The best Bristol Rovers XI using players from the last decade ft Newcastle starlet and Premier League captain | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers have had some exceptional players over the past ten years, a period that includes back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, as well as a famous 7-0 victory against Scunthorpe United on the final day of the 2021/22 season to secure an immediate return to the third tier after relegation a season earlier.

We’ve attempted the almost impossible task of putting together our best XI since Darrell Clarke’s men were relegated to non-league in the 2013/14 season.

The best Bristol Rovers XI since 2013/14

Goalkeeper: James Belshaw

Goalkeeper may be the toughest choice to make, with Bristol Rovers not having too many strong ones to choose from. Nevertheless, we've decided to go for James Belshaw.

The shot-stopper played an instrumental role in the Gas' promotion to League One in the 2021/22 season after he signed on a free transfer from Harrogate Town and was a fan favourite at the Memorial Stadium throughout his time at the club.

The keeper seemed to struggle more following the club's promotion to the third tier however, and was replaced in January by Brentford loanee Ellery Balcombe before returning to Harrogate earlier this season on a free transfer.

Right-back: James Clarke

Kicking off our back four is James Clarke.

The defender made 112 appearances in blue and white over four years and was a mainstay in Darrell Clarke's Rovers side on the right of defence.

Signing from non-league Woking following the Gas' promotion to League One, Clarke was a fantastic servant for the club before eventually being released after Darrell Clarke's sacking. His namesake brought him to Walsall in his next managerial role before ending up at current club Newport County, playing under another former Rovers boss, Graham Coughlan.

Centre-back: Tom Lockyer

Tom Lockyer has to be one of the former Rovers players who has gone on to the highest level, with the Welshman captaining Premier League side Luton Town before his cardiac arrest in December put a pause on his playing career.

The 29-year-old made 255 appearances over seven years at the Gas and was picked up after his release from Cardiff City aged 16.

Lockyer was a crucial part of the back-to-back promotion winning side and was named captain by Clarke. He left the club following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2018/19 season, joining newly promoted Championship side Charlton Athletic, before joining Luton and going on to captain the side.

Centre-back: Connor Taylor

The first current player of Bristol Rovers to come into our squad, Connor Taylor originally joined on loan from Stoke City for the 2021/22 season.

Following Joey Barton's side's promotion, he returned to his parent club and made 14 appearances the following season before returning to Bristol, this time on a permanent deal. The centre-back has been nothing short of sensational across his two spells at the club, and still aged only 22, has plenty of time to develop.

Completing our defence is Lee Brown.

he full-back made 287 appearances in his spell at the club between 2011 and 2018 and famously scored the goal against Dagenham and Redbridge in 2016 to promote the Gas to League One.

He was an integral part of the side that won back-to-back promotions under Clarke and wrote his name into Rovers folklore after his seven years spent at the club. He joined Portsmouth after his contract came to an end and now aged 33, is on the books of AFC Wimbledon in the fourth tier.

Our first centre midfielder is Chris Lines.

Across two spells in North Bristol, Lines made 308 appearances after coming through the academy. He made his debut in 2004 and played up until 2011 when he joined Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.

The midfielder then rejoined the Gas originally on loan in the 2014-15 season, then his deal was made permanent, playing until his release in 2019. After spells at Northampton and Stevenage Lines has found his way back to the South West, and now plays for National League South side Bath City.

The second member of the current Bristol Rovers team in our side is Antony Evans.

The 25-year-old signed for the Gas on a free transfer from German outfit SC Paderborn after spending his youth career at Everton. He starred in his side's promotion from League One, scoring 11 times and getting 14 assists in 39 games, and has been one of the shining lights in a dull season so far this time out - with the Gas being much worse off without their midfield maestro.

Centre-midfield: Elliot Anderson

Strictly speaking, Elliot Anderson didn't play centre-midfield during his loan stint at the Gas but we had to fit him in here somewhere.

The 21-year-old joined on deadline day of the January transfer window from Premier League Newcastle and spearheaded Rovers' scintillating form in the second half of the season, scoring seven and assisting six in 21 games as well as scoring the seventh goal against Scunthorpe to secure promotion for Joey Barton's side.

Following his return to the Premier League giants he has been consistently in and around the matchday squad, and was clearly far too good to be playing in the fourth tier.

Right-winger: Billy Bodin

Kicking off our front three is Billy Bodin.

The Welshman spent three years at Bristol Rovers between 2015-2018 and turned out to be a shrewd bit of business, being picked up on a free transfer following his release from Northampton and then sold to Championship side Preston North End for a significant fee.

Bodin scored 35 goals across three seasons and 95 games, prompting North End to splash out. The 31-year-old now turns out for fellow League One side Oxford United.

As former players go, Matty Taylor isn't the most popular among Bristol Rovers fans, having famously joined bitter rivals Bristol City on transfer deadline day after his release clause was triggered.

Nevertheless, Taylor was fabulous in blue and white, scoring 61 times in 118 games, as well as being a key part in the back-to-back promotion-winning side.

After joining Bristol City, his career went stale, and he failed to replicate his goalscoring form with the Gas. The now 33-year-old has recently played for Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers, while now linking up with former manager Clarke at Cheltenham Town.

Aaron Collins completes our eleven, with the Welshman being another player Gas signed on a free transfer and sold on for a profit after Bolton Wanderers secured the services of the 26-year-old on January deadline day for an undisclosed fee.

Collins had his best season in blue and white last term, scoring 16 goals and assisting 11 on his way to winning the League One Player of the Season award.