Where are they now? The Bristol Rovers team that crushed Burton Albion in record-breaking game

Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion will meet for only the 13th time when the two play each other at the Memorial Stadium.

The first time the two teams met in the EFL was in League Two in October 2011, and that was a 2-1 win for the Brewers. Matt Harrold opened the scoring but Cleveland Taylor and Billy Kee gave them the points.

In the return fixture in April 2012, Rovers inflicted a heavy defeat, winning 7-1 as Eliot Richards scored a hat-trick.

Mustapha Carayol was on target for the opener and then Welshman Richards scored. Calvin Zola pulled one back for Burton, but Harrold scored from the spot and Jim Paterson scored shortly after and then the former grabbed a second. Richards added a further two goals and it was a heavy defeat on Gary Rowett’s side.

It was the largest margin of victory at the Mem since beating Hereford United 6-1 in August 2008. It wasn’t until the 7-0 win over Alfreton Town in the Conference in April 2015, and later the 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United last year, that the feat was beaten.

So what became of the team that inflicted their first win on to Burton, and the biggest margin of victory?

Scott Bevan

He joined the Gas after leaving Torquay United. Bevan is now goalkeeping coach with Birmingham City, working with their Under-21’s.

Cian Bolger

The man who had three separate loan spells with the Rovers, making 52 appearances in total. Joined Bolton when he left, but didn’t make an appearance, and then played for Southend United, Bury, Fleetwood, Lincoln City and Northampton Town.

Bolger returned to Ireland in the summer of 2021, signing for NIFL Premiership outfit Larne.

Tom Parkes

Parkes made more than 150 appearances for the Gas, and later had spells at Leyton orient, Carlisle United and Exeter City. He’s now in the Scottish Premiership with Livingston.

Gary Sawyer

Sawyer retired from professional football in May 2021, with his last club being Plymouth Argyle. He’s now got an academy role with the Pilgrims, and helps out with the Community Trust.

Jim Paterson

Had a loan spell with Celtic Nation, a non-league club in Carlisle, and later returned to Scotland to join Forfar Athletic. He played for Dunfermine athletic and then finished his playing career at Stenhousemuir. The Scotsman had a brief period in management, taking interim charge of East Kilbride.

Danny Woodards

Woodards joined Tranmere Rovers when he left in 2014, and later moved to National League outfit Boreham Wood. He has not resumed his playing career since leaving the London club in 2021.

Andy Dorman

Dorman returned to the States and rejoined New England Revolution and later FC Boston.

Matthew Gill

Gill is now Russell Martin’s right-hand man, working as an assistant manager at Swansea City.

Mustapha Carayol

After leaving Rovers he played in the Championship for Middlesbrough, Brighton, Huddersfield, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

Carayol funnily enough will return to the Mem this Saturday, with Burton Albion.

Eliot Richards

It was probably the best performance of Richards’ Rovers career scoring a hat-trick. Richards is now playing semi-professionally in the Cymru Premier, the top-flight of Welsh football with Pontypridd United.

Matt Harrold

He’s hung up the boots and is now in coaching, working alongside Richie Wellens as first-team coach at Leyton Orient.

Wayne Brown

Brown returned to Fulham after his loan, and his last club to taste was Colliers Wood, which is the ninth tier of English football.

Lee Brown

Brown had a good campaign, scoring seven goals and getting two assists. Brown is 32-years-old now and remains in the game as a player with AFC Wimbledon.

Michael Smith

At 34-years-old, Smith is now in the Scottish Premiership with Heart of Midlothian, playing under former Robbie Nielson.