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.
Wednesday 27 November 2013
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?
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