Bristol Rovers On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year

Bristol Rovers On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's famously chequered history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Rovers diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation in 1883 as the Black Arabs to the Memorial Stadium era, Gasheads have witnessed promotions and relegations, triumph and exile, hotly contested local derbies and breathtaking Cup runs - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Alfie Biggs, Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister, Stuart Taylor, Ian Holloway and Barry Hayles all loom larger than life. Revisit 2nd January 1897, when eight-man Rovers somehow held on to beat Bedminster in the Western League. 5th August 1972: Watney Cup silverware is hoisted at Eastville as First Division Sheffield United are beaten 7-6 on penalties. Or 31st August 1996: Rovers' first home game in Bristol after a decade away. Read more Continue reading Read less ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephen Byrne is the author of Bristol Rovers Miscellany and Bristol Rovers Football Club: The Definitive History, and for 17 years has penned historical articles for The Pirate matchday programme. After 20 years teaching in Wiltshire and Dorset, he moved to Kenya to teach in 2009. He and his wife Stitch have four children, all Rovers fans. Read more Continue reading Read less