Jim’s Jottings
As I spent a week up in Lancashire in order to take in Rovers’ two away games at Bradford and Rochdale respectively I had to pen these few words beforehand in order to give Ken a chance of getting the Supporters Club column ready for today’s programme.
Our recent playing history at Valley Parade and especially at Spotland made our first home win of the season a fortnight ago especially important and it was even more pleasing that the team played very well after a dodgy start against the Sky Blues from Coventry. Once again on-loan ‘keeper Jack Bonham turned in a star performance with another string of fine saves before Rovers put the knife into the opposition with a trio of good strikes including a debut goal from Gavin Reilly. It would not be Rovers if we had not given a goal away just before the interval but a competent second half display comfortably secured three valuable points in good time before last week’s long trips up the M5 & M6.
Let’s hope both trips brought some rewards as we look forward to a couple of home games against Walsall today and then against West Country neighboures Yeovil on Tuesday. The attendance for the Ckeckatrade Trophy game against West Han United Under 21’s was small but supporters on the night enjoyed good passing football, good pace to the game and a Rovers win. Progress in the competition could result in a big day out at Wembley so please get to the game on Tuesday if you can.
Get behind the team in blue and white today and on Tuesday; come on the Rovers boys!
Proud Sponsors
I mentioned in the last ‘Pirate’ for the visit of Coventry that both the Academy and Development sides had made winning starts to their respective League campaigns, the latter in defence of the Central Reserve League title. The week before last the under-23’s dropped their first points of the new season thanks to a last-gasp equaliser by Luton Town at Lodge Road but at least they retained an unbeaten start in the League before heading into Cup action at Shrewsbury Town’s New Meadow last Wednesday.
One of the ‘mainstays’ in the Development Squad when he is not required for first team duty is young Luke Russe who made such an impressive F.L. debut at Blackpool last season. It was nice to catch him at half-time here against Coventry and get him to do the 50/50 and Helpline draws. Luke has come all the way up through Rovers’ Youth Academy and Development teams and is simply a credit to what the Club is trying to produce here. Luke has won Youth and Young Player awards and he shows himself to be a confident and eager young man. I reckon Luke is first-team captain material along the lines of Tom Lockyer.
Please keep buying the 50/50 tickets and get yourselves out to Yate or Lockleaze when you can and see just how good Rover’s other future players are progressing.
50/50 Draw Results v Coventry City, Saturday 22nd September.
1st Prize £750.00
Winning Ticket 82855
Seller Pete Collins on Filton Avenue.
Winner Sharon Reed from Kingswood.
2nd Prize £100.00
Winning Ticket Number 74454
Seller Mel Dry in hospitality and behind the Clubhouse.
Winner Alan Vickery from Winterbourne.
3rd Prize £50.00
Winning Ticket Number 80220
Seller Spencer Wintle in the Civil Service Club.
Congratulations to the winners, thank you to our sellers and thank you to all for buying tickets and taking part.
Committee Clips
Chief Executive Officer Martyn Starnes mentioned in the Coventry ‘Pirate’ that he had met with us a couple of weeks ago to discuss various issues that the Committee had raised, mainly concerning matchday operations in the Bristol Room. Such things as the taking of memberships and coach bookings and the use of ‘Irene’s Kitchen’ by non-members were discussed and Martyn has promised to come back to us at our next meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, 10th. We will keep members informed on the outcome and other developments through this column and on the Supporters Club’s website.
Quiz Night
The first Supporters Club Quiz Night of the new season was held in the Bristol Room on Thursday, 27th September.
A total of eight teams entered answering questions on Genral Knowledge, Fruity Movies, Darrell Clarke, US States, Pointless Top Answers, Casualty, Muisic and Utter Trivia.
Screen Soccer deservedly came out top on the evening; their 86 points being a full 11 ahead of runners-up The Hunt for Blue October. Ronny’s Alive came third just holding off a challenge from That Ain’t Never Right. The Committee’s very own Leanne Hawkins’s side Baby Shark walked away with the wooden spoon.
The evening was all about raising funds for our Academy. Thanks as always to Phil Draper for the questions and for compering the evening and to Janet Wooster for another spectacular raffle.
A Bid on the Side
Today we are offering a Luke Russ signed shirt.
Since relegation to the Conference, a group of fans in the Supporters Club bar have taken part in a post match 50/50 draw. The money raised has gone to sponsor young professional players and to pay for entertainment in the clubhouse at no cost to the football club. This season we are sponsoring two players, one being Luke Russe. This is his shirt from last season and in pretty much perfect condition; it is size medium. Luke has signed the shirt on the back.
Any money raised from this item will go towards the sponsorship funds in the future.
Anyone is welcome to take part in the post match 50/50, so next time you watch the match highlights in the bar, why not have a go?
This item has been auctioned on Ebay since Thursday the 4th of October and will be available for 10 days. The minimum price is just 99p and the highest bidder wins. A link to these auctions will be found at http://bristolroversmemorabilia.weebly.com/
If any other Rovers fans have any rare or interesting Rovers related items that they would be happy to donate, please pass the item(s) please pop in to the Supporters Club matchday outlet in the car park by the Dribuild Stand.