The sky's the limit for Bristol Rovers and Isaac Hutchinson.
The creative midfielder is the Club’s first signing of the summer, joining on a three-year deal from EFL League Two side Walsall, and Hutchinson is already eager to show the Gasheads just what he can do.
The 24-year-old believes Rovers’ ambition and desire to be even better is clear to see. It is a project he is thrilled to be a part of.
“I am really happy to be here at Bristol Rovers,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve had really good conversations with the manager and everyone at the Club, and I’m delighted to join.
“I’ve always known Bristol Rovers is a big Club. I’ve played at The Memorial Stadium before and the crowd creates an incredible atmosphere there. Things like that, as well as the conversations I’ve had, have made it clear to me that the Club is moving upwards. Everything here is positioned around moving forwards, improving across the board, and it’s exciting to be a part of.
“I don’t think there is a ceiling to what this Club can achieve. I know, having looked at the squad and spoken to the manager, what we’re going to be capable of. I hope I can add something to the team. Our ultimate goal is to win as many games as possible and see where that gets us”
Central to the move has been talks with manager Matt Taylor and Director of Football George Friend, both of whom told Hutchinson of the Club’s plans, strategy, aspirations, and how he will fit into the system in the new campaign.
Hutchinson says those conversations only helped to further convince him that the move to Rovers was the perfect fit.
“The talks have been really good. The manager and George have been really clear with me about what they want to see from me as a player, and how I will fit into the team and the Club. The manager has made it clear on how he wants the team to play as well, and it was all refreshing to hear. It made me want to join Bristol Rovers even more.
“They want to see me do more of what I have been doing in the last couple of seasons. I’ve had a good couple of years with Walsall and I want to build on that, and everyone at Rovers wants to help me do that.
“A really big thing for me too is that they’ve shown me where I can improve as a player, and that is so important to me as well. With their help to do that, I think I can have a really good season and help the Club to have a good season too.”
With 20 goals and 19 assists in the last two seasons with Walsall, Hutchinson’s ability going forward is plain to see.
The midfielder is hopeful of bringing even more to the Memorial Stadium; levels that will get the home supporters on their feet and brimming with excitement.
Not that Hutchinson is done developing. Far from it. At 24-years-old, the newest Rovers acquisition is aware he has even more to learn to become the very best he can be.
“I’m hoping I bring goals and assists,” he continued. “I think that’s one of the most important things for a player in my position to do. I just want to try and get the Bristol Rovers fans off of their seats, and be a creative influence on this team.
“I like to work hard too and I will start pressing to win the ball back. I try to do a bit of everything but the big thing for me is exciting the supporters.
“I put my form in recent years down to the fact that both managers I had at Walsall put a lot of trust in me, and gave me the platform to show what I can do. I think that really helped me. Having spoken to the gaffer here, I feel like I’m going to continue to get that opportunity here.
“I’m moving into League One too, which is a step-up. I have a bit of experience in this league from my time at Southend but I know it’s going to be tougher. I also think it will help me develop even more too. You learn a lot in a short space of time in football. You learn different things from different people and I’m excited for the experience of playing here and learning from the players and coaching staff here.”
With pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign just a week away, Hutchinson is eager to get himself into The Quarters, get down to work, and show his new manager and teammates what he can do.
“I can’t wait to just get back into the rhythm of things now,” he added. “It will be great to meet all the boys on the first day of pre-season. I don’t know any of the lads here from previous clubs, so it’s a completely new dressing room for me. It’s been a long break and I’m ready to get down to work.
“For me personally, I want to kick on. My last two seasons have been good but I think I can be even better and do even more.”
