Bristol Rovers copy Man Utd with half-time kit change as Exeter boss brands it ‘farce’

Bristol Rovers took a leaf out of Man United’s book as they changed their kit at half-time. The Gas trailing 2-0 at the break at the Memorial Stadium, wore their away shirt against Exeter City, but with the home shorts and socks.

Rovers wore their black and teal away shirt, as a way of supporting Shelter’s #NoHomeShirt campaign to tackle homelessness. They were one of 14 EFL clubs to change to an alternative kit to raise awareness.

Trailing to goals from Sam Nombe and Archie Collins however, Rovers ditched the act and reverted to their traditional blue and white quarters.

The issue however is that Exeter also wore their third kit, which is a light blue shirt with navy blue shorts, and teal socks. A change to the home strip for Rovers prompted a comeback, as Aaron Collins and Josh Coburn put them back on level terms, before Scott Sinclair put them in front from the spot.

Sinclair’s penalty was in vain however as Timothee Dieing equalised and then Nombe scored for a second time to win the match and inflict a second straight defeat on Joey Barton’s men.

“It was a bit of a calamity,” Barton admitted about the situation. “It was a show of support for the homeless charity but for some reason Exeter didn’t wear red and white, which is not their fault.

“It seems as though there’s been an administration faux pas. Their kit didn’t look before the game like a clash but once you went out and under the floodlights all of a sudden it was going to be tricky for the players.

“Why I asked them to change shirts? I said lads we’ve been absolutely s**** out there in that kit, so get it off and get the home kit on and lo and behold we’re back in it.

“There was a little bit of superstition but the kit was wet and we had nothing to lose. Hopefully, if we do it again we can make sure the opposition don’t wear the same dark shirts as us.

“I still don’t know why we didn’t wear the green and yellow one but maybe it was still getting washed after the Wycombe game. It was a bit of a farce. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”

Rovers’ change of kit is a throw-back to when the great Sir Alex Ferguson prompted Man United to change their attire at the break. In April 1996, United were three goals down to Southampton in a grey shirt and white shorts, they returned after the break in their blue and third kit.

A performance did improve, but only slightly a Ryan Giggs pulled a goal back, as Southampton ran out winners. As a result of their kit change, they were fined £10,000. Rovers’ change wasn’t too well received either, Exeter boss Gary Caldwell voicing his displeasure.

“I didn’t even notice the half-time kit-change but as far as I’m concerned it shouldn’t be allowed,” former Celtic skipper Caldwell said.

“It was quite embarrassing. I’m not sure if the players noticed but I’m just pleased that in the end we got what we deserved.”