They tried to buy Ashton Gate in 1982, would you believe it? 'Martin Flook, had made an offer of £450,000 to buy Ashton Gate Stadium from Bristol City, who were on the verge of bankruptcy at the time. However, when City reformed as Bristol City (1982) plc, this bid was rejected.' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bristol_Rovers_F.C. 'An opportunistic offer was made by Martin Flook and Barry Bradshaw, the chairman and vice-chairman of Bristol Rovers, to purchase Ashton Gate for £450,000. The spectre of Bristol becoming a one-club city was averted, however. A share issue scheme failing to provoke local interest didn’t help. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/09/20/the-story-of-bristol-citys-three-relegations-in-747-days/ the club in their battle to ward off their rivals’ advances.' They keep banging on about our ground but look at them now, times don't change.
I already knew they did , I’ve read similarly articles in the past . I thought it was general knowledge. It’s their M.O , look how they took the memorial ground off Bristol Rugby , and they have the front to moan at us for getting Matty Taylor ‘on the cheap’ . I’ve nothing against ordinary Rovers fans , but as a Club I’ve no time for them, they claim to be a family club , well if that is what they consider family values I’m just glad they aren’t my family. Besides I love horses and have no time for anyone that punches them.
I think most of us had heard the stories over the years, in my case I had not really bothered to follow through on them, what stirred my interest was the name Martin Flook, cropped up in a conversation I was having with a fellow business colleague, Flook apparently owned a business in Whiteladies Rd, anyway that's neither here nor there except his involvement with the 'Gas'. Just shows what a load of shambolic ownership they have had over the years, mind you we have hade 1 or 2 at times I reckon, thankgod for Steve Lansdown and Harry Dolman.
