Bristol Rovers and Rotherham United meet in league action for the 59th time on Saturday and there are a number of connections between the sides.
Three of Rovers’ current management team, manager Matt Taylor, assistant manager Wayne Carlisle and goalkeeping coach Scott Brown were all Rotherham employees at the start of last season, and three current Rovers players have played for Rotherham in the past, namely Jack Hunt (16 league appearances), Jamie Lindsay (150) and Grant Ward (50).
Rotherham boss Steve Evans has been in charge of a number of clubs who have faced Rovers down the years, starting with Boston United over 20 years ago.
Whilst Evans never played for Rovers, his assistant Paul Raynor did, appearing eight league games when on loan from Nottingham Forest in 1985.
Rotherham striker Jonson Clarke-Harris needs no introduction to Rovers’ supporters of course. He left the Memorial Stadium, for Peterborough United, in August 2020 after scoring 24 goals in 42 league games for Rovers and is now in his second spell with Rotherham having moved from London Road to The New York Stadium in the summer.
Of the 58 league meetings to date, Rovers have won 23, Rotherham 21 with the other 14 games ending all square. Rovers have scored 83 goals, Rotherham 85.
Both sides have played each other at three different home venues; Rotherham have played at Eastville, Twerton Park and The Memorial Stadium, and have entertained Rovers at Millmoor, The Don Valley Stadium and The New York Stadium.
Rovers, of course, won their opening league fixture, against Northampton Town, but were beaten by Cardiff City in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup Tie. Rotherham did it the other way round, losing their opening league game to Exeter City and beating Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.
Here’s hoping for three points on the road this weekend and to all Bristol Rovers supporters making the trip, whether it be with the Supporters Club or independently, please travel safely!
Up the Gas!