Bristol Rovers v Coventry City
Pre-season fixture, The Memorial Stadium, Wednesday 23 July 2025, 7:00pm KO
Darrell Clarke returns to the home dugout at The Memorial Stadium when Bristol Rovers face Coventry City on Wednesday as part of their preparations for the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two campaign.
Last weekend, the Rovers kept up their winning ways, coming from behind to beat Yeovil in the second half. Kofi Shaw, who got an assist to Luke Thomas and a goal of his own, put on a magnificent display to help the Pirates secure their third victory in four pre-season outings.
Before their win over the Glovers, Rovers beat Chippenham Town and Bath City, either side of a narrow 3-2 loss to Sky Bet League One team Stockport County out in southern Spain.
Coventry came fifth in the Championship last season and lost their previous fixture, which was played behind closed doors, against French team Monaco 5-0.
Tickets...
Tickets are still available for our fixture against Coventry and can be purchased here!
Opposition...
Coventry have played in the Sky Bet Championship since 2020. In the 2022/23 season, the Sky Blues secured a play-off place in the second tier before losing the final to Luton Town on penalties.
Between 1967 and 2001, Coventry played as high as the Premier League but have not returned. They went close in the previous term and reached the play-off semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Sunderland.
The Sky Blues have lost both of their pre-season fixtures so far, falling to defeats to Portimonense and Monaco.
There will be a few familiar faces in the Gas' ranks for Coventry fans. Rhys Carr spent seven months at Coventry as a first-team coach under Mark Robins before taking over as Interim Head Coach for three fixtures. Ryan Howley also made eight competitive appearances for the Sky Blues before departing the club in the summer.
Coventry have been active in the transfer market and brought Kaine Kesler Hayden from Aston Villa, and defender Miguel Ángel Brau from Granada.
Previous Meetings...
The Pirates have a long history with Coventry, playing the Sky Blues 47 times in the league since 1908. Seventeen of those games were wins, while eleven were draws.
The Rovers' most recent meeting against Coventry in the Sky Bet League One was under manager Ben Garner five years ago. Coventry came from behind to earn a 2-1 win in February 2020.
Coventry City visited The Memorial Stadium for pre-season friendly fixtures in 2012 and 2014, winning 2-1 on both occasions. In 2014, Darrell Clarke was in charge, and Matty Taylor scored the only goal.
The most recent victory was 3-1 in the 2018 League One fixture. Gavin Reilly scored the first goal, followed by Tom Lockyer and Ollie Clarke.
Allocated seating…
Seated tickets come with an allocated seat and row number, and supporters are kindly reminded to sit only in the seat that comes with the ticket.
Furthermore, Bristol Rovers FC must ensure we operate in full accordance with national rules and regulations. A particular issue that has been fed back by some fans is persistent standing which will impact the Club's ability to achieve 100 per cent occupancy, should standing continue.
Supporters wishing to stand for matches are kindly advised to locate themselves in one of the available terraces.
The Club would also like to remind supporters of their responsibilities on matchdays. Encroachment onto the pitch, regardless of age, is a criminal offence, as well as a breach of ground regulations, and will not be tolerated.
Match Officials...
Referee: Sam Allison
Assistant Referee: Dan Flynn and Grant Taylor
Fourth Official: Rich Morris
