After a disaster of a 2012/13 campaign, Bristol City were relegated from the Championship having finished bottom of the division.

The club were relegated to League One and were embarking on a rebuilding missing to make it back to the second-tier as soon as possible.

That job to do so had started in earnest, and the day before the new season kicked off, Sean O’Driscoll added what looked to be the final piece of the puzzle in on August 2, 2013, with the signing of Marlon Pack.

The then 22-year-old put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal after leaving League Two Cheltenham Town in the summer, and as he was under 24, compensation was needed to be paid, with the two clubs agreeing on £100,000.

And the reaction by the Robins’ supporters was somewhat favourable at the acquisition of the talented wide-man.

The move to Ashton Gate almost never happened, had Pack completed a prospective move to Swindon in the January before, but a takeover at Whaddon Road had not been completed, nixing the deal. 

The 22-year-old made his debut in the club’s first League One fixture of the 2013/14 season, a 2-2 draw with Bradford.

After an indifferent start to the season, O’Driscoll was sacked before Steve Cotterill was appointed.

Pack would not manage to score for his new side that season with the adjusted to a new division taking longer than many had anticipated.

The Robins would end the season in 12th after their relegation.

Come the following season; it was a vast improvement with City winning the league by eight points and returning to the Championship after two years away.

It was an improved year for Pack who managed three goals and had more of an influence in games during his second season with the club.

After promotion Pack was again influential, but his goalscoring exploits would be less of their promotion year.

Despite that, he was starting to become a mainstay in the side making 48 appearances in all competitions that year.

After three years with Bristol City, Pack was sufficiently rewarded with a new two-year deal.

His importance in the side was highlighted with a new deal and the club’s fans being over the moon with the confirmation of a new two-year contract.

Lee Johnson had been in charge since halfway through the previous season and the Bristol City project was well underway and the new deal unlined the new boss’ faith in Pack and his importance going forward.

The now 25-year-old was still playing a role in the Robins’s side, scoring twice in 39 appearances in the 2016/17 season.

But as Bristol City supporters will know, it isn’t his goals that make him the player he is.

His all-round game and work ethic for the team are what makes him a fans’ favourite at Ashton Gate.

Playing more inside gave the midfielder more of a leadership role in the middle of the park for his team.

At the start of last season, such has been Pack’s importance, Johnson made him the club captain and rewarded him a new three-year deal to tie the City star down for the long-term and ward off any interest.

Bristol City fans were beside themselves with gratitude that the midfielder had agreed to a new long-term deal. 

His career has gone from strength-to-strength since the 43-mile move from Cheltenham to Bristol.

Coincidentally, after the new deal and being named Capitan, Pack had his best scoring season with four goals, but also had as much influence in the side between both boxes as he arguably ever has had.

The initial positive reaction to the signing of Pack was one that was positive yer cautious and the expectation has been blown out of the water.