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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Adriano Basso reveals his finest Bristol City moment as cult hero delivers Nigel Pearson verdict

Bristol City cult hero Adriano Basso enjoyed the incredible highs of promotion and a play-off final during his time in BS3 but his most memorable moment arrived while playing against the Robins after his departure.

Brazilian stopper Basso spent five years at Ashton Gate following his move from Woking in 2005 and quickly became a favourite among supporters both for his ability on the pitch and endearing personality off it.

The 46-year-old was a key member of the side that created history under Gary Johnson that included coming within just 90 minutes of securing Premier League football at the first time of asking following their return to the Championship.

After leaving City, he had a short stint at Wolves before teaming up with Nigel Pearson at Hull where Basso got to enjoy a special reunion with home supporters inside Ashton Gate during a 1-1 draw in November 2011.

It was then that Basso was left emotionally stunned by the welcome he received, putting the memory above being thrown in the air by fans after victory over Crystal Palace and fulfilling an unlikely dream by walking out on the Wembley pitch.

In an exclusive interview with Bristol Live, the now-Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeping coach said: "When I went to Hull, I played for them against Bristol City at Ashton Gate and their supporters sang my name - they sang the song that they used to sing to me for 90 minutes and I couldn't believe it.

"That was the most special day of my life. Even more compared to the (play-off) final. If not equally then even more. Because I've never experienced a team that you play against sing your name.

"Even on that day, my manager was Nigel Pearson. When we went to the bus Nigel said to me, 'Adriano, I've never seen something like that and I don't think I'll ever see it again. You deserve it, enjoy your day.'"

Basso chuckled as he recalled: "I did some interviews after and the bus had to wait for me for an hour. When I got to the bus everyone was complaining and Nigel said 'No, no... it's his day, shut up.'

"The supporters are remarkable, they're unbelievable people. They welcome everybody. I never had any problems with anybody even in the difficult moments."

Pearson signed Basso on a free transfer in July 2011 following a six-month spell with Wolves and the duo worked alongside each other for four months until the manager returned to former club Leicester.

The current City manager has come under pressure from some quarters with the club sitting 18th with 12 wins from 39 games this season but Basso speaks highly of his former boss, suggesting he is the right man to take the club forward.

Basso added: "He's one of the best managers I've worked with. He knows how to talk to people, he was always honest with me.

"He's a very honest person and as a manager with his knowledge, I loved working with him. When he spoke sometimes you think 'wow, that is what I need to listen to at this moment'. He came with wise words at the right time.

"I was so happy when I saw he was going to be Bristol City's manager. I said 'he's the man for the job, he can get this team promoted.'"

Read a full, extended interview with Adriano Basso on his time with Bristol City, play-off euphoria and heartbreak and Gary Johnson's sports psychologist tomorrow morning on Bristol Live.

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