‘No-brainer’ - Bristol Rovers new signing reveals why he chose them over Crystal Palace

The Gas’ newest signing said it was a ‘no-brainer’ when choosing Bristol Rovers over Crystal Palace
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

New Bristol Rovers signing Lewis Gordon revealed why he opted to join them over a Premier League move.

Gordon was announced an hour and 20 minutes before kick-off against Burton Albion, becoming their fifth signing of the summer, almost a month after their last addition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 21-year-old was on the search for a new club following two season’s in the ‘B’ team set-up at top-flight Brentford, where he accumulated over 70 appearances.

And he was given a chance to remain in London and also with a Premier League team with Crystal Palace competing with Rovers for his signature.

Ultimately Joey Barton and his trusted transfer consultant Eddy Jennings were able to persuade the youngster to pen a two-year deal at the Memorial Stadium.

“I just feel it was time for me to kick on now and start playing professional football,” he said to the club’s official channels when asked why he chose to move to the West Country club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Rovers is a good club and when they were interested in me, it was really a no-brainer. Being in the system I didn’t want to be in it anymore, so I thought I’d get some first-team football at a good club.”

Having trained both on Thursday and Friday in a bid to earn a deal and with Palace in his area, it was a quick turnaround from potentially signing to going into the starting XI.

Gordon’s debut couldn’t have gone any better as he starred in a thumping 4-0 win at the Pirelli Stadium, played in front of over 1,500 away fans.

Conor Shaughnessy’s red card allowed Barton’s men to pile bodies forward and they were unforgiving in a rampant first-half display.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Antony Evans opened the scoring with a sublime free-kick and then James Connolly scored his second goal in the quarters. A quick-fire brace then came from Aaron Collins to take a four-goal lead into the half-time interval.

Gordon himself was keen to get involved and impressed the travelling contingent, playing in a number of crosses, and almost earning an assist but Ryan Loft was unable to get on target.

He said: “It was the perfect start. We were gifted with the red card but I think the boys did very well today Them going to ten ain’t easy but we showed it can be, we just build on from that.

“I’m allowed to get on the ball and I like to play. That is how Joey (Barton) and the boys want to play. It is good coming into an environment like this and I just want to show what I can do.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.