Kyler Burns Set To Join Rovers – A New Face to Back Clarke’s Revolution

It’s not just on the pitch where Darrell Clarke is reshaping Bristol Rovers. Behind the scenes, changes are quietly being made – and the arrival of Kyler Burns as Head of Sports Science could be one of the most important.

Burns joins from Cheltenham Town with a growing reputation as one of the most progressive young sports scientists in the EFL. And while this is his first time working under Clarke, the timing of his appointment suggests one thing: he’s part of the manager’s plan to raise standards across the board.

🧠 The Modern Edge Clarke Needs

Clarke has always been known for building strong team spirit and getting the best out of his players, but to do that across a relentless League Two campaign, you need a squad that’s fit, resilient, and ready to go again every Saturday-Tuesday.

That’s where Kyler Burns comes in.

Still only 29, Burns has packed in an impressive CV already – with stints at Dundee United, Swindon Town, Newport County, and most recently Cheltenham. He’s known for combining old-school values (hard work, discipline, accountability) with cutting-edge methods – from GPS data to recovery strategies.

Exactly the blend Clarke will want at Rovers.

🔋 Fit to Fight

Let’s be honest – over the past few seasons, we’ve seen too many injury issues derail promising runs. Soft tissue injuries, muscle strains, fatigue creeping in at the wrong time.

Burns’ job is to stop that happening. He’ll be responsible for monitoring workloads, improving conditioning, and keeping the squad as close to 100% as possible. It’s a massive job – but one that could quietly be the difference between a mid-table finish and a genuine promotion push.

⚙️ Clarke’s Rebuild is More Than Just Signings

We all want to see new players through the door – and no doubt Clarke will be looking to add real quality. But the addition of someone like Burns shows that this rebuild is being done properly, not just on the surface.

The message is clear: we’re not just adding players, we’re upgrading the entire operation.

👏 Welcome to the Mem, Kyler

This might be Burns’ first taste of life under Darrell Clarke – but with both men known for their drive, professionalism, and standards, you can bet it won’t take long for them to click.

Welcome to Rovers, Kyler. The hard work starts now.