Bristol Rovers Women are delighted to announce the signing of experienced Tier Three midfielder Ella Pemberton, who joins from Cheltenham Town.
I felt this was the right environment to not only enjoy my football but to achieve something meaningful alongside a group of players and staff with that same drive.-ELLA PEMBERTON
What were your motivations for joining the club and making the move from Tier 3 to Tier 4?
“It was definitely a big decision to make. Stepping down a tier is never something you take lightly, but for me, the motivation came from believing I could really help and make an impact here. I want to be part of something ambitious — a team that’s pushing for trophies and promotions.
It came down to what felt right for me, and I felt this was the right environment to not only enjoy my football but to achieve something meaningful alongside a group of players and staff with that same drive. I want to win things, and I want to help a club that shares that ambition.”
You’ve got experience with clubs like Liverpool and Stoke, and came through academy football — how have you found your playing career so far, and how are you feeling about it now?
“It’s been a journey! Coming from academy football and going straight into the women’s game at 17, it’s taken time to really feel established. But over the last few years, especially in Tier 3, I’ve matured a lot and gained valuable experience.
Now, I’m at a point where I truly enjoy the game. When I was younger, it was all about getting into the starting XI, but now it’s about appreciating every moment on the pitch and playing with confidence. I just love it.”
How have you found the culture and the staff, including Nathan?
“The culture was actually a massive factor in my decision to come here. I’m really close with Bux [Charlotte Buxton], who I used to play with, and being back with her already shows me what a great environment this is — she’s such a positive influence.
Everyone I’ve met so far, including the staff and Nathan, has been brilliant. From speaking to them and being shown around, it’s clear this is a team that’s close-knit, supportive, and all pushing in the same direction. That’s exactly the kind of culture I want to be a part of.”
What’s your personal goal for the upcoming season?
“I want to be more attack-minded. It’s something I’ve been working on over the last couple of years — building my confidence going forward, contributing more in the final third.
My goal is to get more goal contributions — whether that’s scoring, assisting, or just being more involved in the attacking play. I’ve always had that defensive side, but this season, I really want to enjoy myself and have the confidence to drive forward and make things happen.”
Manager Nathan Hallett-Young on new signing Ella Pemberton, who joins from Cheltenham Town:
“Ella is, first and foremost, a massive signing for us. She brings bags of Tier 3 experience and is a really high-quality player who will help solidify our midfield.
Out of possession, she’s incredibly strong—she regains the ball high up the pitch and has a tireless work rate and effort, which really suits the way we want to play. That intensity is going to be key in supporting our game model.
But it’s not just about what she does off the ball. On the ball, she’s excellent at retaining possession and creating opportunities, which will be a huge asset for us. We’re also hoping she can chip in with a few goals as well.
Creativity has been a major focus for us this season. We’ve worked hard on being more effective in the final third, scoring more goals, and Ella is going to play a big role in helping us achieve that.”
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