Feelings of bitterness and jealousy are still likely to linger from the dugout and stand in tomorrow's game when Luton Town visit Ashton Gate.
Two teams who have no real grievances in the past were somehow spurned into unlikely rivals this summer over the Kal Naismith transfer saga and how it developed.
It adds the needle into a contest that already feels important from a City perspective as they go in search of three crucial points. A draw against Wigan on Saturday gave the Robins something to build on and with Cardiff around the corner, tomorrow's game against the Hatters is the ideal time to start hitting the ground running.
At the age of 30, Naismith won't be concerned about the prospect of playing against his old club and the type of reaction, good or bad, he may receive after leaving so abruptly in the summer.
For anyone that needs reminding, City confirmed the surprise signing of Naismith on a free transfer on May 28. It was a deal completely out of blue, catching the media and supporters by surprise as manager Nigel Pearson made his second summer addition.
It also appeared to catch Luton completely unaware. They issued two separate statements in which they claimed they only found out about the transfer after Naismith had rejected their contract offer and joined the Robins.
He departed as Luton's Player of the Year, which only added to the furore surrounding Luton and their fanbase following 18 months at Kenilworth Road.
"We have learnt that Kal Naismith has agreed to join Bristol City when his Luton Town contract comes to an end next month," was the statement posted by his old club on the Sunday - after City announced his arrival on Friday evening.
"We were surprised to discover from our fellow Championship club’s announcement, without advance warning as is the usual etiquette, that the 30-year-old has rejected the opportunity of a new contract at Kenilworth Road."
There's huge respect between Naismith and his former boss Nathan Jones, who admitted City blew them out of the water financially when it came to offering a new contract. How much effect the transfer will have on both teams remains to be seen going forward but neither side have particularly enjoyed productive starts to the season.
City remain with one point and familiar question marks still surrounding the quality of defence with six goals conceded in three matches. It is a record that Naismith has been brought in to improve having shipped in a grand total of 77 last campaign.
Luton haven't fared much better with two points in their opening three matches following draws against Birmingham and Burnley and Saturday's home defeat to Preston. Therefore the necessity to pick up three points tomorrow for both teams will only add to the spice that surrounds this fixture.
Naismith's role is going to be vital if City want to get a result. His first four matches in a Robins shirt have been a mixed bag but it's clear there's a quality behind his play that made Pearson so eager to sign him.
He enjoyed an impressive debut at Hull, marred by the controversial decision to award a penalty against him for the foul on Benjamin Tetteh. Then against Sunderland, he had an afternoon to forget having lost the ball deep in his own half that allow the visitors to open the scoring.
Naismith, who struggled against the power of their two frontmen, arguably could have done better with the winner when he lost out in the aerial battle to Ross Stewart following a cross from the left.
He'll have another physical battle on his hands against Luton who line up with two powerful strikers in Cauley Woodrow and Elijah Adebayo - the latter who he would have come up against again and again in training during his time at Luton.
Against Coventry, he looked very solid and opened his account in a City shirt before being handed a tricky test against Wigan where he was good but far from spectacular. Coming to a new side and being tasked with marshalling a back three, it will take him time to settle and initial problems are to be expected but there's also a lot to like about his game.
His delivery from set-pieces is terrific, having helped set up the opener against Hull and he's comfortable on the ball which taps into Pearson's emphasis to play out from the back. He can pick out a pass, especially threading one through the midfield or a cross-field ball to the marauding wing-backs and he's extremely vocal showing leadership qualities in a defence that needs organising especially when backs are against the wall.
It's also worth noting his role at City has marginally changed from last season. Under Jones he was very much on the left of the defensive three but this time he is playing through the middle with more leadership responsibility. Again, it's a role that he will grow into as he continues to learn and adapt alongside defenders on either side.
The spotlight may be on Naismith tomorrow evening from all quarters but the result will be the most important aspect of the evening. Only the three points will be made that little bit sweeter if they came against Luton.
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