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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)