Ex-Bristol Rovers defender released at 30 but immediately snapped up by new club
A former Bristol Rovers ace has recently moved to a new club.
Bristol Rovers fans and players alike will hope to forgive and forget this summer as they move on from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign where the club were relegated to League Two after three seasons in the third tier.
Relegation was secured with a game left to play when Burton Albion drew their game in hand at home to Wigan Athletic, meaning there was nothing the Pirates could do after defeat at home to Reading had all but sealed their fate. Rovers secured third place and promotion at the first time of asking on their last visit to the fourth tier of English football, and will hope for similar fortune next time come summer 2026.
With immediate promotion viewed as the expectation by many Gas fans, Darrell Clarke and his staff will need to recruit wisely this summer, picking up any bargains available who can contribute to a promotion push.
Former Bristol Rovers man signs for new National League South club
One player who has already been part of the free agent merry-go-round during the close season is former Bristol Rovers wing-back Josh Hare, who has joined Hornchurch after his release by promoted Boreham Wood. Hare helped the Wood to promotion from the National League South at the first time of asking, making 29 league appearances as Luke Garrard’s side won the play-offs and a place back in the National League.
Hare will remain at Step 2 of the non-league pyramid, joining fellow National League South side Hornchurch on a free transfer following his release by Wood. The Urchins finished 9th in the division in a solid first campaign after winning promotion from the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2023/24, and will see versatile defender Hare as a great addition to their squad as they look to further consolidate next year.
A look into Josh Hare’s career since leaving the Memorial Stadium
Hare played for Rovers between 2019-2021, enjoying some of the best times of his career at the Memorial Stadium. Making 39 appearances for the Gas in all competitions and scoring two goals, Hare was eventually released by the club after League One relegation in 2020/21.
League One football with Rovers was the highest level of Hare’s career, as he re-joined National League side Eastleigh for a second spell before making 64 appearances in two seasons with Dagenham & Redbridge. A move to Boreham Wood followed, and the 30-year-old will hope to follow this up with a fruitful spell at Hornchurch.
Speaking in August 2019 following his first weeks as a Rovers player, Hare said: "I'm really enjoying it, enjoying the intensity of it as it's a bit of a step up which is nice. The other night was probably the first time I've been able to show what it is I can do and I want to keep doing that, it's as simple as that really.
"Obviously I played in the position that I played in last year [right wing-back] and I think that is hopefully going to get my performances up and I'll be able to do better and better for Rovers."