Introduction
I was introduced to Bristol Rovers at the age of 10 and in the past 30 years the club has had a big influence on my life. In 1976, not wanting to play football on a Saturday and miss watching the Gas I started playing on a Sunday for Rovers supporters club (eventually scoring 197 goals in 143 games). I enjoyed this so much that I sacrificed watching my favourite team from the Tote end to play a few games for Rovers in the Midland Intermediate league. I then signed for Yate Town in the County league.In my second season at Yate I was scouted by Swindon Town and signed non-contract forms. Here I played 21 games in the football combination against the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea. One match which will always remain in my memory was on Saturday 31 January 1981 when I played against my beloved Bristol Rovers - talk about mixed feelings! The Rovers side that day included Phil Bater, Neill Slatter, Keith Curle, David Williams, Shaun Penny and Ian Holloway (whatever happened to him?!). Not good enough to make the grade I was released by Swindon and after short spells at Almondsbury Greenway and Bristol Manor Farm, played in Australia for 5 seasons at Morwell Falcons and Bell Park. While down-under I met my Dutch wife and in 1988 we settled in Holland. After not playing for several seasons I dusted the old boots down and started playing in a team at ASC Waterwijk. This is where the Gas link begins. ASC Waterwijk ASC Waterwijk was founded in 1984 (99 years after the Gas) in the new town of Almere, just outside Amsterdam. The club runs teams from the mini-pups (5-6 years old)and girls teams right through all age groups to senior teams. Waterwijk is well known for having a strong youth section and competes regularly with the likes of Ajax at youth level. The senior teams play in the Amsterdam regional league and the first team celebrated a season as undefeated 6th division champions in 1999-2000 and after gaining promotion won the 5th division championship. Season 2001-2002 sees Waterwijk in the 4th division. John Bond |
The Gas connection
In 1998 I invited Rini Walburg who was chairman of ASC Waterwijk to come to Bristol with me and watch the Gas. This made such a big impression on him that he too was infected by the Gas bug! The following Easter the under 10's, under 11's and under 12's from the Rovers centre of excellence were guests of Waterwijk in Holland for the annual Easter tournament. This was a great success and was repeated in 1999.
The gas link with Waterwijk has resulted in many Gas-related changes: the clubhouse, dugouts and changing rooms have been painted in the blue and white quarters, the corridor is decked out with a large team photo of Bristol Rovers and even the corner flags are blue and white quartered. In April 2000 the under 14's and under 16's from Waterwijk travelled to Bristol for friendlies against the Rovers boys. These games were combined with a visit to the Rovers home match against Bournemouth. During the half time break the new Waterwijk blue and white quartered kit was displayed, this got a magnificent reaction from the home crowd. The Dutch lads ran a lap of honour to the cheers of nearly 9,000 Gasheads - truly unforgettable moments!!
ASC Waterwijk has nearly 900 playing members and since this season the're all playing in the famous blue and white quarters. If you've got relevant photo's which you'd like me to add to this site or other suggestions please contact me using the link below. |
