Tom Lockyer loves pulling on the blue-and-white quarters for his beloved Bristol Rovers.
The defender came through the Gas' Academy and made more than 250 appearances for the Pirates in his first spell at the Club, where he achieved back-to-back promotions from the Conference Premier to Sky Bet League One before departing for Charlton Athletic in 2019.
As a result, he knows exactly what the Club means to the Gasheads. The defender returned to the Pirates in October after working tirelessly off the pitch to return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest when playing for Luton Town in a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth in December 2023.
Lockyer has been a vital part of the dressing room and came off the bench in the Gas' victory over Cheltenham Town, which was an eighth straight triumph, something no other team in the English Football League has this term.
Nevertheless, his return has not come without challenges. The Pirates were going through a tough run of results when he signed, and Lockyer admitted it took time to build his fitness, but he is loving the opportunity to represent his Club again.
"It's been really different. It's been really tough at times," he said. "When I first joined, I think we lost 4-0 three times in a row, so I was like, 'wow, what am I joining here?' I was up for the challenge and wanted to do whatever I could. For whatever reason, we just couldn't buy a win for love nor money, which was really hard. We talked about confidence earlier, and you saw the flip side of that earlier in the season.
"It's been a bit stop-start under Steve, so it's been quite hard to find a bit of rhythm, but I'm feeling good within myself, which is nice because at the start of the season, I was really struggling to maintain any sort of fitness. It's nice to go out every day pain-free, which is really nice. I think my body is used to being back in full-time football now, and I'm just loving being back.
"I'm a Gashead myself, and my family are all Gasheads from my first time here. We absolutely love the Club, we love what it stands for, and we're one of them. So, it's nice to receive those plaudits, and for the work that the lads have put in during the second half of the season, I think it's fully deserved.
"I'm no different, I'm a Gashead myself. All you want to see is boys going out and representing the shirt with pride, fight, spirit and a never-say-die attitude. So, if you can add a bit of quality to that, and that's what we've been doing, it's a recipe for good things.
"Hopefully, there is more of that next Saturday and beyond. Let's just keep a good feel around the Club, and there is a real buzz around the whole Club now. The chairman was in after, and there is just a really good vibe."
The Mem was a sell-out for the final home fixture of the season against Cheltenham, with the Gasheads certainly getting their money's worth on Saturday afternoon.
Harrison got the day underway with a bang almost immediately, flicking a header across the goal and in from a Jack Sparkes corner within two minutes to break the deadlock before directing another headed effort past Joe Day just before half-time.
He then left the best until last to complete his first hat-trick for the Gas since 2017, lifting a perfectly-weighted chip over the goalkeeper from just inside the Robins' half, with the ball hitting the back of the net before touching the floor, adding extra aesthetic to the finish.
Lockyer was on the pitch when Harrison scored his previous hat-trick. The pair go back a long way, with the defender speaking highly of his close friend after the match.
"Everyone knows what a character Ellis is, but beneath all of that, there is a really good footballer and a humble bloke,” said the defender. “I'm absolutely delighted for him to get a hat-trick today. I was here for his last one in Gas colours. I don't know if he had on in between, but I'm sure he'll let us all know if he has.
"I remember his last one, and it was a pleasure to watch this one, especially the way he topped off that third one. It was taken so well. I'm so, so happy for him. He's one of those guys who goes under the radar a bit.
"Players like him and Joe [Quigley] do so much for the team, but because they won't always hit the high numbers of double figures and beyond, they might not always get the credit they deserve, but people like them are so vital for the team, especially with the way Steve wants to play now. People like them are pivotal, so I'm absolutely delighted for him. I love him like a brother, I'm so proud of him today, and it was really nice to see."
With five minutes left to play, Shaq Forde added the Pirates' fourth goal of the contest, with Quigley flicking the ball towards the winger to score from close range.
It has been a mixed season for Forde, who has enjoyed some of his best football under Steve Evans. The 21-year-old has netted five goals this term, with Lockyer impressed at how he has battled back from a difficult period to come out strongly on the other side.
"It wasn't too long ago; I remember that people were saying he should never play for the club again, said Lockyer. "That's football for you. He was more devastated than anyone when all of that was going on. There is a really good kid there, and there's a really good character that is able to bounce back from that.
"It's not easy, and that's a testament to him that he is going to have a long and good career in the game because he has resilience, and a lot of people might have gone under in those situations. I think people forget what a young lad he is. I'm really proud of him, the way he has been as well, and I'm delighted for him to get on the scoresheet."
Forde's fine finish came at the perfect time. Manager Evans promised the Gasheads he would go into the Thatchers End for the closing stages of the contest, and as he stepped into the stand, Forde found the back of the net. Lockyer has seen more than most in football, but even for him, that was a first.
"I've never seen anything like that playing football," Lockyer smiled. "I think we had a throw-in, and everyone was just watching, even the referee was looking over there. It's just mad, and then when Shaq goes and scores, I think Steve is right there. I was just laughing, I thought it was so funny. It topped off an extraordinary day.
"It's just the gaffer, isn't it? It wasn't long ago that he was wearing a sombrero down at Rotherham. He's always up for a good laugh, especially when the team is doing well. It just shows the way the fans have embraced him and are buying into what they're seeing."
The Pirates have won eight straight fixtures and seven on the bounce at The Mem. Confidence has been at the heart of the success, with Lockyer praising the group's mentality.
"From where we were, it's really nice to be standing here with games to go and say that we've got nothing to play for," he said. "You always want something to play for, but if it's going to be at the lower end, you would rather get your business done early.
"That's exactly what we have done, and that's a credit to all of the boys in there because they have done really well. Even in games where we have not played our best, there's been a nohow or a way to find something and sometimes you just need a little bit of luck. We definitely didn't have that earlier in the season, but we're certainly getting it now, and that just breeds confidence.
"I think you saw today that there is a squad out there that is full of confidence and belief and almost knows that you're going to win a game, which is a brilliant feeling. The last time I had that was when we got promoted with Luton, where you just feel like you can't lose. I've always said the biggest thing in football is confidence. So, when players get that, it's really good, and I think you see 11 players and more coming on that are full of confidence."
"When you have got such a good group, it makes it a joy every day. Earlier in the season, it does get tested, and it is hard, but when you go on runs like we're on now, which is an incredible run, you come in every day with a smile on your face. The lads are staying and playing darts, going for coffee together, dinner and stuff like that. There is a really good spirit, and I think you see it with the fans that there is a good spirit from above and the manager.
"It's been good, and the sun has been out to top it off. I'm feeling really content, and it was a lovely day. My daughter was on the pitch at the end as well, which was a really big moment for me as well, after everything I went through. It's the little things like that which are priceless, especially when you look back on your career. You look at promotions and things like that, but it's the little moments that are cherished now. That was really nice for me at the end."
