Skipper set to sign on for a further year
Bristol Rovers captain Tom Parkes has agreed terms on a one year contract extension, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.
Tom has been a hugely influential member of the team, and has excelled since being given the captain’s armband at the start of the year.
He said: “I am delighted to sign a contract extension with Bristol Rovers. This is a massive club with huge potential and expectations and I want to be a part of that.
“Hopefully now we can continue to build and move our way up the league.
“I am young and ambitious, but I see the club moving higher up the leagues, and if we can get promotion this season, and go from there, then that would be great.
“The gaffer has been amazing with me, giving me the captain’s armband and putting faith in me. Working under a good manager is really important.”
Manager John Ward said: “I am really pleased that Tom’s contract has been extended, as it shows the commitment of both the club and the player.
“He is a young man who has been made captain, and is setting an example for others. He has taken everything on board, and it has even improved his game.
“I am trying to strengthen and improve the side with the young players we have here, and Tom is a big part of that.”
Central defender Tom arrived at the club, on loan from Leicester City in February last year, and made his Rovers debut two days later against Morecambe.
He had already made 31 appearances for Burton Albion in three separate loan spells at the Pirelli Stadium and two for Yeovil in a one month loan spell with the Glovers.
His Rovers loan was extended until the end of last season and by the time he returned to his parent club he had appeared in 13 league games.
Former manager Mark McGhee signed the player on a permanent basis in August 2012 and he went straight into the side that same evening, appearing in the 1-1 draw against Barnet at the Underhill Stadium.
Tom has represented England at U-17 and U-18 level.
He scored his first Rovers goal at Home Park, Plymouth, on 18th September 2012.
In the absence of injured skipper Matt Gill through injury and stand in captain Garry Kenneth also through injury, Tom skippered the side in the New Year's Day victory over Plymouth Argyle and as those two missed the remainder of the season he retained the armband.
Last season Tom received the Player of the Year Award from the Presidents Club, one of the club’s support organisations.
Chairman Nick Higgs said: “We are delighted that Tom has committed his future to the club.
“Tom is a hugely important member of our squad who leads by example, and he has made the captain’s armband his own.
“We believe that Tom has a very bright future ahead of him, and we hope that he can continue to develop and progress with Bristol Rovers.”