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.

13. Daniel Leadbitter
Club captain at Gloucester City after reuniting with their former boss Lee Mansell. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images

14. Neal Trotman
Trotman is now a Mental Health Practitioner and also a psychotherapist. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images

15. David Martin
Brief loan in 2014 from Luton Town, Martin’s career has been spent in the non-league. His current club is Burgess Hill Town. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

16. Will Puddy
At 35, Will Puddy has been without a club since leaving Chippenham in July 2021.He now works as an accountant. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images


