JAMES Bittner has left his role as Barnsley goalkeeper coach to join Bristol Rovers and has been replaced by Matt Gilks.
Bittner joined the Reds in the summer after working with head coach Darrell Clarke at Cheltenham but has taken an opportunity to move back to where he lives in the south west.
Gilks, who played for Rochdale and Blackpool as well as Scotland, was Bolton’s goalkeeper coach before leaving along with Ian Evatt last month.
He was on the bench on Saturday for the draw with Burton Albion.
Sporting director Mladen Sormaz said: “We are delighted to bring Matt to the club, he has a good pedigree and will no doubt be able to bring the best out of our ‘keepers this season and beyond.
“We would also like to wish James Bittner well as he leaves us to join Bristol Rovers. Ultimately, James’s family is based in the south and we completely understood his desire to take the opportunity, his contribution was excellent during his time at Oakwell and we thank him for that.”
