"To the Gasheads" - Luke McCormick sends Bristol Rovers message after FGR switch | OneFootball

The midfielder delivered this message via his X account.

Luke McCormick has delivered a message to Bristol Rovers and their fans after moving to Forest Green Rovers on loan.

Football League World exclusively reported earlier today that the midfielder was set to join the National League outfit and the move has been confirmed this afternoon, with McCormick joining the Green Devils on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Steve Cotterill’s side are firmly on course for an immediate return to the Football League and are currently enjoying a 15-match unbeaten run in the National League.

Cotterill will be hoping McCormick can add further Football League quality to what is already an extremely strong squad for the fifth tier.

McCormick delivers heartfelt message to Bristol Rovers fans

McCormick has become a regular feature in the Rovers squad since making the move to Bristol from AFC Wimbledon back in 2021/22.

He’s since made 57 appearances in League One for the Gas, but has struggled for regular opportunities to start so far this season.

Bristol Rovers have welcomed a new manager to the club, which can often see a shake-up in the playing squad as the new boss casts his eye over what he has at his disposal. This hasn’t been the case with Inigo Calderon, however, with the ex-Brighton man still not viewing McCormick as a key component of his squad.

This issue was hammered home in Rovers’ last league game, when McCormick was an unused substitute in the clash with Cambridge United, which could be crucial in deciding the fate of several sides at the foot of the League One table come the end of the season.

After the announcement of his Memorial Stadium departure earlier this afternoon, McCormick delivered the following heartfelt message to the club and its fans, via his X account.

He said: “All the best for the second half of the season, more than enough in that changing room to have a strong second half of the campaign! To the Gasheads, thank you.”

The 25-year-old’s contract with Bristol Rovers is currently due to expire at the end of the season.

Bristol Rovers face a fierce battle to stay in League One

McCormick departs the Memorial Stadium with Rovers facing a vitally important few months ahead of them.

Despite the recent win at Cambridge, Calderon’s men find themselves firmly in the midst of what is shaping up to be a huge scrap for survival in the third tier.

Just seven points currently separate Crawley Town, in 22nd, and Wigan Athletic, in 17th, with the Gas currently occupying the all-important 20th spot.

They sit just five points clear of Gareth Ainsworth's Shrewsbury Town in the final relegation spot, who will be buoyed by last night’s derby win over high-flying Wrexham at the Croud Meadow.

The Cambridge victory brought Rovers’ disappointing run of seven league games without a win to a close, and it goes without saying that the Gas must avoid any more of those runs if they are to finish above the dreaded dotted line come May.

The Rovers job is Calderon’s first in senior men’s football and the Spaniard must ensure he takes to the role quickly and effectively, as the pressure of a survival fight can affect even the most experienced of bosses.