Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 9:03:02 GMT
Excellent news.
BRISTOL ROVERS: I'd love to stay at Rovers next season, says loanee Chris Lines
Bristol Rovers play-off final winner Chris Lines has expressed a desire to remain at the club next season. Recruited from League One Port Vale on a short-term loan deal in March, the 29-year-old midfielder is due to return to the Potteries club after helping Rovers beat Grimsby Town in the Vanarama Conference Promotion final at Wembley on Sunday.
But the Bristolian, who launched his career with Rovers in 2004 and made 156 first-team appearances for the Pirates before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, says he would love to return to his hometown club on a permanent basis.
Although Lines has 12 months still to run on his Vale Park contract, he does not appear to feature in manager Rob Page's plans for next season and could be made available for transfer.
Already planning for life back in League Two next season, Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has confirmed cash will be set aside to enable manager Darrell Clarke to strengthen his squad during the summer.
And Lines, who has featured in 11 unbeaten games for the Pirates since his return to the Memorial Stadium, is open to the idea of a switch.
Speaking to the media after scoring the first of Rovers' five successful shootout winning penalties at the national stadium on Sunday, Lines said: "I'd love to come back and play for Bristol Rovers next season.
"I've said all along that, if the club was to be promoted back into the Football League and wanted me to stay, I would think seriously about it.
"I'm a Bristol boy and this is where my heart is. I still have a year left on my contract at Port Vale, but I'd love to play for Rovers if the chance arises.
"I'm going to take a break for the next few weeks and leave my agent to sort things out.
"I've really enjoyed my time here this season and I'd like to be a part of what is going to happen here in the future.
"Winning promotion back to the Football League as quickly as possible was always the main aim.
"Now they have achieved that, this group can really push on and do well in League Two next season."
Lines has now won three promotions during his career, two with Rovers and one with Sheffield Wednesday, and his experience could prove a useful asset in League Two next season.
Clarke has funds available to strengthen his squad and Lines is sure to feature high up on his wanted list.
BRISTOL ROVERS: I'd love to stay at Rovers next season, says loanee Chris Lines
Bristol Rovers play-off final winner Chris Lines has expressed a desire to remain at the club next season. Recruited from League One Port Vale on a short-term loan deal in March, the 29-year-old midfielder is due to return to the Potteries club after helping Rovers beat Grimsby Town in the Vanarama Conference Promotion final at Wembley on Sunday.
But the Bristolian, who launched his career with Rovers in 2004 and made 156 first-team appearances for the Pirates before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, says he would love to return to his hometown club on a permanent basis.
Although Lines has 12 months still to run on his Vale Park contract, he does not appear to feature in manager Rob Page's plans for next season and could be made available for transfer.
Already planning for life back in League Two next season, Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has confirmed cash will be set aside to enable manager Darrell Clarke to strengthen his squad during the summer.
And Lines, who has featured in 11 unbeaten games for the Pirates since his return to the Memorial Stadium, is open to the idea of a switch.
Speaking to the media after scoring the first of Rovers' five successful shootout winning penalties at the national stadium on Sunday, Lines said: "I'd love to come back and play for Bristol Rovers next season.
"I've said all along that, if the club was to be promoted back into the Football League and wanted me to stay, I would think seriously about it.
"I'm a Bristol boy and this is where my heart is. I still have a year left on my contract at Port Vale, but I'd love to play for Rovers if the chance arises.
"I'm going to take a break for the next few weeks and leave my agent to sort things out.
"I've really enjoyed my time here this season and I'd like to be a part of what is going to happen here in the future.
"Winning promotion back to the Football League as quickly as possible was always the main aim.
"Now they have achieved that, this group can really push on and do well in League Two next season."
Lines has now won three promotions during his career, two with Rovers and one with Sheffield Wednesday, and his experience could prove a useful asset in League Two next season.
Clarke has funds available to strengthen his squad and Lines is sure to feature high up on his wanted list.
