Gary Penrice

Gary Penrice

Personal information
Full name	Gary Kenneth Penrice
Date of birth	23 March 1964 (1964-03-23)
Place of birth	Bristol, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position	Striker/Attacking Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1984–1989	Bristol Rovers	188	(54)
1989–1991	Watford	43	(18)
1991	Aston Villa	20	(1)
1991–1995	Queens Park Rangers	63	(20)
1995–1997	Watford	29	(2)
1997–2000	Bristol Rovers	57	(15)
–	Total	400	(110 )
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Gary Kenneth Penrice (born 23 March 1964) is a former professional footballer. He played for Bristol Rovers, Watford, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers as a striker.

Early life

Penrice was born in Bristol and grew up in Mangotsfield where his parents still live today. Penrice was in the same class as Blackpool manager Ian Holloway at school and they still remain close friends today. Penrice's potential footballing ability was evident from a young age and he was signed up as an apprentice by Bristol City. However Bristol City later decided to release Penrice from the club, stating that he was too small to make it as a pro. After being released from his apprenticeship Penrice like his father before him signed for local side Mangotsfield United where he clearly stood out from the rest.

While playing for Mangotsfield, Penrice attended college and became a qualified plumber, planning to build himself a new career after not making the grade at Bristol City. Penrice worked as a plumber for a couple of years before his forgotten dream was to be rekindled. After scouts attended several of Mangotsfields matches, Penrice was offered a trial and signed with the team he and his family supported, Bristol Rovers

Playing career

Bristol Rovers

Prior to signing for Rovers Penrice spent a time in the reserve team making a name for himself as a crafty explosive striker with an exquisite touch and an eye for goal. The reserve match reports regularly made their way into the local papers and soon the Rovers fans began to anticipate Penrice's first team début.

After making his début Penrice went on to become a Rovers fan favourite playing in the same team as ex school mate Ian Holloway, his colourful personality making its mark amongst the Rovers faithful almost as much as his goals. His 20 goals fired Bristol Rovers into the Third Division play-off final in 1989 only to be beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Port Vale.

Watford

Penrice would later miss out on a fairytale Third Division Championship success with Bristol Rovers to sign for Watford F.C. for a club record £500,000 sale late in 1989. Penrice played for Watford for only one season, scoring an impressive 18 goals in 43 appearances including an extraordinary run of eight goals in his first nine games, before catching the eye of First Division side Aston Villa.

Aston Villa

Following his impressive season with Watford Penrice was snapped up by Aston Villa for a cool £1million in 1991. Penrice went on to score only once for the club in 20 games spending much time on the sidelines with a broken leg.

Queens Park Rangers

Just eight months after signing for Villa Penrice was taken to Queens Park Rangers by former Rovers boss Gerry Francis where he joined an ex-Rovers enclave and teamed up again with Holloway. Penrice ironically made his début for QPR in November 1991 against Aston Villa and went on to play 63 league games scoring 20 goals.

Return to Watford

In November 1995 Penrice signed for former club Watford. After scoring over 20 top-flight goals Penrice, now 31, reverted to a deeper creative midfield role. However, this was a role that suited neither Penrice, nor a cash-strapped relegation-bound Watford. Penrice's quick-thinking and subtlety was lost in the Second Division relegation scrap.

Return home to Bristol Rovers

Penrice re-signed for Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in the summer of 1997 to lead them to the Second Division play-offs that year alongside player-boss Holloway in the centre of midfield. After a 16 year career scoring 110 goals in 400 professional appearances Penrice retired from playing and became Holloway's assistant manager at Rovers after Phil Bater moved to take control of the youth team.

Non Playing Career

Since his retirement from playing Penrice has stuck with friend Ian Holloway as his assistant manager at both Rovers and later at Queens Park Rangers. After leaving Rangers, Penrice followed Holloway to Plymouth Argyle as chief scout turning down the offer of assistant manager. Penrice did however become Strikers coach on a one day a week basis after being asked by Holloway to help develop Plymouth's strikers utilizing his attacking knowledge.

Penrice left Plymouth Argyle at the end of November 2007, once again re-joining Ian Holloway this time at Leicester City as head of recruitment. Following Ian Holloway's departure from Leicester, Penrice left Leicester by Mutual consent on July 1, 2008 after Nigel Pearson had taken charge at the club.

In October 2008, Penrice joined Stoke City as a European Scout. Tony Pulis was eager to add Penrice to the Stoke scouting network to utilise his knowledge of the European transfer market.

Personal life

Penrice is married to Louise and has three daughters Amy, Rebecca and Grace. And two grandchildren. Penrice and his family currently live in South Gloucestershire and known by local villagers as being friendly and respected members of the community.