Bristol Rovers break record as Derby County and Charlton Athletic close in on targets

Bristol Rovers players and staff are away from the West Country as they enjoy a week long break away in Portugal.

Joey Barton, his coaching staff and the players will use their time on the Iberian Peninsula to best prepare them for the upcoming season.

Three new signings in Jordan Rossiter, James Gibbons and James Connolly are hoping to be out there after the latter two played in a friendly match against Melskham on Friday.

Here are the headlines from around Bristol Rovers and their 2022/23 League One rivals

Record season ticket sales for Rovers

The Memorial Stadium is the hottest ticket in town after they smashed their record for season tickets.

So far 5057 tickets have been sold, one more than what they got in the 2016/17 season, their first season back in League One after two consecutive promotions.

There are now no more tickets left in the North Terrace and 160 tickets were made available to the general public today.

Given the capacity is just under 9,000 and there needing to be tickets for away fans, next season looks like the Mem will be packed to the rafters.

Date set for Crawley

Bristol Rovers’ Round One trip with Crawley Town will take place on Tuesday, August 9. The Red Devils have Dominic Telford in their ranks having signed the League Two top scorer on a free transfer.

He was a one-time loanee at the Mem but struggled to hold his place down on a loan from Stoke City.

Derby set to join Brighton goalkeeper

Derby County are continuing their arduous task of building their squad from scratch after a new owner was announced.

Football Insider claims that the Rams have won the race to sign goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion.

After the departures of Kelle Roos and Ryan Allsop, a new keeper was needed and after a successful loan at Walsall, the shot stopper is ready to make the step up.

He kept 11 clean sheets in 43 games for the Midlands outfit last season, helping them to a 16th placed finish.

Blackburn Rovers midfielder set for MK Dons move

Former Norwich City midfielder Bradley Johnson looks set for a move to MK Dons. Another report from Football Insider says that Liam Manning’s side are the favourites for is next destination.

Johnson has a wealth of experience across the English pyramid with more than 620 appearances and 78 goals in a career that begun in 2004.

The 35-year-old played 18 times for Rovers last season as they missed out on a Championship play-off spot.

Charlton Athletic snap up McGrandles

Ben Garner and his Addicks side have managed to fend off interest from Championship and League One clubs to sign Conor McGrandles on a three-year deal.

McGrandles left Lincoln City after a two year stay, helping them to the League One play-offs, whilst he was also their captain last year.

Asked about working with former Rovers boss Garner, he said: “He has just told me about his style of play, the way he wants to go about things and it suits me down to the ground. I want to be in a team that moves the ball, attacks and ultimately enjoys playing football.