If any single individual captures the confidence Joey Barton proliferated through his Bristol Rovers squad this season, it is Aaron Collins. The forward was in nightmare territory at his new club, failing to score in the first three months of the campaign, but by the end of the 46th game, he was atop the scoring charts and a hero of the Pirates' promotion.
The celebrations in the wake of the incredible 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United on the final day to snatch a place in the top three are only just starting to die down, with anticipation already high ahead of the new season.
Collins has been mooted as a transfer target for League One rivals Portsmouth this summer, but the 18-goal striker is excited by the possibilities that could await the Gas next season. He spoke of the belief that Barton has instilled that no achievement is beyond them, both collectively and personally.
"I’m really excited about the new season and all of us just want to keep this going," Collins told the club's website. "The club is on the up and I’m so happy to be a part of it.
“I’m setting myself a target of 20 goals – why not? We’re on a roll, we all believe in what the gaffer is doing and, with a couple of additions in the summer, we believe we can go up again. The sky really is the limit. You’ve got to aim high.
“We started slowly, we know that, but the belief was always there. Even with me going my first 18 games without a goal, confidence is never something I won’t have in my game. Obviously, goals help, but I was having to play a different role than I was used to and, once that first goal went in against Oxford, it was almost like someone flicked a switch across the whole club.”
That goal against Oxford came in the FA Cup first round replay in November, when Collins broke his scoring duck in incredible style with a 25-yard bullet with his supposedly weaker left foot to help inspire a thrilling 4-3 comeback win. It was one of many defining moments that helped transform the narrative of Rovers' season.
Another of those occasions came in the penultimate game of the season at Rochdale. Collins was the hero then, too, scoring a second-half hat-trick, including the winner deep into stoppage time, as the Gas proceed another epic fightback to set the scene for a final day laden with opportunity.
“Grabbing that goal (at Rochdale) was so important," he said. "When we came off the pitch, and saw the other results, it was going to be down to us or Northampton going up on the day. All week in training we were practising keeping calm, scoring a goal and re-setting. We know if we take the brakes off we can steamroll anyone.
“It’s mad when you stop and think about it. One minute we’re not in the play-offs, the next we’re celebrating with the Gasheads and the gaffer on the pitch after scoring four goals.
"What’s even madder is we knew it was going to happen. There’s been a vibe growing at the club, in all areas from training to staff to the gaffer, everyone just ‘knew’ promotion was coming.”
Things weren't quite going to plan for the Gas on the last day, not because of events at the Mem but the rollicking start promotion rivals Northampton Town made at Barrow, racing into a 3-0 lead. Collins, though, said Barton had prepared them perfectly to chase down the five-goal differential that separated them from the top three.
They did precisely that, with Collins scoring twice in the second half as the Gas hit the seven goals they required to oust the Cobblers from the top three on goals scored. The final day proved to be the only day of the campaign Rovers spent in the top three.
“We didn’t know anything until half-time," Collins – who cemented his hero status with his jubilant celebrations after promotion – explained. "We knew it was going to be tough but we just thought ‘let’s go for it’. In the back of our heads all week, we knew it might need to be five, six or seven anyway.
“Then, when I scored my second to make it 6-0, I looked over at the gaffer and he was signalling ‘calm down’ with one hand, but holding one finger up with the other. Then when Billy (Elliot Anderson) scored, it was just absolute scenes; to be honest, I don’t remember a lot from that moment on.
“There are so many photographs and videos I keep seeing; it was an amazing night and it’s been so much fun. This is history. Scoring seven goals like that on the final day of a season to clinch promotion just isn’t going to happen again, anywhere.”
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