FAN-TASTIC
BY DARREN STOBBS
Name: Matthew Bailey
Area From: Weston-Super-Mare
When did you start watching Rovers?
Basically the minute I was born!
The day after I was discharged from hospital, after my birth, I watched the 2007 play-off final against Shrewsbury Town on the TV with my Dad. Not a bad way to start life 
Favourite player(s) since watching Rovers?
As someone who’s had the enormous pleasure of meeting and having conversations with the players over the last couple years this is tough. Players like Connor Taylor, Chris Martin and Taylor Moore are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but my favourite players have to be Tom Lockyer, Chris Lines and Jed Ward.
I’ve had multiple long conversations with Jed after games, and he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I really hope he has a future at the Gas next season because of the fact he’s as homegrown as they come. Having come up through our academy and was born and raised in Bristol.
I remember having a chat with Chris Lines after a legends match in 2023 and he is incredibly down to earth considering how much of a club legend he is. What a player as well. Probably the best midfielder for Rovers in the last 15 years.
I am a huge fan of Tom Lockyer for the same reason as Chris Lines. Just how down to earth he is and how willing he is to speak to fans before and after games, considering he’s captained his country and Luton Town in the Premier League. You can definitely tell he loves the club enormously.
Favourite Manager(s)?
Realistically this has to go to Darrell Clarke, yes his second spell at the club didn’t end well but you cannot argue the fact that he’s a club legend. Back to back promotions with The Gas in his first time in charge, a great man to talk to as well, always willing to have a chat with fans. However, if Steve Evans stays a few more years I can definitely see him being a favourite of mine. The turn around recently has been incredible.
Most memorable games watching rovers?
Unfortunately I didn’t watch the 7-0 win against Scunthorpe live, so I don’t think I can put that as my most memorable game that I’ve seen.
Honourable mentions have to be the 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town, away this season. Also the 2-1 win against Crewe Alexandra this season.But my most memorable game must be the 3-2 win at the Mem, under the lights against Bolton last season, absolute scenes in the Thatchers End when Connor Taylor scored the winner. The fact I interviewed a bunch of players afterwards for the documentary series I was making at the time, made that night even better.
Most Memorable goal(s)?
I have seen some absolutely class goals in my life, like Grant Ward’s goal against Weston-Super-Mare in the FA Cup last season. Jevani Brown’s goal against Port Vale at The Mem a few seasons ago, Connor Taylor’s header in that game against Bolton at The Mem. However, my most memorable goal has to be Alfie Kilgour’s Rocket from 30 yards out into the top left hand corner against Blackpool. No keeper in the world saves that.
Favourite away Ground?
The favourite I’ve visited is Portman Road at Ipswich Town, I love an old school stadium. I like Vale Park as well. However my bucket list ground to go to is Hillsborough.
Worst away ground?
Got to be Holker Street at Barrow. While it was a nice throwback to be put in the old tent that we used to have that we gave to Barrow, that’s the only nice thing I can say about that ground.
I’ve played at nicer grounds for my old Sunday league team! It didn’t help that the rain caused the stand we were situated to flood.
How have you rated this season?I’d say a 5/10. Obviously I went into the season hoping for a promotion season looking at the squad we had, and for a few weeks that looked like that was going to happen. But then October and November happened, that was the worst times I’ve ever had as a Rovers fan and I was convinced we’d be lucky if we weren’t relegated. But since Steve Evans has come in I can’t see us losing more than one game between now and the rest of the season. I cannot wait to see what next season brings if we keep him.
How do you see the season planning out in the end?
With us mathematically safe. I think that Steve will start experimenting with players to see if he wants them going into next season. Don’t be surprised to see the likes of Lockyer, Taylor Moore and youth players like Kian Hill get some minutes. I think we’ll finish 14th or 13th depending on how Colchester Utd finish the season.
Any funny/unusual stories at Rovers?
In Riley Harbottle’s first game at Rovers, I remember him asking where to get into the stadium car park, we had to escort him down Filton Avenue to the car park entrance!
I also remember meeting and having a chat with Alfie Kilgour and Macauley Southam-Hales in Reading services after Colchester Utd away this season.
