Pirates dismiss Graydon link

Graydon was dismissed earlier this season by Walsall

Bristol Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford has denied the club have approached former player Ray Graydon about the vacant manager's job, but said he would welcome his application.

On Monday struggling Rovers sacked manager Garry Thompson, who had been in been in charge for little over three months, having succeeded Gerry Francis, who left the club on Christmas Eve 2001.

"We certainly haven't lined-up anyone behind the scenes, and we want people to apply for this position not headhunt them," Dunford told BBC Radio Bristol.

"If Ray applies then we'd certainly be only too pleased to interview him along with other candidates."

"If he is the best person for the job after that then fine, but it's a bit premature really."

Meanwhile Thompson has said he will miss the special relationship he had with the club's supporters.

He told the Pirates' website: "I'm gutted to go - more than anything because my rapport with Rovers' wonderful fans has now ended.

"I haven't had the chance to build the club in the way I wanted. This is a club with huge potential and it hurts me to see it struggling.

"I feel I have left on a sour note and that's not how I wanted it to happen.

"The fans gave me respect and love and I will always be grateful for that. I wanted to be able to thank them with a team they could be proud of. Unfortunately, it was not to be."