Gasheads: Being a Bristol Rovers fan for a day.

Words: Guirec Munier

Images: Guirec Munier

My determination to discover new footballing environments often clashes with family balance and holiday planning.

But, for once, a stopover in Bristol didn’t come out of the blue on our journey through the green landscapes of the Cotswolds. And, the cherry on the cake, my wife and our two daughters were even rather motivated by the idea of experiencing the atmosphere of a League One stadium, the atypical Memorial Stadium.

With Bristol Rovers v Northampton Town scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m., Stokes Croft, Southville and the Harbourside were also going to be on the menu for this sunny opening day of the 2024/25 season.

At first glance, Bristol doesn’t seem to breathe football despite having two professional clubs. Not a trace of City or Rovers. In fact, the most popular club seems to be Banksy FC. I’m joking, but the city of Bristol clearly cultivates its artistic side more than its footballing heritage.

©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Bristol Rovers vs Northampton Town.

Our strolls through a city where life is undeniably good lead us into the meanders of the terraced houses adjoining The Mem.

As we approach the stadium, through the Memorial Gates which remember rugby players who lost their lives during WWI, we immediately make out the singular silhouette of the two main stands.

To the West, an unusual cricket pavilion surprises with its presence, especially in a former rugby stadium. To the East, rows of terraces running the length of the pitch are overlooked in their centre by a compact seated stand.

The Mem is light years away from the sanitisation inherent in the vast majority of contemporary stadiums.

What a joy to feel in your element without being a regular! The air is filled with the scent of a community spirit that has fallen into disuse. A community spirit that is both clannish and hospitable. Like the Memorial Stadium, young and old, women and men mix like a blend of grape varieties making a harmonious wine.

On the pitch, the confrontation between Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town is very dull, so much so that our youngest daughter joins the arms of Morpheus after half an hour. When she wakes up, instead of being amazed by a flash of inspiration from Scott Sinclair, she can contemplate several dozen hot air balloons visible from the East Stand on the occasion of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Incongruous and enchanting. As enchanting as the winning header from the Rovers left-back in the 92nd minute? For die-hard Bristol fans, the question doesn’t arise.

©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Northampton Town fans at Bristol Rovers.

Guirec can be found on Instagram: @jeanprouffisonfire

pilgrimages

la pression: Brest-Rennes

Guardando Le Donne dell' Inter

What is groundhopping?

Euphoria olympique