Bristol Rovers would love to see Darrell Clarke repeat this transfer masterstroke | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers and Darrell Clarke will be looking for a repeat of this Rory Gaffney masterstroke

Darrell Clarke is getting down to business as new Bristol Rovers head coach, knowing he has a busy summer of transfer activity ahead of him. Having already been in the driving seat at Rovers from his previous period, the Gas boss is no stranger to convincing players to adorn the blue and white quarters.

Clarke made some significant signings during his first spell at the Gas, including the likes of Lee Mansell, who joined following Rovers’ exit from the English Football League and whose name will forever be etched in Gas folklore. And Chris Lines, who would also become an icon to many Gasheads.

One player from Clarke's first reign in charge who is also fondly remembered is Irish forward Rory Gaffney, who signed for Bristol Rovers in their first season back in the football league in 2016.

Gaffney initially signed for Rovers on a one-month loan from Cambridge United, and it was such an impressive loan stint that the then-Bristol Rovers manager, Clarke, was especially keen to see him return on a permanent deal, with Rovers working hard behind the scenes to secure a long-term move for the Irishman.

Rory Gaffney hit the ground running during his first spell at Bristol Rovers

On loan, Gaffney scored an impressive five goals in seven games for Bristol Rovers, including a brace against Leyton Orient, immediately followed by another brace a few days later against Luton Town.

Clarke shared his excitement at Rovers making the deal permanent, saying: “I’ve been unable to say anything about the situation since he returned to his parent club as he was a Cambridge United player, and it would have been disrespectful to speak about another club’s player.”

He continued: “I did say when he joined us on loan that he would give us a different option in attack and I think he proved that during his short time with us. Now I look forward to working with him again, and I know that he will be welcomed back by the whole squad as we prepare for some very important matches.”

The striker ended that season with nine goals as the Gas just missed out on a playoff spot and Gaffney would be linked with a move back to his native Ireland. Despite these links, he signed a new deal with Rovers and would go on to make 114 appearances for the Gas in all competitions, scoring 24 times with 14 assists.

Bristol Rovers favourite Rory Gaffney would go on to achieve more success after his exit

Gaffney would leave Bristol Rovers for Salford in 2018 for an undisclosed fee and would later return home to Ireland where in 2022 he won the PFA Ireland Player of the Year. The former Bristol Rovers striker scored 15 goals in all competitions during a season which saw Shamrock Rovers chase the league title and Gaffney force himself into international contention. The 35-year-old currently remains at Shamrock Rovers.

The loan move for Gaffney in itself turned out to be a masterstroke by Darrell Clarke and Bristol Rovers and although Gaffney would struggle to maintain that goalscoring form, he still achieved more than 100 appearances for Rovers and made a significant contribution to the team during his stay at Bristol Rovers.

The Gas will be hoping then that, once again, DC can repeat his transfer masterstrokes in order to get the Gas off to a flying start as they embark on a tricky League Two campaign.