Departed goalkeeper James Belshaw has sent Gasheads a heartfelt message after leaving Bristol Rovers on a permanent basis to re-join Harrogate Town, the club from which Belshaw joined the Gas in 2021.
The goalkeeper had been limited to just two EFL Trophy appearances for Rovers this season before joining League Two side Forest Green Rovers on a seven-day emergency loan at the end of September. That spell eventually lasted almost three months as the 33-year-old played 11 times for the fourth tier strugglers before making the move back up to North Yorkshire and remaining in the division, initially on similar terms.
While on an initial seven-day emergency loan which was extended a handful of times before the permanent deal was agreed, Belshaw played six times for Town who currently sit 12th in League Two, clocking up his total number of appearances for the club he first joined in 2017 closer to the 200 mark.
For Rovers though, Belshaw played 91 games and will forever be regarded as a club legend for his efforts in the League Two promotion season as the Gas secured an automatic return to League One in the most miraculous of circumstances with their 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United at the Mem on the final day.
The goalkeeper took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pen out a goodbye to Gasheads, writing: "Gasheads, it’s been an honour to have represented your football club. To have been a part of that incredible promotion team is one of the proudest moments of my life. I leave knowing that I gave you everything I could. Thanks for the memories, I love you all."
Not only was Belshaw's exploits on the pitch enough to see him crowned the club's Player of the Year that season but the 33-year-old was also a pivotal figure in the community, winning the PFA Community Champion award by the club’s Community Trust in recognition of his work with them.
From a footballing perspective though, it became increasingly obvious that there was limited chance the goalkeeper would rediscover is number one credentials in a Bristol Rovers shirt after Matt Cox's arrival on loan from Brentford. Now, he returns to a club that also think the world of him and can be the beneficiaries of having a particularly special custodian.
Speaking to Harrogate's official YouTube channel, Belshaw discussed the move, revealing that talks with manager Simon Weaver begun soon after his first game back against Notts County.
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.
"Obviously I had a few weeks at Forest Green and had a really good time there," the 33-year-old exclaimed. "Then as I was about to go back to Bristol Rovers I got a call asking if I would be interested in the emergency loan and I said, 'yeah absolutely' so that was all sorted.
"I think after the first game against Notts County I sat down with the gaffer who said: 'would you be open to coming back here on a full-time basis' and I said: 'yeah absolutely.' Obviously I have some unbelievable memories at the football club and it was something that I wanted to pursue. From then, there's been a lot of conversations between Harrogate Town and Bristol Rovers, my agent, me. A lot's been happening over the last few weeks and it's been close for probably the last week or so now. Absolutely buzzing to be back.
"As soon as I heard there was interest to bring me back on a permanent basis I jumped at the chance. It's been so nice being back in front of the fans and hearing them singing my name again. It feels like everything's changed but nothing's changed. Obviously, the club's made huge striders in the time I've been away so now I get to be a part of that on a permanent basis. From my perspective and terms, everything was relatively straightforward."
