Voluntary Assistant Kitman Tom Foley might have just hit 1,000 games for Bristol Rovers, but he still gets the buzz for every game just as he did for his first.
The Pirates could not mark his special fixture with a victory, losing 1-0 to Notts County at The Memorial Stadium, but it was a day that he would never forget.
Before the match, Foley was presented with a framed shirt by Director Of Football Ricky Martin, with the squad surrounding him for a photo. Additionally, he was surprised by his family ahead of kick-off, and his emotions ran high.
He could not have been happier with the shock and suggested he had no idea it was coming, with Kit Manager Josh Evans giving no hints of what was to come.
“It feels absolutely fantastic," he said. "I am very proud of it, and I would do it all over again.”
“I choked up, and it’s not like me to choke up. It is absolutely brilliant what the Club has done for me today. I didn’t expect it, and I didn’t know anything about it. Even Josh was quiet, and I thought we were quite close, but obviously not that close. It was absolutely brilliant. The most precious things I’ve got in the world is family and Rovers, after that.
Foley may have just completed his 1,000th game as a Voluntary Assistant Kitman for Rovers, but his working connections with the Club started before that.
“I was doing stuff before that as well," said Foley. "I had done Captain Gas, I was making tea and running around like a blue-arsed fly, and I just got more and more involved. I’ve loved every minute of it, and I still do. I still get a buzz out of it today."
As a lifelong Gashead, Foley has been able to go behind the scenes with Rovers over the years and watch the Pirates' promotions and big victories closer than almost anyone else. Enjoying four promotions in that time, he highlighted those massive moments as some of his favourites and said he is privileged to do what he does.
“Definitely promotions, winning big games and the 7-0 win," he said. "Stuff like that was unbelievable, and those days will come back with Darrell Clarke. Those days will come again.
“For a fan, to be doing what I do is a massive privilege. There are some great people at the Club. Clare in the office has been here longer than I, but that makes clubs, and I am very privileged to do what I do."
