Some 90 minutes after one of the most remarkable events in the history of Bristol Rovers, Joey Barton was finally able to weave through the crowds and packed hallways to speak to the press.
At times, he struggled for words to explain what happened as the Gas thrashed Scunthorpe United on the final day of the League Two season to snatch promotion from the grasp of Northampton Town.
The Cobblers won 3-1 at Barrow, but they lost out by the virtue of goals scored with both teams locked on 80 points and 22 goal difference. Jon Brady's side appeared near certainties after surging three goals ahead, but the Gas scored five second-half goals with Antony Evans and Aaron Collins netting braces before Elliot Anderson scored the all-important seventh.
Rovers have returned to League One at the first time of asking, and Barton spoke with pride when asked to explain what his players had just achieved.
"It’s tough (to put into words), but you’ve covered us all year and you’ve been part of this journey as well with the highs and lows," he said. "There have been some tough moments, but one thing that can’t ever be questioned is the character of our team and our players.
"As a direct consequence of that, the fans have turned up and supported them because they knew they give everything for the quarters. You get special days at football clubs if you get that kind of recipe.
"I didn’t expect us to win 7-0, I didn’t think anybody did. I was hoping for a Barrow draw, but were we going to do it any other way? Does this group do it easy?"
Barton said it was one of the greatest moments of his football career.
"I can’t describe it," he added. "It’s probably something when I’m in my rocking chair and the fact I’ve headed a lot of balls out at the near post area has caught up with me, I’ll remember this favourably with Weetabix running down my chin and I’ll be thinking of the scenes at the Mem on this day.
"We’re fortunate in this game to get paid very well for what we do, which is kick a football around. Moments like that are just priceless, to see the fanbase like that, to see the players, to see the emotion.
"You cannot put a price of that."
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