Igitur
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 2,293
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Post by Igitur on Jun 30, 2020 15:06:34 GMT
... and leaves.
The Club can today confirm that Ollie Clarke has rejected a new contract in order to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Clarke made over 250 appearances for Rovers since signing a professional deal with the Club in the summer of 2010, with his first-team debut for the Gas coming towards the conclusion of the 2010/11 season at Colchester United.
An injury setback the following campaign limited the midfielder's continued progression to regular first-team football. A brief stint on loan at Clevedon Town aided Clarke's return to full fitness and he signed a one-year extension that summer.
The 2013/14 season was the campaign where Clarke made the full breakthrough into a regular starter in the blue and white quarters, which coincided with his first goal for the Club in a 2-0 win against Portsmouth in December 2013.
Clarke was part of the Rovers side that won promotion from the National League in the 2014/15 season, with the midfielder contributing four goals across the campaign that ended with victory in the Play-Off final over Grimsby Town at Wembley.
On our return to the EFL the following season, Clarke was a mainstay in the side that secured the Club's second successive promotion, with the highlight from the midfielder surely being a fantastic long-range goal during a comprehensive victory over Newport.
Last season, the industrious midfielder was made Club captain and he featured 34 times in all competitions throughout the 2019/20 campaign, scoring in our dramatic win away at Shrewsbury Town.
The 28-year-old will now leave the Memorial Stadium on the expiry of his contract this summer.
Speaking about the departure of the midfielder, CEO Martyn Starnes said, "We want to thank Ollie for his contribution and services during his time at the Club.
"Ollie has been a terrific servant to Bristol Rovers F.C over the past decade, with a highlight reel of memories to choose from, which has earned him the label of a fan-favourite.
"We had been negotiating a new deal with Ollie, with the offer of a testimonial to mark his decade long service, but he felt the time was right for him to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
"We respect his decision and he leaves the Club with our best wishes as he embarks upon the next step of his career."
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,394
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Post by harrybuckle on Jun 30, 2020 16:06:52 GMT
... and leaves. The Club can today confirm that Ollie Clarke has rejected a new contract in order to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. Clarke made over 250 appearances for Rovers since signing a professional deal with the Club in the summer of 2010, with his first-team debut for the Gas coming towards the conclusion of the 2010/11 season at Colchester United. An injury setback the following campaign limited the midfielder's continued progression to regular first-team football. A brief stint on loan at Clevedon Town aided Clarke's return to full fitness and he signed a one-year extension that summer. The 2013/14 season was the campaign where Clarke made the full breakthrough into a regular starter in the blue and white quarters, which coincided with his first goal for the Club in a 2-0 win against Portsmouth in December 2013. Clarke was part of the Rovers side that won promotion from the National League in the 2014/15 season, with the midfielder contributing four goals across the campaign that ended with victory in the Play-Off final over Grimsby Town at Wembley. On our return to the EFL the following season, Clarke was a mainstay in the side that secured the Club's second successive promotion, with the highlight from the midfielder surely being a fantastic long-range goal during a comprehensive victory over Newport. Last season, the industrious midfielder was made Club captain and he featured 34 times in all competitions. Probably did not feature in Garners passing game and to be fair contributed a lot in Conference and League Two but struggled in League one Wish him good luck at Mansfield or wherever he goes.
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basel
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,064
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Post by basel on Jun 30, 2020 16:11:57 GMT
I hear GC wants him at Stags.
Great shame losing Ollie imo.
A bloody good footballer
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Post by lostinspace on Jun 30, 2020 16:43:56 GMT
get the impression he has lost his passion of late, needs a new start to regain that, some will miss him others will say they won't, seemed to get a lot of stick on here from some at times this past season
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Jun 30, 2020 16:44:12 GMT
It's a clever knack to have the instincts to know when the best time for you to move on.
OC probably feels the time is right for him, and shows his piers the right way to depart.
I think it was lovely and appropriate to offer a testimonial, that's a club acknowledging service given.
Everyone will wish him the best, and reflect in this century, a great home grown product, a model professional and a great club representative, there has been no other.
He will be missed.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 16:51:31 GMT
Not the player of old probably because mansfield have been sniffing for a while.
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knowall
Joined: August 2019
Posts: 162
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Post by knowall on Jun 30, 2020 16:55:51 GMT
It's a clever knack to have the instincts to know when the best time for you to move on. OC probably feels the time is right for him, and shows his piers the right way to depart. I think it was lovely and appropriate to offer a testimonial, that's a club acknowledging service given. Everyone will wish him the best, and reflect in this century, a great home grown product, a model professional and a great club representative, there has been no other. He will be missed. It is always a shame to lose one of our own, and Ollie has proven over the years that he has been well worthy of wearing the shirt. He will be missed, particularly at this time when we surely need players of his capabilities.
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Post by Gas Since 1957 on Jun 30, 2020 17:42:58 GMT
It's funny, I'm sure that for the last couple of seasons, Ollie has been singled out on the forums as the reason our midfield didn't work - now he's leaving he is suddenly the biggest loss we have ever had. It was obvious in the curtailed season that he was just starting to get back to his best play after his injuries, so my view is that it's a shame he's leaving for a lower division club. Given he's joining GC, I'm torn between wanting him to succeed and being a total failure! I hate what GC did to Rovers and don't buy into the "family" nonsense.
So best wishes to Ollie, tempered by hoping GC fails miserably!
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
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Post by eppinggas on Jun 30, 2020 18:05:01 GMT
Probably did not feature in Garners passing game and to be fair contributed a lot in Conference and League Two but struggled in League one Wish him good luck at Mansfield or wherever he goes. I think that's a fair assessment. He always handled himself very professionally, but perhaps struggled against some of the quality sides in League 1. Good luck on your next move Ollie.
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Post by fatherjackhackett on Jun 30, 2020 19:50:36 GMT
Presumably Stevie K is popping the champagne corks right now.
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warehamgas
Predictions League
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Member is Online
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Post by warehamgas on Jun 30, 2020 20:00:36 GMT
Sometimes you never know what you’ve got until you haven’t got it anymore. But I guess that we’ve probably got slightly better defensive mid field options and better attacking midfield options, he was a very good utility midfielder who didn’t let us down and gave us excellent service. My favourite game of Ollies was at Eastleigh in the conference when we were one down and down to 10 after Mildy was sent off but he got a great goal before getting sent off. We got a 1-1 and I walked out totally confident we would go up. But that was the Conference and were now looking, presumably, at challenging in League 1. But I’m sorry he’s going, he’s one of our own and I wish him the best wherever he ends up. His next club will get a wholehearted player who gives 100% and with a few goals in him. Good luck Ollie. UTG!
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Post by lostinspace on Jun 30, 2020 20:52:42 GMT
Would like think he is of a better standard team player than the current set up at Mansfield
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Post by mangogas15 on Jul 1, 2020 6:23:05 GMT
I think this is a bit of a coup for Coughlan. His old captain, just turned 28 and as mentioned probably very good for L2 if maybe not quite too good.
Every club needs a local lad and we have always had at least one for the last 10 years with Ollie.
Not always a starter but then came into his own with the relegation.
I liked him as a player when he played but wasn't always consistent, especially last season. Did very well the previous year, I could understand why he was made captain although I didn't agree with it.
Technically a very good shot from range, something we didn't see enough of towards the end.
Scored some great goals, but ultimately was found wanting in too many games for me when the chips were down.
Never had the consistency of Lockyer to play at an even higher level, which was talked about.
I am grateful to him for his excellent service and wish him well as this is potentially a great fit for him, but I am not unhappy he is going. Maybe Garner told him he wouldn't be the focal point of his plans with the contract, as I can't believe Mansfield are offering him more money. I don't think money comes into it.
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Post by Curly Wurly on Jul 1, 2020 7:53:26 GMT
I hear GC wants him at Stags. Great shame losing Ollie imo. A bloody good footballer I feel a bit sick seeing this:
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basel
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,064
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Post by basel on Jul 1, 2020 8:02:07 GMT
I hear GC wants him at Stags. Great shame losing Ollie imo. A bloody good footballer I feel a bit sick seeing this:
I think the new trading ground great news indeed. I don't think the new Fruit Market stadium will happen.Got use to disappointment,stay at Mem and keep looking. The biggest question mark at Bristol Rovers is over Ben Garner.About one good performance in twenty.Allowing Ollie to leave is a big decision imo and fingers crossed it works out for Ben,Rovers and Ollie.
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Igitur
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 2,293
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Post by Igitur on Jul 1, 2020 8:02:29 GMT
To me, Ollie had ‘peaked’ as a League 1 player. He was initially easy to like with his movement, defensive tackles and goals, some of which were spectacular. Then he became a walking yellow card, often injured and without the goals (which OK was not necessarily his main job but did exist.) Inexplicably he was made Captain yet showed little leadership on the field, Maybe it was time for ‘one of our own’ to move on, who knows what was going on behind the scenes at BRFC and what enticements were being made elsewhere? On balance I’m happy to see him go, and will wish him well.
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simonj
Archie Stevens
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Post by simonj on Jul 1, 2020 8:10:18 GMT
I'm with Basel, I liked Ollie and thought even out of form he was worth his place for his work rate, drive and winner instinct. I don't blame him at all for 'cashing in', he was getting pelters from plenty of the crowd around me, when the likes of Upson contributed far less the majority of the time but didn't. He showed an amazing patch of form the season before, and if he could replicate this Mansfield have an absolute bargain, if he plays as per, they still have a quality player.
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Post by mangogas15 on Jul 1, 2020 10:35:36 GMT
I hear GC wants him at Stags. Great shame losing Ollie imo. A bloody good footballer I feel a bit sick seeing this:
Nah, life goes on
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irishrover
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Post by irishrover on Jul 1, 2020 10:52:09 GMT
I find it interesting given that I always felt Ollie played much better for DC than he did for GC. If there was rumours Walsall were after him it would make more sense to me. Overall though I don't think it's that surprising. Whatever we might think about Rovers current recruitment strategy we are clearly looking at signing younger players with potential sell-on value whereas Clarke is a player who will be looking for the next contract to be the biggest of his career which I doubt we were willing to commit to. Dropping a level to become one of the highest paid players on his team probably makes quite a lot of sense at his age. Shame to see him go given how long he has been here but my feeling is that he probably reached his career ceiling with us. Be nice if he proved me wrong though. Adds to the 'clearing the decks' feel. Whether that is a good thing or not though.........
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Post by laughinggas on Jul 1, 2020 11:36:19 GMT
Assume testimonial funds are tax free, so interesting that was turned down even for a one year contract. There again agents don't earn from testimonial income.
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