Bristol Rovers' first pre-season fixture of the 2023/24 season is out of the way, and they won in convincing fashion, though results aren't important at this stage.
The Gas won 9-0 last Friday against the non-league outfit, with Luke Thomas and Scott Sinclair getting braces, as well as efforts from Luke McCormick and John Marquis, whilst Jevani Brown, Ryan Loft, and trialist Téo Kurtaran were also on target. A few days later, the national media ascended on to Oakfield Stadium because for the first time, a woman took charge of an EFL club, with Forest Green Rovers drawing 1-1 under Hannah Dingley's stewardship.
Two years ago however, Joey Barton was gearing up for his first pre-season as manager of Bristol Rovers. He was appointed manager in February 2021, and unfortunately could not stop the club from being relegated, but the summer represented a chance for him to fully implement his stance on things. In the same season, he signed more than a dozen players, but it resulted in promotion, and since then they've had a season of consolidation in League One.
Rovers next friendlies include a trip to Eastleigh on Saturday, July 8, before a behind-closed-doors fixture with Cardiff City, and then a match with Brentford B, which could feature David Beckham's son, and that match will take place at the Met Police FC's Imber Court Sports Club. Further games include a week-long trip to Porutugal, before rounding off their campaign with a home match against Chesterfield, with fans being present at a different looking Memorial Stadium, because of the demolition of the South Stand.
To keep yourself in the pre-season mood, here we take a look at Joey Barton's first ever pre-season XI, which still has a few players from his team now, but there's a lot of changes...
9. Jonah Ayunga
Jonah Ayunga is in Scotland playing for St Mirren now after leaving for Morecambe in mid-July 2021. He followed Shrimps boss Stephen Robinson to Scotland, and after a brief spell away, the manager is back at the helm. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images
10. Aaron Collins
Collins was on target for Rovers, but he faced a long wait for a competitive goal, before they flew in. He was Rovers top scorer last season and won the Player of the Year award. | Getty Images Photo: Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
11. Lucas Tomlinson
Tomlinson was an academy graduate, who had a few spells away from the club, including Gloucester City. Lucas Tomlinson is now playing in the top flight of Welsh football with Barry Town. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images