Plenty of eyes were on Bristol Rovers at Hillsborough on Wednesday as Joey Barton's side turned in an impressive performance in front of the Sky Sports cameras to draw 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday, but three familiar faces chose to pay a visit in the flesh.
Promotion hero Connor Taylor took up a spot in the away end, Nick Anderton visited his teammates on crutches in the dressing room after his cancer operation and England international and Everton star James Tarkowski was also in attendance as Josh Coburn's fine finish cancelled out Michael Smith's header and earned Rovers a point.
Tarkowski was part of Burnley's Championship-winning side of 2015/16 with Barton, and the pair have remained pals since. At full time, the Toffees centre-half, who many pundits have backed for a place in England's World Cup squad next month, was seen pitchside deep in conversation with the Rovers manager, as well as head of performance Tom Short.
Short was part of Burnley's strength and conditioning team during Tarkowski's time at Turf Moor before Barton lured the Cumbrian to the Mem with a pivotal role in the setup in BS7. Burnley loanee Bobby Thomas also appeared to briefly join the chat, and Tarkowski must have been impressed with the 21-year-old's performance, as Tom Lockyer was after watching the Gas beat MK Dons two weeks ago.
"Big Tarky, we've just signed him," Barton joked after being asked about the 29-year-old's presence at the game. "He played with me, actually. I know he's an England international and he's at Everton, but he was telling people he played with me. I was a good player back in the day.
"He and Shorty have retained that connection from Burnley. He's a good lad, big Tarks, and in a couple of years, we'll get him down the Mem, hey?"
Anderton, meanwhile, caught up with many of his teammates for the first time since having an operation to remove a tumour in his femur this month. Barton was delighted to see a man he credits with helping to knit the group together in last season's promotion triumph.
"He was in the dressing room," Barton added. "He wasn't in there before the game but he came in after. He's on his crutches but I was buzzing to see him. He's a huge part of the social part of the group and everybody cares about Nick deeply.
"To lose him as a teammate and a team person is a huge blow for the group, but to see him back in there tonight – it's the first time I've seen him since the surgery – has given everybody a boost."
Stoke centre-back Taylor delighted Gasheads with his presence in the away end, posing for pictures with several travelling supporters.
His stay in BS7 may only have been temporary, but the 21-year-old and his family developed a lasting connection with the club. His dad, Gary, was a popular figure in the away end throughout last season, watching his lad wherever he played and revelling in the celebrations on many memorable away days.
Taylor has played 10 times for the Potters in the Championship this season, but his love for the Gas clearly remains.
And he was not the only promotion-winner watching the game. Elliot Anderson has played six times for Newcastle United in the Premier League this season and he posted on Instagram to show he was supporting his old team from home.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
