Joey Barton makes claim Bristol Rovers could fill out Bristol City’s Ashton Gate

Joey Barton says that Bristol Rovers supporters could fill out the 27,000 capacity stadium of their main rivals Bristol City.

All of the Gas’ remaining home fixtures are sold out for home fans, in addition to the 9,000 crowds seen recently against Bradford City and Salford City.

Rovers have been limited to the amount of tickets they can sell based on advice from Safety Advisory Groups which has seen their capacity reduced from 12,300 to just under 10,000.

They have an average home attendance of 7,229 which is third in League Two, behind Bradford City with 15,325 and nearby rivals Swindon Town who have 9,351.

Demand is so high to attend matches that the 39-year-old believes that they could fill out Ashton Gate, which is the home of City and the Bristol Bears.

“There is another big stadium in Bristol and I’m pretty sure we could fill that out,” said Barton in his pre-match press conference.

“So whether they’d want to let us use that, I’m not sure, but the Mem will be standing room only on Saturday, which is great for the club.

“We’re playing top of the table and you can’t get a ticket for the game, I don’t think. It’s like the Rolling Stones are in town, it’s just how we want it.”

Forest Green Rovers are at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday and can clinch promotion to League One with a draw and will make the trip to Bristol on an electric coach, which is believed to be a first.

In regards to their own fans, the Nailsworth club have sold out their seated allocation of 700 tickets but will receive no more with the Memorial Stadium once again expected to be packed with home fans.

Less than 100 tickets were on sale in the home end yesterday with no pay-on-the-day expected given the demand, with supporters keen not to miss a part of what could be a memorable first season back watching their club.

Rovers’ support has gone up in recent weeks and over 2,200 fans made the trip to Staffordshire to take in the 3-1 win over promotion rivals Port Vale.

And their loyalty and dedication has not gone unnoticed with Barton putting praise onto the celebrations when Ryan Loft clinched the game for his side, as well as scoring his first goal.

He said: “They’ve been brilliant in backing us away from home and it was superb to see that diversity in the crowd, young, old, men, women were limbs in the away end when Lofty scored that goal and then the lads are piling in.

“They are the priceless moments in football. I’ve seen some after action photographs. Brilliant to see for our football club.”