Bristol City fans have reacted with bemusement to the news that the Robins are considering signing a former Swindon Town defender.
The club is "having a look" at free agent Nathan Thompson , with the 28-year-old featuring for the U23 side on Saturday against Yeovil Town.
Thompson has a fraught relationship with City fans, dating back to an ill-tempered M4 Derby at the County Ground in November 2014.
The right-back captained Swindon to a 1-0 victory in League One after Robins skipper Wade Elliott was sent off after just three minutes for an off the ball incident.
On the final whistle Thompson infamously leapt into the air in front of the travelling supporters, goading them after the derby victory that ended the visitors' 22-game unbeaten run.
The incident resulted in a flare-up in the tunnel and a long-running Twitter spar between Thompson and former City player Scott Murray.
Having spent his entire career with Swindon, Thompson joined Portsmouth in 2017 where he spent two seasons before being released at the end of 2018/19.
Speaking about Thompson's inclusion in the development squad on Saturday, Lee Johnson said: "Nathan Thompson we just decided to have a look at, we thought we might be a bit light in that right back area and we are just having a look.
"He’s out of contract and it’s a player we’ve known from the past.”
However, it seems Bristol City fans are generally not best pleased about the potential signing.
Patricia Mowat: I wouldn’t boo him but I wouldn’t be happy either.
Russ Jenner: It’s a hypocritical view but if he was a quality player that we would love to have but hated him for his Swindon antics then yes I’d be on board . Let’s face it he ain’t very good and I’d much rather see Zak Vyner get a game.
Mike: My main gripe is that it’s a totally uninspiring signing. Literally just there to make up the numbers. Would rather bring a kid through.
Dex: Anyone that wears the shirt will get my support. Yeah he’s done it but as long he gets on with it and does his job can’t fault him imo.
Mike: We don’t want Nathan Thompson thanks @LeeJohnsonCoach
Dave Evans: If Nathan Thompson gets anywhere near the first team squad and a @BristolCity shirt, I call on all supporters to boo him back to where he came from. @LeeJohnsonCoach what are you thinking?
Andrew Baker: Absolutely not @LeeJohnsonCoach. Good luck getting the fans on board with this one.
Tim Shires: In reality - a players past can be forgiven if they give their all to the club they are currently at. Thompson would be no different. For me, its not about his past - its about if he could add to what we currently have. And Im not sure he could. But I welcome to be proved wrong.
City Related: Tbh if you look at the stats from last season he actually played well for Pompey and he’s another captain we would be recruiting, just like Rowe was from Doncaster. There could be worst players though like Sol Campbell, when he transferred from Spurs to Arsenal lol.
