jack newcombe

Yes, you did read that right.

Today, Wael Al Qadi reached an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in the holding company at Bristol Rovers, Dwane Sports, from other members of his family. This provides him with full control of Bristol Rovers.

As if this news weren't enough, Wael has also left the club "substantively debt free" - capitalising over £30m of debt. 

Gasheads, you aren't dreaming. And to prove it, we bring you a special REACTION GasCast that was streamed live on Facebook originally.

Its Duke on Duke! Jack spoke with former Gas striker Nathan "The Duke" Ellington, as they looked back on his career and time at the club.

Coming to Rovers from non-league Nathan made a huge impact at Rovers. Playing alongside Gas greats such as Cureton and Roberts he talks about how much he learned from all the players he played along side. A trait he continued throughout his career as he went up the leagues.

He is most remembered for scoring a hat-trick against Derby in a 3-1 win in 2002. This was the first time a team from the Third Division had beaten a Premier League team in the FA Cup. He was named PFA Division Three team of the year for 2001–02.

He talks about his life after Rovers, moving on to eventually play in the Premier League. He talks about his spells at Wigan and how difficult it can be for a player in contract negotiations.

They also talk about his conversion to Islam in 2005. How team mates treated him differently and requests to shave off his beard.

In 2011, he set up the Association of Muslim Footballers, whose purpose is to provide a network for Muslim players and families, highlighting the positive Muslim role models within the professional game and working to improve relationships between players of other beliefs. 

The unmistakable voice of Nick Day spoke to Gasheads over a period of 25 years and he chatted to Jack about how he first got the gig, the eccentric Keith Valle, what makes a good PA announcer, his memories both on and off the field, life after the role and we even get treated to that famous line of his. 

With the lockdown still firmly in place, the lads took a different approach in this episode by taking part in "The Gurt Big GasCast Quiz", hosted by self-professed quiz-master Ollie Neno.

From former Gas managers and players to the scorers of some of the most memorable Gas goals, this one's sure to make you nostalgic - and of course feel free to play along!

This episode is sponsored by Kahuna Flooring. 

Kahuna Flooring can supply and fit all types of flooring for your home or workplace. They come to you with a sample selection service and offer deals on supplied & fitted carpets, vinyls, LVT (such as Karndean and Amtico), engineered wood and more! 

Get in touch with Steve today on 07917 667 777, and mention GasCast to receive 10% off all orders. 

This week, Jack is joined by Mets and Max to discuss the future of the 2019/20 season, and the financial impact on Rovers.

They cover the latest proposals from the EFL to form a group of representatives from each league, and discuss whether a blanket 20% pay reduction for players is a realistic outcome.

They also talk about the Al-Qadi ownership, and the ongoing dispute with the Supporters Club, who had it's complaint to the EFL swiftly rejected last week.

This episode is sponsored by Kahuna Flooring. 

Kahuna Flooring can supply and fit all types of flooring for your home or workplace. They come to you with a sample selection service and offer deals on supplied & fitted carpets, vinyls, LVT (such as Karndean and Amtico), engineered wood and more! 

Get in touch with Steve today on 07917 667 777, and mention GasCast to receive 10% off all orders. 

Promotion. Finals at both Wembley and the Millenium Stadium, all whilst sporting a cracking tan, this man has done it all in the blue and white quarters. No, not Ryan Green, no, not Sammy Igoe, no, not Chris Carruthers, no, not Sean Rigg, BUT Super Lewis Haldane!

Jack spoke to Lewis about his early breakthrough at The Gas, his struggles with matchday nerves, his debut goal, being frozen out by Ian Atkins and then a cracking couple of seasons under Paul Trolloper - beating City, playing in a JPT final in Cardiff and getting Man of the Match, that end of season form and to top it off, promotion at Wembley. 

We also talk about how the end of his Rovers career left a sour taste, and how two freak injuries at Port Vale ended his career. The first even nearly ended his life after being bitten by an insect and a year later he suffered a double-leg break to end his professional playing career. Lewis also faced your listener questions!

In the words of Brenda, from Bristol, “YER JOKING, ANOTHER ONE?!”.

This time Jack spoke to Trevor ‘Poison’ Challis to discuss the massive highs and massive lows of his five year Rovers career which spanned from 1998 to 2003. 

Trevor played under Ian Holloway, Garry Thompson, Gerry Francis and Ray Graydon. He speaks favourably about the start of his time at The Gas but as the team’s form dipped and the stars of the late 90’s left, things became very different.

We discuss what went wrong in that infamous 99/00 season, how good that squad was, what Holloway was like, the player exodus, 00/01’s relegation and being managed by Gerry Francis and later Ray Graydon, as well temporary spells from Garry Thompson. There’s also special mentions for Derby away in the F.A. Cup and Everton in the League Cup. Challis also faced some listener questions.

Nathan ‘1 nil’ Blissett was our latest interviewee and the cult hero joined Jack to discuss his legendary status, how his move to the Gas came about, what he made of his stickers, promotion to League 2, that shocking offside call in the play-off final, missing out on Magaluf with the squad, his disappointing end to his Rovers career and his goal-scoring return to the Mem.

Bliss shared fascinating insights into the promotion winning dressing room and what it was like to play under Darrell Clarke and he also faced your listener questions. 

This was a real fun one to record and all of us at GasCast would love to see Bliss back at The Mem sometime soon! 

On the 1st of April, Ken Masters resigned as a director of Bristol Rovers. To dissect the fall out to all of this, Jack was joined by Gary Marks, a Gashead since the early 70’s and founder of the Gas Trust which was formed in the early 2000’s to provide a fan's voice and to pursue shares for fans. Gas Trust disbanded in 2006, during which time there was a boardroom split.

We discuss what Masters resignation actually means, the share scheme, Rovers fan activism, the clubs role in all of this and what the hell happens next.

Jack spoke to Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, to discuss their efforts during the Coronavirus crisis, how it’s affected their existing work and we look back at the success of the Memorial Stadium Sleep Out event. 

Jack spoke with Gas Girls Portugese maestro, Rossana Rocha, to discuss the breaking news of the season being cancelled, their 100% winning record, what it means to be a Bristol Rovers player and hoping to inspire the next generation of female footballers.

Jack spoke with Rovers legend/pantomime villain Jamie Cureton for a candid and open conversation about his mammoth career, growing up in Bristol, his spell at The Gas and his thoughts on retiring. 

In this special edition of GasCast we present the panel discussion 'Can Football Tackle Homelessness?' recorded live at the Memorial Stadium Sleep Out event, which raised money for Caring in Bristol.

Jack was joined by panellists Adam Tutton from Bristol Rovers Community Trust and Ben Richardson and Antonia Cross from Caring in Bristol.

You can donate to Jack's fundraising page here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jack-Newcombe1

In this week’s GasCast, Harley, Max & Jack look at whether it’s a crisis or a rebuild at the club, following yet another week of drama on (and off) the pitch. 

With manager Ben Garner being granted extended leave for personal reasons, we look at how this may affect the team in the short term, and whether an interim manager should be considered.

It's been a busy start to the transfer window, and we look at what Tommy Widdrington might have up his sleeve and where we need to strengthen to halt what has been a poor run of late.

This episode is sponsored by Kahuna Flooring. 

Kahuna Flooring can supply and fit all types of flooring for your home or workplace. They come to you with a sample selection service and offer deals on supplied & fitted carpets, vinyls, LVT (such as Karndean & Amtico), engineered wood and more! 

Get in touch with Steve today on 07917 667 777, and mention GasCast to receive 10% off all orders. 

Following a 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth, Max and Harley were joined by Jack Newcombe to look back on where it all went right, and wrong, on Saturday.

From the captaincy change-up that saw the armband move from Clarke to Craig on Saturday, to the return of Liam Sercombe, there was plenty to discuss on this weeks episode.

The spotlight is on Anssi Jaakkola this week, as the lads give the goalkeeper some much needed attention following some fantastic performances.