What fantastic news that Bristol football fans will be back at the Memorial Stadium and Ashton Gate over Christmas and New Year.
I am totally envious because up at Grimsby we are still in Tier Three of the COVID-19 restrictions and face more games with a total lack of atmosphere and the feeling of a reserve fixture.
Okay, only up to 2,000 fans will be initially allowed at the two Bristol stadiums, but it will still make a massive difference.
We have already seen games on TV where that number of supporters have been inside grounds and created a massive noise in backing the home side.
Only people who have played the game at professional level and experienced appearing in front of a crowd can genuinely appreciate what a difference it makes.
It’s hard to explain, but when I was playing for Rovers at Eastville or Twerton Park I would experience an unbelievable tingle of excitement long before the game got underway.
Even during the warm-up, the feelings of anticipation would build up, a mixture of the thrill of being on a stage with the opportunity to impress and fear of letting yourself and the fans down.
By kick-off time, it would be like a prickling sensation all over the body and the hairs on the back of my neck would be standing on end.
My first real experience of it came when I made my Rovers first team debut in a pre-season friendly against foreign opposition at a time when Terry Cooper was manager.
It had always been my dream to step out in a Rovers shirt at Eastville and I will never forget the buzz it gave me, even though there were not that many spectators.
I was involved in a move that led to a penalty and Coops let me take it, so I was able to mark my first game with a goal.
At times supporters are critical and you can hear that out on the pitch. Some young players find it hard to cope with, but it is part and parcel of being paid the play the game you love.
I was lucky that the Rovers fans liked me for my passion and work-rate, which made them more tolerant of my mistakes.
The feeling of having a home crowd behind you is indescribable. I can still vividly recall an incredible atmosphere at Twerton Park when we took on Sunderland, then top of the Third Division, in February 1988.
We won 4-0 that night and because we were underdogs our fans were right up for it and made the place rock even before I scored the opening goal.
In the second half Devon White, David Mehew and Gary Penrice found the back of the net and we seemed to be swept along on a tidal wave created by a crowd of only 4.500.
Derby games meant all the emotions mentioned above were doubled or trebled. Grimsby have one coming up against Scunthorpe United on Saturday and I have told my players I will be preparing a pre-match meal of rusty nails and shingle.
I want them spitting nails out on the pitch. That’s how I used to feel when Rovers played Bristol City because I was so desperate to win for our fans.
This year I felt so sorry for the teams who reached the Football League Play-off finals and won promotion with none of their supporters in the stadium
Imagine what it would have been like back in May 1990 when we beat City 3-0 at Twerton to go up to the Second Division if the stand and terracing had been empty.
All the wonderful memories of that night are tied to the amazing sight of the ground jam-packed to overflowing with supporters of both clubs.
The scenes in the stand after the match, with all our fans on the pitch, will live with me forever. Had we produced the same result with no one there, the achievement would still have been satisfying, but not nearly as memorable.
All this is just trying to emphasise to supporters how important they are to their respective clubs and the players who wear the badge.
Take the atmosphere away, as COVID-19 has done, and you are left with what look like training matches.
Players have to motivate themselves without the surge of extra energy created by a crowd and I am sure that is one reason why we have seen so many goals in all divisions.
That added touch of sharpness players gained from the backing of their fans has been missing and more mistakes than usual have crept in.
I am far from convinced that we should be relaxing COVID restrictions anywhere in the country at the moment or that professional football should be taking place at all.
But, having said that, I can’t wait to have Grimsby fans back at our games. What a shame that just when Rovers could have admitted supporters again against Oxford United tomorrow the game had to be postponed because of a COVID outbreak at the club.
I am sure that if the following two home games against Portsmouth and my old club Blackpool on December 29 and January 2 respectively go ahead the 2,000 home fans lucky enough to gain admittance will lift the Rovers players.
That will boost the chance of building on the improvement under Paul Tisdale. No visiting team relished coming to Twerton Park when I was playing and I know the Mem has a similar reputation for an atmosphere that intimidates the opposition.
As this is my last column before Christmas, let me end by wishing all Bristol football fans a happy and safe holiday period.
Please put the accent on safe because we are nowhere conquering the appalling pandemic that has affected so many lives.
