The League Two promotion race was a distinctly South West affair last season with all three sides gaining an automatic pathway into the third tier being from the region: Bristol Rovers, Exeter City and league champions Forest Green Rovers.
There was, as a result, an interesting rivalry between long-standing neighbours but never true adversaries. Granted, we’re not exactly talking a vociferous derby-like atmosphere, but there was something extra to games between the teams.
That is likely to continue and be further enhanced over the next nine months given their position now in League One and the fact that a familiar fixture from last term greets Rovers on July 30 for the first game of the new campaign.
However, while lots at the Gas has remained the same - Joey Barton, his staff and the bulk of the playing squad - Forest Green are a different (plant-based) animal altogether, with a new head coach and a set of new players but with the same mindset and methodology as before.