Pirates Pounce for Gow in City Loan Swap

In a surprise move, seasoned midfielder Alan Gow, aged 31, has moved to fellow League 2 Club Bristol Rovers on a loan to the end of the season. If Exeter City fans were surprised by this move then probably so were Bristol Rovers fans at the move in the opposite way of 22 year old striker Eliot Richards. An almost ever present for Rovers this season, he did seem to be a part of the manager’s plans. However despite playing 28 times this season he’s only scored the 5 goals.

It seems that Eliot himself was surprised by the move as well. He (@Eliot_Richards) has tweeted on his loan move:-

After my hand being forced I’m sad to be leaving but very excited to get started at Exeter city. Wish rovers all the best for the future.

Eliot’s career with Bristol Rovers includes 61 games and 14 goals. He made his debut away to Macclesfield in August 2011 coming on as a substitute for Chris Zebroski. He scored his first goal in his next match which was a Carling Cup match against Leyton Orient.

Alan Gow has played 107 times for the Grecians and scored 21 goals. He joined in March 2012, but was unable to help Exeter avoid relegation that season. His favoured trick was the rabona, which was elegantly displayed away to Accrington Stanley last season.

Paul Tisdale said:

Based on the current economic climate, the club is working hard to create funds to maintain the stability of Exeter City, and the board and I have collaborated to help save money by allowing Alan to join Bristol Rovers for the remainder of the season and that is the primary motivation behind the deal.

As part of the arrangement, we have also had the opportunity to bring in another promising young player into our group with a view to the long term, which fits in seamlessly with our model of developing young players.

So we wish Alan all the best for his time with Bristol Rovers, and we are looking forward to working with Eliot.

Rovers Chairman Nick Higgs said:

We are delighted to bring Alan to the club. He is an experienced attacking player with a proven goal-scoring record.

He is currently Exeter’s top goal scorer, and he has always stood out when he has played against us in the past.

Eliot has been a good servant to the club, and we hope a spell away from the Memorial Stadium will be good for him, and allow him to recapture his form.

We wish him all the best for the rest of the season.

We extend a warm exeweb.com welcome to Eliott and wish Alan Giw the best for his future career.