Graydon new Rovers boss

Graydon won the division two play-of final with Walsall

Ray Graydon has been unveiled as the new manager of Bristol Rovers, ending weeks of speculation.

The former Walsall boss watched Rovers' last three games of the season, and will succeed Gary Thompson, who was sacked earlier this month.

If you have a sick patient then surgery is required

Ray Graydon

Graydon warned that he will be making changes to the club's personnel.

"The club has struggled for a little while now and obviously it's not going to be an easy task and things won't just fall into place," he told the club's website.

"There will be some staff changes among both coaching and playing staff and a number of players will be disappointed to learn that they are to be released."

"If you have a sick patient then surgery is required and, in this instance, I have to administer that surgery.

"I haven't arranged for people to come here yet, but you can rest assured that anyone I do bring in will be people of quality and people I believe have the same desire that I have to bring this club forward."

Tillson approval

Graydon played 131 times for Rovers in the 60s and 70s before moving into coaching.

He steered Walsall to promotion twice from division two before losing his job in January.

Former Bristol Rovers captain Andy Tillson has backed Graydon to be a success.

Tillson won promotion to the first division under Graydon's management at Walsall.

"He's probably one of the old school, everything has to be done spot on, and he's hot on the discipline side of things," Tillson told BBC Radio Bristol.

"Ray's a good coach and that will bring the best out of players. He's the type on man they need at the moment."