I mentioned in the last ‘Pirate’ for the visit of Coventry that both the Academy and Development sides had made winning starts to their respective League campaigns, the latter in defence of the Central Reserve League title. The week before last the under-23’s dropped their first points of the new season thanks to a last-gasp equaliser by Luton Town at Lodge Road but at least they retained an unbeaten start in the League before heading into Cup action at Shrewsbury Town’s New Meadow last Wednesday.
One of the ‘mainstays’ in the Development Squad when he is not required for first team duty is young Luke Russe who made such an impressive F.L. debut at Blackpool last season. It was nice to catch him at half-time here against Coventry and get him to do the 50/50 and Helpline draws. Luke has come all the way up through Rovers’ Youth Academy and Development teams and is simply a credit to what the Club is trying to produce here. Luke has won Youth and Young Player awards and he shows himself to be a confident and eager young man. I reckon Luke is first-team captain material along the lines of Tom Lockyer.
Please keep buying the 50/50 tickets and get yourselves out to Yate or Lockleaze when you can and see just how good Rover’s other future players are progressing.