Brown: No regrets leaving Bristol Rovers for Portsmouth

Lee Brown has no regrets over leaving Bristol Rovers for Pompey.
Lee Brown in action against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium earlier this season. Picture: Joe PeplerLee Brown in action against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium earlier this season. Picture: Joe Pepler
Lee Brown in action against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium earlier this season. Picture: Joe Pepler

The left-back faces his former club when they travel to Fratton Park tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Brown moved to the Gas in 2011 after being released by QPR.

There, the Farnborough-born talent had a whirlwind seven-year spell at Rovers. 

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He made more than 300 appearances for the Memorial Stadium outfit, experiencing relegation to the National League, as well as helping them to back-to-back promotions. 

Brown opted to allow his Gas contract to expire at the end of last season, though, and subsequently joined the Blues. 

The charismatic defender admitted the need for a new challenge was why he departed Rovers.

And with Kenny Jackett’s side pushing for promotion from League One this term, he feels a switch to the south coast is paying off. 

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When asked if he had any regrets leaving Rovers, Brown said: ‘No, no. I needed a fresh challenge and that’s what I got here.

‘At the moment it’s paying off.

‘I’m at a fantastic football club, we’re third in League One and have a great opportunity for automatic promotion.

‘At the minute it is going well.

‘I felt ready to leave. There were a number of factors why I left and I think it was time after seven years.

‘We won back-to-back promotions, consolidated in League One, finished in the top half of League One and I was ready to leave.

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‘I left on a high. I never wanted to leave on a negative and that’s the way it could have went. 

‘I’d never want to say Bristol Rovers could never go any higher, that would be disrespectful.

‘But I wanted a knew challenge. There aren’t many people who stay at seven years, especially nowadays and here was the perfect fit.

‘I had a number of offers from other clubs, especially when it was announced.

‘But this is where I came in the end.’

Brown has made 34 appearances for Pompey this campaign.