Stuart Campbell
By Darren Stobbs
Supporters Club Committee member Darren Stobbs kicks off what will be a regular series on our website, featuring Rovers players from the past. First up is Stuart Campbell
Stuart Campbell moved to Bristol Rovers, from Grimsby Town, in June 2004 and led The Gas to two finals in the 2006/2007 season.
The first of those finals ended in a 3-2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in the EFL Trophy final (known at the time as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy).
In the same season Rovers were then involved in a dramatic end to the league campaign, winning at Hartlepool United on the final day of the regular season, preventing their hosts from winning the league title, and booking a play-off place for Paul Trollope’s side.
Campbell played a vital role in both semi-final games, as well as in the Final. In the second leg of the semi-final, against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank, he scored a screamer of a goal in front of the live cameras, into thetop corner from 25 yards out, to help book Rovers a play-off final at the newly built Wembley Stadium. Rovers ultimately gained promotion with victory over Shrewsbury Town Town.
Campbell also led Rovers to the FA Cup Quarter Finals the following season in what turned out to be one of the most successful periods in Rovers recent history.
Following the departure of Trollope and his successor Dave Penney, Campbell and his former teammate Craig Hinton, took over as joint caretaker managers for the final 12 games of the 2010/11 campaign though they were unable to prevent the side from being relegated to League Two.
New manager Paul Buckle, who arrived in the summer of 2011, made it clear that Campbell was not part of his plans and the midfielder left for pastures new in December 2011.
He moved to the USA, joining Tampa Bay Rowdies, later becoming Assistant Manager and on his retirement from playing in 2013 he became that clubs Head Coach, remaining in post until 2018.
He now runs soccer camps in Tampa Bay for youngsters and is also a director for the Nike sports camp.
After making his Rovers league debut against Mansfield Town on 7th August 2004, Stuart Campbell went on to make 288 league appearances for the club.
Rovers were 2-0 winners that afternoon at Field Mill and Stuart became the 725th player to represent Rovers in league football.