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Gasheads leak more goals
For the second time in three days I decided to tick off another Football League ground from my list. My journey to the West Country was made in beautiful sunshine and I arrived with plenty of time to spare before the 7.45pm kick-off between Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers.
Rovers had a bit of a point to prove having been hammered by Peterborough United on the previous Saturday. The 4-1 scoreline at London Road was the worst defeat the club had ever made on the opening day of any season. The effects of this poor start were in evidence when Wycombe took a second half lead through Betsy. Fate struck once more nine minutes later when Tommy Mooney's delightful lob sent the ball over the keeper into an empty net. Home fans standing on the terraces at the Bass End were not happy. They turned immediately en masse towards the Directors Box in the DAS Stand and a loud chorus of 'Sack the Board' echoed around the Memorial Ground. The season was barely two hours old and feeling was running high. I was absolutely amazed by the fans' reaction. Rovers did pull one back towards the end from the penalty spot but it was not enough. As the rest of the results filtered through from around the country, the Radio Five Live sports presenter announced that the Pirates were sitting at the bottom of the Football League!
The Memorial Stadium is a large venue situated on the western fringes of the city. It is only a couple of miles from their former home at Eastville (a ground which I unfortuntely missed out on when the club relocated to Twerton Park in Bath in the late 1980's). The club moved to this ground in 1996 and two years later bought the ground from the then owners Bristol Rugby Club. Although the Memorial Ground has seen some changes since the Football Club took up residence, it still has the feel of a rugby ground about it. On one side is the DAS Stand, which with its pavilion looks more like a cricket stand. It has a row of hospitality boxes across the top, with a few rows of seats in front. Below is an area of terrace. Just under this stand's roof is a television gantry and a small electric scoreboard. The stand runs for about half the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. On one side of it, towards the Bass End is a small covered terrace, used as a family area, whilst the other side is unused. Opposite is the Mead Civil Engineering (MCE) Stand, taller than the DAS Stand, but similar in length. This stand has covered seating to its rear and terracing at the front. It has open terracing to either side, one of which is given to away supporters. The team dug outs are located in front of this stand, although the dressing rooms are located behind the DAS Stand. This leads to quite a procession of players and officials at half time and full time. At one end is the Bass End, which is a covered terrace. Opposite is the unusual looking XXXX (South) Stand. This was originally erected as a temporary stand, to fill the previously empty end. The stand only runs for just over half the width of the pitch, has several supporting pillars running across the front and has been nicknamed 'the tent' by Rovers fans.
I paid £14.50 for admission. An excellent glossy 72-page programme sold for £2.50 and is neatly presented with masses of reading material inside. In fact I am still pouring over it now. Snacks were available from the many kiosks inside the ground and Cornish Pasties proved very popular amongst most home supporters.
To reach the club I came off the the M4 and joined the M32, travelling towards the city. By leaving this at junction 2, follow signs for Filton and Horfield. The Memorial Stadium is clearly marked on all approach roads and there is plenty of local parking close to the ground along the Gloucester Road.
Incidentally, the nickname the 'Gasheads' comes from the club's old playing days at the Eastville Stadium in Bristol. The ground was apparently sited next to a (sometimes smelly) gas works. In fact it was rumoured that if Rovers were losing at half time, the gas would be turned up, to put off the opposition!
FGIF Rating: 3* | 