Newly promoted to Football League One, Bristol Rovers will visit East End Park for a pre season friendly on Tuesday 24th July. This will be only their second pre season match and they will go on to face Cowdenbeath on Thursday 26th July and Airdrie United on Saturday 28th July.

Rovers had quite a season in 2006-07, having won only two of their opening ten league games they climbed the league to finish sixth.  They then disposed of fifth placed Lincoln in the semi final play off, fending off any hopes their opponents would have had after restricting Rovers to a 2-1 home win in the first leg, by hitting five in the away leg.

The League Two play off final was played at Wembley and in that they defeated Shrewsbury Town by three goals to one to win promotion for only the fourth time in their 87 years history in the Football League. This followed on a trip to the Millennium Stadium in April where they lost the final of the Johnston Paints Football League Trophy to Doncaster Rovers whose extra time goal proved to be the winner in a five goal thriller.

The dramatic turn around in Bristol Rovers fortunes during last season appears to have something to do with two major new signings that of goalkeeper Steve Phillips from Bristol City, where he had played in over 250 League games, and Rickie Lambert, a £200,000 arrival who had previously scored against Rovers for both Macclesfield Town and Rochdale. They were joined by left-winger Andy Sandell from Bath City, central defender Byron Anthony, a former Cardiff City player and full-back Ryan Green, the holder of two full caps for Wales, whose goal in May 2006 had elevated Hereford United back to the Football League after an absence of nine years.  Sean Rigg and Chris Lines are two young players who have emerged through the ranks.

Kick off on 24th July will be 7.30pm; 
Prices £10 and £5 for Concessions/U16.
Matchday Poster