Masters Football is back to the delight of many fans, including Bristol Rovers, who love the nostalgic feel of the tournament, bringing back memories of yesteryear.
The unique competition where past and present professional players over the age of 35 took part in an annual summer indoor six-a-side tournament.
Supporters loved the event as they could see their all-time favourites back in the team’s colours for one last time. It also gave them something to watch during the summer when the football season is over.
After it ended eleven years fans have wanted it back for a while now and luckily their wish was granted as sports documentary site 360 Sports TV have gained the rights for the competition with a four-team group in Glasgow set to take place this year.
The last and only time Bristol Rovers have taken part in the event was in Cardiff back in 2008, they only won one out of three games and were knocked out early on after poor results against Bristol City, Cardiff City and Swansea City.
The team included Steve Book, Geoff Twentyman, David Mehew, Jeff Meacham, Tony Pounder, Nick Tanner and still to this day club record signing Andy Tillson.
Meanwhile Marcus Stewart, who turned played over 170 times for the Gas, scoring 57 goals opted to turn out for the red half of the City, despite featuring more in the blue and white quarters during his playing career.
Most teams having eight or nine players as roll-on, roll-off subs were allowed. Although no teams have announced if they will be taking part in the event yet, we would love to see Rovers participate in the 2023 tournament and this is the squad we’d want to see.
5. MID- Vitālijs Astafjevs
The Latvian made 100 appearances for the club and is seen as one of the greatest to put the quarters on. He would definitely stand out on the Masters Football five-a-side pitches. His last job in football was being the assistant-manager of the Latvian national side which he left in 2018. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Ilmars Znotins/AFP via Getty Images
6. MID: Chris Lines
The homegrown talent who Rovers fans adored. Over two spells with the club the midfielder made over 300 appearances and is one of the greatest players the club’s academy has produced. Now at 36, ‘Linesy’ plays for fellow League Two side Stevenage. | Getty Images Photo: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images
7. MID: Ian Holloway
A Bristol-born midfield of Holloway and Lines would be special. Now at the age of 58 ‘Ollie’ would still probably think he could run a Rovers midfield, the boyhood fan has been Rovers most successful academy product and succeeded not only as a player but also a manager doing both at the highest level in English football. He is now mostly on TV and is famous in the footballing world because of his personality. | Getty Images Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
8. ATT: Rickie Lambert
The Liverpudlian went on to play at the very top but the Memorial Stadium is where he made his name where he scored 51 goals in 128 games. The striker would certainly score goals in Masters Football. | Getty Images Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images