Fan-Tastic-4
By Darren Stobbs
Name: Paul Thomas
Area: Frampton Cotterell
When did you start watching Rovers?
My Dad took me to my first game watching the Rovers which was on Saturday 18th September 1965.
Rovers won 3-1, Bobby Jones scoring a hat trick and I was hooked, a great start to 60 years so far supporting the gas.
Favourite player(s) since watching Rovers?
David Williams a class midfielder, Stuart Taylor,
Bruce Bannister/Alan Warboys
Rickie Lambert/Richard Walker
Possibly the best striker partnerships the Rovers have had.
Paul also mentions his best managers at Rovers:
Darrell Clarke of course,
Bobby Gould and
Gerry Francis
Most memorable game(s) watching Rovers?
Blackpool Away, 5th May 1990 winning the third division title, after beating the City 3-0 on 2nd May what a fantastic week.
Most memorable goal(s)?
Sammy Igoe the Wembley Goal in 2007.
Rickie Lambert v City in the cup match at The Mem in the same year.
Favourite away ground
St James Park, Newcastle.
Watched Rovers there in April 1991.
Ossie Ardiles 1st game as manager for Newcastle.
Rovers won 2 0. Tony Sealy and Devon White scoring.
How do you see the season planning out/How do you rate the season so far?
I expect Rovers to finish in the top ten, Darrell has put pride and passion back into the team and with Alfie Kilgour as captain is a good appointment.
The squad seems to be bonding well as shown by the Salford result and the reaction to the Luke Southwood penalty save.
Any funny/unusual stories at Rovers?
I went to Twerton Park in the close season, when it was confirmed we would be leaving Eastville. I met Bobby Gould and the directors, walking around the ground.
The positivity that Bobby Gould, Geoff and Denis Dunford displayed that night was fantastic. That season will always be as memorable for me as our promotion seasons since, we played four home games in a week towards the end of the season, won three and stayed up as a result.
