MELKSHAM Town welcomed fans back to the infiLED arena at Oakfields for the first time in 16 months as former Premier League star Joey Barton brought his Bristol Rovers side into town.
Club chair Darren Perrin said it was ‘Absolutely fantastic to have fans back’.
“It’s amazing to see fans back in the stadium and to have over 1,100 people is extraordinary considering there is a Euro 2021 quarter final live on TV at the same time.
“It’s been an incredibly tough time for the club but seeing supporters here again is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Town pulled off a shock 1-1 draw against their League One opponents, opening the scoring with an own goal from Rovers’ Nick Anderson on 19 minutes before being pegged back just a minute later by Aaron Collins’ equalizer.
Town manager Richard Fey told Melksham News, “It was a brilliant night; so good to see fans back in the ground. And it was a really impressive showing on the pitch; the lads were fantastic.
“These pre-season games are all about getting fitness into the players but to put in such a good showing against a team like Bristol Rovers is tremendous.
“Our lads were at work today, up scaffolding and on building sites earning a living and to come and play top professionals and put in a great showing like this can only be good news for the season ahead.
“They caused us problems which you would expect but we caused them problems as well.
“We’re delighted just to be playing – it’s our first game in nine months – but a good showing on the pitch was the icing on the cake.”
Rovers’ manager Joey Barton paid tribute to Town, both on and off the pitch.
“That was a great workout for our lads,” he said. “It was a real test for us. I was impressed with the Town side especially so early in the season.
“You’ve got great facilities here, a really nice pitch and we’ve been made really welcome. Best of luck for the season ahead.”
