‘Ellis knows what I think of him, I can put it on the record.’
18:49, 25 Apr 2026Updated 18:51, 25 Apr 2026
Ellis Harrison of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town at Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 25 April 2026 (Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)(Image: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)
Steve Evans said Ellis Harrison “knows what I think of him” after the 32-year-old scored a hat-trick in Bristol Rovers‘ 4-0 win against Cheltenham Town.
Harrison scored twice in the first-half, before completing his hat-trick with an audacious chip over Day from 40 yards in the 56th minute. Shaq Forde made it four in the 87th minute, tucking home a cross which found him at the backpost to make it seven wins in a row at home and eight wins in a row for the Gas.
Harrison’s contract expires at the end of the current season, but after six goals in his last four games, Evans suggested that talks concerning the striker’s future are well underway.
Goal celebrations for Ellis Harrison of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town at Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 25 April 2026 (Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)(Image: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)
The manager said: “Well, any player could be here next year. We’ve got to have the conversations. Does Ellis want to be here? He’s told me three times he wants to be here.
“I’ve presented my thoughts and plans to the board a couple of days ago. And the rest of our board have been on flights for two days and come in and had a really good positive meeting yesterday.
READ MORE: ‘Something wasn’t quite right’ – Jack Sparkes opens up on running Half Marathon for his daughterREAD MORE: Steve Evans on Isaac Hutchinson future and Bristol Rovers summer window plans
“Ellis knows what I think of him, I can put it on the record. I think he’s not only a good football talent, but he’s a wonderful human being and I spend a lot of time talking to him and I’ve seen him with his kids today and hugging them and that’s the type of guy he is.”
The other major talking point of the day was Evans going into the Thatchers End in the 85th minute, with Forde celebrating with the manager and the fans after extending the hosts’ lead.
Steve Evans, Manager of Bristol Rovers in the stands celebrates a goal scored by Shaq Forde of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town at Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 25 April 2026 (Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)(Image: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)
He added: “And then, obviously, I make my way into the Thatchers End, which is a bit crazy, but just magical and of course when I’m in there, one of my sons in the team between Yusuf and Shaq – Shaq scores and he sees me, I don’t know he sees me, but he finds me and he comes in and he’s trying to get in and the players are.
Sign up for our Rovers newsletter
Bristol Rovers have Steve Evans now in charge as they look to battle push up the League Two table – and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.
All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.
It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE
“Yeah, just absolutely incredible moments and then we have a a lap of appreciation. The Gasheads are just unbelievable people, we do that and then I go in and I meet our chairman and I said to the Chairman, it’s a magical day. He says, ‘I have a lot of money but if I was Donald Trump I’d extend the season.’
“So I probably would and an amazing quote from our Chairman, but it just shows you that when you’re inside of a football club like Bristol Rovers and everyone’s focused, what we can achieve and this group has been amazing.”
The final day of the season sees Rovers travel to Notts County, who are still in automatic promotion contention following their 1-0 away at Colchester United.
They need to beat Evans’ side and rely on other results to go their way to gatecrash the top three.
Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
READ MORE: ‘Probably torn a little bit’ – Latest on Byron Anthony’s future as part of first-team coaching staffREAD MORE: Bristol Rovers summer transfer window plans: Conversations with ‘four’ players, squad depth targeted