ON THIS DAY

2011 – United beat Paul Buckle’s Bristol Rovers 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium

Paul Buckle’s move to Bristol Rovers was the worst kept secret around, so it was no surprise when Bucks left after 4 years at Plainmoor to take up the helm at the Memorial Stadium. What understandably rankled supporters was the timing of the talks. With Torquay pushing for promotion through the play-offs, it felt like an unnecessary distraction and United’s performance at Old Trafford was one of their poorest for months.

On 30th May 2011 Buckle became Rovers manager, and to rub salt into the wounds he also took with him Scott Bevan, Craig Stanley and Chris Zebroski, whilst also courting Guy Branston and bringing in Mustapha Carayol, who had been at Lincoln. At Plainmoor the next man in command would be Martin Ling. Lingy was a different type of character to Bucks, but quickly set about renovating the Gulls squad and bringing in players such as Bobby Olejnik, Brian Saah and Rene Howe.

The fixture list would soon bring the managers and teams head to head in the middle of August, and it was a fixture that the Yellow Army were looking forward to. Large numbers made their way up, hoping that some revenge would be served on their previous manager.

Due to traffic problems many of the Yellow Army only turned up just before kick off, and they would soon be delighted as Taiwo Atieno and Rene Howe scored in the first 15 minutes to put United 2-0 up. Atieno’s was a smart finish after a pass from Danny Stevens, whilst Rene Howe slotted a penalty after Atieno was brought down by ex-Gull Bevan, who was looking noticeably nervy in the Rovers goal!

In the second half Rovers started to find some fluency, and a close range header from Byron Anthony put them back in the game on 56 minutes. With United retreating, the game became nervy and Chris Zebroski missed a great chance to level for Rovers. Thankfully the Gulls held on and a rapturous Yellow Army celebrated getting one over on Bucks!

PAUL BUCKLE: “We didn’t see that coming. You can’t legislate for individual errors – Torquay’s first goal was quite good but to concede the second in the manner that we did gave us a mountain to climb.”

MARTIN LING: “Rovers will be a top seven side this season, but we beat them on their home turf which is pleasing. For the fans it was a massive game. For the players I built it as just another away game.”

The task of being Bristol Rovers manager proved a tough one for Paul Buckle. He tried to replicate his success at Plainmoor, and brought in a number of new players to try and kick start a resurgence, but it didn’t work out, Bucks falling out with fan favourite Stuart Campbell and results getting progressively worse over the winter months.

With the team hovering above the relegation zone, he was sacked in January 2012, moving onto Luton Town and then eventually finding opportunities in the USA.