Clarke wants Rovers to 'hit the ground running'

Darrell Clarke guided Bristol Rovers to two promotions during his first spell in charge

Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke says he wants to "hit the ground running" when the new season starts this weekend.

Clarke returned to the Memorial Ground for a second spell in May, seven years after he left the role and following the club's relegation to League Two at the end of the last campaign.

The Gas host Harrogate Town on Saturday in Clarke's first match of 2025-26.

"We want to hit the ground running, we want to get off to a good start," Clarke told BBC Points West.

"I take a game as they come, I'm not interested in who we're playing. We've got to win a certain amount of games a season to be successful to get out of the division and that'll be the focus from day dot - don't win a game, win the next one; don't win a game, win the next one.

"It's what's brought me success as a manager, focusing on the next project."

Clarke led Rovers to two promotions from the National League to League One during his four-year spell in charge between 2014 and 2018.

Yet he reiterated he has not returned for "sentimental reasons" but to "win".

"I don't ever start a division and don't think I can't get out of it. It's always the aim, it should be the aim of everybody's campaign," said Clarke, who has also managed Port Vale, Cheltenham and Barnsley.

"You'll see around the building the three words I look at are accountability, resilience and mentality.

"That's what I'm all about and I demand my players show that, every day in training the intensity has got to be high and then match day takes care of itself."