The only tinge of sadness from Cam Pring on Saturday was that his family wasn't in attendance to witness his historic day.
After almost seven years with the club, the 24-year-old scored his first goal in a Bristol City shirt when he rose highest from Alex Scott's superb in-swinger to put the game against Rotherham United beyond reach in front of the 608 travelling fans.
His celebration said it all. It almost felt like there was a mixture of emotions outpouring and justifiably so having had to bide his time for his moment in the headlines.
"My first goal for City after six or seven years, I couldn't be happier," he said to Bristol Live standing on the touchline after the game, trying not to catch hypothermia in the Baltic conditions.
"I'm a little bit sad because my family wasn't here and they've come to most games at home and my Gramps comes away so it's a bit sad that he didn't see it but I'm happy myself that I got on the scoresheet."
The fact that Pring's initial thought was not being able to share the moment with his family can be credited to his character and upbringing. Although if he matches his ambition between now and the end of the season, it hopefully won't be long before he's back on the scoresheet.
"Now I've got the one, I want more" he added. "I'm glad that I'm going up for corners now. I'm in and around it so I can try and get on the end of more. It was an unbelievable delivery."
Although his goal can't be taken into isolation. In the absence of Jay Dasilva through illness, Pring was handed his first league start of the season in his favoured left wing-back role and his opportunity to stake his claim.
He was up against Brooke Norton-Cuffy, a really tricky customer from the Arsenal academy with pace and strength. The first 20 minutes were a difficult ask and their equaliser came from a cross down Pring's side which unfortunately deflected off the City man and onto the head of Rotherham striker Chiedozie Ogbene.
After that, Pring came out on top in an intriguing battle and one that threatened to set the tone of the game. In the 70th minute, Norton-Cuffy was substituted and three minutes later Pring had scored.
He added: "They had to two quick players on me today. It was a tough ask. He's (Norton-Cuffy) a good player, he likes to knock the ball and travel with it and it was a tough game but I thought I did alright."
So you can add modesty to his personality too. Pearson was very complimentary of his performance by adding: "A very good performance. I'm pleased for him anyway today. He was very positive in and out of possession against a tough opponent. A good, all-round performance from him."
It did feel like a moment of redemption for Pring. By his own admission, the last seven months or so have proven hugely frustrating.
His start against Swansea at the end of October was his first in the league since April having been left out of the matchday squad for nine of City's opening 11 matches.
Even Pring couldn't provide an answer to the reason why he had been left out of the side for such large periods in the second half of last season. "I can't really give you an answer for that," he said last month. "The gaffer picks the team and whatever he does is the final say. We've had a few chats, he told me to keep positive, keep working hard and I'll get my chance."
True to his word, Pring has his chance and he's grasping it with both hands. Illness and injury at the back saw him play four matches on the left of the defensive three, including keeping his place in the side when Rob Atkinson was fit to face Watford.
But his natural position has always been at wing-back. With his pace and strength, he has the attributes to be a real handful both offensively and defensively and as we saw on Saturday, his aerial advantage makes him a threat in both boxes.
Next weekend sees Stoke City come to town and presumably, Dasilva will be back in contention. The former Chelsea man has started all-but-one league game he has been available for this season but Pring's form will give Pearson a welcome selection dilemma come Saturday.
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