Joey Barton and his players held a collective moment to say thank you for the support of the Bristol Rovers fans in a new routine before kick-off that represented a notable departure from their usual pre-match process.
On Saturday against Accrington Stanley, Barton was on the pitch during the warm-up observing his players being put through their paces by first-team coaches Andy Mangan and Danny Ventre, whereas usually he remains in the dressing room.
Mangan traditionally has then led a huddle on the pitch before the matchday squad returns down the tunnel for their final preparations before kick-off but on the weekend it was the manager who delivered a public teamtalk before the squad then knelt together, almost in prayer.
