Gary Caldwell and Joey Barton speak out on ‘farce’ Bristol Rovers kit change in the 7-goal thriller at the Memorial Stadium.
Barton has defended his decision to order his players to change out of their kit during a dramatic 4-3 defeat by Exeter City.
The Gas had fallen behind, the Grecians racing into a two-goal lead, but Barton decided to tell his players to change out of the third-choice shirts, which had been worn to support of homeless charity Shelter.
Instead, his side wore blue-and-white quartered shirts at half time, and it looked to have done the trick as Exeter slipped up and ended up falling behind, 3-2 with five minutes left on the clock.
However Exeter surprised everyone when substitute Timothee Dieng got an equaliser before Nombe, before scoring the winner in the second of seven added minutes.
The Grecians forward put Exeter ahead on the 13 minute, when he curled the ball past James Belshaw from 25 yards.
Archie Collins made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time when sent a low shot beyond Belshaw from 18 yards.
“It was a bit of a calamity,” Barton said, as per PlanetSport. “It was a show of support for the homeless charity but for some reason Exeter didn’t wear red and white, which is not their fault.
“It seems as though there’s been an administration faux pas. Their kit didn’t look before the game like a clash but once you went out and under the floodlights all of a sudden it was going to be tricky for the players.
“Why I asked them to change shirts? I said lads we’ve been absolutely s**** out there in that kit, so get it off and get the home kit on and lo and behold we’re back in it.
“There was a little bit of superstition but the kit was wet and we had nothing to lose. Hopefully, if we do it again we can make sure the opposition don’t wear the same dark shirts as us.
“I still don’t know why we didn’t wear the green and yellow one but maybe it was still getting washed after the Wycombe game. It was a bit of a farce. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell wasn’t happy with Joey Barton’s half time kit change, saying: “I didn’t even notice the half-time kit-change but as far as I’m concerned it shouldn’t be allowed,” Caldwell said.
“It was quite embarrassing. I’m not sure if the players noticed but I’m just pleased that in the end we got what we deserved.
“It was a phenomenal game. I’ve told the players to savour victory because it’s nights like this that we’re in the game for.
“Funnily enough I had a feeling it’d be an extra-special game because we were under floodlights, in front of a packed house and playing on a sodden pitch.
“And it would’ve just summed things up if the ball had got stuck in a puddle on the line at the end but thankfully there was no stopping us and we got our just rewards for a great show of character.
“It was a dramatic finale. I’m sure all our fans enjoyed it, but I’d love it if we could seek out a straightforward 2-0 win because any more of this and I’ll lose my hair.”
SHELTER #NOHOMEKIT CAMPAIGN
Every 90 minutes 25 households are made homeless in England
Home stadium. Home colours. Home game. The football community knows the importance of home. But this year, thousands of people will be spending Christmas; in dingy hostels, on friends’ sofas, or even sleeping in freezing cars. This is something we can’t ignore.
This Christmas, we’re making a stand. Clubs and fans up and down the football pyramid are taking part in #NoHomeKit; swapping their home colours for an away or third kit to raise money and make sure everyone in the UK has access to a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.
On the Shelter website, ÂŁ4,150 has been raised by Supporters, a total of 37 Donations made. You can donate something no matter how large or small HERE.
How a kit change fights for home
We’re fighting for a future where everyone has the right to a safe home.
Last year we advised 17,281 households through our emergency helpline. But many more people don’t know where to turn for help. People living in unsafe or unfit housing. People with no permanent place to call home.
By joining the campaign you’ll be helping raise awareness of the housing emergency and raising vital funds to help us fight it.
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