No arrests after Rovers’ promotion celebrations
POLICE have confirmed that no arrests were made on Saturday as jubilant Bristol Rovers fans celebrated their last-gasp promotion to League One.
Supporters of The Gas spilled out onto Gloucester Road after their 7-0 win over Scunthorpe saw them overtake Northampton Town in the promotion race on the final day of the season.
Officers had to close the road as the party erupted but the force has now confirmed that no arrests were made on the night even as celebrations escalated. Rovers started the day in fourth and were level on points with Northampton, and needed a seven-goal win to go level on goal difference as Northampton won their game against Barrow 3-1.
And Rovers were ultimately promoted by virtue of goals scored across the season, after netting their seventh against Scunthorpe in the 85th minute. The scenes saw Rovers fans invade the pitch inside the Memorial Stadium to celebrate with the players, as Thatchers and champagne were poured in the dressing room.
Speaking after the victory, Rovers manager Joey Barton said he was “speechless” and added: “I can’t describe it. It’s probably something when I’m in my rocking chair and the fact I’ve headed a lot of balls out at the near post area has caught up with me, I’ll remember this favourably with Weetabix running down my chin and I’ll be thinking of the scenes at the Mem on this day.
“We’re fortunate in this game to get paid very well for what we do, which is kick a football around. To see the fanbase like that, to see the players, to see the emotion. You cannot put a price on that.”