Bristol Rovers celebrate 125 years

Bristol Rovers have had an eventful 125 years as a football club. And they kick off their anniversary celebrations against local rivals Swindon Town on Saturday by wearing commemorative Black Arab shirts – the black and yellow colours worn when the club was formed back in 1883.

Rovers director Barry Bradshaw has been involved with the club since the 1970s, but for some time away, and has experienced the gamut of emotions fans know only too well.

"The Wembley win last year was probably the best memory I've had with the club, that takes some beating," he said. "And the days at Eastville were unbelievable, the atmosphere and the supporters were fantastic – that's what attracted me to Bristol Rovers.

"We still get the same fans coming to games, albeit a bit older and greyer, but that passion for the team is definitely still there.

"When you hear the supporters at the Blackthorn end singing Goodnight Irene the hairs on the back of your neck stand up on end."

The original black and yellow kit helped give Rovers one of their nicknames, the Black Arabs. Although the name only remained for one season before the club began calling themselves Eastville Rovers, the kit has been popular ever since.

Fans were recently given the choice to pick the name of the club's new mascot and the winning name Captain Black Arab, was chosen to represent the club's history.

The strip, which was officially registered as the club's third kit for the season, is on sale at the club shops alongside other commemorative merchandise.

Other celebrations include a Valentine's Dance on February 7, a special darts event featuring Eric Bristow, Keith Deller and Cliff Lazarenko at the Memorial Stadium on February 21 and an anniversary dinner in April.

One of Rovers' greatest ever players, Alfie Biggs, will forever have a place in the hearts of Rovers' fans for scoring twice in the club's famous 4-0 FA Cup win over the Busby babes of Manchester United in 1956.

In his two stints with Rovers between 1953 and 1968 he scored 197 goals in 463 games and is still the club's second top scorer behind Geoff Bradford.

Biggs, who now lives in Poole, Dorset, with his wife Marion, said: "I have many fond memories, but the game that always sticks in my mind is the one against Manchester United.

"We had a very good side in those days. People like Geoff Bradford, Jackie Pitt, Ray Warren and Harry Bamford were great players.

"I'm delighted the club is still going strong after all these years – here's to another 125."

For the club's 100th anniversary Rovers played a friendly with Tottenham Hotspur, to whom they sold Gary Mabbutt. And Mr Bradshaw hopes another Premier League side can be attracted to the Mem at the end of the season.