Town midfielder Cole Skuse returns to former club Bristol City tomorrow with his own family fan club in tow.
He will line up against his boyhood favourites at Ashton Gate for the very first time, having missed last season’s fixture with a toe injury.
Skuse, 30, said: "It was the most random of injuries, something I’d never seen before. It obviously wasn’t meant to be, me going back there to play.
"It’s a special fixture for me because I spent a lot of time there and played a lot of games for them. They were my team as a boy and I always supported them so it will be nice to go back.
"I was born and raised on the Rovers side of town and there were a lot of their supporters in the area.
"But my dad was a City fan and I followed suit. I had a short spell with Rovers as a kid but when I went training with them I used to wear a City bobble hat and fold it over so they couldn’t see the badge.
"City were my team and I always went to watch every weekend. I went for a trial at the centre of excellence and within a few weeks I was asked to join the academy. I was 10 at the time and I stayed until I was 27 and signed for Ipswich.
"I was there a long time — I had all the replica kits, the posters on my bedroom walls. I even went to a lot of away games.
"My favourite player of all time was Brian Tinnion and years later he was actually the manager who gave me my debut when I came on as a sub at Colchester.
"My first start came a week or two later when I played in the middle of a back three.
"So my first start was as a centre-half and I thought ‘No, there’s too much heading and rushing around involved. I can’t be doing with that every week’.”
Like so many players, Skuse is grateful to his parents for all the support and encouragement they provided in his formative years. He added: "Everything I do in football now is for my wife and kids, plus my family at home — my mum, dad, brother and sisters.
"I’m trying to repay them as much as I can because without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.
"I would never have played as many games as I did for Bristol City because they took me to every game, every training session, and I am indebted to my parents for their support.
"That applies now as well because they come to every home game, combining the football with a visit to see their grandchildren.
"If they’re not here my dad will go to watch my brother, who plays for a team in Bristol.
"As far as my family, and even my closest pals, are concerned they will very much be in blue rather than red. There will be a fair few there. I haven’t asked yet but I need to get 20-odd tickets!”
Skuse remains a good friend of ex-colleague Lee Johnson, now the City boss, and added: "I still speak to him quite a bit but not in the last couple of weeks.
"He’s obviously back living in Bristol and I’ve spoken to him since he went back as manager. Lee’s a very enthusiastic coach and he’s loving every minute of it there.
"He’s still very young and to have a great job like that at his age is fantastic. I’m delighted for him.
"They’re having a little sticky patch at the moment but I think it happens to every club at some part of the season.
"I’m sure he will have the resources available in January to recruit some more players, if that’s the route they want to go down, but he’ll be okay there.”
Last season’s game resulted in a 2-1 win for the home side, their goals both coming from giant defender Aden Flint as he headed in from corners. But Skuse said: "We’ve been doing our work on that. It was two good headers from him but from our point of view it was bad.
"It will be taken care of this time but it’s not just him who poses a threat. They are quite a big side. We’ll be all tuned in and ready to go down there.”