Bristol Rovers striker recognised among League One elite after prolific season in front of goal

Chris Martin’s impressive season for Bristol Rovers has been further recognised with the veteran striker among eight nominees for the League One Fans’ Player of the Season.

Martin, who struck 16 goals in 37 games, across all competitions for the Gas, after signing on a free transfer in September, has been included on a shortlist alongside Portsmouth duo Marlon Park and Colby Bishop, Peterborough's Harrison Burrows, Barnsley's Devante Cole, Charlton's Alfie May, Derby's Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Bolton's Josh Sheehan. Fans can register their vote HERE, with the poll closing on Sunday at 23:59.

The 35-year-old prolific form in front of goal was an undoubted highlight of a turbulent campaign for Rovers who finished 15th in the division but with their veteran frontman joint fourth overall on the top scorer’s list, with May (23 goals), who Rovers tried to sign last summer, Bishop (21) and Cole (18) above him in the scoring charts.

Martin’s 16 league goals also matched the same haul by the club’s golden boot winner Aaron Collins over the previous two terms as the most in a single season since Matty Taylor’s 27 goals in League Two in 2015/16.

Rovers have triggered an automatic one-year option in the agreement Martin signed in January as manager Matt Taylor looks to retain his key performers from 2023/24.

With a focus on recruiting youth over the summer, keeping the services of Martin and out-of-contract winger Scott Sinclair, who's been offered a new deal, will be crucial in ensuring the foundations that have been built remain for next season.

Martin missed the final two games of Rovers’ season after being found guilty of violent conduct for a headbutt on Cambridge United defender Mamadou Jobe. The length of the suspension for that incident in April means the former Scotland international will also be forced to miss the first two matches of the 2024/25 campaign.