Darrell Clarke lifts lid on Connor Taylor Bristol Rovers future after season opener absence

Bristol Rovers defender Connor Taylor was absent from the Gas’ squad for their 1-0 opening day defeat at home to Harrogate Town

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

17:59, 02 Aug 2025Updated 17:59, 02 Aug 2025

Connor Taylor pictured in action for Bristol Rovers(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Darrell Clarke has confirmed that defender Connor Taylor has been subject to a number of offers from other clubs and, as a result, the 23-year-old has submitted a transfer request.

Taylor, who was named Rovers’ player of the season last term as the Gas were relegated from League One, was absent from the squad for their 1-0 opening day defeat at home to Harrogate Town amid speculation regarding his future in BS7.

The centre-back had also been missing from the squad that travelled to Oxford United for Rovers’ final pre-season friendly the weekend prior, despite being involved in all other friendly matches and, at times, wearing the captain’s armband.

Asked about Taylor’s absence, Clarke said post-match: “We’ve had three, four bids from clubs for Connor. He’s handed in a transfer request. He no longer wants to be here. So these are the sort of things you have to deal with as a head coach and a manager in the week, looking to solutions for problems to that.

“Obviously, the owners will have a fee. They won’t get mugged off, that’s for sure. We have to see what happens and develops over the next week or so with that.

“Until then, I’ll only play players that are committed to the football club and I know the fans will appreciate that and understand where I’m coming from with that.”

Having first joined the Pirates as a loanee from Stoke City in 2021, the young defender became a fan’s favourite in BS7, playing a key role in guiding the club to promotion out of League Two at the first time of asking.

After a mixed campaign back at Stoke, which saw him get a taste of regular Championship football, Taylor then returned to the Mem on a permanent basis in summer 2023 for a fee reported at the time to be in the region of £300,000. The defender signed a three-year deal with the option of a further year.

That has effectively meant the centre-back has two years left on his current contract with Rovers, allowing the club to demand a more significant transfer fee.

Peterborough United are understood to have lodged a bid earlier in the summer that was considerably lower than any valuation the Gas had for one of their prized assets and subsequently withdrew their interest after learning about the option of an extra year inserted in Taylor’s contract in the West Country.

Other League One clubs are understood to have shown interest, and a return to the third tier seems to be the defender’s most likely destination after 136 appearances for the Pirates.

Darrell Clarke lifts lid on Connor Taylor Bristol Rovers future after season opener absence

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