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.

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!

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