Northern Irish defender Mark McChrystal joined Bristol Rovers on a free transfer from Tranmere Rovers in January 2013, signing a short-term contract until the end of the 2012–13 season. He was signed by boss John Ward in an effort to shore up the Pirates' leaky defence, and was immediately given a spot in the starting lineup as part of a back five. He remained an almost ever-present force in the defensive line until the end of the season, when he was rewarded for his efforts with a two-year contract, with an automatic 12-month extension after playing a certain, undisclosed, number of games.