It’s the week of the new season for Bristol Rovers with the 2023/24 League One campaign beginning against Portsmouth.
Saturday, August 5, is when the fun begins again, and there’s some expectation among the fan base that a play-off push is in the offing. Joey Barton has had a fairly satisfiable transfer window and there will be more signings to come.
Fans however won’t want to be reminded that the Gas have the longest winless streak when it comes to opening day wins. Rovers haven’t won in their last 11 opening day games, and as tests come, Pompey away without your manager who is suspended, is a tough ask.
Saturday, August 6 2011, is the last time Rovers won on the opening day. Adam Virgo’s 85th-minute penalty beat AFC Wimbledon, who were making their EFL debut. It was the dream start for Paul Buckle with Scott McGleish putting Rovers ahead before Matt Harrold doubled the lead. Jamie Stuart pulled one back for the Dons and then Charles Ademeno equalsed, but after a handball in the box, Virgo got a penalty and scored it.
Rovers had been busy in the transfer market, and there were 10 debutants in total in the side. Are you interested to see what became of them and what they’re up to now? Below are the 11 players and three substitutes who featured in that win over Wimbledon. Do you think Rovers can end the winless streak and beat Portsmouth? Let us know in the comments, as we bring you all the pre-match talk ahead of the trip to Hampshire.
5. Craig Stanley
At 40-years-old, Stanley is now playing for Hythe and Dibden in Hampshire. He had a dabble in management and took charge of Totton & Elling, as well as Blackfield and Langley. At Rovers, he made 34 league appearances and got one goal. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images
6. Matt Gill
Gill is the assistant manager to Russell Martin at Southampton. The 42-year-old played mainly in the EFL, and made 45 appearances for Rovers between 2011 and 2014 and he was club captain in 2011/12. He retired as a player in 2014, and has held assistant manager roles at Tranmere, Ipswich, Swansea and now Southampton. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
7. Joe Anyinsah
Made 62 appearances between 2011 and 2013 for Rovers with eight goals. His last club was Hayes and Yeading in 2014, and he’s 38 now and so he was done with professional football at 29. | Getty Images Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Image
8. Chris Zebroski
Zebroski is player-coach at non-league Fleet Town, and is playing on at 36. He made 39 appearances for Rovers, getting three goals. He did a stretch in prison after admitting charges of robbery, attempted robbery and assault. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images