It was a pleasure to be able to welcome former Rovers goalkeeper Brian Parkin to the Memorial Stadium for the game against Derby County on 8th March.
Brian joined Rovers, from Crystal Palace, in November 1989 as part of a deal that saw Nigel Martyn travel in the opposite direction.
He became the 553rd player to represent the club in the league when he made his Rovers debut, against Swansea City, on 25th November 1989 and kept a clean sheet as Rovers were 2-0 winners at Twerton Park.
He quickly became an integral member of our Third Division Championship winning side of that season and also played in the club’s first ever Wembley Final, in the Leyland Daf Cup when we were beaten by Tranmere Rovers.
He was at Wembley again in 1995 when Rovers reached the play off final, only to lose 2-1 again, this time against Huddersfield Town.
Brian made a total of 244 league appearances for the club and Supporters Club Director Helen Wigmore presented him with his cap to commemorate his league debut for the club.