With the real economy still in a mess and with the Government promising austerity for many years to come this Christmas is an opportunity to summon up some cheer. I have always enjoyed the unique combination of football and beer and Christmas is the perfect time to execute!
As 2013 comes to a close City's players have really given us a lift with a tremendous run of results.
Hayes was always going to be a tough fixture so the late postponement was a mixed blessing. For City's fans being told that the pitch was playable only for the match referee to then call it if is an all too familiar story. The supporters coach made it to Fleet before being told! It's not good. Supporters paid £20 a head to travel.
City did enough in the Boxing day game against Weston and duly picked up the 3 points needed to propel us back towards the playoff zone.Ross Stearn's goal from Andy Watkins, s superb cross was a beauty. The 852 crowd was encouraging given the paucity of away fans.
It is positive that City have strengthened their attacking options with the signing of Welsh striker Nat Jarvis though he looked to need match time as his touch deserted him in his substitute appearance.
City are now 7th and looking good for at least a playoff place when the season ends.
With the AGM coming next Monday (30th December), I for one am hoping for a fresh start for a Club off the pitch with a new unity. Indeed the news came through early last Monday that the Club's Chairman, Manda Rigby, had resigned. On a personal note I was very happy to hear this. I had first hand experience of the regime and I am sure more will be said as time passes.I look forward to working with the new Chair Paul Williams and know that he has the qualities to bring us all together for the good of the Club. I go into 2014 feeling much happier!! It was certainly a better atmosphere at Twerton with a lot of smiling faces!
I wanted to talk about beer and praise the Club's bars and Andy Weekes for keeping faith with real ale and in particular Dorset based Palmers. Bath itself is a real ale City with 10 listed pubs and a few great local bitters notably Bath ales (Gem), Bellringer and Butcombe - all firm favourites of mine.
I would of course, rather live in Bath, my home town, but since leaving for University in 1974 work has meant that I have lived far and wide. I hope to come home permanently when circumstances allow.
One of the positives about living in Derby is that it has been designated the 'Real ale capital of the world' by none other than the 'Lonely Planet Guide'.
A City of 250,000 people it has 12 breweries and on any one night 180 different real ales to choose from. It is very competitive and in some pubs £2.50 a pint is the norm. There are 30 breweries in the County!
The local breweries love a good name. The Dancing Duck brewery keeps up its theme with 'Nice weather for', '22', 'Ay Up' and 'Abduction' plus 'DCUK'. Leatherbritches features 'Hairy Helmet' and the Derby Brewing Company has 'Business as Usual' and 'Old Intentional' as well as 'Dashingly Dark'. Football is never far away with 'Brown Clough' and 'Old Big Head'. The Falstaff brewery boasts 'Smiling Assassin' and a 'Fistful of Hops.'
I hope City get a fixture around Derby area again before I move back south. I would be happy to lead a group of City fans on a tour of the great local hostelries!
Tomorrow's trip to Eastleigh will be tough. City looked a little rusty after an almost 3 week layoff but if we can keep the unbeaten run going that will be a bonus against a promotion favourite.
It was great to be back in Bath over Christmas. And I aim to be at Weston on New Years Day and will write again on Thursday 2nd January with news and views from the AGM and hopefully a result by the seaside!
In the meantime a Happy New Year to all!
What price 2014 as a promotion year for City?
Friday 27 December 2013
Wednesday 18 December 2013
MANAGERIAL LONGEVITY
League managers don't last long. Such is the pressure for success that some managers last just a few weeks. Recently there has been a spate of sackings in the Premier League and Championship. If a manager lasts 4 or 5 years it is quite exceptional. Alex Ferguson aside I think one of the league's longest serving managers since Dario Gradi was Nigel Clough with his 5 years at Derby.
At Bath City the Adie Britton/Lee Howells partnership has lasted almost 5 years and Adie Britton has been with the Club since 2006.
Until a few weeks ago both he and Archie were under fire after City slumped to the relegation zone after an 8 game barren spell and we went tamely out of the FA Cup against Salisbury.
But City's resurgence, a 9 game unbeaten run built on attack, has taken us into the playoff places and surely vindicated those who say we should give a management team time to build a team.
Of course at City we have a management duo who work unpaid and some say that has meant that moving them on wasn't an option.
For me Adie Britton has a good track record with City and I think he is the man to take us back to the Conference Premier and keep us there. I know people will disagree with me but a management style that encourages and supports the players is the key to success. A Board and fans that allows a run of bad results (painful though it is) and values patience is for me the right framework. Playing the long game will surely pay dividends?
I may show my frustration at poor performances and defeats but my head says encouragement, patience and managerial longevity is the right way to go.
What a bleak pre-Christmas Saturday it was without City playing.
We are on such a good run that I just want the fixtures to keep coming. Hopefully the players will profit from the break and with Ross Stearn back we can carry on where we left off by getting points at Hayes (Woking) this coming Saturday.
I am really looking forward to the Boxing Day fixture against Weston Super Mare. I hope to catch up with old City friends on what I regard as the best sporting day of the Year. Let's hope the weather stays on our side.
I don't plan to write on Christmas Day so my next piece will be on Friday 27th December
At Bath City the Adie Britton/Lee Howells partnership has lasted almost 5 years and Adie Britton has been with the Club since 2006.
Until a few weeks ago both he and Archie were under fire after City slumped to the relegation zone after an 8 game barren spell and we went tamely out of the FA Cup against Salisbury.
But City's resurgence, a 9 game unbeaten run built on attack, has taken us into the playoff places and surely vindicated those who say we should give a management team time to build a team.
Of course at City we have a management duo who work unpaid and some say that has meant that moving them on wasn't an option.
For me Adie Britton has a good track record with City and I think he is the man to take us back to the Conference Premier and keep us there. I know people will disagree with me but a management style that encourages and supports the players is the key to success. A Board and fans that allows a run of bad results (painful though it is) and values patience is for me the right framework. Playing the long game will surely pay dividends?
I may show my frustration at poor performances and defeats but my head says encouragement, patience and managerial longevity is the right way to go.
What a bleak pre-Christmas Saturday it was without City playing.
We are on such a good run that I just want the fixtures to keep coming. Hopefully the players will profit from the break and with Ross Stearn back we can carry on where we left off by getting points at Hayes (Woking) this coming Saturday.
I am really looking forward to the Boxing Day fixture against Weston Super Mare. I hope to catch up with old City friends on what I regard as the best sporting day of the Year. Let's hope the weather stays on our side.
I don't plan to write on Christmas Day so my next piece will be on Friday 27th December
Wednesday 11 December 2013
THE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
I was in Glasgow for work purposes last weekend. I stayed on for Saturday afternoon to go with an old friend to watch Glasgow Rangers play at Ibrox.
It was a comfortable win for Rangers and quite boring so I was able to listen to the commentary from May Day Trust park, despite the noise of 40,000 people in the Ibrox cauldron.
My disappointment at Boreham Wood's last gasp equaliser lasted only a short while as I rationalised that City's unbeaten record was intact and that we were still effectively in the playoff zone on points (if not goal difference). But in the pub after the game we discussed the 'fact' that City should have won and should have been in the top 3.
My friend then talked about Rangers' exploits in the European Cup in 1964 which he says they should have won (thereby beating Celtic to the accolade). I talked about City's 'almost' election to the Football League in 1978 when Wigan pipped us by 5 northern votes. The 'things that should have been' list grew rapidly as we talked. If only Cromwell hadn't cancelled Christmas in 1647 then Britain would have surely remained a Republic. We wouldn't have had the craziness of Rangers fans singing 'God save the Queen' and booing the Ayr fans tuneful rendition of the Scottish national anthem. The world indeed turned upside down!
By the end of the evening we had enough 'things that should have been' to fill a book!
The 'off the pitch' news is that Bath City FC's AGM has been called for 30th December, 2013.
The accounts for 2012 show losses increasing and stadium maintenance costs in particular rising. The Club has to find a way to stem these losses but the current disunity doesn't help in taking the Club forward.
The poor quality of the referee was a major talking point for City fans after Saturday's game and Adie Britton was unhappy with the lack of protection from Boreham wood's physicality 'off the ball'. I hadn't realised that this was Joe Burnell's first sending off in 14 unblemished professional years. That says it all about the referee's performance. I just hope there was an assessor there!
City have announced an attractive second half of the season ticket. £120 gets you the last 12 home games......could be a run in to promotion?
The blank Saturday coming up will give the various walking wounded and suspended a chance to come back for the trip to Hayes on 21st December and the Christmas/New Year double header against Weston Super Mare.
I plan to be there for both Weston games and of course the AGM.
I hope your blank Saturday isn't entirely taken up by the evil of Christmas shopping.
It was a comfortable win for Rangers and quite boring so I was able to listen to the commentary from May Day Trust park, despite the noise of 40,000 people in the Ibrox cauldron.
My disappointment at Boreham Wood's last gasp equaliser lasted only a short while as I rationalised that City's unbeaten record was intact and that we were still effectively in the playoff zone on points (if not goal difference). But in the pub after the game we discussed the 'fact' that City should have won and should have been in the top 3.
My friend then talked about Rangers' exploits in the European Cup in 1964 which he says they should have won (thereby beating Celtic to the accolade). I talked about City's 'almost' election to the Football League in 1978 when Wigan pipped us by 5 northern votes. The 'things that should have been' list grew rapidly as we talked. If only Cromwell hadn't cancelled Christmas in 1647 then Britain would have surely remained a Republic. We wouldn't have had the craziness of Rangers fans singing 'God save the Queen' and booing the Ayr fans tuneful rendition of the Scottish national anthem. The world indeed turned upside down!
By the end of the evening we had enough 'things that should have been' to fill a book!
The 'off the pitch' news is that Bath City FC's AGM has been called for 30th December, 2013.
The accounts for 2012 show losses increasing and stadium maintenance costs in particular rising. The Club has to find a way to stem these losses but the current disunity doesn't help in taking the Club forward.
The poor quality of the referee was a major talking point for City fans after Saturday's game and Adie Britton was unhappy with the lack of protection from Boreham wood's physicality 'off the ball'. I hadn't realised that this was Joe Burnell's first sending off in 14 unblemished professional years. That says it all about the referee's performance. I just hope there was an assessor there!
City have announced an attractive second half of the season ticket. £120 gets you the last 12 home games......could be a run in to promotion?
The blank Saturday coming up will give the various walking wounded and suspended a chance to come back for the trip to Hayes on 21st December and the Christmas/New Year double header against Weston Super Mare.
I plan to be there for both Weston games and of course the AGM.
I hope your blank Saturday isn't entirely taken up by the evil of Christmas shopping.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
YOUTH IS PART OF THE ANSWER
For a Club like Bath City the encouragement of younger players is essential. The work being done by the Foundation stimulates more interest in the City's football Club - through the coaching sessions some might be good enough to move through the Club's youth structure but many enjoy the excitement of the game and come along to watch.
The work being done by Billy Clark at the Bath City Academy is really bearing fruit. Noah Keats is now a fixture in midfield and Dan Bowman's rise has been meteoric.
Indeed City's team does have a youthful look about it when you add in Dan Ball, Jason Mellor and Chris Allen. Young Elliott Gibbons is now getting a place on City's bench.
It is notable that other recent signings Andy Watkins, Dave Pratt and Ross Stearn are all in their early twenties.
There will always be a need for the older professional at the Club.....currently Josh Low, Adam Connolly, Jim Rollo, Aaron Brown and Joe Burnell are the players with league experience at a senior level and over the years the flow of ex League players into the Club has always been important to bringing fans in. There were also the the cameos by people like ex Tottenham midfielder Darren Caskey and ex Glasgow Rangers defender Jimmy McIlroy.
With money tight we need that blend of home grown youth and experience and the signs are that we are achieving it.
City's trip to lowly Boreham wood ended in another victory and a brilliant left foot strike into the top corner from Andy Watkins to win it. It was a hard fought win but the signs are that City's team spirit and battling qualities are back with a vengeance. One of the experienced ex League players, Joe Burnell, was universally agreed as man of the match but Mark Preece also played well and Jason Mellor made a match winning save in the second half.
City are now in the top 5 and hold a playoff place.
It is quite a turnaround in just a few short weeks and credit must go the the management team, players and hardy fans who have continued to back the players.
The return fixture against Boreham Wood is at May Day Trust Park next Saturday. We hope for another 3 points to stay in touch at the top.
The following Saturday's game against Ebbsfleet is now postponed so it will be the Boxing day clash with Weston that will be the next home fixture after this coming Saturday.
So if you need your City football fix before Christmas, this Saturday is your last chance. At least you can offer to go Christmas shopping on the 14th!
The work being done by Billy Clark at the Bath City Academy is really bearing fruit. Noah Keats is now a fixture in midfield and Dan Bowman's rise has been meteoric.
Indeed City's team does have a youthful look about it when you add in Dan Ball, Jason Mellor and Chris Allen. Young Elliott Gibbons is now getting a place on City's bench.
It is notable that other recent signings Andy Watkins, Dave Pratt and Ross Stearn are all in their early twenties.
There will always be a need for the older professional at the Club.....currently Josh Low, Adam Connolly, Jim Rollo, Aaron Brown and Joe Burnell are the players with league experience at a senior level and over the years the flow of ex League players into the Club has always been important to bringing fans in. There were also the the cameos by people like ex Tottenham midfielder Darren Caskey and ex Glasgow Rangers defender Jimmy McIlroy.
With money tight we need that blend of home grown youth and experience and the signs are that we are achieving it.
City's trip to lowly Boreham wood ended in another victory and a brilliant left foot strike into the top corner from Andy Watkins to win it. It was a hard fought win but the signs are that City's team spirit and battling qualities are back with a vengeance. One of the experienced ex League players, Joe Burnell, was universally agreed as man of the match but Mark Preece also played well and Jason Mellor made a match winning save in the second half.
City are now in the top 5 and hold a playoff place.
It is quite a turnaround in just a few short weeks and credit must go the the management team, players and hardy fans who have continued to back the players.
The return fixture against Boreham Wood is at May Day Trust Park next Saturday. We hope for another 3 points to stay in touch at the top.
The following Saturday's game against Ebbsfleet is now postponed so it will be the Boxing day clash with Weston that will be the next home fixture after this coming Saturday.
So if you need your City football fix before Christmas, this Saturday is your last chance. At least you can offer to go Christmas shopping on the 14th!
Wednesday 27 November 2013
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
City really did announce their candidacy for the 2014 playoffs with a solid win over Maidenhead United at May Day Trust Park last Saturday.
We had enough chances to win by more than Dave Pratt's solitary header but the current league momentum was maintained and we climbed to just 1 point off a playoff place. (Last night's results meant that we dropped to 2 points off the top 5).That's quite a turnaround in just a few short weeks.
Can we keep it up?
Josh Low filled in for Ross Stearn and City's star man has another 2 games of a suspension to serve. With other suspensions looming (Dan Ball for 5 yellows) the squad does look thin. It's going to be harder to keep the run going without more squad depth.
What looked like too many games in November evaporated when the Boreham Wood away game was postponed and then the trip to Tonbridge. However the Club have moved quickly to fill the spare date. City will now go to Boreham Wood on 30 November but a mid week trip to darkest Kent still beckons.
Next up at home is Boreham Wood on 7th December followed by Ebbsfleet on 14th. 6 points from those 3 games will keep us firmly in contention.
The Club has very little time to set up an AGM in 2013. It is a chance for shareholders to ask some questions and get a bit more detail on how the finances look.
For me the questions are around the debt. It is bound to have risen but by how much and why? And what are we doing to counter that? There are strong rumours that the site for a new stadium is Lansdown. When will we have a formal Club position on a move?
Given that the team has worked wonders to get us to the fringes of the playoffs how can we keep it up? Is there scope to strengthen the squad?
And very fundamentally for me when will supporters be able to play their part in the Club again after 2 years of the current Chairman systematically excluding the Society and the Supporters Club?
These questions and many more wait to be asked when we the shareholders have an opportunity.
On a final note the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation held its AGM last Friday. Under the continued leadership of Pete Sellwood and Ken Loach, the Foundation goes from strength to strength. Long time City fan Steve Skinner is now part of the team working with Pete Sellwood. I am a Foundation Board member so must declare an interest of course but I am proud to be associated with such a success story.
We had enough chances to win by more than Dave Pratt's solitary header but the current league momentum was maintained and we climbed to just 1 point off a playoff place. (Last night's results meant that we dropped to 2 points off the top 5).That's quite a turnaround in just a few short weeks.
Can we keep it up?
Josh Low filled in for Ross Stearn and City's star man has another 2 games of a suspension to serve. With other suspensions looming (Dan Ball for 5 yellows) the squad does look thin. It's going to be harder to keep the run going without more squad depth.
What looked like too many games in November evaporated when the Boreham Wood away game was postponed and then the trip to Tonbridge. However the Club have moved quickly to fill the spare date. City will now go to Boreham Wood on 30 November but a mid week trip to darkest Kent still beckons.
Next up at home is Boreham Wood on 7th December followed by Ebbsfleet on 14th. 6 points from those 3 games will keep us firmly in contention.
The Club has very little time to set up an AGM in 2013. It is a chance for shareholders to ask some questions and get a bit more detail on how the finances look.
For me the questions are around the debt. It is bound to have risen but by how much and why? And what are we doing to counter that? There are strong rumours that the site for a new stadium is Lansdown. When will we have a formal Club position on a move?
Given that the team has worked wonders to get us to the fringes of the playoffs how can we keep it up? Is there scope to strengthen the squad?
And very fundamentally for me when will supporters be able to play their part in the Club again after 2 years of the current Chairman systematically excluding the Society and the Supporters Club?
These questions and many more wait to be asked when we the shareholders have an opportunity.
On a final note the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation held its AGM last Friday. Under the continued leadership of Pete Sellwood and Ken Loach, the Foundation goes from strength to strength. Long time City fan Steve Skinner is now part of the team working with Pete Sellwood. I am a Foundation Board member so must declare an interest of course but I am proud to be associated with such a success story.
Wednesday 20 November 2013
ONLY THE PLAYOFFS LEFT?
With City's defeat at Dover, the only way to keep this season alive is a tilt at a playoff place.
When the draw was made many of us felt that the annual curse of the FA Trophy had struck before a ball had been kicked but City's recent form gave us real hope that we could progress. It wasn't to be. Some said that it was a battling performance and we gave Dover a run for their money. Others felt we did a 'Salisbury' and paid them too much respect. Whatever the post match analysis we lost.
7 hardy City fans made the long trip by train but the winner of the award for travel goes to Andy Watkins who came all the way from Launceston to Dover and back in one day. That's real commitment to the cause!
I wonder what he and the rest of the squad think about the rest of the season?
In the cold light of day I am not sure our squad is strong enough to mount a challenge. We have seen that we have the talent but I think Martin Powell made the point that our best 11 was there at Dover and we don't have many options beyond that. He is right but presumably finances limit what we can do. Isn't there a young striker in the academy who could join the 16?
Things have gone very quiet off the pitch.
I still hold very firmly to my view that all is not well and that change must come if we are to progress as a united Club.
This coming Saturday City return home to play Maidenhead United. Can the thrills of the Sutton game be repeated? I certainly hope so.
I am sure Andy Watkins is looking forward to a shorter trip!
We need to keep picking up points to be there or thereabouts by January/February 2014. We are currently only 4 points off a play off place.
A word of congratulation to Charlie Griffin and Brackley Town on their FA Cup success. I know he was an unused substitute but I am amongst those who would have liked to have seen Charlie stay with us as part of a squad. It is good to see that he is enjoying success at his new Club.
When the draw was made many of us felt that the annual curse of the FA Trophy had struck before a ball had been kicked but City's recent form gave us real hope that we could progress. It wasn't to be. Some said that it was a battling performance and we gave Dover a run for their money. Others felt we did a 'Salisbury' and paid them too much respect. Whatever the post match analysis we lost.
7 hardy City fans made the long trip by train but the winner of the award for travel goes to Andy Watkins who came all the way from Launceston to Dover and back in one day. That's real commitment to the cause!
I wonder what he and the rest of the squad think about the rest of the season?
In the cold light of day I am not sure our squad is strong enough to mount a challenge. We have seen that we have the talent but I think Martin Powell made the point that our best 11 was there at Dover and we don't have many options beyond that. He is right but presumably finances limit what we can do. Isn't there a young striker in the academy who could join the 16?
Things have gone very quiet off the pitch.
I still hold very firmly to my view that all is not well and that change must come if we are to progress as a united Club.
This coming Saturday City return home to play Maidenhead United. Can the thrills of the Sutton game be repeated? I certainly hope so.
I am sure Andy Watkins is looking forward to a shorter trip!
We need to keep picking up points to be there or thereabouts by January/February 2014. We are currently only 4 points off a play off place.
A word of congratulation to Charlie Griffin and Brackley Town on their FA Cup success. I know he was an unused substitute but I am amongst those who would have liked to have seen Charlie stay with us as part of a squad. It is good to see that he is enjoying success at his new Club.
Wednesday 13 November 2013
CITY BEAT LEAGUE'S 'WHIPPING BOYS'
One of the great things about writing regularly is that you can drag up old cliches and phrases. Football is full of them.
Every season there is at least one team that is a clear struggler. This year it's Dorchester Town. They have now played 13 and lost 10. The League's 'whipping boys' is an old phrase that came to mind as I thought about what I would write this week. A 'whipping boy' is someone who took a beating regularly. Strictly it was a servant for young princes or aristocrats who took the punishment for something their 'master' had done wrong.
Dorchester are being beaten regularly because of their parlous financial state. They have had to let good players go following savage budget cuts.
It is a real s shame because it's a Club with a lot to offer.It has a good modern well designed stadium in a lovely part of Britain. The Club is now community run but it inherited a terrible financial mess. I wish them well in rebuilding the Club.
City started as clear bookies favourites and duly delivered through 2 Dan Ball headers in the first twelve minutes. The game was effectively over then apart from Ross Stearn's sending off with half an hour to go. The consensus is that he retaliated after being fouled or said something to the referee. It is bad news because City's recent winning formula will be disrupted in his 3 game absence.
We are now motoring and certainly kept a foot on the pedal with a stirring home draw with high flyers Sutton United on Tuesday night. It was a great game particularly given that Sutton were in the top 5 and had only lost twice all season (and only once away from home). At 2-0 down with half an hour to go this team's 'never say die' attitude kicked in and we could have won it with a last minute spot kick. The ever impressive Stearn being denied by a spectacular save. The old buzz was back at Twerton and things really are looking up!
Whilst a 471 crowd wasn't bad by recent standards attendances remain a concern. The team are certainly doing their bit but I have always wondered whether twitter and facebook are the ways to get local people to come out and watch on a cold Tuesday night in Bath.
As a shareholder and long time fan of the Club I want to know what is being done to improve crowds. The Club's finances can only be getting worse. We cannot be put in the same position as Dorchester. When the Club's AGM finally comes I'll certainly be asking this question of the Chairman.
Every season there is at least one team that is a clear struggler. This year it's Dorchester Town. They have now played 13 and lost 10. The League's 'whipping boys' is an old phrase that came to mind as I thought about what I would write this week. A 'whipping boy' is someone who took a beating regularly. Strictly it was a servant for young princes or aristocrats who took the punishment for something their 'master' had done wrong.
Dorchester are being beaten regularly because of their parlous financial state. They have had to let good players go following savage budget cuts.
It is a real s shame because it's a Club with a lot to offer.It has a good modern well designed stadium in a lovely part of Britain. The Club is now community run but it inherited a terrible financial mess. I wish them well in rebuilding the Club.
City started as clear bookies favourites and duly delivered through 2 Dan Ball headers in the first twelve minutes. The game was effectively over then apart from Ross Stearn's sending off with half an hour to go. The consensus is that he retaliated after being fouled or said something to the referee. It is bad news because City's recent winning formula will be disrupted in his 3 game absence.
We are now motoring and certainly kept a foot on the pedal with a stirring home draw with high flyers Sutton United on Tuesday night. It was a great game particularly given that Sutton were in the top 5 and had only lost twice all season (and only once away from home). At 2-0 down with half an hour to go this team's 'never say die' attitude kicked in and we could have won it with a last minute spot kick. The ever impressive Stearn being denied by a spectacular save. The old buzz was back at Twerton and things really are looking up!
Whilst a 471 crowd wasn't bad by recent standards attendances remain a concern. The team are certainly doing their bit but I have always wondered whether twitter and facebook are the ways to get local people to come out and watch on a cold Tuesday night in Bath.
As a shareholder and long time fan of the Club I want to know what is being done to improve crowds. The Club's finances can only be getting worse. We cannot be put in the same position as Dorchester. When the Club's AGM finally comes I'll certainly be asking this question of the Chairman.
Wednesday 6 November 2013
ATTACKING INTENT MAINTAINED
City maintained the attacking intent established at Farnborough to solidly beat Havant and Waterlooville at May day Trust park last Saturday.
Ross Stearn showed why you should never leave your best players on the bench. He might not be the best player at tracking back and on occasion holds on to the ball for too long but his flair is there for all to see. His hat trick puts him amongst the League's top scorers and earned him man of the match on the day. Every time City have a free kick around the box, Stearn looks likely and so it was last Saturday. Ex Rovers keeper Bevan seemed to have it covered but was beaten but a grass skimmer which had far too much pace for even his 6 foot 4 inch frame to reach.
Like many other supporters I found Lee Howell's post match interview comments about Stearn somewhat difficult to understand!
But it isn't just about Stearn. Andy Watkins looks very lively and set up the second goal with great skill on the bye line. Young Bowman looks promising and when he adds the final ball to his repertoire will be a real find. Dave Pratt is rapidly winning fans plaudits for the most industrious player in black and white stripes. He was everywhere.
The only worry now is the lack of paying customers. Just 451 for a Saturday match with no Bath rugby home fixture is a real concern.
I won't repeat the arguments I have made before but the Board has to do something about this .....match day income is critically low. halting the decline requires new leadership!
I did enjoy the game despite Havant's late arrival for which they will surely be fined. I did join in the chorus of boos as they proceeded to delay the start further with an elaborate touchline warm up routine.
The substitute linesman did a brilliant job and was scrupulously fair as he gave City offside on a number of occasions.Without him the game might have been abandoned.
I met my fellow Derby based Bath City fan by chance for the first time late on in the game. It was great to meet Gareth who like me had done the 145 miles south for the game.
On Monday City faced 'cross town rivals' Larkhall in the Somerset Cup. I did find the match hype a little strange as we had never played them before! They are going well though and there was a healthy crowd of over 200. I hope they go on to get promotion..
Not unexpectedly the FA Trophy draw was completely unkind to us. A long trip to Dover is a difficult tie but if we can win this surely this could be our year!
This Saturday we face a struggling Dorchester Town. It feels like a 'banker' away win but we all know that there are no easy games. But if we maintain the attacking mindset then surely we'll get in contention for a play off place?
Ross Stearn showed why you should never leave your best players on the bench. He might not be the best player at tracking back and on occasion holds on to the ball for too long but his flair is there for all to see. His hat trick puts him amongst the League's top scorers and earned him man of the match on the day. Every time City have a free kick around the box, Stearn looks likely and so it was last Saturday. Ex Rovers keeper Bevan seemed to have it covered but was beaten but a grass skimmer which had far too much pace for even his 6 foot 4 inch frame to reach.
Like many other supporters I found Lee Howell's post match interview comments about Stearn somewhat difficult to understand!
The only worry now is the lack of paying customers. Just 451 for a Saturday match with no Bath rugby home fixture is a real concern.
I won't repeat the arguments I have made before but the Board has to do something about this .....match day income is critically low. halting the decline requires new leadership!
I did enjoy the game despite Havant's late arrival for which they will surely be fined. I did join in the chorus of boos as they proceeded to delay the start further with an elaborate touchline warm up routine.
The substitute linesman did a brilliant job and was scrupulously fair as he gave City offside on a number of occasions.Without him the game might have been abandoned.
I met my fellow Derby based Bath City fan by chance for the first time late on in the game. It was great to meet Gareth who like me had done the 145 miles south for the game.
On Monday City faced 'cross town rivals' Larkhall in the Somerset Cup. I did find the match hype a little strange as we had never played them before! They are going well though and there was a healthy crowd of over 200. I hope they go on to get promotion..
Not unexpectedly the FA Trophy draw was completely unkind to us. A long trip to Dover is a difficult tie but if we can win this surely this could be our year!
This Saturday we face a struggling Dorchester Town. It feels like a 'banker' away win but we all know that there are no easy games. But if we maintain the attacking mindset then surely we'll get in contention for a play off place?
Wednesday 30 October 2013
BOUNCING BACK IN STYLE
After Saturday's disappointing exit from the FA Cup against Salisbury City the players of Bath City bounced back in some style with a 4-2 win at Farnborough Town on Tuesday night.
From all accounts it was City's best performance of the season and confirms that we have the quality and can summon the spirit when needed.
Will the team again be set up with attacking intent for this coming Saturday's home league game against Havant And Waterlooville? The smart money is on a return to a more traditional centre back pairing and no repeat of the Pratt, Stearn, Watkins trio heralded before the start of the season.
I hope it us repeated as I plan to make the journey home to see the team for the second successive Saturday.
Whilst I felt that the defeat by Salisbury was a let down - I hoped for a barnstorming Cup tie- the 1000 plus crowd was encouraging.
We do really have something to build on if the Club's supporters can be part of a Club revival.
There is a lot of talent and masses of energy which could surely help us achieve a Club once again rooted in the community.
I apologise that this weeks blog is a little late and shorter than normal. I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days in Berlin to get over the Cup defeat.
I also listened to snatches of the win over Farnborough on City radio though the breaks in transmission made Bob Chester sound a little like Norman Collier! It is brilliant to get news of City games when abroad so I am definitely not complaining.
See you this coming Saturday!
From all accounts it was City's best performance of the season and confirms that we have the quality and can summon the spirit when needed.
Will the team again be set up with attacking intent for this coming Saturday's home league game against Havant And Waterlooville? The smart money is on a return to a more traditional centre back pairing and no repeat of the Pratt, Stearn, Watkins trio heralded before the start of the season.
I hope it us repeated as I plan to make the journey home to see the team for the second successive Saturday.
Whilst I felt that the defeat by Salisbury was a let down - I hoped for a barnstorming Cup tie- the 1000 plus crowd was encouraging.
We do really have something to build on if the Club's supporters can be part of a Club revival.
There is a lot of talent and masses of energy which could surely help us achieve a Club once again rooted in the community.
I apologise that this weeks blog is a little late and shorter than normal. I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days in Berlin to get over the Cup defeat.
I also listened to snatches of the win over Farnborough on City radio though the breaks in transmission made Bob Chester sound a little like Norman Collier! It is brilliant to get news of City games when abroad so I am definitely not complaining.
See you this coming Saturday!
Wednesday 23 October 2013
A POINT GAINED?
When you are 2 nil down to a side just above you in the table and have only won once in the last 8 games and lie just outside the relegation places , there is no doubt that it is a point gained when you fight back for a 2-2 draw. But City were fancied to do better than this and almost a quarter of the way through the season and half way through the 3 year plan to make real progress, it doesn't feel that good to me. Add to it that we would have expected to beat a struggling Whitehawk side (though travelling support said they were an OK team) and it was hard to celebrate much on Saturday evening.
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
Wednesday 16 October 2013
CUP SUCCESS BRINGS TEMPORARY RESPITE
They did it!
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
Wednesday 9 October 2013
GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
3 straight League defeats and no goals makes terrible reading for fans of Bath City Football Club. We now lie in 18th place in the table. The early season optimism has most definitely evaporated and fears of another 'non-event' season grow.
Why is it so bad?
Many people blame Adie Britton and Archie Howells and some blame some of the players. We have a talented group of footballers so why we can't get results must be down to the way the team is set up and the mindset of the players. It is the latter that has attracted attention recently. Aaron Brown trudged quietly off the pitch after seeing red at Chelmsford and there were no protests from City players or the bench! Ross Stearn appears unhappy with the management by all accounts.Is it therefore a happy and unified squad? Certainly there were rumours of disquiet over contracts and pay and an unhappy dressing room. Some will say this is normal at Clubs but isn't this unusual at City?
I have said before that the current leadership of Bath City Football Club is not pulling the Club together. When all is not well off the pitch then it surely affects the feel of the team on it.A unified Club definitely transmits to the management and the players in a positive way.
Many people are now calling for change. Only the Board can do that and its up to them. They are also Bath City fans and want the best for the Club.After 2 difficult years I wonder how long things will be allowed to deteriorate before action is taken.
October can often be a difficult month in the finances of a non league football Club.
We know that Bath City FC is struggling when it comes to the money but this month will challenge the Club's coffers even more. Whilst the FA Cup can be the financial saviour it can also hit cashflow. The next scheduled home game for City is Saturday 2nd November against Havant and Waterlooville. City's progress to the third Qualifying round of the Cup meant that the home game against Sutton on 12th October has been postponed. There will be a share of the gate money at Bridgwater but won't that at best cover expenses?
We'll all be hoping for a City win and then a home draw on 26th October!
I don't know much about Bridgwater. When I was a lad it was famous for its carnival and I might have even been once. Now its somewhere you pass on the M5. It's close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, soon to be re-constructed by a French power Company but that's about it really.
They were always in the Western League but with the expansion of the pyramid have now become a force to be reckoned with in the lower reaches of the Southern League. I am always nervous about playing teams who are unbeaten and as gloom mongers in the social media have pointed out, City's Cup history is littered with failures against such teams. It is not going to be easy. The current City side likes to pass the ball. Do we have the players for a Cup scrap? We'll know by 4.50 p.m. this coming Saturday.
One things for sure, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the likes of Chris Holland, Matt Coupe, Jon Holloway, Darren Edwards and Lewis Hogg in the team for a game like this, but City showed battling qualities against Gosport and I believe we can do it again this coming Saturday.
We certainly have to do better than at Chelmsford last week. For what it's worth I think City's players will raise it this Saturday but my fear is that the Club's problems run deep and we won't go forward again until fundamental change is made.
Why is it so bad?
Many people blame Adie Britton and Archie Howells and some blame some of the players. We have a talented group of footballers so why we can't get results must be down to the way the team is set up and the mindset of the players. It is the latter that has attracted attention recently. Aaron Brown trudged quietly off the pitch after seeing red at Chelmsford and there were no protests from City players or the bench! Ross Stearn appears unhappy with the management by all accounts.Is it therefore a happy and unified squad? Certainly there were rumours of disquiet over contracts and pay and an unhappy dressing room. Some will say this is normal at Clubs but isn't this unusual at City?
I have said before that the current leadership of Bath City Football Club is not pulling the Club together. When all is not well off the pitch then it surely affects the feel of the team on it.A unified Club definitely transmits to the management and the players in a positive way.
Many people are now calling for change. Only the Board can do that and its up to them. They are also Bath City fans and want the best for the Club.After 2 difficult years I wonder how long things will be allowed to deteriorate before action is taken.
October can often be a difficult month in the finances of a non league football Club.
We know that Bath City FC is struggling when it comes to the money but this month will challenge the Club's coffers even more. Whilst the FA Cup can be the financial saviour it can also hit cashflow. The next scheduled home game for City is Saturday 2nd November against Havant and Waterlooville. City's progress to the third Qualifying round of the Cup meant that the home game against Sutton on 12th October has been postponed. There will be a share of the gate money at Bridgwater but won't that at best cover expenses?
We'll all be hoping for a City win and then a home draw on 26th October!
I don't know much about Bridgwater. When I was a lad it was famous for its carnival and I might have even been once. Now its somewhere you pass on the M5. It's close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, soon to be re-constructed by a French power Company but that's about it really.
They were always in the Western League but with the expansion of the pyramid have now become a force to be reckoned with in the lower reaches of the Southern League. I am always nervous about playing teams who are unbeaten and as gloom mongers in the social media have pointed out, City's Cup history is littered with failures against such teams. It is not going to be easy. The current City side likes to pass the ball. Do we have the players for a Cup scrap? We'll know by 4.50 p.m. this coming Saturday.
One things for sure, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the likes of Chris Holland, Matt Coupe, Jon Holloway, Darren Edwards and Lewis Hogg in the team for a game like this, but City showed battling qualities against Gosport and I believe we can do it again this coming Saturday.
We certainly have to do better than at Chelmsford last week. For what it's worth I think City's players will raise it this Saturday but my fear is that the Club's problems run deep and we won't go forward again until fundamental change is made.
Wednesday 2 October 2013
CUP PROGRESS WELCOME
City's players responded to the mini slump admirably by comfortably beating a poor Gosport Borough side 2-0 in the FA Cup qualifying round 2 last Saturday.
A goal from Dave Pratt in the first half and talented Ross Stearn's deft chip late in the second secured a 3rd Qualifying round game against Bridgwater Town away on Saturday 12th October. It will be a difficult tie for City but at least it is local and a win will take us closer to the prize......a live TV game against attractive Skrill Premier or League opposition. There will surely be a large contingent of City fans there to back the team.
It is a shame that the FA Cup has become one of the only ways a non league Club can keep its head above water financially. I remember when it was the sporting glory that mattered and the money was a bonus.
City's game against Gosport was a case in point with the post match headlines stolen by the £4,500 prize money.
The bigger headline for me and many City fans is the disappearing support for our beloved Club. Only 441 turned up to watch last Saturday even with the incentive of reduced prices (£10 instead of the usual £12). This compared to 560 who watched the equivalent game last year.
Where have the 120 gone?
I have written before about the number of people I used to watch City with who no longer attend for various reasons but a lot is to do with the way the Club is being led. If only we could recapture that spirit of unity that propelled us to the Southern League Championship, some great FA Cup runs and the heady heights of the Conference Premier. Until we have a leader who is able to harness the energy and goodwill of supporters it is hard to see this changing.
My support for the Club goes back a long way and I intend to keep backing the team even though I am deeply unhappy with the Club itself. I plan to be at Bridgwater on 12th October in the hope that City's players can show the renewed spirit and determination they showed against Gosport.
Before that City face a Chelmsford City side who are struggling. One of the premium teams at our level for many years, their current slump is a mystery. Our rivalry goes back a long way. I can remember going to their cavernous Writtle Street ground to see City on many occasions and more recently enjoyed City's second leg semi final win at Chelmsford's new ground. What a day that was!
It's days like that that supporters live for and whatever happens in the near future, I am sure that over time we fans can rebuild the Club into a truly united and community based force.
A goal from Dave Pratt in the first half and talented Ross Stearn's deft chip late in the second secured a 3rd Qualifying round game against Bridgwater Town away on Saturday 12th October. It will be a difficult tie for City but at least it is local and a win will take us closer to the prize......a live TV game against attractive Skrill Premier or League opposition. There will surely be a large contingent of City fans there to back the team.
It is a shame that the FA Cup has become one of the only ways a non league Club can keep its head above water financially. I remember when it was the sporting glory that mattered and the money was a bonus.
City's game against Gosport was a case in point with the post match headlines stolen by the £4,500 prize money.
The bigger headline for me and many City fans is the disappearing support for our beloved Club. Only 441 turned up to watch last Saturday even with the incentive of reduced prices (£10 instead of the usual £12). This compared to 560 who watched the equivalent game last year.
Where have the 120 gone?
I have written before about the number of people I used to watch City with who no longer attend for various reasons but a lot is to do with the way the Club is being led. If only we could recapture that spirit of unity that propelled us to the Southern League Championship, some great FA Cup runs and the heady heights of the Conference Premier. Until we have a leader who is able to harness the energy and goodwill of supporters it is hard to see this changing.
My support for the Club goes back a long way and I intend to keep backing the team even though I am deeply unhappy with the Club itself. I plan to be at Bridgwater on 12th October in the hope that City's players can show the renewed spirit and determination they showed against Gosport.
Before that City face a Chelmsford City side who are struggling. One of the premium teams at our level for many years, their current slump is a mystery. Our rivalry goes back a long way. I can remember going to their cavernous Writtle Street ground to see City on many occasions and more recently enjoyed City's second leg semi final win at Chelmsford's new ground. What a day that was!
It's days like that that supporters live for and whatever happens in the near future, I am sure that over time we fans can rebuild the Club into a truly united and community based force.
Wednesday 25 September 2013
GOOD SEASON GONE BAD!
A week is a long time in politics but in football it's a life time!
In the space of a week City's season has gone decidedly bad. The optimism engendered by a productive mid season and a single defeat in the first 5 games, alongside some good football, has all but evaporated.
The defeat at Staines was followed by a desperate display at home to Dover last Saturday. Reports say we were awful in the first half and only only slightly better than that in the second.
The torrent of posts on social media and the Club's official website forum talk of a lack of spirit on the pitch, in the dugout and off the pitch.
With falling attendances City can ill afford to lose even more fans. Many have called for a change of management and have challenged the Chairman of the Club to sort it out. The only comment I would make is that the Club's malaise is at all levels and the Chairman has a great deal of responsibility for that.
It will be interesting to see what happens if City limp out of the FA Cup at home to Gosport this coming Saturday. The wave of disaffection we have seen in the past few days will be nothing by comparison.
For what it's worth I firmly believe we have a talented set of players and hope that they can rally to get the win we desperately need to keep our season alive.
Good players don't become bad overnight and it may be that the importance of the game and wanting to make up for the Dover defeat will be enough to take us through to the next round.
My own view is that the Club is an unhappy place and we need real change to build success again.
I am sure I will be returning to this in future blogs.
For now I am sure all City fans will be hoping that we can progress in the FA Cup this Saturday.
In the space of a week City's season has gone decidedly bad. The optimism engendered by a productive mid season and a single defeat in the first 5 games, alongside some good football, has all but evaporated.
The defeat at Staines was followed by a desperate display at home to Dover last Saturday. Reports say we were awful in the first half and only only slightly better than that in the second.
The torrent of posts on social media and the Club's official website forum talk of a lack of spirit on the pitch, in the dugout and off the pitch.
With falling attendances City can ill afford to lose even more fans. Many have called for a change of management and have challenged the Chairman of the Club to sort it out. The only comment I would make is that the Club's malaise is at all levels and the Chairman has a great deal of responsibility for that.
It will be interesting to see what happens if City limp out of the FA Cup at home to Gosport this coming Saturday. The wave of disaffection we have seen in the past few days will be nothing by comparison.
For what it's worth I firmly believe we have a talented set of players and hope that they can rally to get the win we desperately need to keep our season alive.
Good players don't become bad overnight and it may be that the importance of the game and wanting to make up for the Dover defeat will be enough to take us through to the next round.
My own view is that the Club is an unhappy place and we need real change to build success again.
I am sure I will be returning to this in future blogs.
For now I am sure all City fans will be hoping that we can progress in the FA Cup this Saturday.
Wednesday 18 September 2013
GOING THE DISTANCE
How on earth did we fail to win that game was the overwhelming post match cry following City's 2-2 draw with Tonbridge Angels at May day Trust Park last Saturday?
A shaky start by centre backs Preece and Ball and City were one down but we then dominated the game with some slick passing only to let in a last gasp equaliser. A ponderous but strong Tonbridge side hardly fashioned anything between the 2nd and the 92nd minutes but they walked away with a point.
For me Josh Low pulled the strings and Ross Stearn posed the questions down the right. Adam Connolly looked his old self and hit the bar with a thunderous effort.
The big debate was also about the substitutions. Taking off the 2 most influential players with 15 minutes to go looked conservative. No doubt Josh Low was tired and took a knock but Stearn looked fine. I suspect he was being saved for Tuesday night's trip to Staines. These are the tough decisions managers have to make. This time it didn't work.
If City didn't go the distance I certainly did, but my 300 mile round trip from Derbyshire to home was worth it despite the result. My last game was the Plymouth friendly and I have to say that the promise we showed then was still there. We do look good and as long as we can keep performing the luck will change and results will follow. We still have a base to build a challenge for the top 5.
I enjoyed some excellent Palmers real ale in Charlies pre-match to wash down my sausage and chips and have to say that the on screen advertising is excellent. (the mood was improved massively as a number of us watched Somerset's probable season saving victory on our mobile devices!)
The pitch looked immaculate and real credit must go to the ground staff.
The Legion produced some great songs and I joined in when Dave Pratt's shot hit the net!
I even liked the new home kit despite the white shorts and 'after thought' white patch on the back.
I met lots of old friends and really enjoyed being there.
Tuesday's trip to Staines resulted in a defeat after another very late goal. As Bob Chester said in the radio commentary - 'the game had draw written all over it' but a deflected free kick did for City. Those I spoke to said we played well and the disallowed goal was harsh. Fine margins indeed..
The FA Cup draw has been kind to us with a home fixture against Gosport Borough on Saturday 28th September. As always the aim is to get to the First Round and get a televised home game against a West Country team. Failing that a 4th Qualifying home game against a top Conference side would do.
Before then we have a tough test against Dover Athletic this coming Saturday. We do now need a win otherwise we will be confirmed as a distinctly mid table team.
2 wins by the end of September will give the early part of the season a much better look though so 'Come on City!'
!
A shaky start by centre backs Preece and Ball and City were one down but we then dominated the game with some slick passing only to let in a last gasp equaliser. A ponderous but strong Tonbridge side hardly fashioned anything between the 2nd and the 92nd minutes but they walked away with a point.
For me Josh Low pulled the strings and Ross Stearn posed the questions down the right. Adam Connolly looked his old self and hit the bar with a thunderous effort.
The big debate was also about the substitutions. Taking off the 2 most influential players with 15 minutes to go looked conservative. No doubt Josh Low was tired and took a knock but Stearn looked fine. I suspect he was being saved for Tuesday night's trip to Staines. These are the tough decisions managers have to make. This time it didn't work.
If City didn't go the distance I certainly did, but my 300 mile round trip from Derbyshire to home was worth it despite the result. My last game was the Plymouth friendly and I have to say that the promise we showed then was still there. We do look good and as long as we can keep performing the luck will change and results will follow. We still have a base to build a challenge for the top 5.
I enjoyed some excellent Palmers real ale in Charlies pre-match to wash down my sausage and chips and have to say that the on screen advertising is excellent. (the mood was improved massively as a number of us watched Somerset's probable season saving victory on our mobile devices!)
The pitch looked immaculate and real credit must go to the ground staff.
The Legion produced some great songs and I joined in when Dave Pratt's shot hit the net!
I even liked the new home kit despite the white shorts and 'after thought' white patch on the back.
I met lots of old friends and really enjoyed being there.
Tuesday's trip to Staines resulted in a defeat after another very late goal. As Bob Chester said in the radio commentary - 'the game had draw written all over it' but a deflected free kick did for City. Those I spoke to said we played well and the disallowed goal was harsh. Fine margins indeed..
The FA Cup draw has been kind to us with a home fixture against Gosport Borough on Saturday 28th September. As always the aim is to get to the First Round and get a televised home game against a West Country team. Failing that a 4th Qualifying home game against a top Conference side would do.
Before then we have a tough test against Dover Athletic this coming Saturday. We do now need a win otherwise we will be confirmed as a distinctly mid table team.
2 wins by the end of September will give the early part of the season a much better look though so 'Come on City!'
!
Wednesday 11 September 2013
A WORLD AWAY
What an obscene event transfer deadline day is. It is of course built beautifully for rolling 24 hour news - the TV channels were full of it, but it is a world away from the reality most football Clubs face.
At Bath City I am not sure of the full facts but I think the record fee paid was £20,000 plus for Micky Tanner in the 1980s? The record fee received was a similar figure for Jason Dodd from Southampton with a sell on clause that never materialised. Didn't Dave Wiffil also go to Manchester City for a fee?
But that's about it and for the last 15 years I can't recall a fee paid or received other than small sums for Lewis Hogg and Jamie Gosling (even then I think Yeovil transferred him before the appearance number kicked in).
The Premier League football bubble must burst at some stage though people have predicting that for some time and it just keeps going.
A huge benefit of the international weekends is that non-league football gets a boost. Certainly local teams near my home in Derbyshire benefited with a few extra through the gate. City have been able to market themselves with some success to the Bristol Clubs in the past.
It is great to see the Club promoting Paul Randall's book 'Punky'. Bath City has always welcomed back ex players and I was lucky enough to host events with Paul, Tony Ricketts, George Gibbs, Ken Allen, Richard Bourne, Jon Holloway, John Freegard and Martin Paul. Recently long time City fan Martin Powell hosted an evening with 60s great Mike Denton.
As the cricket season comes to a close, as a Somerset fan I have to say just how miserable the season has been so far. We have had some great years recently. Runners up in the Championship and so close to honours in the one day format for 4 or 5 years. But the comprehensive semi final defeat in the YB40 at Nottingham, hot on the heels of the crucial reverse against fellow strugglers Derbyshire, means my home County is in the last chance saloon at Taunton this week. I have everything crossed that our luck will change.
It certainly wasn't easy being a Somerset follower living in Derbyshire last week!
On the pitch City's draw at full time Ebbsfleet United was encouraging though and certainly improved my sporting week. Will Salmon looks like a player City will want to hang on to and his goal gave the travelling City fans a very welcome point. 2 wins, 2 draws and just 1 defeat is a solid start. It is still too early to say, but my biggest fear is that we are confirmed as a 'win some, lose some' mid table side. I hope not as we desperately need results to re-kindle interest.
For me it makes the coming home game against Tonbridge Angels feel a bit 'must win'. A win would put us at the top end of the table and people might think about returning to May Day Trust Park.
I am looking forward to being there this coming Saturday to witness it.
At Bath City I am not sure of the full facts but I think the record fee paid was £20,000 plus for Micky Tanner in the 1980s? The record fee received was a similar figure for Jason Dodd from Southampton with a sell on clause that never materialised. Didn't Dave Wiffil also go to Manchester City for a fee?
But that's about it and for the last 15 years I can't recall a fee paid or received other than small sums for Lewis Hogg and Jamie Gosling (even then I think Yeovil transferred him before the appearance number kicked in).
The Premier League football bubble must burst at some stage though people have predicting that for some time and it just keeps going.
A huge benefit of the international weekends is that non-league football gets a boost. Certainly local teams near my home in Derbyshire benefited with a few extra through the gate. City have been able to market themselves with some success to the Bristol Clubs in the past.
It is great to see the Club promoting Paul Randall's book 'Punky'. Bath City has always welcomed back ex players and I was lucky enough to host events with Paul, Tony Ricketts, George Gibbs, Ken Allen, Richard Bourne, Jon Holloway, John Freegard and Martin Paul. Recently long time City fan Martin Powell hosted an evening with 60s great Mike Denton.
As the cricket season comes to a close, as a Somerset fan I have to say just how miserable the season has been so far. We have had some great years recently. Runners up in the Championship and so close to honours in the one day format for 4 or 5 years. But the comprehensive semi final defeat in the YB40 at Nottingham, hot on the heels of the crucial reverse against fellow strugglers Derbyshire, means my home County is in the last chance saloon at Taunton this week. I have everything crossed that our luck will change.
It certainly wasn't easy being a Somerset follower living in Derbyshire last week!
On the pitch City's draw at full time Ebbsfleet United was encouraging though and certainly improved my sporting week. Will Salmon looks like a player City will want to hang on to and his goal gave the travelling City fans a very welcome point. 2 wins, 2 draws and just 1 defeat is a solid start. It is still too early to say, but my biggest fear is that we are confirmed as a 'win some, lose some' mid table side. I hope not as we desperately need results to re-kindle interest.
For me it makes the coming home game against Tonbridge Angels feel a bit 'must win'. A win would put us at the top end of the table and people might think about returning to May Day Trust Park.
I am looking forward to being there this coming Saturday to witness it.
Tuesday 3 September 2013
'LOVE BITES AND EVERYTHING!'
I was lucky enough to be able to get away for a couple of weeks holiday recently where I could reflect on the world in general and Bath City FC in particular.
Whilst Britain has its problems.....a slow emergence form a 5 year recession, record youth unemployment, the third most unequal nation on earth,squeezed living standards for most people and a welfare state that is being rapidly dismantled....it still has some great things not least football and good beer! I was reminded of this when I landed at Manchester airport and the taxi driver wanted to talk about Manchester City. We had the obligatory exchange about Tony Book and how he had carried the Premier League Trophy on to the pitch at the Etihad stadium fully 43 years after he had captained Manchester City to its last Championship success.
The driver enthused about the final moments of the win over QPR which secured the title in 2012. When City scored there was the usual mass hug which was described eloquently by Paul Merson on radio as 'Love bites and everything'.
Football has a habit of coming up with these great moments of humour! Manchester City fans now have banner which proclaims this!
The last time Bath City had such a moment was at Yate in 2007 though the FA Cup win at Grimsby and the win over Woking to secure the Conference Premier place in 2010 were pretty special.
But back to this season and our City has secured a good position in the early season table with the emphatic win over newcomers Concord Rangers. Ross Stearn was very impressive - a pity his goals were not caught on film. With a game in hand City can strike for a top 5 place within the next 2/3 weeks.This Saturday's visit to Ebbsfleet followed by the game at home to Tonbridge Angels and then a trip to Staines, give us ample opportunity to rise further up the table.
In last week's piece I argued that Bath City should be more open as a Club. Yes there are commercial confidentialities, not least player's wages and the like, but as a community interest company City's mission is to deliver football for the people of Bath and its surrounds. Fans are not just consumers of a football product. Many have a real stake in it as a social focus. We want it to survive and prosper and the best way to achieve that is to involve the stakeholders - the fans - in as open a way as possible. Bath City FC is not the local newsagent. It has a 'not for profit' objective though it absolutely has to be commercial and efficient in the way it achieves that goal. Unlike the newsagent who will pocket the profit, City will plough it back in to deliver better football. Well at least that's the theory!
At the moment we can guess that debts are rising and income is falling as costs also rise. But we don't know because we have a Club that effectively excludes it's fan's from all this.
For those that say we should just let the Chairman and Board get on with it I have to profoundly disagree. It's our Club and we want it to survive. We want to know that is being managed well. The Chairman is the custodian of the Club for the fans and the people of Bath. I am sure that this is not how the current Chairman sees it though.
What is worrying is that early season Saturday attendances have been so low. There appear to be a lot of initiatives to promote the Club but as yet they don't appear to be working.
Speaking of initiatives, the Chairman's claim that the wearing of the away kit for the Gosport home game was a deliberate 'showcasing' of the away kit was met with some derision on social media. Given that Bishop's Stortford and then Eastleigh had complained about the home kit clashing with the referees uniform, was the Chairman's claim a crude attempt to cover up for an administrative error? That's how it appeared to some!
I'll be there for the next home game against Tonbridge on 14th September but as a measure of how the Club's popularity has fallen, I'll be there alone as many of my group no longer attend. We need to win people back to the football Club and I don't think the current leadership is doing what's needed to achieve that.
Whilst Britain has its problems.....a slow emergence form a 5 year recession, record youth unemployment, the third most unequal nation on earth,squeezed living standards for most people and a welfare state that is being rapidly dismantled....it still has some great things not least football and good beer! I was reminded of this when I landed at Manchester airport and the taxi driver wanted to talk about Manchester City. We had the obligatory exchange about Tony Book and how he had carried the Premier League Trophy on to the pitch at the Etihad stadium fully 43 years after he had captained Manchester City to its last Championship success.
The driver enthused about the final moments of the win over QPR which secured the title in 2012. When City scored there was the usual mass hug which was described eloquently by Paul Merson on radio as 'Love bites and everything'.
Football has a habit of coming up with these great moments of humour! Manchester City fans now have banner which proclaims this!
The last time Bath City had such a moment was at Yate in 2007 though the FA Cup win at Grimsby and the win over Woking to secure the Conference Premier place in 2010 were pretty special.
But back to this season and our City has secured a good position in the early season table with the emphatic win over newcomers Concord Rangers. Ross Stearn was very impressive - a pity his goals were not caught on film. With a game in hand City can strike for a top 5 place within the next 2/3 weeks.This Saturday's visit to Ebbsfleet followed by the game at home to Tonbridge Angels and then a trip to Staines, give us ample opportunity to rise further up the table.
In last week's piece I argued that Bath City should be more open as a Club. Yes there are commercial confidentialities, not least player's wages and the like, but as a community interest company City's mission is to deliver football for the people of Bath and its surrounds. Fans are not just consumers of a football product. Many have a real stake in it as a social focus. We want it to survive and prosper and the best way to achieve that is to involve the stakeholders - the fans - in as open a way as possible. Bath City FC is not the local newsagent. It has a 'not for profit' objective though it absolutely has to be commercial and efficient in the way it achieves that goal. Unlike the newsagent who will pocket the profit, City will plough it back in to deliver better football. Well at least that's the theory!
At the moment we can guess that debts are rising and income is falling as costs also rise. But we don't know because we have a Club that effectively excludes it's fan's from all this.
For those that say we should just let the Chairman and Board get on with it I have to profoundly disagree. It's our Club and we want it to survive. We want to know that is being managed well. The Chairman is the custodian of the Club for the fans and the people of Bath. I am sure that this is not how the current Chairman sees it though.
What is worrying is that early season Saturday attendances have been so low. There appear to be a lot of initiatives to promote the Club but as yet they don't appear to be working.
Speaking of initiatives, the Chairman's claim that the wearing of the away kit for the Gosport home game was a deliberate 'showcasing' of the away kit was met with some derision on social media. Given that Bishop's Stortford and then Eastleigh had complained about the home kit clashing with the referees uniform, was the Chairman's claim a crude attempt to cover up for an administrative error? That's how it appeared to some!
I'll be there for the next home game against Tonbridge on 14th September but as a measure of how the Club's popularity has fallen, I'll be there alone as many of my group no longer attend. We need to win people back to the football Club and I don't think the current leadership is doing what's needed to achieve that.
Wednesday 28 August 2013
THE OPAQUE FOOTBALL CLUB
I don’t know about you but I can’t find out much about what is going on at Bath City FC these days or come to think of it probably since the new Chairman took over. I am a shareholder and a Society member so I get the annual accounts but little else on the big picture comes out of the Club these days.
And the annual accounts do not give a great deal of detail on the health of our Club.
Most fans suspect that the debt is rising but most of the time we have to just guess about the financial position. People wonder whether the extended sponsorship deal with Moore Stephens is lucrative for the Club? And what about the ground naming rights? It is a great initiative but just appears to have been handed on for another year to the May Day Trust. Hopefully City got a financial gain from this but it’s not at all clear. And what about season ticket sales? We have no idea whether they are up or down.
There are rumours that the Board rarely meets these days and that the Chairman runs the Club pretty well single handedly. It certainly seems that way.
For a Club of City’s size I think it would really benefit from a more transparent approach and dare I say it a more collective management!
On the pitch the draw with Gosport was a disappointment followed by the blank bank holiday because of the problems at at troubled Farnborough Town.
The talk on social media is of the home kit. The fact that it appears unsuitable begs the question about whether the kit was checked with the league. If it was it is another worrying sign that the administration of the Club is failing. People predicted this after the redoubtable Paul Williams stepped down. For now we seem to be condemned to wear purple in the Away dugout at Twerton.
One very successful initiative is the new Club radio station. All credit to Andrew Kerslake for this. I was able to listen to his excellent commentary of recent games whilst on holiday. You can tune in on www.kerslakesport.co.uk. Andrew has been ably assisted by Quentin Edwards.
This Saturday City play host to the mysterious newcomers to the Skrill Conference South, Concord Rangers. It’s a bit like Forest Green in that the name doesn’t give you any clue as to where it is. In fact they come from the Thames estuary in Essex…from Canvey Island to be precise, and to add to their allure they are nicknamed the ‘Beachboys’!
It should be an interesting game at May Day Trust Park this coming Saturday.
And the annual accounts do not give a great deal of detail on the health of our Club.
Most fans suspect that the debt is rising but most of the time we have to just guess about the financial position. People wonder whether the extended sponsorship deal with Moore Stephens is lucrative for the Club? And what about the ground naming rights? It is a great initiative but just appears to have been handed on for another year to the May Day Trust. Hopefully City got a financial gain from this but it’s not at all clear. And what about season ticket sales? We have no idea whether they are up or down.
There are rumours that the Board rarely meets these days and that the Chairman runs the Club pretty well single handedly. It certainly seems that way.
For a Club of City’s size I think it would really benefit from a more transparent approach and dare I say it a more collective management!
On the pitch the draw with Gosport was a disappointment followed by the blank bank holiday because of the problems at at troubled Farnborough Town.
The talk on social media is of the home kit. The fact that it appears unsuitable begs the question about whether the kit was checked with the league. If it was it is another worrying sign that the administration of the Club is failing. People predicted this after the redoubtable Paul Williams stepped down. For now we seem to be condemned to wear purple in the Away dugout at Twerton.
One very successful initiative is the new Club radio station. All credit to Andrew Kerslake for this. I was able to listen to his excellent commentary of recent games whilst on holiday. You can tune in on www.kerslakesport.co.uk. Andrew has been ably assisted by Quentin Edwards.
This Saturday City play host to the mysterious newcomers to the Skrill Conference South, Concord Rangers. It’s a bit like Forest Green in that the name doesn’t give you any clue as to where it is. In fact they come from the Thames estuary in Essex…from Canvey Island to be precise, and to add to their allure they are nicknamed the ‘Beachboys’!
It should be an interesting game at May Day Trust Park this coming Saturday.
Tuesday 20 August 2013
THE SPORTING SUMMER REALLY GETS UNDERWAY!
We are well into a good Summer by British standards and with Rugby Union’s Lions, Andy Murray’s Wimbledon triumph, Froomey’s yellow jersey and the ashes pouched for England, now sport really gets under way as Bath City Football Club have started their Skrill Conference South season!
And it went well. The traditional away opener this year at Bishops Stortford resulted in a 2-1 win with pace up front the winning formula. Then Tuesday night’s home game against title contenders Eastleigh was an even affair with Eastleigh just coming out on top.
Some good signings have encouraged City fans, notably Ross Stearn, Andy Watkins and David Pratt but it is a small squad so we’ll see how we go as the winter approaches in what is a physical league with some poor surfaces.
It is an unattractive fixture list with just Weston Super Mare as a local game. Some fans have been suggesting that City would be better off in a regional league.
Off the field the Club continues to be a divided and unhappy place from where I sit.
We all eagerly wait for the implementation of the 3 year plan. The smart money seems to be on Lansdown as a new home for City. I played there in my youth and it is windy and isolated and already many fans are expressing unhappiness with the possible new home. It does feel a bit isolated from the community! For me I’ll wait and see what is on offer and the details of the finances. Getting a buyer for Twerton Park must be the most difficult challenge though a rising housing market will certainly help. Now I don't have any knowledge of the negotiations but from my day job I know a bit about the territory. How much a sale will raise depends the prices a developer could receive for houses on that site and the proportion reserved for affordable housing. Sale of the site with an outline planning permission will certainly improve the value. Having a buyer with access to funds will be the main stumbling block.
During the Summer the Supporters Trust got backing for the Community Club. I’m for it big time. I am fed up with debt and I want a Club that is held in trust for the people of Bath for generations to come. I know many people feel the same way.
I promise you a ‘no holds barred’ view of the goings on at the Club…… so please stay with me…..
This Saturday City play at home to Gosport Borough famous historically as Britain’s submarine base. Let’s hope City ‘sink em’ at May Day Trust Park this coming weekend!
I also promise to improve the quality of the jokes!
And it went well. The traditional away opener this year at Bishops Stortford resulted in a 2-1 win with pace up front the winning formula. Then Tuesday night’s home game against title contenders Eastleigh was an even affair with Eastleigh just coming out on top.
Some good signings have encouraged City fans, notably Ross Stearn, Andy Watkins and David Pratt but it is a small squad so we’ll see how we go as the winter approaches in what is a physical league with some poor surfaces.
It is an unattractive fixture list with just Weston Super Mare as a local game. Some fans have been suggesting that City would be better off in a regional league.
Off the field the Club continues to be a divided and unhappy place from where I sit.
We all eagerly wait for the implementation of the 3 year plan. The smart money seems to be on Lansdown as a new home for City. I played there in my youth and it is windy and isolated and already many fans are expressing unhappiness with the possible new home. It does feel a bit isolated from the community! For me I’ll wait and see what is on offer and the details of the finances. Getting a buyer for Twerton Park must be the most difficult challenge though a rising housing market will certainly help. Now I don't have any knowledge of the negotiations but from my day job I know a bit about the territory. How much a sale will raise depends the prices a developer could receive for houses on that site and the proportion reserved for affordable housing. Sale of the site with an outline planning permission will certainly improve the value. Having a buyer with access to funds will be the main stumbling block.
During the Summer the Supporters Trust got backing for the Community Club. I’m for it big time. I am fed up with debt and I want a Club that is held in trust for the people of Bath for generations to come. I know many people feel the same way.
I promise you a ‘no holds barred’ view of the goings on at the Club…… so please stay with me…..
This Saturday City play at home to Gosport Borough famous historically as Britain’s submarine base. Let’s hope City ‘sink em’ at May Day Trust Park this coming weekend!
I also promise to improve the quality of the jokes!
Friday 16 August 2013
BATH CITY FAN'S VIEW
The Chronicle is under new ownership and after 6 years of supporting a 'fan's View' will no longer do so in the 2013/14 season.
I have decided to keep writing so I hope you'll join me for a weekly take on what's happening at the Club.
I promise a 'no holds barred' view on all matters Bath City.
I look forward to having you along.
My first piece will be issued on Wednesday 21st August to react to City's first 2 games. Thereafter I'll produce something most Wednesdays.
Good luck to the players and fans of Bath City FC this coming season!
Pete McCormack
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