Bristol Rovers defender Macauley Southam-Hales is hoping to ‘do one over’ former employers Stockport County when the two sides meet in a pre-season friendly tomorrow morning.
The 29-year-old spent five seasons at Edgeley Park, helping the club earn promotion from the National League in 2022 and League Two in 2024. The Hatters were one of the surprise packages of League One last season, securing a third placed finish. However, the fell at the play-off semi-final stage with a penalty shootout defeat against Leyton Orient after the two legs ended level.
Southam-Hales played a role in their success, albeit a reduced one. This was due to a number of injuries, the first of which he sustained in February 2024 when he ruptured his patella tendon. This ruled him out of the beginning of the campaign, where he returned in November.
The versatile right wing-back still made 17 appearances in the third tier, scoring three times. However, he was released at the end of the season.
Southam-Hales Looking Forward To Reunion
The former Fleetwood Town was almost immediately snapped up by Bristol Rovers following his exit from Stockport. The Pirates are set to return to League Two following their relegation in May, with their opening pre-season friendly scheduled for tomorrow.
Ironically for Southam-Hales, he is set to feature against his former club. Speaking to official club media, he was full of praise for his ex-employers, although jokingly admitted he’d love to secure a result:
“I had great times there. I’ll be looking to do one over on them this weekend, but I can’t speak highly enough of them. They’re a great club with great fans, and I’m looking forward to meeting the Gasheads this weekend.
“It was good to see the lads and the staff, but I’m looking forward to coming against them this weekend and hopefully getting one over on them.
“They are obviously a great team. They are well drilled. We’ve got an inside on the camp with me being here, so I know about them and how they play, but hopefully, we come out on top and get the win.”
Writer’s View
Bristol Rovers offers Southam-Hales a fantastic opportunity to rebuild his career and hopefully put the injury woes of the last couple of years behind him. He will be playing for a club that harbour ambitions of bouncing back to League One at the first time of asking and the ex-Stockport man is someone who is well versed when it comes to promotions. If they can keep him fit, he’ll be a real asset.
