Darrell Clarke is without a doubt one of the most popular managers in the history of Bristol Rovers. He's someone that was able to bounce back from relegation and deliver two promotions, guiding them to a 10th-placed finish in League One, which is still yet to be beaten by his successors.
He was manager from March 2014 onwards, and the man he replaced John Ward was made the Director of Football. Relegation from the Football League meant ripping up the squad, and it saw 16 players leave and 13 join on a free transfers, and he assembled a team that won the National League play-offs, beating FGR. Some players were rewarded for the heroics in the previous season, and he then added to it by bringing in players who helped them to a successive promotion.
The third tier however would be the ceiling though, and following a run of seven defeats in ten matches, Clarke and Rovers parted ways, and he was replaced by Graham Coughlan. Clarke has since gone on to manage Walsall and now Port Vale, winning promotion via the play-offs last season.
Clarke has revisited the Memorial Stadium several times, and in a few weeks time, the Gas will meet his Port Vale side at Vale Park on April 22. We could see a few familiar faces from his reign, including strike partners Ellis Harrison and Matty Taylor, who at one point were adored by the supporters of Rovers. Here we take a look at those who came and went during Clarke's tenure in charge of Rovers.
1. Angelo Balanta
Balanta is with Dagenham & Redbridge, where has been since 2018. Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
2. Josh Wakefield
Wakefield last played for Clarke’s former club Salisbury, but his contract was cancelled in December. Photo: Bardens/Getty Images
3. Chris Lines
Lines is playing at Rovers’ former home Twerton Park with Bath City. Photo: Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
4. Abdulai Bell-Baggie
Bell-Baggie never played a game and moved on to Stockport County and other non-league teams. His last reported club is Gosport Borough. Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images