Football Clarke says fans were a 'massive pull' in his decision to return to Rovers

NEW Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke has admitted that his relationship with Gasheads built during his first spell in north Bristol was a “massive pull” when making the decision to return to the Memorial Stadium, while also noting the club's “massive potential.”

- Daniel HARGRAVES

Clarke was confirmed as Rovers’ new head coach last week, two days after the sacking of Inigo Calderon was announced following the Gas’ final League One match of the season at Blackpool with relegation already confirmed - a 4-1 defeat.

Despite dropping into League Two, the mood amongst supporters was lifted when news broke that the fan favourite would be returning to Rovers, six-and-a-half years on from the end of his first spell.

Speaking to club media in his first interview back with the Gas, Clarke said: “It's great to be back. I'm really pleased. Not a lot has changed at the Mem, if I am being honest with you, but to be back here after such a long time away, I’m really looking forward to it.

“The rapport with the fans was a massive pull for me, but also, it’s still a club with massive potential. If you take away from my previous period here, you’d still look at the club as a very big club in a division that we shouldn't be in, and where we should be competing is where we need to get back into. So, the pull of that was massive, but certainly, the connection with the supporters was key.