Offer to Harrison

[Finnish Gas]

Ellis Harrison has chance to be part of my plans says Bristol Rovers boss

By The Bristol Post | Posted: June 26, 2014


BRISTOL Rovers boss Darrell Clarke says transfer-listed Ellis Harrison will be given an opportunity to force his way back into the first-team picture when the players return for pre-season training next week.

Harrison was frozen out of the picture in the weeks after Clarke took charge of first-team affairs to replace John Ward in March.

The winger was dropped from the squad that made the trip to Portsmouth on Easter Saturday and was then left out of the Easter Monday clash against Rochdale in favour of two youth-team players.

Clarke confirmed afterwards that he was omitted over a failure to "listen" to staff and that his future at the club would be determined by his ability to muster a "change" in attitude.

Harrison was placed on the transfer list at the end of the season, but has not been subject to any interest and is set to report back to the training ground for the start of pre-season training with the rest of the players on Monday morning.

"We are coming back to prepare for a new season and that means there is a clean slate and a chance for everybody to show me that they have a desire to be part of my plans," said Clarke.

"As far as I am aware there has been no interest in Ellis, but I know that he has been working hard to get himself in good shape before he returns for pre-season.

"That is encouraging for me to hear and the kid will have every opportunity to come back and prove to me that he has taken on board some of the things we discussed at the end of last season.

"If Ellis comes back in the right frame of mind and shows a good attitude and a desire to do the things I have asked of him, then the door is open for him.

"What has gone before is in the past as far as I am concerned and Ellis will be given the same opportunities as everybody else. It is down to him to grasp those opportunities over the coming weeks.

"It is important that any players here have the right mind-set in that they have the desire to play for this football club and are determined to get it back to where it needs to be."

Youth-team graduate Harrison burst on to the scene during Rovers' successful bid to fend off relegation over the second half of the 2012-13 season and was rewarded with a three-year deal last summer.

He endured a troubled campaign last time out, however, following off-field problems and managed to score just once in 27 appearances, which came mostly from the substitutes' bench.

Clarke, meanwhile, faces the possibility of losing two of last season's first-team squad with the Memorial Stadium futures of Alefe Santos and Matt Harrold the subject of speculation.

Santos, who was targeted by Premier League club Hull City earlier this month, is yet to put pen-to-paper on the new deal offered at the end of last season, while striker Harrold is reported to be he subject of interest from League One side Crawley Town.

Harrold, who was singled out for praise by Crawley boss John Gregory when the sides went head-to-head in the second round of the FA Cup in December, played enough games for Rovers last season to trigger a one-year contract extension.

Read more at www.bristolpost.co.uk/Ellis-Harrison-chance-plans-says-Bristol-Rovers/story-21292546-detail/story.html

[CornishPasty_Gas]

NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I dont want to see him ever again in a Rovers shirt! Absolutely shocking player, shocking attitude, shocking hair cut.

PLEASE can some mug sign him!?!

[BishopstonBRFC]

If he actually showed that he wants to be here and sorted his attitude out then I wouldn't be against him staying. He was great in 12/13 but started last season poorly, probably due to a rape charge hanging over him.

[Deleted]

Will be difficult for him to regain the faith of his team mates as the returning 'naughty boy' let alone the fans.Maybe he could be our next Forrest Gump and just rely on his pace if he's not overburdened with defensive duties.Fortunate for him having the 3 year contract or he'd be gone,last chance saloon then Ellis - make the most of it.

[Fetch]

Harrison was not the same player that he was in 12/13, we all know that. He came into the 13/14 season looking more of a physical player, and he didn't have that confidence or flair going forwards (or the pace, for that matter). I think Ward was trying to shape him into a striker, and he played Harrison there a few times. It ruined his game, and probably ruined his confidence too (with all the other crap going on in his life).

Now, we know he handed in a transfer request, but we don't know why. Might be because he disagreed with what was being asked of him, he might not like the set up, he might want a change or he might just think he can do better. Whatever the reason, it's clear that he doesn't want to be here.

Bad news is, we might be stuck with him. If he gets his head down and works hard then I'm willing to give the lad another chance - He's young and naive, and can learn a lot from conference football. If not, I hope he has the common sense not to disrupt the changing rooms.

[CornishPasty_Gas]

All this "same player as 12/13"... You mean one good half of football against Rochdale at home, and a wonder goal against Rotherham? Come on guys FFS, he is a waster, not only in life, but on the football pitch! He is atrocious, and nowehere near a professional footballer, whether it be in the Skrill or not!!!

[Cantankerous Gas]

Don't mind Clarkie giving him another chance but the first sign of lip send him on loan to Manor Farm.