Post by GasHeadGaz on Jun 6, 2014 9:00:06 GMT
MANAGER Darrell Clarke is looking forward to the opportunity to speak with supporters about his plans to re-build Bristol Rovers in preparation for life in the Conference.
Clarke is set to address a Supporters Club meeting next week before attending a specially-arranged fans' forum set to take place at the Memorial Stadium on an as yet undecided date in July.
"It is important that wherever possible I keep the supporters in the loop as we attempt to rebuild the squad," said Clarke.
"I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to speak to more of our supporters at the various meetings that are planned over the coming weeks. I get the sense that we are all starting to come to terms with the relegation in the aftermath of the initial shock.
"I received an interesting letter from a very disillusioned supporter a couple of weeks ago and I recently felt compelled to give him a call as a result.
"It is not something I would usually do, but I had a good chat with him about how I wanted to take the playing side forward and he ended by saying that he was going to renew his season ticket.
"I know a lot of our supporters will be feeling exactly the same way as he does. If I can speak to them and offer them some reassurance that is important, as we must do all we can to keep the fans onside."
Clarke, meanwhile, is hoping that Lee Brown will commit his immediate future to the club within the next fortnight by signing the one-year deal he has been offered.
The out-of-contract Brown would command a fee set by a tribunal if any other club was to table an official offer in a bid to acquire his services as he is under the age of 24.
Alan Gow is set to rejoin the squad for pre-season training in a bid to earn a new contract after missing the final two months of last season with an ankle injury.
Gow only played four games for Rovers after signing on loan from Exeter City at the start of February before succumbing to injury in the game at Scunthorpe United, but Clarke said: "Alan's rehabilitation is going well.
"Based on what I saw from him in the few games he played for us last season, I'm more than confident that he will come back and earn himself a contract. If we can get Alan back and firing then we will have a really good player who is capable of playing at a higher level."
Clarke is set to address a Supporters Club meeting next week before attending a specially-arranged fans' forum set to take place at the Memorial Stadium on an as yet undecided date in July.
"It is important that wherever possible I keep the supporters in the loop as we attempt to rebuild the squad," said Clarke.
"I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to speak to more of our supporters at the various meetings that are planned over the coming weeks. I get the sense that we are all starting to come to terms with the relegation in the aftermath of the initial shock.
"I received an interesting letter from a very disillusioned supporter a couple of weeks ago and I recently felt compelled to give him a call as a result.
"It is not something I would usually do, but I had a good chat with him about how I wanted to take the playing side forward and he ended by saying that he was going to renew his season ticket.
"I know a lot of our supporters will be feeling exactly the same way as he does. If I can speak to them and offer them some reassurance that is important, as we must do all we can to keep the fans onside."
Clarke, meanwhile, is hoping that Lee Brown will commit his immediate future to the club within the next fortnight by signing the one-year deal he has been offered.
The out-of-contract Brown would command a fee set by a tribunal if any other club was to table an official offer in a bid to acquire his services as he is under the age of 24.
Alan Gow is set to rejoin the squad for pre-season training in a bid to earn a new contract after missing the final two months of last season with an ankle injury.
Gow only played four games for Rovers after signing on loan from Exeter City at the start of February before succumbing to injury in the game at Scunthorpe United, but Clarke said: "Alan's rehabilitation is going well.
"Based on what I saw from him in the few games he played for us last season, I'm more than confident that he will come back and earn himself a contract. If we can get Alan back and firing then we will have a really good player who is capable of playing at a higher level."