The news that Rovers defender Nick Anderton was suffering from a rare form of bone cancer came as a total shock to the club’s supporters.
It must also have been devastating for Nick and his family and his positive comments in the face of such a terrible diagnosis showed the measure of the man.
Nick scored three goals in 39 appearances in all competitions for the club last season and was an important member of the squad that won promotion on the last day of the season with that emphatic 7-0 win against Scunthorpe United.
He, along with his team mates celebrated long into the night after that game and he and Aaron Collins will forever be remembered for their Gloucester Road traffic light antics!
Having returned, with his team mates, for pre-season training, Nick was again expected to be a key figure in Rovers’ defence when the new season kicked off.
Instead, he finds himself waiting for a crucial operation; he’s not forgotten, though, as fans of his former clubs, as well as Rovers’ supporters and the wider football family have been quick to offer any support they can.
Bristol Rovers Supporters Club wanted to show the support of its members and, indeed, the club’s wider fanbase in a tangible way and to remind Nick that he is never far from our thoughts, especially on matchdays.
We immediately thought of the cap initiative which we are launching this summer whereby caps will, over a period of time, be presented to every player who has appeared in at least one league game for the club.
We normally ask if supporters would like to sponsor the cap of their favourite player but we have decided on an alternative in this case and suggest that any supporter can, if they would like to, donate what they want, or can afford, towards Nick’s cap.
All funds raised will be given over to Nick once the closing date for receipt of monies has passed, namely 30th September 2022.
Money can be paid directly into the Supporters Club Bank Account, the details of which are as follows.
Account Number: 40207551
Sort Code: 20-94-74
Reference: Caps 958
All donations will be acknowledged on the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club website – bristolroverssc.co.uk
Nick, who previously played for Preston North End, Chorley, Gateshead, Barrow, Aldershot Town, Blackpool, Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United, became the 958th player to represent Rovers in league football when he made his debut in the opening game of the 2021/22 season against Mansfield Town.
In closing, we wish Nick all the very best in the coming weeks and months and look forward to seeing him back at the Memorial Stadium very soon.