Tutonda proving a hit on the pitch - and social media
The fans have been unreal and they haven’t been in the ground, so I can only imagine what it will be like when they’re in the stadium
DAVID Tutonda laughs while discussing his icon status among Bristol Rovers fans on social media, and says: “It’s a bit lively on there.”
It did not take the 25-year-old long to win the hearts of Gasheads, just 90 minutes in fact.
When Rovers’ gained their first League One win of the season - the 2-0 victory over Northampton Town at the Memorial Stadium on October 3 - the overwhelming reaction on Twitter was not focused on the three points.
Instead, Tutonda’s full league debut for the Gas had supporters creating memes and even accounts dedicated to the wing-back. He won the club’s man of the match poll without even being a nominated option.
Not your normal reaction, but it was testament to the former Cardiff City man’s performance and his obvious likeability.
His playing style - a cocktail of marauding forward runs, audacious stepovers and crisp slide tackles - has you leaning forward in anticipation on the terraces or, these days, on the edge of your sofa watching iFollow.
Let’s be clear, he is not only an internet sensation. The early signs are Rovers have unearthed a gem of a player who was a free agent after leaving National League Barnet in the summer.
“I don’t normally look on social media after games because I get home with my family and chill out, but my brother was on there and he told me to take a look,” Tutonda told the Bristol Post.
“It’s heartwarming when you receive so much love and when you move somewhere new, even in general life, some people need a lot of time to settle in, but when you’re welcomed in warmly by the fans it makes the whole experience easier.
“I appreciate it, it’s lovely. The fans have been unreal and they haven’t been in the ground, so I can only imagine what it will be like when they’re in the stadium.
“I’ve played a few games and I’ve got the run in the team I wanted, but it’s probably come earlier than I expected myself.
“But it was always part of my plan to get playing as soon as possible and to put my foot down.”
Do his team-mates take the Mickey because of his status on social media? “Of course,” he replied. “Especially Zain Westbrooke to be fair, he’s constantly on me about it.”
Tutonda had already impressed Gasheads long before that Northampton game, in fact. They just didn’t know his name yet.
He was brought in on trial over the summer as Gas boss Ben Garner looked to bolster his options on the left flank. Tutonda played and scored as an unnamed trialist in the pre-season friendly win over Cheltenham Town. Cue the ‘announce trialist’ tweets on social media. He admits trying to earn a contract by impressing in a match situation was a test of his nerve.
“I got a call from the gaffer and he wanted to see if I was fit and ready, because I didn’t have a pre-season,” Tutonda recalled.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down because of the size of club, and with the club playing in League One it was a chance I had to take. It was pretty nerve-wracking because you realise you’ve only got 90 minutes or so to earn a contract.
“But the gaffer made it as easy as possible for me, and the lads did as well. From my experience with the gaffer, he’s a phenomenal person. He’s a top, top coach, his attention to detail is unreal and he sees things that we don’t see. He’s a class act all around.”
A two-year contract was earned, but Tutonda was still not deemed first choice with Luke Leahy ahead of him in the pecking order.
Leahy scored twice in the opening three games, but when Tutonda was given his chance he took it.
That is the kind of competition Garner wants among his players, and the battle for the left-wingback role became fiercer this week with the addition of highly-rated former Burnley prospect Ali Koiki.
Tutonda is sure the new signing is good for the team, and it will only spur his personal form on.
“If you look at top clubs all around the world, there is competition for places,” he said. “Here at Rovers, we have that, but it’s also healthy competition. Luke’s a lovely guy, one of the nicest I’ve met, and he helped me settle in although I was his competition.
“The same with Ali, he’s a lovely lad and we all want to do our best for the club. It’s healthy competition and it keeps you on your toes.”
Tutonda was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to the UK aged six. The conflicts in his homeland are hard to watch from afar, but the 24-yearold is hugely proud of his heritage.
“I moved over with my family - my two older brothers and two older sisters. My younger brother was born in the UK.
“We lived in east London before moving to north-west (London). My parents are still located there now and I had a good childhood with a lot of family around.
“My brothers used to pushed me on to play football and be the best I can be. It’s a tight-knit, loving family. I’m really proud of my African roots. My parents lived in Zambia for a while, so I’ve been there, but I’ve not been back to the DRC.
“My parents go every two or three years and I’m planning to go back. Obviously there are a few things happening there at the moment that aren’t great, but it’s a beautiful country.”