The 2013–14 season was the 131st season in Bristol Rovers' history and their 87th in the Football League. For the third season in a row, Rovers competed in the basement division of the Football League, League Two, having finished 14th in the 2012–13 season.
The season ultimately finished in disappointment as Rovers were relegated out of the Football League for the first time since their admission in 1920. Despite Rovers only ever occupying one of the two relegation places following the final game of the season, the threat of relegation surrounded the club for the entire season.
Season events
Pre-season
April
16 April 2013 – Defender Michael Smith signed a new two-year deal with Rovers.[1]
17 April 2013 – Striker Matt Harrold agreed a new one-year deal at Rovers with the option of a further year extension.[2]
19 April 2013 – John Ward agreed to a new one year rolling contract.[3] Eurocams were announced as new home shirt sponsors and Highspec Travel Services as new away shirt sponsors.[4] Second-year scholars Josh Southway and Pat Keary signed one-year contracts while first-year scholar Jamie Lucas signed a two-year contract.[5]
23 April 2013 – Alefe Santos signed his first professional deal with Rovers.[6]
25 April 2013 – Jim Paterson signed a one-year contract extension having triggered a clause in his previous contract.[7]
29 April 2013 – It was confirmed that winger Joe Anyinsah would be released upon completion of his contract.[8]
30 April 2013 – Defender Mark McChrystal agreed a two-year contract with Rovers.[9]
May
9 May 2013 – Rovers retained list confirmed that Scott Bevan, Adam Virgo, Ross Staley and Oumare Tounkara would leave the club on completion of their contracts. A number of players were offered contract extensions.[10]
13 May 2013 – Tom Lockyer agreed a two-year contract with Rovers, his first professional contract.[11]
20 May 2013 – Midfielder Ollie Clarke signed a one-year contract extension.[12]
30 May 2013 – Goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall agreed a two-year deal with Rovers with an option of a third year. Mildenhall had spent time on loan with Rovers during the previous season.[13]
24 July 2013 – John-Joe O'Toole re-joined Rovers on a permanent three-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Colchester United. O'Toole played a major part in Rovers' upturn in form the previous season.[20]
10 August 2013 – Danny Woodards signed a new one-year deal with Rovers.[22]
September
4 September 2013 – The first Bristol derby in over six years ends in defeat for Rovers, losing 2–1 to local rivals Bristol City in the Football League Trophy first round.[23] The match, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports, was overshadowed by a post match pitch invasion by a number of supporters, leading to more than 60 arrests being made and three police officers injured.[24][25]
11 September 2013 – Rovers captain Tom Parkes agreed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2016.[26]
18 October 2013 – Midfielder and former captain Matthew Gill joined former club Exeter City on loan until the end of 2013.[29]
23 October 2013 – Former youth team Goalkeeper Matt Macey joined Arsenal.[30] Though Macey was out of contract at Rovers, the club will receive a compensation fee believed to be around £100,000.[31]
17 December 2013 – Garry Kenneth's contract with Rovers was terminated by mutual consent.[37]
18 December 2013 – Rovers' FA Cup second round replay with Crawley Town is abandoned after 75 minutes.[38]
24 December 2013 – It was announced that midfielder and former club captainMatthew Gill's contract would be terminated to allow him to join Exeter City permanently.[39]
23 January 2014 – Shaquille Hunter's agent confirmed that the winger's contract with Rovers was terminated just before Christmas following a series of disciplinary issues.[43]Port Vale winger Kaid Mohamed joined Rovers on loan until the end of the season.[44]
February
6 February 2014 – Steven Gillespie signed for Rovers until the end of the season, having been released from his Fleetwood Town contract in January.[45]
7 February 2014 – Exeter City midfielder Alan Gow joined Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season with Rovers forward Eliot Richards moving in the opposite direction.[46]
March
17 March 2014 – Tom Lockyer signed a contract extension, keeping him at Rovers until the summer of 2016.[47]
18 March 2014 – Ollie Clarke agreed a contract extension at Rovers, committing to the club until 2016.[48]
28 March 2014 – John Ward was replaced as manager by assistant Darrell Clarke. Ward became the club's new Director of Football.[49]
April
4 April 2014 – Midfielder Oliver Norburn left Rovers by mutual consent.[50]
Note: Both Tom Lockyer and Oliver Norburn were booked in the abandoned FA Cup match vs Crawley Town. Despite the match not being completed, their yellow cards still stand.
Note: Tom Lockyer's fifth yellow card came in the abandoned FA Cup match with Crawley Town. Despite the match not being completed, his yellow card and therefore suspension, still stand.
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2014. Source: BBC Sport[needs update] Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 28 April AFC Wimbledon have been deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player.[55]