It is evidence of globalisation when a ground deep in cider country has stands sponsored by a German lager and Irish stout. With its boggy pitch and motley jumble of terraces, the Memorial Stadium is very English in its quirkiness. But just as Bristol’s prosperity was built on foreign imports, Bristol Rovers are flourishing thanks to the influence of the Continent.

In 2005 the board boldly opted for a European-style management structure and appointed Lennie Lawrence as director of football to work with Paul Trollope as first-team coach. Even top-flight clubs who have tried replacing the traditional manager’s role have failed to make it work, but Rovers are one win away from their second trip to Wembley inside a year.

Last May, Rovers beat Shrewsbury Town in the Coca-Cola League Two play-offs final, and tomorrow they host West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Mid-table in League One, Rovers are the smallest club left in the competition, but Fulham and Southampton have already lost on a pitch churned a dozen times this season by Rovers’s tenants, Bristol rugby union club. “We are passers,” Lawrence said. “If people are frightened by the pitch it helps, but it doesn’t help us technically.”

When the 60-year-old began his management career as caretaker at Plymouth Argyle in 1978, Trollope was 5. They work well together despite the generation gap. “He’s very organised, single-minded, thorough and professional,” Lawrence said.

Trollope, a former Wales midfield player, was equally complimentary. “It’s great to have a mentor. I feel privileged,” he said. Lawrence handles transfers and does some coaching. “I had to evolve the role myself. Everyone has to understand clearly where they are,” Lawrence said.

“It’s not total agreement but we sort [our differences],” Trollope said. “The final decision is mine. There’s so much involvement with agents these days that sometimes managers are steered away from what they should be doing: preparing and motivating the players.”

Not that gee-ups should be necessary tomorrow. “If you catch West Brom on a good day they can rip you to pieces,” Lawrence said. “But they have lost eight away games in the Championship. If ever a game was going to be decided by the first goal, this is it.”

Tony Mowbray, the West Brom manager, was sold by Lawrence when he was in charge of Middlesbrough in the early Nineties. “He looked like a managerial type when he was younger,” Lawrence said. “He’s a Premier League manager in waiting.”

The same is true of Bristol. After decades in the doldrums, the city’s clubs are relishing their renaissance. Rovers might find that not even a Cup semi-final will be enough to outshine Bristol City if they maintain their place at the top of the Championship.

“Bristol is big enough to sustain a Premier League club,” Lawrence said. “We can sustain being a Championship club with a new stadium.” Their characterful home is set for demolition. The stadium will be rebuilt from this summer and Rovers will have to groundshare for 18 months, probably with Cheltenham Town. They will return to an 18,500-seat venue — its construction will be funded by flats built to house those infamous lovers of cheap cider: students.

Mowbray, rocked by the news that Filipe Teixeira could be out for eight months with cruciate knee ligament damage, has promised not to make the state of the pitch an excuse tomorrow.

The West Brom manager has challenged his team to earn the influential midfield player Barclays Premier League football by the time he is ready to return. “It is a huge blow for him,” Mowbray said. “He has contributed exceptionally well this year and he will be a big loss to us. Having said that, we have got a squad who will pick up the baton and get on with it. When he is fully recovered, let’s hope we are in a position to offer him Premier League football.”

West Brom, who got their attempt to win promotion back on track in the past week with successive wins in the Championship, may not be able to play their slick passing game. “Conditions can even situations up a little bit,” Mowbray said. “We go there understanding we will not be playing on a pristine pitch and if the wind blows, the wind blows. We will go and compete the best we can.”

Bristol Rovers (possible; 4-4-2): S Phillips – A Lescott, D Coles, J Jacobson, C Hinton – S Igoe, S Campbell, C Disley, L Haldane – A Williams, R Lambert.

West Bromwich Albion (possible; 4-4-2): D Kiely – C Hoefkens, L Barnett, M Albrechtsen, P Robinson – R Koren, J Greening, Z Gera, C Brunt – R Bednar, L Moore. Referee: M Clattenburg.

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