Football Anthony in quick return to the coaching staff at Rovers

We really want to develop our staff and players to be as competitive and successful as possible

BRISTOL Rovers’ 2007 playoff hero Byron Anthony has been appointed head of coaching at the club’s academy, nine months after he left the Gas to take up a position at Swansea City.

Anthony had been under-18 coach at Swansea, after being appointed in February, but his departure was confirmed by the Championship club last week.

He makes a swift return to north Bristol having previously been coaching at his former club for six months before the Swansea move, working alongside academy manager Chris Hargreaves, focusing on the Under-14s, while also undertaking first-team matchday analysis.

Anthony made 190 appearances for the Gas from 2006 to 2012 and was part of the starting XI which beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1 at Wembley to earn promotion to League One 14 years ago.

“I am delighted to announce Byron Anthony will be joining the team as our new academy head of coaching,” said Hargreaves. “Byron has obviously worked with us recently, and as well as being a former player at the club he brings to the role a wealth of experience.

“We have already discussed several ideas to enhance what we are doing very well within the academy. We really want to develop our staff and players to be as competitive and successful as possible.”

Anthony, who secured his UEFA Pro License in 2020, replaces Adrian Harvie who left the position earlier this year to spend more time with his family.

The 37-year-old posted on Twitter: “Thank you all for the kind messages. I am excited to be back at Bristol Rovers and really looking forward to getting down to work. Hopefully see you all at the next home game.”

Rovers return to action with an FA Cup first-round tie at Oxford United on Sunday (1pm).

Oxford have moved up to sixth in League One on the back of three successive wins and, of course, have a big goal threat in former Pirates striker Matty Taylor.