A new dawn for Bristol Rovers

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Night settles over the northern suburbs of Bristol, an old harbour town famous for its associations with the slave trade and cider. In a busy district called Horfield up the colourful Gloucester Road, men, women and children with blue-and-white-striped hats and scarves are flocking to the beaming floodlights that hang above Filton Avenue.

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Bristol Rovers are a club beloved by locals. They are happy with life in the higher echelons of League Two, seeking a second successive promotion under the steady stewardship of Darrell Clarke.

They take on AFC Wimbledon on this breezy Tuesday evening, sixth versus seventh, a vital encounter as the League Two chasers hope to haul themselves into contention for a play-off spot.

Rovers attract in excess of 7,000 – even on this chilly March night – and no wonder; they’re in fine form, having toppled Notts County and Hartlepool in their previous two games.

The game begins and a few chants of the club’s signature song ‘Goodnight Irene’ break out. A typical night at the Memorial Ground.

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Yet minutes later, a new chant is heard – one that would have drawn sharply-raised eyebrows a few weeks ago.
“He’s Jordanian! He’s a wealthy Jordanian! He’s Jordanian in Bristol!” sing the Mem faithful. They are, of course, toasting the arrival of the club’s new President, Waed Al-Qadi, who was named as Rovers’ major shareholder after buying a 92 per cent stake in the club on February 19.

What the fans are celebrating is the arrival of hope, the hope they can continue their meteoric rise up the divisions.
What they’re also hoping to celebrate is parity with arch-rivals Bristol City, whose multimillionaire owner Stephen Lansdown resides in a glass tower on the souther side of the city.

City’s newly-refurbished stadium is almost complete and they are likely to retain their status in the Championship, with dreams of flying even higher.

Meanwhile, Rovers required a tense play-off final victory over Grimsby to regain their league status last season, after a woeful 2013/14 season.

The Memorial Stadium, while quaint and atmospheric, is tired and dilapidated. The Rovers team contains lower league journeymen Lee Mansell, Jermaine Easter and Mark McChrystal.

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The fans don’t stop singing. And as the lyrics in ‘Goodnight Irene’ suggest, they dream.

One suspects they see Al-Qadi in their dreams now and the elevated status his money could bring. An attendance of 7,778 is far greater than most teams in League Two and the fanbase is strong enough, you would think, to compete in League One.

The game wears on. The noise is unrelenting and Rovers rush into a 2-0 lead against decent opposition in AFC Wimbledon.

What does Al-Qadi make of it all? The Gas have been in fine form since his high-profile takeover and manager Clarke insists he is not feeling the inevitable scrutiny that comes when new bosses come in. He is content with his squad’s performances.

“We’re pleased but we’re realistic and although the supporters are enjoying the position we’re in, this game can give you a kick in the balls at times, so I won’t be getting the party-poppers out just yet,” Clarke reflects in a typical interview after the game.

He might be right. Wins over Hartlepool, Notts County and now Wimbledon – it ends 3-1 – have propelled Rovers into sixth, nine points off the automatic promotion places.

Rovers are certainly a club without a glass ceiling. Drawing enormous crowds (by non-league standards) of 5,000 last season against paltry opposition including Dartford and Braintree Town, it felt like the club had stalled. They clearly had higher ambitions, which are now matched by the new owner.

While they were embedded in the non-league mire 12 months ago, pursuing a forlorn chase of runaway leaders Barnet – only to sneak into the football league – now they are set free. The rocking Mem crowd embodies a club full of confidence.

For the fans, reaching the Championship is a realistic target. A meeting with City on equal terms would mean so much to the ‘Gasheads’, not to mention to Clarke and Al-Qadi. What price a Premier League Bristol derby in the next decade?

For that to happen, the club need to move forward as one. As it stands, a position in next season’s League One and a few bundles of Al-Qadi’s cash, and the Gas could rise even higher.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Alan Marshall