Bristol Rovers midfielder Chris Lines has confirmed he is leaving the club this summer.
Lines, 33, came off the bench in the 83rd minute against Barnsley to a rapturous welcome from Gasheads at the Mem who sang 'Chrisy Lines, he is one of our own.'
The game, which finished 2-1 to the Pirates, marked a significant personal milestone for Lines being his 500th senior career appearance, having first turned out for the Gas in 2006 as a 19-year-old.
It had been a long-time coming for the Bristolian who hadn't featured for the first team in a league game since February 9 and had instead been playing for the Development Squad throughout much of manager Graham Coughlan's six-month tenure at the club.
Bristol Live understands there has been tension between the two since a training ground row in December and a wish to send him out on loan in January.
However despite the acrimonious end to his time at Rovers, Lines will be forever remembered for some vintage years at the club as he rejoined the Gas in 2015, signing for manager Darrell Clarke, after the Gas were promoted back into League Two.
He played 36 games for the club that season as Rovers won back-to-back promotions.
Earlier today Lines took to Twitter to write:
"So, after four and a bit seasons back at my boyhood club, back-to-back promotions and a highest point tally in League One, the journey has come to another end...from Halifax away, to Barnsley at home, it has been a truly memorable time. The messages the past few days have been amazing.
"And I wish I could reply to every single one. I never thought I’d be leaving this club again, but once again I look forward to a new challenge and wish the club nothing but success as alway."
As well as Rovers, Lines has played for MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale.
The club are yet to officially confirm his departure.
