Bristol Rovers had crucial last laugh over Bristol City in memorable season for big rivals | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers had the last laugh over Bristol City in one of their closest fought battles

When Bristol Rovers supporters are in need of a pick-me-up, they can look back with pride at a number of incredible feats achieved by the football club since its inception in 1883.

Most recently, it was the storied achievements of the ‘miracle at The Mem’ in 2022, and the immediate return to the Football League in 2015 at the end of their first ever season outside the EFL. Go even further back, and you’ll be reminded of Smash and Grab and that infamous season in 1973/74. And even for those with the longest memories who can go all the way back to the Bert Tann era of the 1950’s when Bristol Rovers had a decade of relative success.

Perhaps, though, none would bring as wide a smile to Gasheads as the campaign of 1989-90.

It wouldn’t just be a great season or an achievement for the roll of honours but also one that meant Gasheads could, for a while at least, hold the bragging rights over their local rivals and neighbours Bristol City.

It was one of the closest fought battles between the two clubs. The Bristol Rovers squad featured the likes of Devon White, Ian Alexander, Carl Saunders, Geoff Twentyman and Ian Holloway. Managed by Gerry Francis, and a Bristol City side led by Joe Jordan.

Two incredible unbeaten runs for Bristol Rovers gave the Gas momentum

Bristol Rovers would start that League campaign with three straight victories, including a one-nil home win against Brentford on the opening day, before a 1-0 defeat to Bolton came on September 9th 1989. Despite some disappointing cup losses, it would be Rovers' only League defeat between August and December.

Two losses in 21 matches in Division Three leading up to Christmas would turn into three defeats in seven matches as the Gas lost some momentum, suffering from defeats against Crewe, Rotherham and Brentford, who got a measure of revenge for their opening day loss at the hands of the Gas.

It would turn out to be just a blip, however, as Rovers would then go undefeated in their next 18 matches before being beaten 3-1 away at Notts County on April 26th which, with that win, essentially sealed their place in the three available promotion spots.

Bristol City were themselves having a remarkable season. And in the final weeks it was looking like it would be a straight shootout between the two Bristol sides, who still had to meet each other in the penultimate match of the season, to win the Division Three title and achieve promotion to what is now known as the EFL Championship.

So came what was near-certain to be the title decider. Both sides would guarantee promotion with a victory and the winner would be in the prime seat to become champions if they won their final game.

Bristol Rovers and Bristol City met in a crucial title decider

On May 5th 1990, Bristol Rovers entertained their fiercest rivals, Bristol City, at their then-home of Twerton Park in Bath, just outside Bristol, in what would become a match for the ages as far as Gasheads were concerned. Not necessarily for the match itself - an easy 3-0 win for Rovers - perhaps more for the fact it effectively sealed Rovers' grasp of the Championship at the expense of their fiercest rivals.

The Gas were in their unique blue and white quarters with an all-blue back, white shorts and blue socks. City in a red and white striped jersey with red shorts and red socks with white trim.

In what was a bit of a scrappy opening goal, Devon White took the lead for Rovers on 25 minutes after he and David Mehew took advantage of some poor defending to put the Gas one up. A scoreline that would remain as they headed into the half-time break.

The second goal was far from scrappy. Devon White would capitalise on a City mistake to join up neatly with Carl Saunders, who displayed some incredible skill by shifting his weight to outwit the City defender and send him tumbling to the floor. Then a gentle pass back into the path of Devon White who slotted the ball home for Rovers’ second.

The Pirates were two up on the hour mark when more desperate defending from the Robins led to a penalty for Rovers after a blatant handball on the line was punished with a spot kick. Cue then Gas icon Holloway, who powered the ball into the corner to send the City keeper the wrong way and all but seal the victory, and the title, for Bristol Rovers.

The Gas would still have to travel to Blackpool for their final match of the 1989-90 season, ensuring they bettered Bristol City's result. A 0-3 victory meant Rovers ended that season two points clear of their rivals, but both would still see themselves promoted to Division Two.

Of course, there’s no doubt that Bristol City currently hold all the bragging rights – having been at least a league above the Gas for several years since. The two sides haven't even met competitively for more than a decade, and it's been two decades since the neighbours met in the league. However, Gasheads will never miss an opportunity to remind City fans of when the Pirates had the bragging rights and after the 1989-90 season it was Rovers who had the last laugh.