Match Previews

Match Preview | Bristol Rovers v Harrogate Town

31st July

Bristol Rovers v Harrogate Town
Sky Bet League Two, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday 2 August 2025, 3pm KO

The Sky Bet League Two season gets underway with a bang as Bristol Rovers kick-start the new campaign with a home clash against Harrogate Town.

It has been 153 days, or almost five months exactly, since Rovers concluded the 2024/25 season, one that ended in relegation from League One, but a new-look Gas is set to take to the pitch in BS7; one that is eager to hit the ground running and make the most of a new season.

While a new campaign has arrived, old faces are back at The Mem as Darrell Clarke takes charge of a competitive fixture as Bristol Rovers boss for the first time since December 2018.

The new Head Coach has nine new signings to choose from too after a busy summer in the transfer window for the Pirates, who will be eager to make their mark and start the season with three points.

Read on for all you need to know about Saturday’s game…

Tickets...

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s fixture at home to Harrogate Town!

A streamlined pricing structure means a single price band is now operating at Bristol Rovers for the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two season, with Early Bird pricing available for online purchases up until the start of kick-off!

Get all the information about the pricing structure here!

Tickets purchased in person at our Matchday Ticket Office will include a minor price increase of two pounds across the board, implemented to encourage supporters to purchase tickets in advance and help the Club to forecast required staffing and stewarding appropriately.

Get your tickets now here!

Opposition…

Harrogate Town will be hoping that the 2025/26 season concludes with a continuation of the EFL dream.

The Sulphurates have been enjoying life in Sky Bet League Two since winning the 2020 National League Play-off, thanks to a 3-1 victory against Notts County. Since then, Town have plied their trade in the fourth division of English football, slowly building and consolidating their standing.

A 4-0 victory away to Southend United in their very first English Football League match ever was more than even the most optimistic of Harrogate Town fan could dream of. Since then, Town have made the most of their campaigns competing at the new level, avoiding the drop and battling through to safety, including an 18th placed finish last season.

Manager Simon Weaver has been in the role since 2009. The former defender was appointed player-manager and has guided the team through the leagues since, with this contest against Bristol Rovers being his 785th in charge of the Sulphurates.

Six new signings have also been brought in to boost the squad. Forwards Shawn McCoulsky and Raace Smith have joined from Maidenhead United, as has attacker Mason Bennett from Burton Albion. A pair of centre-backs in Tom Bradbury and Lewis Cass have also made Exercise Stadium their new home, as has full-back Jack Evans.

Previous Meetings...

Two EFL meetings have been contested between Rovers and Harrogate, with both played when the clubs were also in Sky Bet League Two in the 2021/22 season.

An unforgettable season that saw the Gas promoted thanks to an incredible 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United on the last day of the campaign, Rovers also defeated Harrogate 1-0 away from home in October 2021 courtesy of Nick Anderton’s well-taken finish, ending a ten-game unbeaten run at home for the Sulphurates.

Rovers were again on the winning side when the two teams met at The Mem in March 2022. Aaron Collins opened the scoring with a fantastic 25-yard strike on 22 minutes before loanee Elliot Anderson dribbled past several defenders to double the lead.

Attacker Collins added his second, and Rovers’ third, with a cool chip to complete a trio of well-taken finishes and secure a fantastic win for the Pirates.