Bristol Rovers: Popular non-league transfer is a cheap blueprint always worth considering | OneFootball

Darrell Clarke and Bristol Rovers unearthed a gem in Stuart Sinclair making the non-league blueprint a viable option

Few faces among Bristol Rovers players, past or present, are as instantly recognisable as the iconic bearded visage of Gas legend Stuart Sinclair. His striking bushy ginger beard and blonde locks made the former midfielder stand out for Gasheads in the stands and terraces.

Sinclair would sign for Bristol Rovers in June 2014 from the non-league side Salisbury, aged 26, having already worked with the Rovers boss at the time, Darell Clarke, who also previously had a spell at the Whites.

Lesser known for his technical ability, Sinclair was still the type of player that Gasheads love to see at their club. On the pitch, he was most known for his abilities with the more gritty side of the game. Not the type to shy away from getting stuck in, he could never be doubted for his commitment to the cause and the club.

Stuart Sinclair is Bristol Rovers DNA

His contributions to the Gas winning possession and keeping their opposition at bay were key to the success of the team during Sinclair’s double promotion-winning spell at the Mem.

His efforts certainly didn’t go unnoticed and then assistant manager Marcus Stewart spoke about the importance of the midfielder to the club.

Speaking to Bristol Live, Stewart said: “Stuart Sinclair is what he is, and that is why he has been at this club for so long; because he is a Bristol Rovers player. The type of player he is is in our DNA. Don’t get me wrong you can’t have 11 Stuart Sinclairs on the pitch because you need players who can do that other side of the game and be more creative.

"Stuart is a hard-working, team player, pass it simple, but he does his job and half of someone else’s as well. That is how Stuart is, but he can’t do what Chris Lines can, pick a pass and drive the ball, so it is about trying to find the balance within the team.”

Sinclair was not only recognised for his endeavour on the pitch but also for his warmth and compassion away from the sport. He would be awarded the Sky Bet Football League Unsung Hero of the Month for March 2016 after being commended for his commitment to the community. Spending a large portion of his downtime with children at Bristol Children’s Hospital and supporting the Bristol Rovers Community Trust in their community efforts.

Sinclair would enjoy five seasons at Bristol Rovers, making 161 appearances, scoring eight goals with four assists.

Despite no profit Stuart Sinclair enriched Bristol Rovers

The Gas have so far this winter window only made one addition to their ranks, with midfielder Romaine Sawyers joining on a free transfer. However, the Rovers leadership is expected to bring in further support for the side languishing near the bottom of League One.

The non-league blueprint is, of course, a track the Gas have used on multiple occasions in the past. One of the most noteworthy would be the signing of Barry Hayles from Conference side Stevenage Borough for £250,000 to then be sold to Fulham for £2,000,000, remaining one of Bristol Rovers' highest-ever player sales. More recently, non-league additions have included 19-year-old Defender Dan Ellison from Chippenham Town, who they hope to develop into a first-team player.

Although Sinclair himself wouldn't be sold for profit, he would enrich the club in many other ways during his time at the club, also making the non-league pathway a viable option.