Fan-tastic – Alan Nichols
By Darren Stobbs
Name: Alan Nicholls, from Kingswood, formerly of Lockleaze
When did you start watching Rovers?
About 5 years old. My grandparents used to take us now and then growing up.
Favourite player(s) since watching Rovers?
Martin Thomas, Ian Holloway, Gary Penrice,
Billy Bodin & Rickie Lambert.
Most memorable game(s) watching Rovers?
JPT semi-final v Bristol City in 2007, Play-off finals at Wembley (2007 & 2015).
Favourite Manager(s) at Rovers?
Gerry Francis & Paul Trollope.
Most memorable goal(s)?
Ricky Lambert v Bristol City, JPT semi-final.
Favourite away ground?
Norwich City
Worst away ground?
Forest Green Rovers (food was awful too!)
How do you see the season planning out?
I think if the club invest in the January transfer window on a striker and a couple of other players, I think we will not get relegated this season but it’s going to be a long season.
How do you rate the season so far?
After a shaky start, September was looking good and I thought we could push for the play-offs but after 10 straight defeats we are right in the mire of things. The defeat against Cheltenham was probably the worst result of them all considering where Cheltenham were at the start of the season.
Any funny/unusual stories at Rovers?
In 1983, a couple of us climbed underneath a fence at Eastville Stadium to watch Rovers play Spurs in the centenary match which Spurs won 3-2. A steward saw us and just laughed, and he let us stand in the Tote End to watch the game. It was after this game that I also started to follow Spurs as well. Another thing of note watching the games at Eastville was to go round to Muller Road after the game and watch the final score of all the games on a T.V in the window of a T.V repair shop. The cheer that used to happen when the City score came through if they lost was great!
…
