Playoff's are the Pirates treasure

Final position: 6^th (Won promotion via the Playoffs)

Top goalscorer: Richard Walker (23)

Player of the season: It is hard to argue against Walkers cause, hitting

Walker (left) with Sammy Igoe after Playoff win

that amount of goals - most of them crucial as he bagged four in their three playoff games, aswell as the goal that got them there in the first place in the final league game of the season.

The former Aston Villa man was the final piece in the jigsaw as he added the fire to the grit and talent behind him in the side.

Other candidates included goalkeeper Steve Phillips, defender Steve Elliot and winger Lewis Haldane - all were superb.

Against Notts: Six points for the Pirates as they dominated two games against the Magpies.

Haldane... bagged versus Notts and looks a top talent

In October at Meadow Lane that man Walker headed the visitors in front but a stunning solo effort from then in-favour Notts man Junior Mendes brought things level.

Not to be denied, playoff chasing Rovers took the points just a minute after Mendes' strike with Haldane working his way through the Notts defence and smashing into the roof of the net.

At the Memorial Stadium in March a brace from West Brom loanee Stuart Nicholson eased the hosts past struggling Notts.

Defining moment: The month of November.

Despite pre-season aspirations of a Playoff push Rovers were inconsistent at the start of the campaign and were looking more like a mid-table side.

However, Paul Trollope led his side to five straight wins in this month.

Their credentials were underlined.

Highlight: Although promotion was the main aim beating fierce rivals Bristol City in the LDV Vans area final was their best thrill.

Meetings between the rivals have been few and far between in recent times and Rovers have lived in City's shadows for a long time.

But February 27, 2007 is a day that will live long in the memory for Rovers after a Rickie Lambert strike was the difference in the second leg after a 0-0 draw in the first with both sides at full strength.

Rovers went on to lose to Doncaster Rovers in a final, but not before scaring their League One counterparts taking them into extra-time in a thriller.

Lowlight: Losing that final.

The Mad verdict: Rovers ultimately deserved their triumph for the way they kept going until the end.

Trollope...Got the right balance

I was at the semi-final second leg clash with Lincoln City and they were simply breathtaking.

Trollope and director of football Lennie Lawrence have got the right balance between solid defending - Rovers had the third best defensive record behind only the top two - and effective attacking football.

Despite playing mainly with two bigger players up front in Walker and Lambert, Trollope had his side playing some great football.

In Haldane they have one of the brightest talents at this level and their passionate support deserve a spell in League One after giving great backing to the team in many seasons of underachievement.

What's next? Thankfully Notts won't have to visit the monstrosity that is the Memorial Stadium after their promotion - but neither will any League One sides as Rovers have agreed to ground sharing with Cheltenham's Whaddon Road for the next season.

They have also tabled a reported £150,000 bid for Hereford ace Andy Williams.

They are prepared to spend big to get another promotion.