In a month where Rovers fans travelled nearly 2,000 miles to four away games, our reporter RICH SHARPE speaks to those who never miss an away-day to find out exactly why the support has been so fan-tastic this season

IT WAS going to take more than the so-called Beast from the East to deter the Rovers fans from making the long trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Huddled together, some with little view of the pitch, they packed into a corner of the league’s smallest stadium having sold-out their allocation of 778.

But nothing should come as a surprise given the terrific numbers that have travelled the length and breadth of the country following Rovers.

In February Rovers fans faced Saturday trips to Plymouth and Walsall and Tuesday treks to Portsmouth and Wimbledon.

It has meant time off work and shortage of sleep.

But for those who travelled to Fratton Park and the Cherry Red Records Stadium in particular will attest to, the early start for work on the Wednesday has been worth it for the result the night before.

As away-day regular George Dobson said: “The fans haven’t got back until the early hours with work in the morning but we all do it for the club we love.”

It will be another long trip later this month, the next away trip is Gillingham, whose Priestfield Stadium is 266 miles from Ewood Park (the third furthest trip of the season behind Plymouth (306) and Portsmouth (268).

Rovers’ aggregate away following this season is a little under 33,000 (32,888), an average of 1,827 per game, a figure which would be higher were it not for selling out several allocations. But just why has the travelling support been so strong in a season in which Rovers are playing at the lowest level since 1980?

As Ryan Hildred, a Rovers supporter of 30 years who travels to every game from Lincoln, put: “Quite simply, the soul of the club has been restored. That’s down to Tony Mowbray and his efforts in connecting the players with the fans. It’s the closest I have felt to the team for eight years.

“With the knowledge that the players and the manager wear the badge with pride, I haven’t thought twice about the long trips in February. You believe them when they say they want to get us out this division.  That’s all you want as a fan - the players putting in a shift.”

Results have certainly helped. Rovers have won 11 of their 18 away games, including all four on Tuesday nights.

Fans have embraced League One as something of an adventure, new grounds and a chance to pack out away ends (or two) as was the case of Rochdale and Bury.

Blogger Rovers Chat, another yet to miss an away-day this season, said: “Following Rovers on the road this season has been incredible. Sell-out away followings, a manager in Mowbray that we can all get behind and great atmospheres – I’ve never had a season following Rovers like it.

“The recent trips have been tough given the financial cost and all the travelling, but when you have nights like Portsmouth and AFC Wimbledon, you’re reminded exactly why you follow them.

“Also, to see that the players appreciate the fans’ followings, it shows the unity that we have with the playing and management staff.”

And despite the third-tier football, 29-year-old Stephen Batesan says the work of Mowbray has reignited his passion for following Rovers.

He said: “It’s been a long hard month, for both fans and players alike. But it has been made well worth it with the fantastic away backing Rovers have received.

“From Plymouth to Wimbledon we’ve covered some 1,796 miles.

“For me personally I have got the passion back for Rovers thanks to what Tony Mowbray is doing. The togetherness of the squad and the affinity they have with the fans is special.”

Things haven’t always been straightforward with disappointing defeats at Southend on the opening day, in front of a sold-out following of 3,350, at Oldham in October and seeing the long unbeaten run ended at Plymouth.

But the highs far outweigh any lows.

Dobson added “Following Rovers on the road this season has been great, going to visit a lot of new grounds and the experience of celebrating goals on the standing terraces such as the Richie Smallwood winner at Fleetwood and the most recent three at AFC Wimbledon also having both ends of the ground at Bury with more away fans than home.

League One has certainly been an adventure, albeit one Rovers will hope will be short-lived.

It has certainly reunited a fanbase who had remained loyal but who were at odds with the club they loved.

As Rovers midfielder Elliott Bennett put it, the only way to reward such support is with promotion.