Four players released by Bristol Rovers this summer have been spotted on trial at Yeovil Town and Notts County ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The Gas released nine players following the conclusion of last term, along with six loanees returning to their parent clubs. Additionally, both Jamie Lindsay and James Wilson have also left Rovers.
Amongst those released were former captain Scott Sinclair, experienced right-back Jack Hunt, fan favourite Luke McCormick and midfielder Grant Ward. Matt Hall, Romaine Sawyers, Jevani Brown and Jerry Lawrence also departed while Chris Martin’s contract has expired but the striker remains with the Pirates to continue his rehabilitation for a knee injury.
So far, only Lawrence and former loanees Myles Roberts and Michael Reindorf have found new clubs, joining Corsham Town and Walsall and Newport County on loan respectively. However, some of the released players may find new employers soon…and they could find themselves coming up against Rovers in the near future.
As is always the case in the modern day world of social media, the identity of trialists during pre-season friendlies rarely stays a mystery for long as pictures shared online tend to lead to identification from somewhere. Based on pictures shared by fans and video footage from clubs’ channels, it looks as though Hall, Sawyers, McCormick and Brown are all on trial at various clubs.
For Hall and Sawyers, fan images have shown the pair involved with Notts County at their friendly against Alfreton Town on Saturday.
The former has also been spotted training with the PFA this summer who put on a programme for professional players without a club during pre-season.
The goalkeeper made just two competitive appearances for Rovers during a two-year stint, both of which came in the EFL Trophy last season. As for Sawyers, the experienced midfielder joined on a short-term deal in January, having spent the first half of the campaign at AFC Wimbledon, and made 14 appearances for the Gas.
published by Yeovil Town’s official social channels from a friendly against Ex-mouth Town on Saturday. The pair are two of a number of players on trial with the Glovers.
McCormick played 118 games for the Pirates over four years, stretched across two spells. The midfielder was a rare highlight in the Gas’ 2020/21 relegation campaign when on loan from Chelsea before returning on a permanent deal in 2022 following the club’s promotion back to League One.
Injuries plagued a chunk of the 26-year-old’s time in BS7 but he remained a popular figure amongst Gasheads.
Despite featuring in 19 of Rovers’ opening 24 League One matches last season, McCormick was sent on loan to National League side Forest Green Rovers in January. He struggled to make the desired impact, starting just one National League game and he wasn’t offered a new deal with the Gas.
As for Brown, his Rovers tenure was less memorable over a two-year association. The forward scored just one league goal for the Gas and was sent on loan to Notts County ahead of last season with it clear that he wasn’t in then-manager Matt Taylor’s plans.
However, after an underwhelming spell at the Meadow Ground, the 30-year-old returned to the Gas prematurely in January. They couldn’t find a new club for Brown and he was included on the bench for one game under Inigo Calderon, away at Wycombe Wanderers in February.
The Gas and Yeovil are set to face each other next weekend on July 19 in a pre-season friendly dedicated to club legend Marcus Stewart who was recently on the coaching staff with the Glovers and is battling MND.
Additionally, Rovers will face Notts County in League Two this season. The home fixture is scheduled for November 29 while they will head to the Meadow Ground on the final day of the season (May 2).
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