Vital Gas Interviews: BS13Gas

1) Why and when did you become a Gashead?
Since birth. Becoming a Gashead was always in my blood, I didn’t really have a choice, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way. My first match was Cardiff away in 1989 at just 18 months old, so talk about being chucked in at the deep end.

2) What is your best memory being a Rovers fan?
There really are so many great memories. The huge crowds singing Goodnight Irene at Wembley Stadium and The Millennium and watching The Gas winning at Ashton Gate many times would always be to easy to pick. Personally Derby away in the FA Cup in 2002 was my favourite moment, watching Ellington get that hat-trick against a Premiership team as well. We really shut Pride Park up that night and it was something truly special for Gasheads to witness.

3) If you could bring back one Rovers player at his best, who would it be?
Barry Hayles, he was just remarkable to watch. His precision and strength was just far superior than any other player in the lower leagues at the time.

4) How do you think John Ward did last season?
What can I say, he was our saviour wasn’t he. To think we were top of the form table for so long after his arrival. We can’t expect him to perform that well this season, but we know what we get with Ward, 100% commitment and passion, and that’s all I ask for.

5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Best moment had to be beating Rotherham away 3-1 in January, no one was expecting it and it was a special performance from our team, we made it look so easy. More of that this season please.
Worst moment, Wycombe away in December. We should have won the first match before it was rearranged. We travelled miles, its was freezing, enough said!

6) Do you think Mark McGhee was given to much time, not enough time or was it timed just right?
I liked Mark and when he went thought it was going to be the end of us, but I was proved wrong. Had he not have gone on that date we may not have got Ward, it was meant to be, so I’m saying it was the right time.

7) Now that John Joe O’Toole has signed do you think we need any more signing?
I think if we can get a couple of loanies in just to straighten the squad a bit then that would be great, but I’m not worried if we don’t sign anyone else. I didn’t expect us to sign any one who hadn”t been involved last season, and I’m fairly happy with what we’ve got.

) Any players you would like to see leave Rovers?
Kenneth and Gill, they never perform and are on high wages.

9) Favourite current Rovers player?
I really like Michael Smith, he had a slow start with us, but it was a big step up to join us. He has now established himself as one of our best players and always gives 100%. He also has a good rapore with the fans and as long as he doesn’t get to big for his boots he will always be respected at The Gas.

) Favourite player of all time?
Nathan Ellington, he reminded me of Eric Cantona, he had so many touches of brilliance and scored some remarkable goals. Derby away, what more can I say.

11) What our your expectations for the coming season?
I’m expecting us to finish in the top half this season, hopefully fighting for a play-off spot all the way. I just want us to be the team we know we can be, a tea, that always gives 100% and springs up a few surprises along the way. Some terrific away performances and we are desperate for a cup run this season.

12) Your opinion on Nick Higgs and the board?
I never had an issue with the board or Higgs, to many people are quick to jump on their backs when results aren’t going are way. But we have a chairman and board who are all huge Gasheads themselves, they want whats best for this club with the resources they have available to them. I wouldn’t want us to be bought out my a heartless billionaire which ultimately end up with the club selling it’s soul. I’m very happy with what we’ve got and we need to support the board.

13) With the build of the UWE to start soon, what would you like to see added to the design?
The design is great, really wouldn’t want to change it much. I like the idea of safe standing areas around the stadium, but we can always change after its built if the demands there and we can. Maybe we could just get a bit of luck and hit a gas field during the build.