed for the Gas from Sky Bet Championship team Coventry City, coming through the academy at the Sky Blues before loan spells away at Dundee and Ayr United. He is Rovers' second addition to the midfield, with the Gas also adding experienced player Josh McEachran to their ranks.
Speaking to the Club on their tour in Spain, Howley is delighted with his move to the Pirates and believes the trip away will help bring the group closer together.
So, Ryan, welcome to Bristol Rovers. How does it feel to be here?
“I’m really excited to be here. I’ve been training with the lads for the last few days and played the game against Chippenham the other day. So, it’s been a good start, and I’m just happy to be here."
What convinced you to join the Club?
"I had a look around the training ground a few weeks ago. I met up with Ricky Martin, and just the direction that the Club is going in is really positive. Obviously, it was a negative last season, but the idea in the long-term is to bounce back."
Speaking to Darrell, what were those early conversations like?
"They have been good. It’s been very clear what the manager wants. He wants us to be pushing at the top end of the table this year. He wants us to play aggressive, pressing football, which I think should be good for the fans."
For the fans, what type of player are you?
"I would say I’m quite a powerful player. I can play in midfield or defence, but probably my main position is in midfield. I like to get on the ball, play different types of passes and progress the ball forwards. Hopefully, the fans will see that."
What do you think you’ll bring to the dressing room?
"I am probably one of the quieter ones, but I’ll definitely get on with everyone. I’ll just enjoy it and get on with the lads. I’ve already spoken to most of them, and it’s a good group of lads."
You have been part of some of the pre-season schedule. How have you found it?
"It’s been tough so far. We’ve been put through our paces, definitely, but you need that so early on in pre-season to get the fitness up and to get us where we want to be. That’s what we’ve got to do."
Out here in Spain, what do you hope to get out of this experience with the squad?
"It will be quite tough in this heat at the moment. It will be tough training, it will be quite tough mentally, but I think that will bring us closer together as a group. We can bond over that. We can have our time away from the pitch together to get to know each other better as well, so that will be good going forward."
How excited are you for the season itself to really get going?
"I’m really excited. I’ve heard a lot of good things about The Mem and the fans. I can’t wait to get going and get those first points on the board."
