Two trips to Harrow and one to Northfleet in the capital await for Rovers during our 2024/25 Vanarama National League campaign.
Here is everything Rovers fans need to know our next three opponents in the South-East in Wealdstone, Barnet and Ebbsfleet United.
WEALDSTONE - ‘THE STONES’
A first meeting between Rovers and the team founded in 1899, Wealdstone, will take place this season as new manager Matthew Taylor takes the helm.
The Stones have been involved in some historic moments none more so the only ever 7-7 draw in English football history (top four divisions and domestic cups) back in 1929 against Dulwich Hamlet.
MANAGER CAROUSEL
Last season saw the Stones finish 16th in the National League just four points above the relegation zone whilst also seeing a roll-over of managers.
Stuart Maynard began the season as manager before being snapped up by Notts County before being replaced by David Noble who lasted 73 days after picking up one point in six games.
Following Noble's exit, former captain Sam Cox lead the team until the end of the season before former Shrewsbury Town and Walsall manager Taylor took the helm ahead of next season.
BIRTH OF A CRAZY GANG
The Stones boast the starting place of a successful, well-known player in Vinnie Jones who started his playing career with the side in 1984.
In his first year at the club, Jones helped the Stones win the National League title and the FA Trophy completing the first ever non-league double.
Jones built his reputation of the most feared player in non-league at the Stones before earning his move to AFC Wimbledon in 1986 becoming part of the FA Cup winning ‘Crazy Gang’.
WEALDSTONE RAIDER
The Stones most recognisable supporter is Gordon Hill or best none to others as the Wealdstone Raider.
Hill went viral on social media in 2013 following a video of him chanting ‘You’ve got no fans’ before an altercation with a Whitehawk fan where he made a name for himself saying "You want some, I will give it ya.”
Since that the Stones attendances have increased as people from all over the UK and the world travel to meet Hill who attends almost every home game.
BARNET - ‘THE BEES’
Just six miles down the road from Wealdstone, Rovers will meet Barnet at The Hive for the first time since 2018 when Barnet ran out 1-0 winners.
The Bees have spent the majority of their history since 1888 in the non-league system on spending 11 seasons in the Football League with their last stint in 2018.
ALMOST BACK UP
The Bees recorded their highest National League finish since 2015 last campaign after coming runners-up to a rampant Chesterfield side.
After finishing the season eight games unbeaten, the Bees hit the play-offs where they faced eventual finalists Solihull Moors who defeated Dean Brennan’s side 4-0.
SAN SIRO TO THE HIVE
The Hive has hosted some remarkable players, but no one expected it to host a former Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan star in Edgar Davids.
Best known for the glasses he use to wear on the pitch, The Dutch international came out of retirement to make a shock move to Barnet in 2012 as a player-manager making 38 appearances scoring once with three assists, too.
FANBASE
Despite finishing second last season the Hive’s average attendance was only ranked 15th in the National League with just under 2,000 per game.
EBBSFLEET UNITED - ‘THE FLEET’
A 298-mile round trip to the Stonebridge Road Stadium awaits Rovers next season when Rovers take on Ebbsfleet United.
Founded in 1946, the club was known as Gravesend & Northfleet until they were renamed in 2007 to Ebbsfleet United and since being renamed have floated between the National League and National League South.
BACK IN THE LEAGUE
Last season saw the Fleet promoted back to the National League after three seasons in the National League South.
It was a struggle back in fifth tier as the Fleet ended the season in 19th just two points above the drop zone.
Danny Searle oversaw the sides survival as interim manager and impressed the board to be awarded the manager’s position ahead of next season.
BEGINNING OF THE BULL
Ebbsfleet have some remarkable players over the years but none more so than ex-Hull City, Fulham and West Ham player, Jimmy Bullard.
Bullard came through the youth system at the club and broke into the first team in 1998, when the club were known as Gravesend & Northfleet before being snapped up by West Ham in 1999.
