Football New-boy Luke determined to make a big impact at Rovers
LUKE Thomas hopes he can put a period of personal struggle behind him by making an impact at Bristol Rovers.
The 22-year-old completed a season-long loan move from Championship side Barnsley on Saturday, becoming Joey Barton’s 10th signing of the summer for the Gas.
Thomas, a former England youth international with plenty of experience in the second tier with the Tykes, but he has endured a difficult spell on and off the pitch.
In April, after a loan move to Ipswich Town was cut short, Thomas revealed he had taken a break from the game for the benefit of his “physical and mental health”.
The winger is looking forward to a fresh start in BS7, hopeful he can support the club and the manager achieve their aim of promotion back to the third tier.
“I’ve struggled personally on and off the pitch in the last six months or so and I’ve not played as much as I’d like, so hopefully I can come here now and get 40 games under my belt playing Saturday, Tuesday and get back to what I love doing and performing,” Thomas said in his first interview with the club’s website.
“I’m delighted to be here. It’s been going on for quite a while but I’m delighted to get here and I can’t wait to get started.
“Everyone’s goal here is to get promotion and I’m here to help the lads achieve that.
“As a player, I’d like to say I’m sharp and I like to get fans off their seats, exciting to watch and hopefully I can score a few goals and create chances for my team-mates.”
Gloucestershire-born Thomas’ move to the Memorial Stadium brings him much closer to his family home in the Forest of Dean. He had interest from League One clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers, according to reports, but he says he was sold on Barton’s plans for the Pirates in their first conversation several weeks ago.
“It (Barton’s influence) was massive,” said Thomas. “From the first conversation I had with Joey, he sold me on the project he wants to achieve this season and it got to me straight away. I knew it was the perfect place for me to join and hopefully I can add a lot to Bristol Rovers.
“I’m a local-ish lad, probably about 30 minutes away. I know the area in Bristol and I can’t wait to play at the stadium.”
The Gas began the third week of their pre-season training schedule yesterday, and Thomas admits he is behind his new team-mates in preparation for the new campaign, which begins at Mansfield Town on August 7, but he is eager to get involved on the training pitches at The Quarters.
“I’m about two weeks away from being really into it, but I’m in early doors and it gives me a chance to meet my team-mates and get settled in,” added Thomas.
As a player, I’d like to say I’m sharp and I like to get fans off their seats, exciting to watch and hopefully I can score a few goals and create chances for my team-mates