Fans Forum Match

It is around this time of year that we start to contemplate the unthinkable: What will we do once the football season finishes? No Saturdays at the Gate, no World Cup or European Championships. Just the great British summer weather to look forward to.

Well to mark the end of the football season this year – and the end of Rovers’ league status with it - things are a little different. Bristol City are going to trounce the Gas. Not that different, I hear you exclaim? Well…this time it’s the fans. And this time, it’s on the pitch.
For The Incider is helping to sponsor a charity match between supporters of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers (assuming they can find eleven of them).

This prestige event is taking place on Tuesday 13 May. Admittedly, City’s chances are slightly hampered by Tomarse’s presence in the line-up, though the rumours are he may only have been selected to slice the oranges. However, the chances of a Reds victory have been vastly improved by RedTop’s confirmation he will be remaining on the other side of the world instead of pulling on his Peter Bonetti goalkeeping gloves covered in that cheap bobbly rubber that table tennis bats are made out of.

To get into the spirit of things, The Incider will be donating bottle of the finest Moet champagne which will be presented to the man of the match – complete with a tacky label stuck on it bearing out logo. It could be the only time you see a Gashead cracking open the bubbly this season.

The game is scheduled for a 6.30pm kick off down at the Mammary Ground. Entry is just £2 and you are likely to see more entertainment than you would at a normal Rovers game.

In an effort to suss out the opposition and show a sporting level of non-partisanship, we interviewed Shane - part of the Gas team’s organising committee.

He said: “The Rovers squad will be announced on the official forum on Wednesday 16 April, the day after the final trial.

“ Last week’s trial was good and we had a good game on a bumpy awful pitch at Eastville Park - good practice for the bumpy awful pitch at The Mem, then.

“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jason (EDR), Stucider and Matty h for their help in getting this thing up and running at the City end.

“ I think this game will be a great advert for both clubs, Bristol football and importantly the fans by showing we can all put our differences aside and get together for a fun evening a good game and a few beers afterwards.

“ If all goes well, and I am sure it will, we will be anticipating the "return " game at Ashton Gate at the end of next season.

“ I have to get back to my exercises now as I was in the middle of my 1,000 sit up routine to write this article. See you all on the 13th May for what will be a great night.”

So please be sure to make your way down there to cheer the boys on to another historic victory for the mighty Reds.

Remember, it may not be a league match – but come May you’ll be lucky to see one of them down the Mammary Ground for many years.