Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town relegated from League One

Three years ago, Bristol Rovers fans were celebrating one of the most remarkable days in the club’s history as they beat Scunthorpe 7-0 and, against the odds, won automatic promotion to League One.

Nothing has come close to those highs since.

Kuwaiti businessman Hussain AlSaeed took majority control in August 2023, before becoming sole owner three months later, and there has been a turnover of senior figures with chief executive Tom Gorringe and director of football George Friend leaving this season.

Two new managers have been appointed since Joey Barton was sacked in October 2023, in Matt Taylor and Inigo Calderon, and Taylor hinted at disruption before he was sacked – when Lee Cattermole was briefly appointed to his coaching staff without his knowledge.

Following Saturday’s defeat by Reading, which all-but confirmed relegation, Calderon said: “When I arrived, I felt that there were a lot of bad things that weren’t because of the previous manager. I respect him a lot.

“But it’s true that when I came to the club there were a lot of things that I didn’t like. Too many.”

On the pitch, results have stagnated and after 15th and 17th-place finishes over the past two seasons, the slide accelerated through 2024-25.

In March, Rovers were nine points clear of the bottom four, but a run of six consecutive defeats – now no wins in nine games – plummeted them towards danger.

They also have the worst away record in the division, claiming just three wins and 12 points in 22 matches.

Captain James Wilson said last weekend the squad have not been fit enough to consistently deliver 90-minute performances, and that standards on and off the pitch have not been at a suitable level.

Goals have also been in short supply, with just 43 scored in 45 games, not helped by the loss of forwards Promise Omochere and Chris Martin since March through a hamstring injury and knee surgery respectively.

They now face a likely summer overhaul before kicking off in League Two next season.