‘Let’s pack the Mem on Sunday to support the Gas Girls’

There’s something really special about following Bristol Rovers Women, from their humble beginnings back in 2019 when the team was founded as an initiative of the Bristol Rovers Community Trust to seeing them flourish in step four of the footballing pyramid this season, their growth has truly been spectacular.

Throughout my time so far supporting the team, I’ve made some memories that I’ll never forget.

One that springs to mind was back in May 2023. The team were in the final of the South West Premier League Cup with the match being played down in Dorset.

The Community Trust had very kindly arranged travel for supporting fans (which turned out to be on the same coach as the players and support staff), so alongside Caz May and Ollie Neno, I headed down with the team in hopes of watching them lift the trophy.

After a dominant display, the girls won the game 4-0 to be crowned champions.

The Gas Girls celebrate their South West Regional Premier League Cup win in 2023 – photo: Martin Booth

However, it was the bus ride back that made this day so special. In a bid to continue celebrations all the way back to Bristol, we were treated to some karaoke over the coach’s speakers.

Particular songs that stick out in my head were manager Nathan Hallett-Young singing Baby One More Time, fitness coach Paul Mason singing Sex on Fire and Caz’s rendition of Goodnight Irene!

I also somehow found myself being dragged into the karaoke shenanigans, in which I ended up choosing Mr Brightside.

Badly singing my heart out over that tannoy system with the team hyping me up and joining in is a memory I’ll truly never forget. The vibes on that bus ride were some of the greatest I’ve ever seen!

Again another core memory that springs to mind with the team was the dedicated fixture held at the Mem in 2024 in which the girls were confirmed champions of the league.

At the time, the Gas Girls were still playing all of their home matches at Lockleaze Sports Centre but for what was such a special match in the team’s history, it only felt right to have them playing at their true home.

After weeks of promoting and planning, the excitement in the air when the day came around was truly something else.

Seeing the girls arrive through the fan zone, I couldn’t help but feel so proud of what they had achieved.

Plus, I managed to snag a quick photo with them and the Her Game Too selfie frame (which to this day, is still my X header).

Chloe Watts and Rovers players ahead of the Gas Girls’ match at the Memorial Stadium in 2024 – photo: Chloe Watts

The day saw more than 1,600 Gasheads come and back their women’s team and see them lift the league trophy on the pitch.

This will always be one of my proudest moments as the Her Game Too ambassador for Bristol Rovers Women.

Looking at this season, what the team has achieved with their confirmed place in the league along with a historic FA Cup run, it shows just how incredible this club is.

There’s so much passion and unity in the team. They really are a shining light for the club.

Every single Gashead should be so proud of what the team has done since being re-founded in 2019 and the sky really is the limit for them.

I really do hope to see loads of Gasheads at the Mem on Sunday so once again we can celebrate this remarkable team and their achievements.

I’ll put my message plain and simple: Gasheads, bring your blue and white quarters, back your women’s team and most importantly, let’s pack the Mem!

 

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Chloe Watts is the Her Game Too ambassador for Bristol Rovers Women

Main photo: FA / Getty

Read next:

• ‘We’re trying to grow the Bristol Rovers brand as much as we can through women’s football’
• My Bristol Favourites: Caz May
• Controversial goal overshadows first Bristol women’s football derby
• The dad and daughter team at the heart of Bristol Rovers Women