Getting To Know You - Bristol Rovers

Anwar Uddin

Danny Boxall
Squad Number: 2
Position: Defender
Age: 25 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st 8lbs
Born: Croydon
Career (94 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Crystal Palace (8/0), Oldham Athletic [loan] (18/0), Brentford (68/1)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 17[1]/0
Details: The right-back signed from Brentford in July on a two-year contract. Having won numerous caps at Under-21 level with the Republic of Ireland, the last two seasons had been unproductive for the speedy full-back, suffering with a serious knee injury. Although the Bees offered him a new contract at Griffin Park, Boxall preferred to make a new start at the Memorial Ground. Born in south-east London, he joined Crystal Palace as a trainee, but only made eight League appearances for the Selhurst Park outfit. A substantial loan period with Oldham in the 1997/8 season came to nothing, and he joined Brentford thereafter.

Trevor Challis
Squad Number: 3
Position: Defender
Age: 27 Height: 5ft 8ins Weight: 11st 13lbs
Born: Paddington
Career (142 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Queens Park Rangers (13/0), Bristol Rovers (129/1)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 15/0
Details: Challis is the longest serving first-team player, having joined the Pirates before the start of the 1998/9 campaign. The tough-tackling left-back, who can also operate on the left-hand side of midfield, was involved in the England set-up for a long time. He won twelve caps at Under-16 level, before a further two whilst at Loftus Road for the Under-21's. He was also training at the F.A. Centre of Excellence whilst at QPR, where he made just 13 League appearances. Upon moving to Rovers, he picked both the Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year Awards in his first season, and has captained the side on occasions.

Anwar Uddin
Squad Number: 4
Position: Defender
Age: 21 Height: 6ft 2ins Weight: 13st
Born: London
Career (0 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): West Ham United (0/0), Sheffield Wednesday (0/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 18/1
Details: Uddin joined Rovers before the start of the current season, having signed a two-year deal. Towards the end of last season he was at First Division Sheffield Wednesday, but he never broke into their first-team after moving from West Ham in February, although he was highly regarded and captained their Reserve team. In his time at Upton Park he appeared in the same Youth team as Steven Clark and the more illustrious pairing on of Michael Carrick and Joe Cole. Reputed to be a tough-tackling centre-back, he is doubtful for Saturday's match with a groin injury which he has been playing through in recent weeks.

Adam Barrett
Squad Number: 5
Position: Defender
Age: 22 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 12st
Born: Dagenham
Career (89 League Appearances/ 4 Goals): Plymouth Argyle (52/3), Mansfield Town (37/1)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 19/0
Details: Ever-present so far this season, Barrett was released by Mansfield at the end of last year as they were promoted to the Second Division. A little on the short side for a central defender, he is left-footed and comfortable on the ball, although sides with a lot of height up front undoubtedly cause him problems. Let go by Leyton Orient as a youngster, he moved to Home Park, but parted company with Argyle when Paul Sturrock arrived. Mansfield snapped him up for a fee in the region of £10,000, but he never secured a regular spot at Field Mill.

Mark McKeever
Squad Number: 7
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st
Born: Derry
Career (42 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Peterborough United (3/0), Sheffield Wednesday (5/0), Bristol Rovers [loan] (7/0), Reading [loan] (7/2), Bristol Rovers (20/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 8[4]/0
Details: This is the youngster's third spell at the Memorial Ground, having been signed on loan in 1998 and then (briefly) again in February, which was swiftly changed into a three-year deal. Began his career at Peterborough, and he represented the Republic of Ireland Youth side whilst at London Road. Highly thought of back home, during his time at Sheffield Wednesday he moved into the Under-21 side, but he was never really given a chance to shine at Hillsborough. Made his debut for the Owls against Chelsea in April 1999 soon after a loan spell at Reading which yielded the only two goals of his League career.

Rob Quinn
Squad Number: 8
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st 2lbs
Born: Sidcup
Career (161 League Appearances/ 5 Goals): Crystal Palace (23/1), Brentford (109/2), Oxford United (29/2)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 19/1
Details: Quinn, who is slightly more at home in the centre of midfield than in his other position of centre-back, joined Rovers after a two-week trial period in pre-season. Began his career at Crystal Palace, making just 23 League appearances in four seasons there. Ron Noades took him from his old club in 1998, and he was a regular performer in the Bees first team before another switch to Oxford. He never really settled at the Kassam Stadium, and is now trying his luck (and holding down a regular spot in the centre of the park) with the Pirates.

Paul Tait

David Lee

Squad Number: 9
Position: Forward
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 11st
Born: Newcastle
Career (70 League Appearances/ 6 Goals): Everton (0/0), Wigan Athletic (5/0), Runcorn (no figures available), Northwich Victoria (no figures available), Crewe Alexandra (63/6), Hull City [loan] (2/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 16/4
Details: Tait is a target man who was signed by Ray Gradon in July 2002 from Crewe. At the Railwaymen he had finally opened his League account in 1999, five years after making his debut at Wigan. He had been a trainee at Everton without any success, and five appearances over two seasons wih the Latics had not witnessed any goalmouth action. Slipping into non-League football with north-west clubs Runcorn and Northwich for three seasons, he was finally given another chance by Dario Gradi at Gresty Road. In his first season he made 33 League starts, and found the back of the net six times. Until this season, this was the onl year he had scored, 32 subsequent games at Alex and on loan at Hull. His main attributes are his sheilding and holding up of the ball.

Guiliano Grazioli
Squad Number: 10
Position: Forward
Age: 27 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st 11lbs
Born: London
Career (119 League Appearances/ 34 Goals): Peterborough United (41/16), Swindon Town (78/18)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 16[2]/8
Details: The dangerously quick frontman was yet another Gradon signing in the close signing, moving at the end of his contract with Second Division Swindon. Grazioli began his career at non-League Wembley, and continued to find himself immersed in the non-League circuit whilst at Peterborough as he gained experience at Yeovil, Woking and Stevenage. Had a decent record of a goal every two-and-a-half games at London Road, but this has slipped to a strike once every four games in the last three years. Hit a hat-trick at Gay Meadow earlier this season in Rovers 5-2 demolition of Shrewsbury.

Wayne Carlisle
Squad Number: 11
Position: Forward
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 7ins Weight: 10st
Born: Lisburn
Career (62 League Appearances/ 5 Goals): Crystal Palace (46/3), Swindon Town [loan] (11/2), Bristol Rovers (5/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 18/3
Details: The short and speedy striker snubbed Swindon, for whom he had scored twice in eleven games on loan earlier in the season, to become Garry Thompson's last signi on deadline day last year. His debut at Plymouth saw a dismissal for two cautions, but this season has been more successful, operating from a right-wing berth where his pace and trickery is utilised better.

Simon Bryant
Squad Number: 15
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st 11lbs
Born: Bristol
Career (53 League Appearances/ 1 Goals): Bristol Rovers (53/1)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 12[4]/1
Details: The young central midfield player has represented his home-town at various levels since the age of eight. Bryant was offered a three-year scholarship as soon as he left school in 1999, but by January 2000 he had been awarded a professional contract, having became the second youngest Pirate to play League football after Ronnie Dix in 1928. Strong in the tackle, Bryant had started matches for England's Under-18 side, and when on the ball, he is composed with a good deal of passing ability.

Lewis Hogg
Squad Number: 16
Position: Midfielder
Age: 20 Height: 5ft 9ins Weight: 11st 4lbs
Born: Bristol
Career (57 League Appearances/ 3 Goals): Bristol Rovers (57/3)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 9[6]/0
Details: Hogg is another Bristolian who has been linked with the club since a young age, this time ten as opposed to eight years. Signed professional terms on his 17th birthday, he never got into the side whilst Gerry Francis was in charge, but Garry Thomnpson persisted with him, and he even captained the side on occasions.

Guiliano Grazioli

Ryan Clarke
Squad Number: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 20 Height: 6ft 3ins Weight: 12st 13lbs
Born: Bristol
Career (1 League Appearance/ 0 Goals): Bristol Rovers (1/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 3/0
Details: Another youngster representing his home-town, Clarke made his first-team debut on the last day of last season at Spotland, where he conceded a penbalty to Rochdale, and having saved the first attempt, was adjudged to have moved forward from his line and had to watch as the second spot-kick from Alan McLoughlin beat him and secured victory for the home side. Only on a six-month deal, having had a twelve-month contract last season following the termination of his three-year scholarship. Regular in the Reserve side.

Vitalijs Astafjevs
Squad Number: 25
Position: Midfielder
Age: 31 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st 4lbs
Born: Riga, Latvia
Career (256 League Appearances/ 69 Goals): Skonto Riga (154/60), FK Austria [loan] (26/1), Bristol Rovers (76/8)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 9[2]/3
Details: Astafjevs is the most capped Latvian in their history, having racked up 85 full International caps, and contributing ten goals from midfield. He captains hsi national side, and has been missing on couple of occasions due to duties at home. Moved to Bristol in January 200 having had trouble acquiring a work permit, but has settled reasonably well into English football, although he is not as prolific as he was at Skonto Riga, where he averaged a goal every two-and-a-half matches.

David Lee (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
Squad Number: 27
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 12st 7lbs
Born: Basildon
Career (74 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Tottenham Hotspur (0/0), Southend United (42/8), Hull City (11/1), Brighton & Hove Albion (2/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 5/0
Details: Lee was almost ever-present in the 2000/1 season for the Shrimpers racking up the bulk of his League appearances at Roots Hall. He scored eight goals in a season where he figured on the right-hand side of midfield and up front. Having signed for Southend from Spurs, where he had been a trainee, he was not retained by David Webb and Hull signed him. He made little impression on the Humber, and Peter Taylor saw his potentail and took him to Brighton. He made just two appearances at the Withdean Stadium, and having not appeared in the First Division, was secured by Rovers in September on loan.

Adrain Coote (on loan from Colchester United)
Squad Number: 28
Position: Forward
Age: 24 Height: 6ft 2ins Weight: 12st 10ins
Born: Great Yarmouth
Career (73 League Appearances/ 7 Goals): Norwich City (54/3), Colchester United (19/4)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 11/1 (4/1 for Bristol Rovers)
Details: Was in the same Norwich Reserve side as Danny Gay, he was earmarked as a player with great potential, representing Northern Ireland at Under-21 level and going on to gain six full caps, although five were as substitute. He made the switch to Layer Road durin last season, and despite being a crowd favourite, he never really cemented a place in Steve Whitton's plans, and his move to the Pirates on loan comes after seven goalless games for the U's at the start of this term. The tall frontman scored in just his seond match fpr Rovers, in the game against Leyton Orient.

Chris Plummer (on loan from Queens Park Rangers)
Squad Number: 30
Position: Defender
Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2ins Weight: 13st 8lbs
Born: Isleworth
Career (60 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Queens Park Rangers (60/2)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 0/0
Details: The 26-year-old moved to Rovers this Wednesday on loan, with Anwar Uddin's injury a concern. He has never been a regular in his eight years at QPR, making just 60 League appearances, despite his obvious potential. Plummer obtained five Under-21 caps in 1996, but has not established himself at Loftus Road, and was not helped last November when he fractured his ankle in an F.A. Cup tie against Swansea. Is just recovering now, and offers the ideal situation for both his old and new (even if temporary) clubs.

#6 Kevin Austin: Trinidad & Tobago International who was signed from Cambridge in March. Previously played for Orient, Lincoln and Barnsley. Powerful and strong on the ball.

#18 Kevin Gall: Prolific goalscorer for the Newcastle Youth and Reserve sides, Gall is a hard-working forward in the second year of a two-year contract. Can operate in midfield if needed.

#19 David Gilroy: Another free-flowing forward, striking home seven goals pre-season including a hat-trick against Swansea. On a six-month deal, looking to impress having made his debut at Luton in April 2001.

#23 Neil Arndale: Short defender who is currently an England Youth International at the age of 18.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com