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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Joey Barton's mixed emotions as Bristol Rovers visit Hillsborough with confidence and compassion

Joey Barton Rovers Bristol Rovers Hillsborough Football League One Sheffield Wednesday

Unbeaten in their past seven games, Bristol Rovers are confident for the midweek League One clash with Sheffield Wednesday. But a trip to Hillsborough in front of the Sky Sports cameras prompts mixed emotions for a squad and coaching staff with strong ties to the city of Liverpool.

Several players and coaches at Rovers, Barton included, hail from Merseyside and for Liverpudlians of all footballing persuasions, the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 – when 96 Liverpool fans died in a crush at an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, with the death toll rising to 97 in 2021 when Andrew Devine died as a result of his injuries – remains a source of deep sadness and anger.

So while it is a chance for Rovers to showcase their growing form and confidence in front of a national TV audience against one of League One's top sides, Barton is not relishing the trip to Hillsborough.

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