Welcome to the latest instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
For this instalment, myself, AFC Finners, Gloucester Groundhopper sr, and the Winchcombe Groundhopper travelled to Bristol to experience League One action. Bristol Rovers faced Cheltenham Town in their first game of 2023 at the Memorial Ground, with both teams hoping to get off to a good start.
It's All In The Name
Bristol Rovers are known as the Pirates and The Gas. Bristol City supporters coined the term "The Gas" as a derogatory term in reference to the large gas works adjacent to the old Bristol Rovers stadium in Eastville, Bristol, which wafted the sometimes-overpowering odour of town gas across the crowd.
'The Pirates' delves into the interesting side of Bristol's rich maritime history. This history includes the arrival of cargo from all over the world, such as sugar and cocoa beans for the production of chocolate and sweets in the region; less sweet was the cargo of slaves. Bristol was one of the centres of the English slave trade, and the city shipped slaves wherever they could sell them. Bristol ships alone transported 8,000 of the 20,000 enslaved Africans sent to the British Caribbean and North America that year. Bristol was the busiest port in the country in the 18th century, and with it came the high seas version of the highwayman: the pirate.
An Interview With Bristol Rovers supporter, Mike Dunford:
GG: Could you tell us how long you've been a Bristol Rovers fan and how your experience with the club has been?
MD: When I was 12, my mother and father took me to my first Rovers game at Eastville. During this time, I witnessed Bristol Rovers' successes and failures, but I believe it was mostly good times.
GG: How has Joey Barton made an impression on the club?
MD: Well, he has certainly surprised me, initially with his managerial record and civil record, most fans expected him to leave after a short time, similar to two previous managers. However, in the last year, not only have his problems outside of football been resolved and he has gained more insight into player recruitment, but I believe the fans have gained more faith in what he is attempting to do.
GG: Who is Bristol Rovers' standout performer this season?
MD: The season is still young, but I believe most fans would support goalkeeper James Belshaw, who has saved the team on numerous occasions.
GG: Do you know anything about Cheltenham Town?
MD: Not much, aside from them signing a player who Bristol Rovers should not have released in 2020 (Liam Sercombe).
GG: Who is your all-time favourite player?
MD: It has to be Geoff Bradford, a player who had everything considering the heavy grounds, not the billiard table tops, leather footballs, and non-flexible boots we have today.
GG: What has been your favourite football match as a Bristol Rovers fan?
MD: I regret missing out on beating Manchester United in the cup in 1956 because I was on National Service abroad at the time. The most exciting game in the 1960s was at home against Leeds United, where we trailed 0-4 at halftime but scored four goals in the second half to earn a draw.
GG: Which managers have left the most impressions on Bristol Rovers supporters?
MD: Bert Tann in the fifties, no buy no sell, allowed him to keep a team of good local players for multiple seasons. Recently, Darrell Clarke gave us a fantastic day at Wembley and most fans were sad to see him go.
GG: Who, in your opinion, was the largest team to play at Bristol Rovers' stadium, and why?
MD: If you include Eastville, it has to be Manchester United in the 1950s. They were the Busby Babes, many of whom were internationals.
GG: Can you tell us about Bristol Rovers' playing style in general?
MD: It seems to change depending on the opponent. It used to be 5 3 2 but nowadays it can be 3 5 2 or 4 4 2. I prefer 4 4 2.
GG: Finally, can you tell us a funny Bristol Rovers story?
Bristol Rovers defeated Brighton 8-2 in 1974. Brighton manager Brian Clough went to the Rovers dressing room after the game to see number 9 Alan Warboys being treated for a cut on his forehead. Clough told Warboys that he believed the injury was self-inflicted because his centre half had been nowhere near him all afternoon.
Some Notable Former Players
Nathan Ellington
Rickie Lambert
Tony Pulis
Ian Holloway
Jason Roberts
Fraser Forster
Liam Lawrence
Some Notable People From Bristol:
Stephen Merchant- Comedian
Maisie Williams-Actress
David Prowse- Darth Vader Actor
Cary Grant-Actor
John Challis- Only Fools & Horses Actor
A History Lesson From AFC Finners
Bristol Rovers was founded in 1883 and was originally known as the Black Arabs, after the local rugby team. The following year, they changed their name to Eastville Rovers, after the restaurant where they were founded.
In 1892, they became a founding member of the Bristol & District League, and in 1897, they turned professional, changing their name to Bristol Eastville Rovers, and they soon dropped the "Eastville" from their name to become Bristol Rovers FC.
They joined the Southern League in 1899 and stayed until 1920, winning the league in 1905. They were promoted to the Third Division of the Football League in 1920 and remained there for 30 years, winning the league in 1953.
The 1950s saw them reach their highest ever position of sixth in the second tier twice and reach the FA Cup quarter finals for the first time. Argyle fans sang "Goodnight Irene" at Bristol Rovers when the Devonian side went ahead during a game against Plymouth, as it was in the charts at the time. Bristol Rovers would win 3-1, and the Bristolians chanted "Goodnight Argyle" in return. Since then, the song has become a club anthem.
In 1956, they also upset Manchester United's Busby Babes 4-0 in the FA Cup. They were relegated to the third tier in 1962 and remained there until 1974, when they won promotion after finishing second. This season began with an 8-2 victory over Brian Clough's Brighton & Hove Albion. They also won the short-lived Watney Cup in 1972, a competition for the top scorers in each division of the Football League, defeating Sheffield United 7-6 on penalties in the final.
Throughout the 1970s, they remained in the second tier, but 1981 was a disaster, as they finished last and were forced to reduce the capacity of their stadium. A fire also broke out at their home that year, forcing them to play at Ashton Gate, the home of their rivals Bristol City. They were able to secure a new deal at their Eastville stadium after nearly purchasing Ashton Gate from the bankrupt Bristol City.
Throughout the 1980s, they remained in the Third Division, and World Cup winner Alan Ball finished his career there. They moved from Eastville to Bath City in 1986 and had a successful start to the 1990s, winning the Third Division in 1990. They also made their first appearance at Wembley, but were defeated in the Football League Trophy Final.
They were relegated from the second tier in 1993, and while they would remain in the third tier for the rest of the decade, they found a new home when the struggling Bristol Rugby club agreed to sell half of their memorial ground to Bristol Rovers. As a result, Bristol Rovers would soon return to their home city.
They were relegated to the Fourth Division in 2001, but they were promoted in 2004. They lost the Football League Trophy final in 2007, but won promotion the following year at the new Wembley Stadium, defeating Shrewsbury 3-1.
They spent several seasons in League One, but were relegated in 2011, and in 2015, the blue half of Bristol was in mourning as Bristol Rovers were relegated, ending 94 years in the Football League. The following season began poorly, but they quickly improved and secured an immediate return to the Football League by defeating Grimsby Town in the Playoff Final on penalties.
The following season, Lee Brown's injury-time winner on the final day catapulted the team from the playoff spots to automatic promotion. They flirted with the playoffs before finishing 10th, but it was still a remarkable rise so soon after leaving the Football League.
They remained in League One for several years, but relegation reared its ugly head in 2021, when they were relegated to League Two. However, they finished third under Joey Barton's management, winning 7-0 against Scunthorpe United on the final day, having needed to score 7 to leapfrog Northampton into the automatic spots. The gas are currently in mid-table in League One, and they hope to return to the second tier for the first time since 1993.
Honours
🏆 Football League One (Champions: 1989–90) (Runners-up: 1973–74) (Promotion: 1969–70)
🏆 Football League Two (Promotion: 2015–16, 2021–22) (Play-off Winners: 2006–07)
🏆 National League (Play-off Winners: 2014–15)
🏆 Football League Third Division South (Champions: 1952–53)
🏆 Southern League Division One (Champions: 1904–05)
🏆 Football League Third Division South Cup (Winners: 1934–35)
🏆 Football League Trophy (Runners-up: 1989–90, 2006–07)
🏆 Watney Cup (Winners: 1972)
🏆 Gloucestershire Cup (Winners: 1888–89, 1902–03, 1904–05, 1913–14, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95)
An Interview With Bristol Rovers Supporter, Paul Davis:
GG: Could you tell us a bit about Bristol Rovers?
PD: Bristol Rovers are a football club formed in 1883 out of a rugby club called The Black Arabs who played at Purdown near Eastville in the East side of the city of Bristol. They entered the football league or EFL in 1920 after winning the Southern league and have spent the majority of their time in the middle divisions but had some spells in The (Championship). They hold the distinction of having never played at the highest level of the game (First Division or Premier League).
GG: How long have you supported Bristol Rovers and can you remember your first game?
PD: I've been a Bristol Rovers fan since 1978, and my first game was as an eight-year-old at Eastville Stadium. In League 2, Rovers defeated Sheffield United by a score of two to one.
GG: Can you tell us a fun fact about Bristol Rovers?
PD: They were the first club in history to host a Football League Cup match. It was a match between Rovers and Fulham at Eastville Stadium, and it was the first fixture because it started early at 7 p.m., ahead of other games that evening.
GG: What are your opinions on supporting Bristol Rovers in League One, and how does it differ to the League Two and The National League?
PD: I am pleased that they are currently in Division One, but I believe it is a difficult division to stay in due to the four relegation places in comparison to other leagues. The standard of football is comparable to that of League Two and the National League, which means that any National League team can be promoted to League One in a short period of time. This season, I believe we will finish in the middle to lower middle of League One.
GG: What does the club mean to the community?
PD: The club is important to the local communities, particularly in the city's north and west, and the River Avon separates both Bristol clubs, as Bristol City is located in the south. Rovers fans are extremely loyal and can bring thousands of fans to away games, depending on the distance travelled. They even have an award-winning community trust that is separate from the football club and raises funds to help disadvantaged groups in the city through football activities.
GG: What are the clubs’ aims in the near future?
PD: According to reports, the club's top priority in the future is to either upgrade the facilities at the Memorial Stadium or build a brand new one in the St Phillips area of the city, close to Bristol Temple Meads train station.
GG: What do you think is the most famous moment to happen at the ground?
PD: The most famous moment at the Memorial Ground was last season's final day promotion, when Rovers needed to score 7 unopposed goals to secure promotion to League One, and they did!
GG: If you could sign one player to come and play for Bristol Rovers for a single game, who would it be?
PD: Lionel Messi but I think we couldn’t afford his wages…
GG: What’s your favourite part of being a football supporter?
PD: I enjoy the buildup to a Saturday game. Before the game, I had a pint in the pub, a Cornish Pasty and a Bovril drink at the stadium, and then went onto the terrace to read the club programme.
GG: Who is the best footballer you’ve seen play at Bristol Rovers ground and why?
PD: My favourite Blue and White Quarters player was Micky Barrett, a talented winger who tragically died at the age of 24 while still playing for the club. He was a fantastic ball player who would have made it as a pro in the Premier League if he had lived. So far, the best player I've seen in an opposing team at the Memorial Stadium has been striker Kevin Phillips, who was playing for WBA in an FA Cup quarter final and scored two second-half goals despite being a sub on the day.
GG: Finally, Can you tell us why people should come and visit Bristol Rovers?
PD: That's a difficult question to answer, but I'd say that while we don't have the best stadium in the Football League, our fans are warm, friendly (most of them), and sing the best songs, such as our club anthem, 'Goodnight Irene,' and the Cornish pasties are to die for!
Matchday: Bristol Rovers 2-1 Cheltenham Town
We drove to Bristol on a cold, wet, and windy Sunday afternoon to see Bristol Rovers for the umpteenth time. We've had a history of parking issues at Bristol Rovers, with one incident leaving us ten minutes late for the game. We found parking ten minutes from the ground for £6 and took advantage of the opportunity. We arrived at the ground after a ten-minute walk.
When we arrived at the ground, we were desperate for a toilet and struggled to find any. To be honest, there was only one toilet at the far end of the stadium, which isn't ideal for a crowd of 500 people. We then approached a few stewards and inquired as to how much time we would be allowed on the ground. The majority of the stewards were pleasant, but one (bald and dressed in blue) was unnecessarily rude and power hungry, clinging to his walkie talkie as if it gave him authority. The local fans were friendly and eager to help us find our way, however.
Bristol Rovers' ticketing system was straightforward. Their tickets went on sale early, and as a student, I was able to get in for £18. That is a reasonable price for League One football. I thought it was odd that they had a device on the turnstile where you could scan your tickets, but the operator was adamant that we not use it.
When we got to the ground, we ate some food. There is a promotion where you can get a pastie, a drink, and a chocolate bar for £7. The Cornish pasty was fantastic. It was of excellent quality and excellent value for money. The coke tasted exactly like you'd expect from a drink made with syrup and soda water.
I'm afraid the atmosphere was a little flat. A tannoy that drowned out the fans, making it impossible to hear them sing. We could hear Goodnight Irene at times, but for the most part, both teams' fans were relatively quiet. However, I believe the weather and New Year's Day hangovers played a role in this.
Overall, we enjoy our visits to Bristol Rovers. As previously stated, it was the first stadium I visited as a football fan. I frequently interact with Bristol Rovers fans, who are extremely friendly. Their steward let them down slightly, but it's a location we'll definitely visit again.
Teamsheet
Bristol Rovers
Manager: Joey Barton
James Belshaw
James Connolly
Sam Finley
Scott Sinclair
Aaron Collins ⚽️
Paul Coutts (c)
Lewis Gibson
Harry Anderson
Antony Evans
Bobby Thomas
Josh Coburn ⚽️
Substitutes
Anssi Jaakkola
John Marquis
Ryan Loft
James Gibbons
Glenn Whelan
Luke McCormick
Luca Hoole
Cheltenham Town
Manager: Wade Elliott
Luke Southwood
Sean Long (c)
Caleb Taylor
Lewis Freestone
Ryan Broom
Taylor Perry
Liam Sercombe
Ben Williams
Dan NLundulu
Alfie May ⚽️
Substitutes
Shaun MacDonald
Tom Bradbury
Will Ferry
Charlie Brown
Christian Norton
Elliot Bonds
Ryan Jackson
The game began largely in favour of Bristol Rovers, who confidently passed the ball around, with Cheltenham chasing shadows at times. A crisp through ball found Aaron Collins, who finished confidently past the oncoming Luke Southwood in the 25th minute. Bristol Rovers' lead was doubled thanks to a questionable refereeing decision. A through ball found Josh Coburn, who was clearly offside, but the goal was not awarded. He then finished confidently past Luke Southwood to make it 2-0. Cheltenham nearly equalised just before halftime when Liam Sercombe fired a long-range shot against the post, but Bristol Rovers led 2-0 at the break.
The second half was more even, with Cheltenham looking to reclaim the lead. Alfie May put them ahead early on, firing past James Belshaw to make it 2-1. Soon after bursting through on goal, he chipped the goalkeeper, but the ball sailed wide. When Alfie May's shot was parried by the Bristol Rovers goalkeeper, it fell to Ryan Broom, who dinked it over the keeper and over the goal. Bristol Rovers managed the game professionally after that, and it ended 2-1.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 4/10
Food and Drink: 7/10
Stadium: 6/10
Welcome: 5/10
Overall Experience: 6.5/10
GG