Bristol Rovers’ full list of ins and outs in 2022 January transfer window

Bristol Rovers were active in the January transfer window as they wheeled and dealed to get players in both in and out.

At the start of the window, Joey Barton’s side were languishing below mid-table but after a few additions, they found themselves in the top half of the table.

January is a notoriously hard month to deal in but despite the challenges put in front of them they were able to strengthen.

The first piece of transfer business came from the addition of Ryan Loft, who joined from Scunthorpe United.

Interest was reported on him by BristolWorld on New Years Day and just a few days later he was unveiled as the first signing of the window.

Following Loft just a few days after was James Connolly who was signed on a season-long loan from Cardiff City.

The 20-year-old centre-back was wanted in the summer by Barton but after missing out on him the first time, they wouldn’t let lightning strike twice.

The third addition, Elliot Anderson was a deadline day signing from Newcastle United. A few options had been explored but Rovers landed on Anderson with Joey Barton using his former Magpies links to get the player in.

Anderson, a midfielder, captained their Under-18’s and twice this season was on the senior teams bench for two Premier League matches.

Rovers’ business was then completed when they signed Jon Nolan on a free transfer. The experienced midfielder was released by Ipswich Town and joined the club after agreeing terms.

Moving on to outgoings and one of the key departures was Zain Westbrooke who had fallen out of favour under the current management team.

Westbrooke didn’t get a look in after the summer additions and was allowed to leave then but a loan failed to materialise.

He found a new club albeit a temporary one this month as he reunited with former Gas boss Paul Tisdale at Stevenage.

After bursting on to the scene in September 2020 and making 11 appearances for Rovers, Zain Walker was allowed to leave on a permanent basis this window. The 20-year-old rejoined King’s Lynn Town after previously spending time on loan there as well as Chippenham Town.

One club that benefited greatly from Rovers were Swindon Supermarine who took no fewer than three players from them.

Kieran Phillips, who has found the net 10 times in 17 occasions for them had his loan there extended.

He was joined then by goalkeeper Jed Ward who had been acting as a back-up to James Belshaw before Anssi Jaakkola returned. Central midfielder Tom Mehew was also sent out there too after playing for both Bath City and Gloucester City in the National League North this season.

Gloucester City had been partial to a few Rovers players because former player Lee Mansell is their manager. Both Luca Tomlinson and Ollie Hulbert’s stays were extended at New Meadow Park. Hulbert has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Gloucester whilst midfielder Tomlinson has made 10 starts in 13 games for them.

Both Hulbert and Tomlinson could come up against a player contracted to Rovers with Jamie Egan being sent to Hereford. The young Irish defender has played in back-to-back wins over Kidderminster Harriers and Farsley Celtic.

Young forward Harvey Greenslade, a young forward named on the bench against Oxford United, learned a move to nearby Tuffley Rovers in Gloucester. The 17-year-old was named as Player of the Month there after scoring a brace on his debut.

Transfers in:

Ryan Loft (Scunthorpe United) - undisclosed fee

James Connolly (Cardiff City) - loan

Elliot Anderson (Newcastle United) - loan

Jon Nolan (Ipswich Town) - free transfer

Transfers out:

Harvey Greenslade (Tuffley Rovers) - loan

Zain Westbrooke (Stevenage) - loan

Zain Walker (King’s Lynn Town) - undisclosed fee

Jed Ward (Swindon Supermarine) - loan

Tom Mehew (Swindon Supermarine) - loan

Kieran Phillips (Swindon Supermarine) - loan

Luca Tomlinson (Gloucester City) - loan extended

Ollie Hulbert (Gloucester City) - loan extended

Jamie Egan (Hereford) - loan