PU PREVIEW 29: BRISTOL ROVERS

Bristol Rovers FC was formed in September 1883 at the Eastville Restaurant in Bristol and was originally called Black Arabs FC after the Arabs rugby team who played in a predominantly black kit. The club was renamed Eastville Rovers in 1884 and played only friendly games until the 1887-88 season when it took part in the Gloucestershire Cup for the first time. In 1892, the club became a founder member of the Bristol and District League (later called Western League). Eastville Rovers turned professional for the 1897-98 season, playing in both the Western League and the Birmingham and District League for two seasons. Now called Bristol Eastville Rovers, the name changed to Bristol Rovers on 17 February 1899. In the same year, Rovers joined the newly formed Southern League, where they remained until 1920 when they joined the new Division Three of the Football League. Rovers' first promotion came in the 1952-53 season and their highest League placing is sixth in the old Second Division (achieved twice). After 94 years in the Football League, the club was relegated to the Conference in 2014 but regained their League status at the first time of asking by beating Grimsby Town on penalties in the Conference play-off final in May 2015.

Rovers are nicknamed The Pirates or The Gas - the latter began as a derogatory nickname given by local rivals Bristol City but was affectionately adopted by the team. Rovers fans are called Gasheads, which was in reference to the large gasworks adjacent to the club's old ground in Eastville. Rovers are known for their distinctive blue and white quartered shirts, which they have worn for most of their history. The club now plays its home games at the Memorial Stadium in Horfield, Bristol and is managed by Graham Coughlan. They finished 17th in League One at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Rovers and Pompey have met on forty-three occasions. The first occasion was on 13 January 1912 in the FA Cup, when Pompey won 2-1. Overall in the competition, Pompey has won twice, with one win for Rovers and one draw. The clubs have met on four occasions in the League Cup, with two wins for Pompey, one for Rovers and one draw. Thirty-four meetings have come in the Football League, the first being on 12 February 1921. Overall, Pompey has won eighteen of the meetings, Rovers nine and seven have been drawn. The most recent meeting came in League One in February 2019, when the sides drew 1-1 at Fratton Park.

(Information via Wikipedia and www.11v11.com)