Hilarious Holloway, 45 minutes from Anfield and Barton ban: My highs and lows as Bristol Rovers reporter

After two years, two months and three days exactly, my time as Bristol Live’s Bristol Rovers reporter has come to an end Dan Hargraves

Dan Hargraves is the Bristol Rovers reporter for Bristol Live. He joined the title in July 2023 having previously worked for Reach PLC as a freelance football writer in April 2022 while a journalism student at the University of Derby.
He has also reported on a number of football matches across European competition, the Premier League and EFL and covered the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. In his role as covering the Gas, he wants to leave no stone unturned and cover every angle of the football club for Gasheads’ enjoyment.

Yesterday I signed off as Bristol Live’s Bristol Rovers reporter(Image: Dan Hargraves/Bristol Live)

All good things come to an end (or bad, depending on how you have assessed my coverage over the past couple of years) and I have now officially signed off as my time as the Bristol Post’s Bristol Rovers reporter.

After two-and-a-bit years, 128 games, 1000s of articles, 100s of interviews, far too many hours on the road at ungodly hours and everything else in between, I am stepping away for a new chapter in my life.

I will admit, having come into the job fresh from university and still just 21 years old, after my first month I did wonder whether I had bitten off more than I could chew. The Post’s well-publicised ban by Joey Barton, an influx of 1000s of X followers almost overnight and some interactions that are best to leave private made it a far from straightforward start to the role. With hindsight, they were invaluable learning experiences that some have to wait decades for.

Pretty quickly I had to step up and brave the demands of the real world, away from the protection of the classroom I was still used to. My colleagues helped me along with this, but so did a great deal of fans.

Swiftly, I felt accepted and welcomed into the football club by Gasheads and I developed an affection for the football club pretty quickly, even if some of my first interactions with those at the club hadn’t gone too smoothly.

Fast forward a little over two years and I’m extremely proud of the work I have produced and the relationships I have formed with numerous supporters, staff members past and present as well as club legends.

It has been far from straightforward, emphasised by last season’s calamitous relegation. I am glad that this campaign has started brightly and everyone has been able to cast that aside and look ahead.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Darrell Clarke will get this football club back into League One. It might not happen this season with League Two already looking like an incredibly competitive division this year, with a number of clubs boasting momentum from last season that the Gas don’t have.

I am so pleased that I leave with things looking to be on the up, although I am also secretly jealous of my successor hopefully being able to cover a positive season and spend more time with Clarke.

It was important to me to sign off with a personal piece so that supporters know how much this job has meant to me, but I also didn’t want to bore people. So, instead of an essay, I’ve put together some snippets as well as highlights and some of the less celebratory moments. Enjoy.

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Best match: Bristol Rovers 2-1 Portsmouth

Sorry. This was written before yesterday’s dramatic win over Salford City. Those of you who know me well enough will see this and think there was an element of bias within the choice; perhaps there was. Ultimately though, this game suggested that Bristol Rovers were headed on an upward trajectory under Matt Taylor while the context of the match and the way in which it was won made it the most fun game I’ve covered.

Portsmouth were top of League One, went on to stay there, and hadn’t lost an away game all season. After a decent first half from the Gas, a trademark Antony Evans free-kick put Rovers ahead in the second.

Pompey equalised through Paddy Lane and a point would have been a decent result, but the performance warranted all three. Step up Luke Thomas. One of my favourite players during my time, the winger was found at the back-post in added time and sent the Mem into raptures. I even think Taylor raced down the touchline to celebrate.

Another late 2-1 win against a struggling Charlton Athletic side three days later sent Rovers ninth in League One, the highest they ever got during my time covering the club.

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Worst match: Swindon Town 4-0 Bristol Rovers

I’m not the biggest fan of the EFL Trophy anyway, but when you’re getting beaten 4-0 by a local rival who are struggling in the league below, in pretty torrid conditions, you wonder whether it will ever get any worse. All four goals came in the first half, by the way.

There isn’t much to be said about that evening. Bristol Rovers were seriously poor in a game that no one was really too bothered about in the first place. Matt Taylor, who was already under pressure, got pelters post-match, but that one was on the players. I think it was Taylor Moore who fronted up and said he was “embarrassed” after the game.

The biggest positive was the fact that it was a slightly earlier kick-off time of 7pm and a short drive home.

Most memorable interviews: Ian Holloway & Keir Starmer

I really couldn’t decide between the two as they are both weird and wonderful in their own right.

Firstly, another anecdote that involves Swindon Town. I was invited to interview Swindon manager and Bristol Rovers icon Ian Holloway back in May. Sidenote, it coincidentally was also the day Darrell Clarke was reappointed; definitely the most hectic working day of my time.

Holloway had a new book out and I was given the opportunity to speak to him in his office at the County Ground. It was one of those moments where you just know that this will be something you will remember for the rest of your life and it felt a real privilege as a football fan.

I had been able to speak to Ollie towards the start of my time covering Rovers, but that was over Zoom and, admittedly, I wasn’t on my best form that day. He didn’t remember me, but I was keen to make amends for a pretty poor interview nearly two years prior.

If you’ve never been able to meet Holloway but have a perception of him based on interviews, that is him to a T.

The interview never really had a clear structure as he clearly just wanted to talk about his book and had set things he wanted to say. I accepted this and almost let him lead the discussion. We talked about all sorts, including life which led us to bonding over the fact we both had the same breed of dog.

The image of Ian Holloway stopping an interview to ask for my phone to look at pictures of my dog, and then smiling to himself, while in his office scrolling through my photo album will stay with me for life.

Then Keir Starmer. That was another one of those moments where you know you’ll be talking about it forever.

To set the scene, it was about two weeks before Starmer eventually was elected Prime Minister and he was at the tail end of the election campaign.

The evening before, England had kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a win against Serbia. As you can imagine, some beers had been consumed.

As I groggily logged on to start work from my home office the next day, I was contacted by one of my editors to say that Keir Starmer would be visiting the West Country to discuss the football governance bill and the secret location had just been confirmed to be the Mem. Because of course it was. I did have to make sure I had actually woken up and hadn’t actually had more to drink than I had realised.

Sir Keir Stamer visits the Memorial Stadium(Image: Geoff Caddick/Getty Images)

If you had told me as I woke up that day that I would interview the Prime Minister to be, I think my jaw would have dropped.

I got two questions in and made the leader of our country chuckle over casual football chat. It won’t get better than that.

Favourite exclusive: Deal agreed for Jonson Clarke-Harris

Not to toot my own horn too much, but I have managed to break some big stories including Matt Taylor and Inigo Calderon being set to take charge in the dugout, the pursuit of German coach Michael Wimmer and a handful of player transfers. However, the story that has become a part of Rovers folklore is how Bristol Rovers agreed a club-record deal to re-sign Jonson Clarke-Harris, only to fail to register him in time.

That seems to have followed me throughout my time here, especially when the club were trying to sign him again this summer.

It seems that after a move to Turkey, the chances for Clarke-Harris pulling on the blue-and-white quarters again seem pretty slim. It clearly wasn’t meant to be.

Bristol Rovers agreed a club-record fee with Peterborough United to re-sign striker Jonson Clarke-Harris on deadline day in 2023, only for the deal to not be completed in time(Image: Alex Burstow/Getty Images)

Best moment: 1-0 up vs Norwich

Most of the time in this sort of job, you have to maintain a certain level of professionalism and not act like a football fan. There is the occasional exception though and the FA Cup fourth round draw of 2024 was one of them.

My neighbours might have thought I had won the lottery when a big cheer came out of my living room when Bristol Rovers/Norwich City was the ball that followed ‘Liverpool’.

Rovers should have beaten the Championship side at Carrow Road in the initial tie but had to settle for a 1-1 draw, setting up a replay at the Mem.

With the prize of a trip to Anfield on the cards for the winner, as well as the Scouse contingent that was still strong at the time with Sam Finley, Antony Evans, James Connolly and Jordan Rossiter all at the club, there was plenty of incentive to go and beat a Norwich side who, frankly, had very little interest in an FA Cup run.

Luke McCormick put Rovers ahead at half-time and Matt Taylor’s side were just 45 minutes away from a trip to one of English football’s giants.

Luke McCormick put Bristol Rovers ahead in an FA Cup replay against Norwich City(Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Ultimately, it wasn’t to be as Norwich flexed their Championship muscles with goals from Gabriel Sara, Adam Idah and Kenny McLean. However, being 45 minutes away from a trip to Anfield was the peak moment during my time covering the Gas.

Worst moment: Reading go 2-0 up

During a tenure of limited highs, there is still one standout low – relegation. I have had my say on last season and where it all went wrong for Bristol Rovers, but watching Chem Campbell tuck that ball away to put Reading 2-0 up in the Gas’ penultimate match of the season was gut-wrenching.

Rovers had actually been impressive on the day, especially considering that they had taken just one point from their previous eight matches. In the end though, once a moment of magic from Lewis Wing broke the deadlock, heads dropped and it was once again a far too familiar sight.

The post-match press conferences with Inigo Calderon and James Wilson were tough to be a part of, especially the former’s, who looked like a broken man. Relegation wasn’t 100 per cent confirmed, but everyone knew it was coming.

Certainly the lowest of the lows.

Connor Taylor and Luke Thomas are visibly distraught as Bristol Rovers are all-but relegated after defeat to Reading(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

Funniest moment: Brandon Aguilera’s debut goal

I can’t imagine there were many Bristol Rovers supporters who had heard of Brandon Aguilera before his January deadline day move; I certainly hadn’t.

With virtually no grounds to make the judgement bar the fact that he had come up against Germany at the Qatar World Cup while playing for Costa Rica, my immediate assumption was, ‘this lad is going to be class.’

As we made our way up to the press box at St James Park, not even 72 hours after Aguilera had signed for Rovers, the new addition was the main topic of discussion amongst myself and those who also covered the Gas. The excitement was palpable once the lineup confirmed he was starting.

15 minutes into his debut, Aguilera slammed a delightful hit into the top corner from 20 yards. It ended up being a winning debut goal. A shame that he never quite replicated those initial heights.

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Best away hospitality: Oxford United & Grimsby Town

Another joint-winner because really, they’re the main two that stand out. In terms of facilities, the likes of Norwich City, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Derby County and Ipswich Town knocked everyone out of the park, but this isn’t about who has the shiniest press box because, guess what, the ex-Premier League clubs are always going to battle it out for that award.

In terms of being looked after, the people at Oxford United in two visits and Grimsby Town last month really stand out. At Oxford, there’s always someone there who’s happy to make you a tea or get you a pie with some football chat in between. The same at Grimsby, where the people there are salt of the earth.

There were some other near misses, so apologies to them. Barnsley will get best food for the kebabs when Rovers lost 2-1 at Oakwell in the 2023/24 season.

All I ask for really is a steady internet connection and a plug socket but when people are going above and beyond to look after you, it really sticks in the mind.

Best ground: Huddersfield Town

As I said, unfortunately I never made it to Anfield. I did get to see Bristol Rovers play at a Premier League stadium in Ipswich Town, but my two trips there in cup competitions were pretty forgettable from a Gas perspective. The Tractor Boys can get most glamorous press facilities though after a post-promotion refurbishment.

I don’t really know why, but I’ve always loved the John Smith’s Stadium which predates my time covering the Gas; I got to work there a few times before this job. Yes, it is used for rugby, but the curvature in the architecture is unique and the backdrop with the trees behind is class.

Rovers lost 3-1 on a poor afternoon in last season’s relegation season, so the game wasn’t memorable.

Derby County’s Pride Park comes close while Charlton Athletic’s The Valley, for pure old school vibes, is also brilliant. I also liked Cardiff City’s stadium but the attendance was pretty low for a Carabao Cup first round tie.

Favourite coaches

There’s a couple here. Despite only being in the job just over two years, Bristol Rovers have had four permanent managers during my time reporting on the club while both Andy Mangan and Dave Horseman took interim charge.

Mangan, more fondly known as ‘Mangs’ deserves a mention somewhere in this piece as he was the very first person I interviewed as the Bristol Rovers reporter. Joey Barton wasn’t doing media during pre-season, and then as we later found out wouldn’t speak to the Post, but Mangan stepped up to give me some quotes after a 2-0 friendly win over Swansea City. He then was put in front of the media a handful of times while taking the team for the first three matches of the 2023/24 season while Barton served a touchline ban.

Andy Mangan was a very popular figure during his time at Bristol Rovers(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

While the Post was banned from press conferences by Barton, I went about two months without interviewing whoever was in the dugout before Mangan was more than happy to have me back when he took interim charge in October 2023. The former Rovers coach ended up taking charge of seven games before, rightly or wrongly, not getting the job on a permanent basis.

I’m pleased to say that I am still in touch with Mangs who is enjoying life in Brazil after joining the coaching staff at Botafogo.

Horseman was also top with me, although we didn’t spend as much time together. After I had first interviewed him and he had sussed me out, he always said hi if he saw me at a game. Another one of the good guys who has since landed a great job in Arsenal’s academy.

In regards to the managers, I had no qualms with Matt Taylor or Inigo Calderon and Darrell Clarke has been a delight to work with. In regards to Joey, I never got to interview him so I don’t really have an opinion.

Both Matt and Inigo, or Calde, were always good with the media, answering questions in depth regardless of how difficult. Towards the end of both their tenures, there was certainly an element of sadness because we all knew how it was going to end.

I never felt Matt showed his personality to the Gasheads to the extent that we saw behind the scenes. He was always warm with us and made the odd joke. That side of him never really got presented to the supporters, in my opinion, and the two parties never really forged a relationship.

Matt Taylor spent just over a year in charge of Bristol Rovers(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

As for Calde, another very likeable guy who did well to get Rovers nine points clear of relegation, but equally the capitulation at the end of the campaign was inexcusable. The Spaniard was unlucky with the injuries to some of his key players towards the end but it still doesn’t quite make sense as to why an Under-18s manager was brought into the midst of a relegation battle. I hope he does well out in Hong Kong.

Finally, Darrell has been superb. As I stated above, I have full confidence that he’ll get Rovers back to where they should be. He’s a top guy who has made a conscious effort to get to know me personally. He even congratulated me when I passed my senior journalism exams; that meant a lot.

It has been a privilege to oversee the return of Darrell Clarke at Bristol Rovers(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)

Favourite players

After three summers of squad overhauls, I have watched a fair few players pull on the blue-and-white quarters in a pretty short period of time, and yes, I have favourites…for different reasons.

In terms of solely footballing ability, Antony Evans is the best player I’ve watched play for the Gas. I wasn’t lucky enough to see Elliot Anderson in north Bristol or the peak of Aaron Collins’ hot streak, but Evans was a delight to watch when on it during that 2023/24 campaign. It’s a shame his move to Huddersfield Town hasn’t quite worked out yet.

Luke Thomas also deserves a mention for being the only player still at the club who predated my arrival, although Jed Ward technically falls into that category too. I have also enjoyed watching Connor Taylor, Kamil Conteh, Jack Hunt and Chris Martin to name a couple.

Luke Thomas was the first player I interviewed as Bristol Rovers reporter(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

Regarding interviews though, Taylor Moore is a journalist’s dream. The defender is genuinely one of the nicest people I have ever met in this job, and it just so happens that he’s a player too. What he has done off the pitch with the Community Trust is honestly incredible and I have no doubt that he will find form on it once again.

Although I only got to speak to him once and watch him play just four times, I’ll never forget hearing about Jordan Rossiter’s time on the sidelines just before he left the club. You wouldn’t wish that on anyone. The same with Conteh more recently. The midfielder certainly falls into the ‘one of the good guys’ category.

Hunt also deserves a shoutout as one of my first player interviews. As I was scurrying to speak to anyone while we were banned at the start, Jack happily spoke to me as a new player. It’s just a shame that he didn’t play more for the Gas. LT was another who gave me his time at the start and I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him numerous times since.

Scott Sinclair might not have always given the most interesting answers, but he was one of a select couple who always addressed me by my name and was happy to have a quick casual chat as reporters set up recording devices.

It’s a shame I won’t get to interact with Alfie Kilgour anymore as the defender, I think, is everything Rovers have been crying out for in terms of a captain since Sam Finley left. A top, top bloke who bleeds blue and has started his second spell on the pitch outstandingly.

There are plenty of others who I’ve enjoyed watching and/or speaking to who haven’t gotten a shoutout. Frankly, there have been too many to count. Already though it is pretty clear to see that there are numerous good guys in this new squad.

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Favourite goal – Connor Taylor vs Bolton Wanderers

Lastly, the stand out goal. I’ve seen some crackers, but this, for context, is the first one that springs to mind.

Bolton Wanderers were on a good run but Bristol Rovers had given them a cracker of a game at the Mem. 2-2 would have been a decent result with the Gas pushing for survival. However, there was still time for one last chance as Connor Taylor, who hadn’t scored a league goal since the infamous 7-0 win over Scunthorpe nearly three years earlier, headed home the winner.

It looked as though Rovers were on course for survival as they went nine points clear with 10 games to go. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be the conclusion. Still, that night was one that will always stay in the memory.

Biggest regret

I got to cover a couple of derbies against the likes of Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Newport County, but none of them come close to a Bristol Derby.

There have been quite a few cup draws where both Rovers and City have been in the hat, and I believe there was one last season where they actually came quite close to drawing each other. That is the one game I wish I would have been able to cover.

It’s been 12 years since the last Bristol Derby, but I’ll now be keeping an eye out for the next one.

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I would like to round off this piece by placing my gratitude on record one last time. It has been a turbulent period since I started covering the Gas but I’m delighted that I’m signing off with some positivity. I will always be keeping tabs on how Bristol Rovers get on and hopefully I’ll get to see some of you in the Thatcher’s End at some point. Perhaps even on the pitch in April if there’s a promotion to celebrate.

The best part of this job has undoubtedly been the people I’ve met along the way and, even if we haven’t interacted face to face, I have been able to get to know numerous supporters through social media. I genuinely wish you all and the football club the very best and I ask you now to show the same love and support I’ve received to my successor.

Up the Gas.

OPINION

Author avatar Daniel HargravesREAD MORE: Every word Darrell Clarke said on Salford test, Bristol Rovers’ spirit, loan outgoings and more

Hilarious Holloway, 45 minutes from Anfield and Barton ban: My highs and lows as Bristol Rovers reporter

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