Local-ish derby versus the chaps from over the bridge
Bristol Rovers versus Newport County on Saturday 31 January 2026 at The Memorial Stadium with an early kick off at 12.30pm
Bristol Rovers v Newport County: A History of Results
Bristol Rovers and Newport County share a long and competitive history that stretches back more than a century, rooted largely in the lower divisions of English football. Their meetings have often reflected the fortunes of two clubs familiar with rebuilding, promotion pushes, and hard-fought survival.
Early Years
The first competitive encounters between the two sides came in the early 1920s, when both were members of the old Third Division South. During this period, results were finely balanced. Home advantage frequently played a decisive role, and long unbeaten runs by either club were rare. Across the inter-war and post-war years, neither side established clear superiority, with wins and defeats tending to even out over time.
Mid-20th Century
Through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, Bristol Rovers and Newport County continued to cross paths regularly. Matches were typically tight, physical affairs, often decided by a single goal. Rovers enjoyed slightly more stability during this era, while Newport’s results fluctuated, but head-to-head outcomes remained competitive.
Modern Era Return
After long periods apart, the fixture returned in the 2010s when both clubs found themselves in League Two. This modern chapter produced some of the most dramatic scorelines in the rivalry’s history. High-scoring matches became more common, with both teams recording emphatic four-goal victories at each other’s grounds. Momentum regularly swung from season to season, with neither side able to dominate for long.
Recent Meetings
In the early 2020s, Newport County enjoyed a strong run of results, including notable away wins at Bristol Rovers and narrow home victories. Rovers, however, responded with important successes of their own, including a tight cup win and a narrow league victory in South Wales. Recent encounters have been decisive rather than drawn, reflecting the attacking intent both teams often bring into the fixture.
Overall Pattern
Across their full competitive history, the head-to-head record remains remarkably even. Wins, defeats, and draws are closely matched, underlining how evenly contested this fixture has been over the decades. While styles and squads have changed, Bristol Rovers v Newport County has consistently delivered competitive football, shifting momentum, and moments of drama.
It remains a fixture shaped less by dominance and more by balance, one where past results offer little certainty about what comes next.
History of Bristol Rovers:
Founded in 1883, Bristol Rovers FC have experienced various successes and challenges over the years, from cup runs to ground moves. Rovers enjoyed their most fruitful period in the mid-20th century, including reaching the quarterfinals of the FA Cup in 1950 and securing various promotions.
The most significant of these successes came in 1952 when Rovers won the Third Division (South) title. In subsequent decades, Rovers fluctuated between different tiers of the football pyramid. The club moved to the Memorial Stadium in 1996, which has been its home since.
The club - whose supporters are known as ‘Gas Heads’ - climbed back up the Football League in the 2000s, but were disastrously relegated to non-league in 2014. However, this acted as nothing more than a reset and today the club sit in EFL League Two and have been managed by Steve Evans since 13 December 2025 following a 10 game losing streak that led to the sacking of Darrell Clarke and his assistant Jon Stead.