What a journey Promise Omochere has been on.
Just two short years ago, the forward was playing part-time football in the League Of Ireland, working tirelessly to earn his big opportunity in the beautiful game.
Two seasons on and the 23-year-old is Bristol Rovers’ newest signing, joining the Club for an undisclosed fee.
The striker has impressed in the last 24 months, since swapping Dublin for Fleetwood in 2021. His form in front of goal caught the eye of teams in both League One and the Championship, but it was a switch to BS7 that felt like the right next step for Rovers’ newest forward.
In joining Matt Taylor’s team, Omochere is the eleventh acquisition of a busy summer transfer window, one still six weeks away from closing. It is that very ambitious project and the developing culture at The Memorial Stadium, according to the man himself, that played such a pivotal role in showing him how exciting a move to Rovers could be.
Sitting down at The Mem for the first time as a Rovers player, wearing his new kit and taking in his new home in glorious July sunshine. Omochere shared his thoughts on joining the Gas, his role in the team and his hopes for the season to come…
Welcome to Bristol Rovers, Promise. How does it feel to be here?
"I’m really excited and really, really happy to be here. I’m delighted to get the deal done and over the line and now I just want to focus on the season and hit the ground running in these colours. I’m really happy to be here."
How have the conversations gone with the manager Matt Taylor and with director of football George Friend about the Club and your role here?
"There is a lot of ambition here. There is a clear plan for myself, coming into the team, and I think the style of play is going to really suit me. That was one of the reasons that I chose Rovers, in that there is a clear plan. It’s a really exciting move.
"I’ve had good conversations with the gaffer and he’s really excited for the season. He obviously wants us to win as many games as possible and finish as high up the table as possible. That’s the clear aim for us and I think we’re building a really good squad here to be able to do that."
You mentioned the squad there - you’re the eleventh signing of the summer. How exciting is it to be coming into that new-look team with the ambition on show?
"It’s massive. It’s new for me too. Coming from Ireland, this is now my second club in England. I’ve moved down south and I’m looking forward to meeting the lads. It’s a new squad, a new group, and it will obviously take a bit of time for us to gel together. But I’m sure the manager will be great with us with that and will get us all going."
When you look at the profiles of players coming in - all young, hungry players with high ceilings - it says a lot about the squad the manager wants to build here…
"It definitely does. All the lads will no doubt be 100 per cent hungry to do well for the club. You can tell by their profiles, their ages. There are a lot of young players coming into the squad and that will be really good for the dynamic of the group.
"We’ll all be able to push each other and help each other on and off the pitch. We’ll be able to create a real bond in the group, and the club is showing a lot of ambition with the way they’re trying to bring in and develop young players. I think that will ultimately show on the pitch in the results we try and get."
How excited are you to step out at The Mem wearing the blue-and-white quarters of Bristol Rovers?
"I remember one of my first away games for Fleetwood Town was against Rovers and I remember walking out and thinking ‘wow, this is huge’. So I’m absolutely happy to be on the other side now and playing for the home fans at The Mem.
"The last time I was here, the atmosphere was absolutely unbelievable and I remember coming off the pitch and thinking it was the best away day I’d ever experienced. I’m excited to feel that roar as a Rovers player and be on the right side of it! It will be amazing to score goals and celebrate them with the fans here."
Tell us a bit about your last two years playing with Fleetwood Town, moving to England and adapting to the English game…
"To be fair, it was difficult at the start because I came from part-time football in Ireland. It was difficult to adapt at the very start. When I got myself going and really learned the game, and got used to it here, I felt like I was going from strength to strength.
"I had a really good two years at Fleetwood, particularly the first year. The second year was not as enjoyable due to the challenges, and we didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve, but that happens in football and I had an enjoyable time there. I’m thankful for everyone there and it’s been a good first two years in England.
"Now I’m at Rovers, I want to take that to the next level and step up and go into my role here head on."
You’ve gone from part-time football to signing for Bristol Rovers in two years. When you take a step back, that must be mad to think about?
"It is. I’ve come a long way. It’s a testament to everyone involved. My family were key, as were Fleetwood Town, and myself too, all of which helped me to get to this point. And I’m really excited because there is a lot more that I can show.
"I’m excited to come into this team and play up front. At Fleetwood, I kind of juggled a couple of different roles, but I think my profile and build is suited to the No9 role and as a centre-forward. I’m really happy to have the chance to cement my place in that role and score as many goals as I can for Bristol Rovers."
As you say, you see yourself in that striker role. You’re going to wear the No9 shirt. What sort of forward are you and what do you bring to the team?
"Hopefully I bring a lot of goals! I would describe myself as powerful and strong, and I look to get in behind and hold the ball up so I can bring others into the game. I think I will be able to stretch the line and hold it up, and do a bit of everything so I’m helping the team as much as possible. I’m looking forward to showing what I can do."
And what sort of character are you off the pitch and around the training ground?
"I think, at the start, I’m a quiet enough lad. But once I get a bit more comfortable around the environment and the new faces I come out of my shell more and more. I’m excited to meet all the lads and get going."
What are your aspirations for the coming season?
"My aspirations are simple. I want to win as many games as we can and finish as high up the table as possible. Bristol Rovers is a big club. I knew it before I joined and I’ve seen it since walking it for the first time. You feel it around the place. There is a core family feel here you can tell everyone is really together.
"This club has great fans. Really, really great fans. With all that, there is no reason the club can’t progress in League One and ultimately move up into the Championship.
"With that in mind, the aspiration has to be to win as many games as we can and see where that takes us."
On a personal level, joining us means moving to Bristol, which is a great city to live in too!
"I’m really excited to be moving to Bristol. I’ve been here a very short time but everyone I’ve met has been really nice and friendly. There’s a real family feel around the place and I’ve only heard good things about Bristol.
"Honestly, when I’ve asked about Bristol, everyone has told me great things about this City. I’m looking forward to getting settled in and being in this area."
Finally what is your message to the Bristol Rovers fans as your time as a player with us begins?
"I’d love for them to know that I’m honoured and excited to be here. I cannot wait to get out there and play in front of them, and for them. I can’t wait to step up in front of a packed Memorial Stadium and experience the atmospheres I felt as an away player here.
"I hope I can score as many goals as I can for them and make them as happy as I feel right now."
