In Part Two we catch up with three more cap presentations made during the season just ended.
First up is Andy Rammell, a player who needs no introduction to Rovers fans of a certain vintage even though he left BS7 some 21 years ago!
Rammell, a player who was elevated to legendary status after scoring the goals that preserved our league status at the end of the 2002/03 season, was signed by manager Ray Graydon from Wycombe Wanderers in March 2003.
He had started out with Atherstone Town before completing a dream move to Manchester United in September 1989 and from Old Trafford he arrived at Rovers via Barnsley, Southend United, Walsall and, as already mentioned, Wycombe Wanderers.
His Rovers debut came in 2-1 defeat against Lincoln City, at Sincil Bank, on 29th March 2003, but he went on to score six goals in his 12 league appearances for Rovers and was an instant hit with supporters.
Injury eventually forced his retirement the following season, after he had agreed to join Forest Green Rovers. He now lives in the Bournemouth area and is a keen golfer, who has travelled up for the Former Players Golf Day on a couple of occasions.
It was great to see him, and his wife, back at The Mem last season and to present him with his cap which shows that he was the 708th player to appear for Rovers in league football.
Robert ‘Wally’ Watkins moved across Bristol in July 1965 after being released by Bristol City. He had been on their books as an amateur and failed to make a first team appearance whilst at Ashton Gate.
He made his league debut for Rovers after turning down moves to Weston super Mare and Trowbridge Town and made his league debut in a 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Dean Court, on 28th December 1965, becoming the 385th player to represent the club in league football.
It turned out to be the only appearance of his Rovers career and after leaving Eastville he played for Glastonbury, Dartford, Minehead and Crawley Town.
His cap was kindly sponsored by one of our committee members, Martin Hudd, a distant relative, and passed on to his family.
Another player who made just one appearance for Rovers is David Smith who signed professional forms with the club in July 1981.
His only first team league game was against Walsall on 24th April 1982. The match, at Eastville, ended in a 2-1 win for Rovers and his ten minute substitute appearance made him the 485th player to represent the club in league football.
David later played for Yeovil Town and for Forest Green Rovers, though broke a leg in only his second appearance for them.
David’s cap was presented to him by a family member
We hope that Andy and David, along Robert’s family, will treasure their caps and that they will bring back happy memories of the time spent with Bristol Rovers.