Bristol Rovers Vs Shrewsbury Town

Matchday 80 saw us on a relatively short journey to visit the second of the two Bristol stadiums and get one step closer to completing all 92. Starting the day by working from home, I aimed to leave promptly at 4:30 pm to avoid any rush hour traffic. Thankfully, this early start paid off, and we had a smooth, two-hour drive to the stadium with minimal disruptions.

Parking was straightforward; I’d researched the area and found there was plenty of residential parking within walking distance. We quickly spotted a great space just seven minutes from the ground, which was especially helpful as I’m still managing some discomfort from my hernia, and it allowed me to avoid unnecessary strain.

Following the flow of fans, we made our way to the stadium, guided by the gleaming floodlights and the hum of music from a small fan zone. After a quick stop at the club shop to pick up a customary matchday scarf, we learned that, unfortunately, they no longer sell matchday programs, which was a bit disappointing.

The South Stand was our destination for the match, positioned directly behind one of the goals. There was a slight moment of confusion regarding our seating section, but the stewards were very friendly and directed us to the right spot. Once inside, we noticed the unique layout of the stadium; each stand was distinct, creating a patchwork appearance with the stands along the sides composed of three smaller sections each.

The atmosphere, while decent, was quieter than many of the grounds we’ve visited, with most of the chants coming from the away fans. The game itself reflected this subdued energy, as it was largely back-and-forth with both teams struggling to find a final touch. However, Bristol Rovers managed to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute and maintained their 1-0 lead, securing three points.

After the match, we experienced no traffic leaving the area and had a smooth journey home, taking just under two hours. In summary, the night didn’t make the list of our most thrilling experiences – a combination of a quiet crowd and a slow-paced game left us feeling like it was one of the less memorable grounds so far.

After a short holiday in Scotland, we’re gearing up for Matchday 81, heading to Loftus Road as QPR faces Sunderland, where we expect a lively atmosphere to reinvigorate our journey!

5 Facts about Bristol Rovers FC:

1. Nicknamed “The Gas”: Bristol Rovers are affectionately known as “The Gas,” referencing a gasworks located near their former Eastville Stadium, which was notorious for the smell during games.
2. Established in 1883: Bristol Rovers have been around for over a century and have a long-standing rivalry with Bristol City, known as the “Bristol Derby.”
3. The Mem: Their home ground, the Memorial Stadium (The Mem), was originally a rugby venue. Rovers moved in 1996 and have shared it with Bristol Rugby Club until 2014.
4. Blue and White Quarters: Rovers are known for their unique blue and white quartered kits, making them one of the few clubs with this striking design in English football.
5. Historic Promotion Record: In 2007, Rovers achieved promotion to League One by winning the League Two play-off final against Shrewsbury Town at Wembley, marking one of the club’s most celebrated achievements in recent history.