The much-anticipated 2022/23 League One campaign is finally upon us as FGR begin the season with a short trip to face fellow promoted side Bristol Rovers.
The clash will be new Head Coach Ian Burchnall’s first competitive game in charge, as Rovers play in the third tier of English football for the first time.
Here’s all the key information on the Gas ahead of our trip to the Memorial Stadium.
IN THE DUGOUT: JOEY BARTON
Joey Barton made his name in English football as a player, making his professional debut in 2003 for Manchester City, where he came through the youth ranks.
The one-time England international went on to make over 100 appearances for the English champions as well as playing for the likes of Newcastle United and QPR.
After a year-long loan to French club Marseille and spells with Burnley and Rangers, in 2017, Barton decided to hang up his boots and turn to management.
The 39 year old took his first job with League One club Fleetwood Town in April 2018, gaining success during his time at Highbury, reaching the play-offs in the 2019/20 season.
After leaving the Lancashire outfit, he became the new Bristol Rovers manager in early 2021, failing to keep the Gas from relegation back to League Two.
But after a slow start to the 2021/22 season his side flew up the table in the new year, dramatically clinching an immediate return to third tier on the final day.
ONE TO WATCH: ANTONY EVANS
Former Everton youth product Antony Evans first signed for the Gas in August 2021 following his release from German club SC Paderborn.
After 10 years at the Toffees including loan spells with Morecambe and Blackpool, Evans made a move to join the Bundesliga 2 outfit.
He only made a handful of appearances however, prompting the 23-year-old to spend the second half of the 2020/21 season with Crewe Alexandra.
Evans, who has represented England at under-19 level, joined Rovers on Deadline Day last year and was a key player in Joey Barton’s promotion winning side.
The creative attacking midfielder played 35 times in the league for the Gas last season scoring 10 goals and grabbing 12 assists, the joint second most in the division.
FAMILIAR FACE
The Gas’ top scorer last season Aaron Collins had a prolific two-year spell in Gloucestershire before his departure last summer.
The Newport-born ace scored 16 times for FGR helping the club to the play-offs in the 2020/21 season, scoring a brace on the final day to secure 6th spot.
Collins would go to net 16 goals for the Gas last season, five of which coming in the last two games as Rovers snatched promotion.
FORM - WWDWW (from 2021/22)
15/04/22 – Bristol Rovers 1-0 Salford City
18/04/22 – Port Vale 1-3 Bristol Rovers
23/04/22 – Bristol Rovers 0-0 FGR
30/04/22 – Rochdale 3-4 Bristol Rovers
07/05/22 – Bristol Rovers 7-0 Scunthorpe United
LAST TIME OUT
In one of the craziest last days in League Two history, Bristol Rovers smashed already relegated Scunthorpe United 7-0 to snatch promotion to League One on goals scored.
With Northampton Town going 3-0 up early on against Barrow, a gigantic 8 goal swing would be needed for the Gas to have a chance at promotion.
An Oliver Lobley own goal and a Connor Taylor header mixed with a Barrow consolation goal up North in the first half gave Rovers a fighting chance going into the second.
The gap decreased more and more in the second 45 as braces from Aaron Collins and Antony Evans left Rovers on the brink, needing one goal in the final 10 minutes.
And that goal would arrive five minutes from time, as Newcastle United loanee Elliot Anderson headed in a seventh to complete an unthinkable turnaround.
