Gilbert Ovens was a full back for Rovers during the Southern League era, joining in 1904 when he was aged about 19 and staying with the club for six years. Ovens was born in Bristol in 1884 or 1885 and began his footballing career with his home town club. In his six years with The Gas he made 66 league appearances, mostly at full back, although he also played a small number of games as a centre half and inside left, and his debut was actually as a centre forward. He moved to Football League club Chelsea in 1910, but failed to make a single appearance for them in the league. He later returned to Southern League football, playing with Queens Park Rangers prior to the outbreak of World War I.