Bristol Rovers forward recognized among League One’s elite after prolific season in front of goal

Chris Martin’s impressive season for Bristol Rovers has been further recognized with the veteran striker among eight nominees for League One Fans’ Player of the Season.

Martin, who scored 16 goals in 37 games in all competitions for the Gas after signing on a free transfer in September, was shortlisted alongside Portsmouth duo Marlon Park and Colby Bishop, Harrison Burrows of at Peterborough, Devante Cole from Barnsley, Charlton. Alfie May, Derby’s Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Bolton’s Josh Sheehan. Fans can cast their vote HERE, the poll closes at 11:59pm on Sunday.

The 35-year-old’s prolific form in front of goal was a highlight of a turbulent campaign for Rovers, who finished 15th in the division but with their veteran leader fourth overall on the top scorers list, with May (23 goals), who Rovers tried to sign last summer, Bishop (21) and Cole (18) above him in the scoring charts.

Martin’s 16 league goals also equaled the same spell by the club’s Golden Boot winner Aaron Collins over the past two terms as the most in a single season since his 27 of goals by Matty Taylor in League Two in 2015/16.

Rovers have triggered an automatic one-year option in the deal Martin signed in January as manager Matt Taylor looks to retain his key performances from 2023/24.

With a focus on youth recruitment over the summer, retaining the services of Martin and Scott Sinclair, who has been offered a new contract, will be crucial to ensure the foundations that have been built remain for next season.

Martin missed Rovers’ final two games of the season after being found guilty of violent conduct for a headbutt on Cambridge United defender Mamadou Jobe. The length of the suspension for that incident in April means the former Scotland international will also be forced to miss the first two games of the 2024/25 campaign.