The picturesque scene at 5:20pm, after Bristol Rovers secured an immediate return to League One, had been a distant thought in the minds of Gasheads hoping for automatic promotion yet expecting the play-offs ahead of their final day clash with Scunthorpe, but if there’s anything we’ve learned about this team this season, they can never be counted out.
Northampton, who sat above Rovers on goal difference at the start of the day, charged into a three-goal lead at Barrow, meaning Joey Barton’s side required eight goals to leapfrog the Cobblers and claim the final automatic promotion place.
Barrow’s Josh Kay reduced the goals needed to seven for the Gas, but even then, with Rovers 2-0 up at the time, scoring another five seemed near-impossible.
Early second half goals from Aaron Collins and Antony Evans helped the cause though and the same duo notched another goal each to bring Rovers within their desired aim of seven with 10 minutes still to play.
The stage was set for a player to become a Gas hero and Elliot Anderson quite literally leapt up to that mark, heading Evans’ cross in at the back post which sent several hundred Gasheads onto the pitch in celebration.
Referee Charles Breakspeaker took both sets of players off the pitch while control was restored and Wael Al-Qadi and Joey Barton both sent pleas to Gasheads to not enter the pitch while there was still time to play.
After 20 minutes, play resumed and Rovers were able to see out their resounding victory which resulted in pipping the Cobblers to promotion on goals scored. The perfect 90-minute encapsulation of a ridiculous season for the Pirates.
Amongst all the chaos and limbs, here are a few moments you may have missed...
Barton front and centre
Joey Barton is not a man who hides is passion or his enjoyment. Throughout the season many roars and fists bumps have been unleashed and understandably, with promotion back to League One secured on the final day in dramatic circumstances, Saturday was no different.
With so much at stake on League Two’s final day, it was an earlier arrival time for some members of the press which resulted in seeing both sets of players arrive at the Mem, with Barton likely turning up a little later after being stopped by supporters.
The Gas boss trotted down the base level of the Thatchers terrace flanked by several reporters taking photos and videos of his arrival before he was met by a group of young Gasheads stood in the family terrace.
Adjacent to the tunnel stood 10 or so eager young fans awaiting the arrival of Barton and he spent several minutes with each individual taking photos, signing shirts and balls and just generally engaging in conversation.
Once 3pm had passed, with a keen eye on results elsewhere and the task of summarising an incredible 7-0 victory, opportunities to glance over the press bench to see Barton’s reactions to certain moments was challenging but that may have been because there wasn’t anything to show.
At key moments some decisions went against his side and moves broke down before they’d had the chance to develop, yet Barton seemed the coolest man in the stadium often not letting his clasped hands be removed from behind his back.
Seeing the Gas boss’ reaction to the goals was a challenging one as well with a sea of raised arms blocking the view but you can imagine until automatic promotion became a real possibility, he remained composed and focused on the task at hand.
Following the 20-minute delay, after a pitch invasion saw both teams taken off the pitch, 10 minutes still had to be played and with Northampton’s 3-1 win at Barrow confirmed all Rovers had to do was not conceded.
Knowing what was likely about to follow, Barton said his pleasantries to Keith Hill and his staff moments before the full-time whistle, likely expecting to be engulfed by Gasheads once the whistle had sounded.
And as expected that was exactly what happened. Many rushed to the centre of the pitch but a sea of bodies developed right in front of the dugout with Barton soon raised above the group.
After being lofted in the air following the heroic comeback against Rochdale last weekend, where Barton revealed his cap, among other valuables, were not on his body at full time, he was once again raised like a king, but this time slightly more prepared.
While accounting for the whereabouts of his wallet or watch is not possible, Barton could be seen desperately gripping onto his cap in the hope he would not lose another one as several arms reached up in his direction.
Once the immediate celebrations had kicked off and Barton had conducted his press duties in the tunnel, he returned to the playing surface and with his son Cass alongside him imitating his every move, he gave three final trademark fist bumps to the Thatchers terrace with his promotion promise after the drubbing at Exeter coming true in unbelievable circumstances.
Joyous pre-match atmosphere
As it has been described by many, this really was the hottest ticket in town, from the atmosphere building around the fanzone as early as 12pm, to the anticipation of 3pm arriving, it truly was a day like no other.
Goalkeepers Anssi Jaakkola, Jed Ward and James Belshaw received mass cheers as they took to the pitch just after 2pm, with the latter receiving a booming Belshaw chant.
In between his turns of catching crosses launched in by Tony Warner, Belshaw was called over by several young Gasheads asking for a photo, with the Rover No1, of course, duly obliging.
Renditions of 'Goodnight Irene' echoed around the Mem as early as 2:15pm and with blue smoke rising in the background above the Thatchers, the scene was well and truly set for the players to arrive.
For the first time all season, such was the occasion, matchday announcer Lance Cook took to the microphone to introduce those who would be battling for promotion prompting a war-cry response from all sections of the Mem.
Fans continued to filter in, the Thatchers terrace gradually became a sea of blue and white and the noise was deafening as the Gas conducted what they hoped at the time would be their final pre-match on-pitch huddle of the season.
Coutts leading by example
Following his dismissal in the final embers of the previous Saturday’s win over Rochdale, captain Paul Coutts was suspended for Rovers’ final game of the regular season although he was still an integral part on the day.
With it being his second red card for violent conduct Coutts will be absent for four games, but on Saturday he showed his value away from the matchday squad.
The skipper, who has been lauded with praise for his in-game performances and presence in the dressing room, was leading certain parts of the warm-up often clapping his hands together, urging his teammates on and setting the standards early on for what could be a remarkable day.
Alongside the Scot, it seemed every player not involved in the 18-man squad, but fit and available, played a role during the drills indicating a further sign of the togetherness of the group and Barton's clear desire for everyone to feel part of what could be, and did indeed end up being, a momentous day.
Similar to the role he played in Rovers’ maiden home game of the season against Stevenage having been sent off against Mansfield, having delivered a few last minute words to members of the starting XI, Coutts jogged across the pitch and took a place on the bench ready to offer a wealth of experience and advice to Barton and potentially any of his teammates.
Glenn Whelan… being Glenn Whelan
“I genuinely thought he was outstanding. I can’t remember anything he did wrong.” The words of an elated Joey Barton at full-time when asked about Glenn Whelan’s role in the 7-0 win over Scunthorpe.
On the surface it seems abnormal that the deepest midfielder could be noticed as having an excellent game when so much emphasis was on the attacking players and their contributions, but that is the beauty and, you'd have to say, understated genius of Glenn Whelan.
Very rarely can shouts from the pitch be heard in the press box, but at times it felt like the veteran midfielder was wearing a microphone such was the simplicity of hearing nearly every word he said.
When James Connolly received the ball under pressure, Whelan shouted "home" in his direction with the Cardiff loanee doing exactly that. A few moments later, he barked at Connor Taylor to push further out wide so the Scunthorpe player placed between him and Harry Anderson would have to make a decision over who to track.
The Stoke loanee perhaps moved too late though and with pressure arriving on his clearance, Belshaw hurriedly launched the ball directly into the path of a Scunthorpe player. Initially, Whelan let out a sigh before rushing over to help stifle the danger.
Whether it was offering advice to the youthful centre-backs behind him or attempting to pull strings on the edge of the box, he seemed to cover every blade of grass, while also moving players - from both sides - around the pitch like a game of chess.
Evans’ contrasting touchline mannerisms
As the final whistle edged closer and closer, players from the Rovers bench began to wait eagerly on the sideline ready to sprint on in celebration.
Whilst they nervously watched the final few moments, some took the time to search for their loved ones in the complimentary seating placed just above the press box.
Luke Thomas and Ryan Loft waved and smiled up to those looking down at them, and while the striker and winger were focusing their happiness on a select few, Antony Evans chose the entire East stand as his family.
Breaking free from many of the players, Evans turned to the stand behind him and enjoyed a moment to himself before jumping up and down with his arms swaying either side of him urging the crowd to get louder in what looked to be the final moments of a remarkable season.
The midfielder had enjoyed a fantastic relationship with that side of the ground throughout the second half, not just through the very palpable sense of anticipation every time the ball was worked out to his dazzling feet towards the right touchline. On several occasions he turned, arms stretched outwards before rising to the sky, encouraging fans to keep the volume levels up. Naturally, they obliged.
We should also mention the moments leading up to another mesmeric and majestic free-kick from the 23-year-old. Not happy with the wall that Charles Breakspear had measured out, he proceeded to count the steps and didn't get anywhere near 10. But the official refused to relent and Evans had a reduced distance to get it up and over the Scunthorpe wall.
It didn't matter. That right boot delightfully struck the ball, sending it flush up over the wall before dipping down into the corner. Evans then proceeding to let Breakspear know precisely what he thought of his measuring skills.
Lucozade to Champagne
Just after midday, Bristol Rovers nutritionist James Aitken rushed through the Mem to get to the dressing room with bags full of Lucozade Sport likely for the players to re-energise themselves on a very hot day, but five and a half hours later the drink on show was very different.
Champagne is likely etched over every inch of the Bristol Rovers dressing room and Rovers owner Wael Al-Qadi ensured he didn’t miss out on celebrating with some bubbly. Placed on the shoulders of Alfie Kilgour in the dressing room, he celebrated with all the players and staff just minutes after spraying champagne from his executive box in the West Stand.
With at least an hour having passed since promotion had been confirmed, he came down and spent time talking to Gasheads in the family terrace.
Luke Thomas, Antony Evans and Luca Hoole were also in the vicinity, chatting on the phone before stopping to take photos, with Evans a very popular man, smiling shyly as he nodded in response to a fan describing Rovers as “the best club in the world”.
That statement won't find any opposition on these pages but is of course completely subjective; however, one thing is for sure, this Bristol Rovers team have defied every single odd stacked against them and the manner in which they won promotion perfectly reflects the crazy season they have had.
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