The 2015–16 season was the 133rd season in Bristol Rovers' history and their 88th in the Football League. Rovers returned to the Football League after an absence of just one season following their promotion from the Conference Premier via the play-offs. For the second successive season, Rovers were promoted, the first time the club had achieved back to back promotions in its history. On a dramatic final day of the season in which Rovers required a win and other results to go in their favour, a 92nd-minute winner against Dagenham & Redbridge from Lee Brown sparked wild celebrations at the Memorial Stadium as the club returned to the third tier of English football for the first time in five years. Striker Matty Taylor ended the season as the top goalscorer in the top four divisions of the English football league system with 27 goals.
– Gibraltar international Jake Gosling agreed a contract extension with Rovers. Academy players Ryan Broom, Tyler Lyttle, Jay Malpas and Kieran Preston signed professional contracts.
– Ángelo Balanta rejected a new short-term deal with Rovers and left the club.
– Chris Lines agreed a permanent transfer from Port Vale. Lines had previously played for Rovers, his boyhood club, between 2002–11 and on loan the previous season.
– Millwall forward Paris Cowan-Hall joined Rovers on a month-long loan. Winger Billy Bodin agreed a contract extension to the end of the season.
– Rovers sign Cambridge United forward Rory Gaffney on loan until January while Nathan Blissett left for Lincoln City, also on loan with a view to becoming dead.
– Experienced forward Rory Fallon joined Rovers on non-contract terms.
February
– Rovers were acquired by the Jordanian Al-Qadi family, founders of the Arab Jordan Investment Bank, taking a 92% shareholding in the club. As part of the deal, Wael al-Qadi became President of the club while former Swansea City chairman Steve Hamer took up the same role with Rovers. Existing chairman Nick Higgs along with board members Barry Bradshaw, Chris Jelf, Colin Sexstone and Ed Ware all stood down from the board of directors with all expect Sexstone becoming Life Vice Presidents.
March
– Swansea City forward Oli McBurnie joined Rovers on loan until the end of the season.
April
– Rovers manager Darrell Clarke was awarded League TwoManager of the Month for March. Clarke had led the side to six wins out of seven during the month. Striker Matty Taylor won League Two Player of the Month for March. Taylor scored eight goals in the month's seven games including a hat-trick against Hartlepool United.
– Lee Brown signed a contract extension at Rovers which will take him into a sixth season at the club.
– Wales under-21 international Tom Lockyer extended his contract with Rovers. DriBuild were confirmed as next season's home shirt sponsors with Powersystems UK sponsoring the away shirt.
May
– On the final day of the season, Rovers beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2–1 to secure promotion to League One.
First team
Transfers
In
Loans in
Out
Loans out
Squad statistics
Appearances, goals and cards
Goal scorers
Penalties
Disciplinary record
Competitions
Summary
Games played
50
Games won
27
Games drawn
7
Games lost
16
Win %
54%
Goals scored
80
Goals conceded
50
Goal difference
+30
Yellow cards
67
Red cards
0
Worst discipline
Lee Brown
Biggest win
3 – 0 4 – 1
Heaviest defeat
1 – 4
Highest scoring match
4 – 3
Most appearances
50
Top scorer
Matty Taylor
Most assists
Chris Lines
Note: Games which are level after extra-time and are decided by a penalty shoot-out are listed as draws. Bristol Rovers score listed first where applicable.
On 17 June 2015, the Football League revealed the fixtures for the forthcoming season. Rovers' first fixture was against Northampton Town at the Memorial Stadium followed, a week later by a trip to Huish Park to face Yeovil Town. The traditional boxing day fixture saw Rovers' travel to AFC Wimbledon while the final game of the season saw Dagenham & Redbridge visit the Mem.
On 26 October 2015, the first round draw was made. Rovers were drawn at home to Southern League Premier side Chesham United whom they lost to 1–0.
Football League Cup
On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Rovers were drawn at home against Championship side Birmingham City, who they lost to 2–1.
Football League Trophy
On 3 August 2015, Rovers were awarded a bye in the first round. On 5 September 2015, Rovers were drawn at home against fellow League Two side Wycombe Wanderers, whom they defeated 2–0. On 10 October 2015, Rovers were drawn away to League One side Southend United in the quarter-final and were defeated 1–0.
Rovers' entered in the first round of the Gloucestershire Senior Cup where they faced holders Cirencester Town, whom they defeated 5–2. They then met Mangotsfield United in the quarter-final, winning 4–1. Their semi-final was against Forest Green Rovers whom they lost to 4–3. Rovers generally fielded a team of non-regular first-team and youth squad players in the competition.
