As well as winning on the pitch last Saturday, Rovers were winning off it as well, with the matchday programme, The Pirate, picking up the accolade of best programme in League One from Programme Monthly magazine.
This is what the programme collectors ‘bible’ had to say about our programme.
“‘The Pirate’ has quality and quantity.
“It is packed full of copy combining past, present and independent views, using an unfussy design.
“There are a glut of columns with plenty of reading early on – ‘Up Front’, ‘Sent to Commentary’, Life’s a Gas’ and ‘Deep Heat’.
"The first of two player interviews is a three pager, followed by more columns – ‘Ruth of the Rovers’, ‘In My View’, ‘A Look Inside’ and ‘Eclectic Blue’. ‘Football
"Programmes and Memorabilia’ does what it says on the tin, there are four pages on the visitors, and ‘That Was The Week That Was’ puts a past clash with the opposition into context by covering the build up to the match, as well as some snippets from the programme for the fixture.
"The history section has two pages of profiles on former players, a ‘Past Pirates’ programme feature, ‘Looking Back’ recalling the 2007/08 campaign and ’20 Years at the Mem’ remembering events from the 20 seasons the club have spent so far at their Memorial Stadium. ‘Talking Point’ is a two page interview feature and there is a further column – ‘Just A Thought’.
"After another current squad member interview, and two more columns, ‘Double Bubble’ and Authoritatively Speaking’ before the issue concludes with the unusual ‘Poet’s Corner’, some poetry about the team penned by ‘Dr Scumbrum’.
"There really is so much interesting reading in the programme that buyers would have to turn up hours before kick off to read it all pre-match.
“A wonderful read clearly put together by people that care about the club. B5, £3, standout article/feature – ‘Read All About It’ – Series on the early days of football in Bristol.”
Programme Editor and Head of Media Keith Brookman said; “We always strive to give our supporters value for money with our matchday magazine and it’s very pleasing that the hard work that goes into producing The Pirate has been recognised by Programme Monthly.
“Credit for the production is down to a dedicated team of volunteer contributors, who never fail to submit copy on time, which makes my job as editor so much easier.
“Our designer, Ann Walter, also deserves a mention, for going above and beyond when it comes to making sure that everything is in order before the final version goes to print.
“We are also grateful to our printers, Pensord, and our sellers who are all volunteers.”
Programme Monthly is edited and produced by Paul Matz and is available from 11 Tannington Terrace, London N5 1LE.
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