13 years ago today - 7th April 2014 Rovers played Swansea in the old Division 2 format (now League 1) and we won 1-0 at The Memorial Stadium http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two/2000-2001/results/2001-04-07 That season we ended up getting relegated along with Swansea. 1 more point was needed to stay up as we had a far better goal scoring record over Swindon who finished just above us http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two/2000-2001/table Looking at that table now, 4 teams went on to play in the prem which includes relegated Swansea. Reading, Wigan and Stoke are the other 3. What they got brand new stadiums which helped!! That same season, look at the league below where Rovers and Swansea dropped into http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-three/2000-2001/table you will see Cardiff, Hull and Blackpool - all who have since moved up the leagues and got to the prem. Again what do they have in common? A brand new stadium or in Blackpools case, redeveloped stadium! We may not fill UWE 95% of the time but it surely must help progress upwards as demonstrated by other clubs who are based in smaller Cities/Towns. Looking at the Championship table today, you have Leicester who have already been promoted and will play prem football next season in a relatively new stadium and then you have Brighton and Bournmouth, both have the same points and are just 5 points short of the play offs. Both with a new or redeveloped stadiums. Its so important that we stay up this season.
Yep - the next 5 games are monumentally important for our club. Similar sized clubs to Rovers - Luton, Oxford etc. - have taken ages to get out of the Conference and we really can't afford to be down there as we build our new stadium. I just hope that DC and the players realise this. Three wins are essential and should see us safe.
