Deadline day £200k was some of the best money Bristol Rovers ever spent: View | OneFootball

As former Bristol Rovers strikers go, Rickie Lambert is up there with the legends. Living every football fan's dream, Lambert had a most remarkable career culminating in what must have felt like a near-perfect England debut.

Lambert joined Bristol Rovers from Rochdale on transfer deadline day back in August 2006 for a fee of £200,000. He only had limited experience as a striker up to that point but Lambert would soon establish himself as the leading Gas marksman. He played his part in creating history for the Pirates on multiple occasions and would bring a handy financial return too on his departure.

The Liverpudlian said at the time of his signing: “My first thought when I heard about this move was Bristol Rovers is a big club and I wanted to be part of that”

Lambert had some unforgettable moments at the Gas

Lambert made more than 150 appearances for Bristol Rovers across four seasons at the Gas – scoring 58 times. Having played for clubs including Rovers, Southampton, Rochdale, West Brom, and Liverpool - Lambert boasts a prolific record during a playing career that spanned every level.

He scored some unforgettable goals in his career, but it's perhaps his goal for Rovers against local rivals Bristol City in the 2006-2007 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi-final that Gasheads will remember most fondly and which set Lambert on the way to legend status both on the terraces and in the dressing room.

His second-half volley was the decisive factor in confirming Bristol Rovers a place in that year’s JPT Final. Made extra sweet by the fact it was at the expense of their fierce rivals and neighbours from South Bristol.

Lambert would be key to the Gas gaining promotion from League Two to League One in 2007 and he may also be most fondly remembered for his goal against the club he would later join, Southampton, which sent the West Country outfit to the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Lambert lived the dream

The Gas would make a huge financial return when Lambert was sold in 2009 to Southampton for a fee of £1 million. His career would go from strength to strength as Lambert would be promoted to the Premier League with the Saints - scoring 28 times in his first two seasons in the top flight and earning him a call-up to the England squad.

Lambert would then live perhaps every young football fan’s dream when he scored with his first touch as he made his debut for his national team against Scotland in August 2013. Lambert made his first England cap at the tender age of 31 and would score three times in 11 appearances for the national side. Lambert's journey from the lower leagues to the England national team can be an inspiration for any footballer who may think their time is gone.

His strong physical presence along with his consistent goal-scoring and his willingness to engage with supporters means Lambert remains popular among the fanbase today. And as a demonstration of his character and engagement with supporters – as well as his skillset - Lambert joined with other former Bristol Rovers players including Barry Hayles, Richard Walker, and Steve Elliot in 2019 for that year's Martin Belsten Memorial Match. During which he scored a wondergoal from 40 yards - showing that class is indeed permanent.