Fan-Tastic – 3
By Darren Stobbs
Name: Eric Pegram, 6/12/49.
Area: Clevedon, Somerset.
When did you start watching Rovers?
On Saturday 15th February 1958, as an eight year old, my Father’s workmates took me to watch the Fifth Round of the FA Cup v Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
I didn’t know if it was to cheer for both teams, but a guy behind me didn’t like it and started hitting me! The game was getting more exciting, with it being end-to-end. Having not having any affection to either club, Geoff Bradford scored the winning goal and make it 4-3. I then become a lifelong Bristol Rovers supporter.
That was a close one Eric, just think if we didn’t win that day, actually it’s not worth thinking about!
Favourite player(s) since watching Rovers?
Geoff Bradford, Harold Jarman, Alfie Biggs, Brian Godfrey, Alan Warboys, Bruce Bannister, Paul Randall and Wayne Jones from the early days. Not to forget when Alan Ball played for us, as an England hero of the 1966 World Cup success.
More recently, Rickie Lambert.
Most memorable game(s) watching Rovers?
- 15th February 1958 – Fifth round of the FA Cup, Bristol City away winning 4-3.
- 5th August 1972 – Watney Cup at Eastville v Sheffield United, winning 7-6 on penalties.
- 11th October 1972 – Third Round replay at Manchester United, Old Trafford. Winning 2-1 with headed goals by John Rudge and Bruce Bannister.
- 1974 winning promotion, finishing second behind Oldham.
- 1989/90 – Beating Bristol City 3-0 at Twerton Park and following up winning 3-1 at Blackpool to take the Third Division title as Champion’s, which I still think ought to celebrated by adding a star to our club badge.
- 2007 Play Off Final 3-1 win v Shrewsbury Town at Wembley, with great goals from Richard Walker and Sammy Igoe. The attendance of 61,589 still not beaten at a League Two Play Off Final, including over 40,000 Gasheads.
- 2015 Play Off Final win v Grimsby Town at Wembley. They scored first but Ellis Harrison equalised. Going to penalties and Lee Mansell scored the decisive spot kick. I sponsored Lee Mansell’s shirt so I have
got that memory for life. A then crowd of 47,209 saw that game and it was only beaten this year when Oldham Athletic were 3-2 winners against Southend United. - Promotion at The Memorial Stadium v Dagenham & Redbridge. They scored first, Billy Bodin got the equaliser, with a brilliant individual goal beating four players to score. Matt Taylor hit the post, but Lee Brown followed up and scored the winner.
- Promotion at The Memorial Stadium v Scunthorpe United. We had to better the Northampton scoreline, which eventually meant needing to win by seven goals with no reply.
Most memorable goal(s)?
Geoff Bradford in 1958.
Richard Walker’s two goals at Wembley. Rickie Lambert’s 40 + yard goal at Luton Town.
Jonson Clarke-Harris powerful strike at Gillingham and the two goals Carl Saunders scored against Liverpool.
Favourite away ground
Anfield, Liverpool.
How do you rate the season so far?
After a slow start, Darrell is putting his energies into stabilising our club on and off the field.
At the time of writing our team have won four games on the trot up to and including the Barrow match. This hasn’t been done for nearly three years; maintaining this form, promotion might come.
How do you see the season planning out?
Well, Darrell has brought in a new back four and two new goalkeepers. He has also brought in past players but also brought in experienced players all over the pitch. The 30 minutes in the second half v Newport we played the ball with pace on the deck with good movement off the ball.
If we can continue with this style of play after earning the right to play first, I expect Darrell to sort out with his players how to see games out. This without going too deep and causing us problems. I totally trust Darrell to get his ideas across, as his influence on the players, club and fans is immense. However, nothing is won or lost this early in the season.
Any funny/unusual stories at Rovers?
My friend, Henry (also known as Harry) Bannerman used to work with the reserves at Eastville, with players like David Williams, Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway.
When David Williams became the Norwich City manager, he made Henry his chief scout for the South West.
I used to drive him to a lot of his locations.
We worked together spotting future players. I had a call out of the blue from Henry. He had been asked by Wayne Jones for information on the opposition; at that time Wayne was a physio at Notts County. I went to Twerton Park to watch Rovers, but also to report on the opposition for Wayne.
I was lucky enough to sit next to the late great Aston Villa centre half, Chris Nichol, who was a great laugh.
Eric would also like to add the greatest saves a Rovers goalie has made:
Jim Eadie’s save against Sunderland; he was on the floor, Pop Robson only had to chip the ball into the net. Jim managed to get up and parry it over the crossbar in the 2-1 win in 1975.
Also, Anssi Jaakkola’s world class save at Plymouth in a cup match at Home Park, how he managed to get the ball past the two Plymouth players was brilliant.
Eric also mentions his best managers at Rovers:
Bill Dodgin, Don Megson, Bobby Gould, Gerry Francis, Paul Trollope, Darrell Clarke and Joey Barton.
