By Tobago Gas
July 13 2002

Robert Quinn has decided to join Bristol Rovers on a free transfer from Oxford United. After a disappointing season at the Kassam Stadium, Quinn was not being offered a new contract and has now signed a two year deal for Rovers. After being invited to train for two weeks with the Bristol Rovers first team by Rovers assistant manager John Still, Quinn has done enough to impress Rovers manager Ray Graydon and has signed a deal that will see him at the club until the summer of 2004. The 25 year old Sidcup born midfielder is renowned for his tough tackling and versatility and will be looking to gain regular first team football at the Memorial Stadium. An experienced player for the tender age of 25, Quinn has five Under 21 caps for the Republic of Ireland and also 1 B cap.

Quinn started his career at Crystal Palace and made his debut in 1995. He then established himself as a regular in the Palace team in the 1996/1997 season with some solid performances before losing his place and appearing only once the following season.

Quinn's lack of first team appearances resulted in him being sold to Brentford for £40 000. Making over 100 appearances in two and a half seasons for The Bees, Quinn was enjoying a spell of good form.

Midway through the 2000-2001 season, Quinn found himself being sold again, this time to Oxford for £75 000. Quinn started out at the Kassam Stadium as a right back and then found himself playing in the centre of defence and then in defensive midfield where he has been used ever since. A drop in form resulted in Quinn making only eleven starts this season and an agreement for Quinn to leave Oxford on a free transfer was made.

Signing now for Bristol Rovers means that he is their eight signing of the new season and only the second midfielder. Barring any further central midfield signings, Quinn will be fighting for his first team place with Lewis Hogg, Simon Bryant, Dwayne Plummer and Drew Shore and he shouldnt have any problems settling into the club as two of his former team mates in Danny Boxall and Wayne Carlisle are of course already in the Bristol Rovers squad.