Tranmere fans had resigned themselves to his departure this summer but today it was like the Clint Hill departure all over again as Rovers second longest serving player joined a fellow League One Club as Doncaster Rovers unveiled him today as their latest signing!

Roberts declared in January of this year his intention to leave the Club this summer but Lorraine Rogers and the Board decided not to cash in on them when they had the chance as they felt Gareth was important to the Club’s bid to stay in League One.

Most Rovers fans expected Roberts was leaving to further his domestic and international career by moving up to the Championship level of English football which is why today’s news that he has signed for one of Rovers League One rivals will come as a shock to many Tranmere fans.

Wrexham born Roberts, a former Liverpool trainee, joined Rovers in 1999 after a three month loan spell from Greek Club Panionios and went on to make 331 appearances for the Club under four different Managers.

Popular with almost every fan of Rovers, Roberts will be missed next season and Total Tranmere would like to wish Gareth all the best for the future and to thank him hugely for his contributuion in the last seven years.  A loyal servant to the Club who always gave 100%, he will be remembered for a while to come.