We are going forward more positively as a football Club.
The resignation of Manda Rigby in December 2013 enabled the Club to restore unity under the popular leadership of new Chair Paul Williams.
There are still uncertainties about the Club's future with in my view, 3 options:
1. Staying at Twerton Park
2. Relocating to Lansdown
3. Playing at the Recreation ground
For me option 3 offers the best way forward.
As yet the Board have not made any public statements about the future.
The Foundation is very much back in the fold with Pete Sellwood taking the organisation forward. I hope and expect the Foundation to be helping the playing budget in 2014/15.
The Society is rebuilding under the Chairmanship of Martin Powell. Hopefully it can continue to support the Club financially - it has made very significant contributions historically - and will surely start some fundraising not least with Ken Loach's new film due out soon.
The Supporters Club continues to do a great job and will surely work closely with the Club and Society in the coming year.
On the pitch the signs are very good. Whilst Adie and Archie got some criticism during the year they steered the team to a strong finish. We were the form team in the last 10 games and for the want of 3 more points and a few more goals we would have made the play offs.
Most fans are therefore optimistic about next season.
We will all be watching the comings and goings in the run up to August. For me we still need that combative midfielder and leader and a bit more toughness if we are to make the top 5 but not at the expense of playing football. I am relaxed about the balance of youth and experience but we do need the latter. Youth alone and we will do a Dorchester.
I didn't get to as many games as I wanted to this season for various reasons but I hope to make more home games next season when I expect us to be amongst the best in the division.
My players of the year......Dave Pratt and Dan Ball.
Dont forget the end of season bash on 17th May. You can meet the players and persuade your favourites to stay!!!
Have a good Summer and see you in August!
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Saturday 26 April 2014
DISAPPOINTMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The world is full of them.
I was incredibly disappointed when City failed to get elected to the football league in 1978. More disappointment followed with painful relegations in 1987, 1997 and 2012. I hoped that we would make the play offs this year but despite a strong finish we will be a few points short.
I wish my two sons were ardent City fans and more concerned about a better world, but they aren't. I think they are probably just reacting against my obsessive behaviour in the fields of sport and politics! I console myself that out there are lots of other parents who wanted children who are academic Tories but are equally disappointed!
As a young man in Bath in the 1970s I was convinced that one day we would have a fairer society by the time I reached my 50s. In fact we have a more unequal Society now than in Victorian times. Startlingly, if national wealth were £100, the top 20% would have £60 and the bottom 60p! And its getting worse.
Now that is a crushing disappointment.
But I am convinced that one day, hopefully through rational argument and a sense of fairness, we will achieve greater equality. Sadly I fear that the poor have become so cut adrift that change may come more violently.
I am also convinced that one day Bath City FC will play in the football League.
Amazingly we may now have a way to make that happen by joining with the Rugby Club at the Recreation ground. I really hope the Club see that there is a real opportunity to achieve something here.
My dream of a socialist world may be a little further away than I had once hoped but maybe my dream of a City team playing in the football league could be a little closer.
I hope Paul Williams and the City Board are bold enough to go for it.
City's season is all but over. The defeat at Gosport perhaps showed where we need to toughen up to be a top 6 side but at home to Farnborough on Easter Monday the team showed it's attacking qualities with an entertaining 4-2 win. Dave Pratt again starred and he has finished the season strongly with goals flowing more easily. If we can win at Concord Rangers on the last day of the season we can finish in a very strong sixth or seventh place. They have played 3 games in 4 days so surely we can overcome them?
Next week I will write my last post. I will ensure that it is upbeat and hopeful about the future!
Just a reminder that City's end of season presentation night is on Saturday 17th May at the Club. All are welcome. It's usually a great night with a chance to chat to the players.
I was incredibly disappointed when City failed to get elected to the football league in 1978. More disappointment followed with painful relegations in 1987, 1997 and 2012. I hoped that we would make the play offs this year but despite a strong finish we will be a few points short.
I wish my two sons were ardent City fans and more concerned about a better world, but they aren't. I think they are probably just reacting against my obsessive behaviour in the fields of sport and politics! I console myself that out there are lots of other parents who wanted children who are academic Tories but are equally disappointed!
As a young man in Bath in the 1970s I was convinced that one day we would have a fairer society by the time I reached my 50s. In fact we have a more unequal Society now than in Victorian times. Startlingly, if national wealth were £100, the top 20% would have £60 and the bottom 60p! And its getting worse.
Now that is a crushing disappointment.
But I am convinced that one day, hopefully through rational argument and a sense of fairness, we will achieve greater equality. Sadly I fear that the poor have become so cut adrift that change may come more violently.
I am also convinced that one day Bath City FC will play in the football League.
Amazingly we may now have a way to make that happen by joining with the Rugby Club at the Recreation ground. I really hope the Club see that there is a real opportunity to achieve something here.
My dream of a socialist world may be a little further away than I had once hoped but maybe my dream of a City team playing in the football league could be a little closer.
I hope Paul Williams and the City Board are bold enough to go for it.
City's season is all but over. The defeat at Gosport perhaps showed where we need to toughen up to be a top 6 side but at home to Farnborough on Easter Monday the team showed it's attacking qualities with an entertaining 4-2 win. Dave Pratt again starred and he has finished the season strongly with goals flowing more easily. If we can win at Concord Rangers on the last day of the season we can finish in a very strong sixth or seventh place. They have played 3 games in 4 days so surely we can overcome them?
Next week I will write my last post. I will ensure that it is upbeat and hopeful about the future!
Just a reminder that City's end of season presentation night is on Saturday 17th May at the Club. All are welcome. It's usually a great night with a chance to chat to the players.
Wednesday 16 April 2014
PLAYING AT THE NEW BATH STADIUM A REAL OPTION FOR CITY!
I was surprised more people didn't pick up on the significance of the Tribunal decision re Bath Rugby's use of the Recreation Ground.
I joined in the consultation process and wrote as an individual to complain that a private Rugby Club was appropriating public charitable land and that it was excluding other sports.
I think about 70 objections were recorded amongst many more supporters of the Rugby Club's plans but the Tribunal had to listen to those voices which cautioned the Charity Commission that it would be quite wrong to simply hand over public land in such a prime location.
I didn't get any reaction to last week's article on the Fan's Forum but there was a lot of support on twitter and Facebook.
Last week I wrote to the Chronicle suggesting that a way forward for the Rugby Club might be to embrace other sports including City. If it was truly a stadium for Bath I would support a larger facility outside the current foot print occupied by Bath Rugby.
A link to my letter is here:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Add-variety/story-20938679-detail/story.html
In my view the Recreation ground is a much better option than Lansdown or staying at Twerton. We would attract much more support. And for those who say we'd rattle around in a new stadium, well we already do so at Twerton. If we filled one stand at the Rec with limited seating pitch side around the ground it would still be a good atmosphere. How many empty grounds do you see on TV now especially those televised FA Cup games!
I would go further. Why not join with Bath Rugby in a sports franchise where Bath Rugby and Bath Football represented our City.
Unless we are ambitious and think big I fear we'll slowly die at May day Trust Park or worse still Lansdown.
The news that the Rec Trust are to appeal to the Tribunal may indeed open up a real opportunity for other sports to be involved including City.
And there is always the possibility that if Bath Rugby leave the Rec could be available for City!!
Food for thought.
The win over Hayes and Yeading was thrilling and at last we got the late winner to cancel out some of the horror shows when City have conceded late. Dave Pratt and Andy Watkins really have blossomed in the latter part of the season and Josh Low had another good game.
I listened to the game on the excellent Bath City Internet radio. I hadn't realised that there was a notable time delay in transmission. I got a text saying Andy Watkins had scored to make it 3-2 fully a minute before it happened on the radio. I was able to confidently tell Sarah and the boys that City would indeed score in a minute! They were astonished at my powers of prediction.
It's a long shot but if Dover and Havant drop a few points in the next week or so and City have a maximum Easter weekend we might just go to Concord Rangers on 26th April with a chance of the playoffs.
There is always hope.
Certainly the team has built some momentum and we have to be confident of a successful season next year with a couple of key additions to the squad.
City's end of season presentation party is open to all at the Club on Saturday 17th May. Themed around the 'grand national' its usually a great night with a chance to chat to the players and have some fun.
I joined in the consultation process and wrote as an individual to complain that a private Rugby Club was appropriating public charitable land and that it was excluding other sports.
I think about 70 objections were recorded amongst many more supporters of the Rugby Club's plans but the Tribunal had to listen to those voices which cautioned the Charity Commission that it would be quite wrong to simply hand over public land in such a prime location.
I didn't get any reaction to last week's article on the Fan's Forum but there was a lot of support on twitter and Facebook.
Last week I wrote to the Chronicle suggesting that a way forward for the Rugby Club might be to embrace other sports including City. If it was truly a stadium for Bath I would support a larger facility outside the current foot print occupied by Bath Rugby.
A link to my letter is here:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Add-variety/story-20938679-detail/story.html
In my view the Recreation ground is a much better option than Lansdown or staying at Twerton. We would attract much more support. And for those who say we'd rattle around in a new stadium, well we already do so at Twerton. If we filled one stand at the Rec with limited seating pitch side around the ground it would still be a good atmosphere. How many empty grounds do you see on TV now especially those televised FA Cup games!
I would go further. Why not join with Bath Rugby in a sports franchise where Bath Rugby and Bath Football represented our City.
Unless we are ambitious and think big I fear we'll slowly die at May day Trust Park or worse still Lansdown.
The news that the Rec Trust are to appeal to the Tribunal may indeed open up a real opportunity for other sports to be involved including City.
And there is always the possibility that if Bath Rugby leave the Rec could be available for City!!
Food for thought.
The win over Hayes and Yeading was thrilling and at last we got the late winner to cancel out some of the horror shows when City have conceded late. Dave Pratt and Andy Watkins really have blossomed in the latter part of the season and Josh Low had another good game.
I listened to the game on the excellent Bath City Internet radio. I hadn't realised that there was a notable time delay in transmission. I got a text saying Andy Watkins had scored to make it 3-2 fully a minute before it happened on the radio. I was able to confidently tell Sarah and the boys that City would indeed score in a minute! They were astonished at my powers of prediction.
It's a long shot but if Dover and Havant drop a few points in the next week or so and City have a maximum Easter weekend we might just go to Concord Rangers on 26th April with a chance of the playoffs.
There is always hope.
Certainly the team has built some momentum and we have to be confident of a successful season next year with a couple of key additions to the squad.
City's end of season presentation party is open to all at the Club on Saturday 17th May. Themed around the 'grand national' its usually a great night with a chance to chat to the players and have some fun.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
CITY PRICE FREEZE WELCOME
The news that City have frozen entrance prices for next season is very welcome.
Despite Government trumpeting an economic recovery it is absolutely clear that most people don't feel any better off and that the so called recovery is wafer thin based on an engineered house price boom in the south of England. The smart money is on an economic decline post 2015. After 5 years of austerity this is not a happy conclusion for the Coalition Government.
But keeping our football affordable is a must in these gloomy circumstances!
I really hope we can launch a fundraising campaign to ensure Adie and Archie have a competitive playing budget for next season. I miss those Ken Loach film nights, City ale promotions and City DVD sales!
Last Saturday City put in a creditable performance against a good if tetchy Eastbourne side. It was the first game without Jason Mellor and the new keeper Stuart Moore did a solid job after his unfortunate baptism in the Somerset Cup against Taunton. Dave Pratt was at the centre of it again setting up both goals. Josh Low had one of his best games for City and his cross for Dave Pratt's shot which led to Andy Watkins equaliser, was out of the top drawer. It was an encouraging crowd of almost 600 which suggests a few people came back after the successful community day.
This week City play another home game against a Hayes and Yeading side who are on the fringes of the relegation zone. City will be confident of 3 points.
The season reaches its end in just 3 weeks time and after this Saturday City have one final home game on Easter Monday against Farnborough and before that a trip to FA Trophy finalist Gosport Borough.
The final game of the season is away at Concord Rangers in Essex. They have adapted well to life in the Conference so this will be a difficult game but it is a new venue for City fans to discover. Welcome to Canvey Island! I do warn those who haven't been there that its not as glamorous as it sounds!
Then its back to the agonies of Somerset cricket.....it may be another season of struggle I fear but I am sure we will all be keeping an eye on who City will bring in to strengthen the squad for what will hopefully be a promotion charge next season.
Despite Government trumpeting an economic recovery it is absolutely clear that most people don't feel any better off and that the so called recovery is wafer thin based on an engineered house price boom in the south of England. The smart money is on an economic decline post 2015. After 5 years of austerity this is not a happy conclusion for the Coalition Government.
But keeping our football affordable is a must in these gloomy circumstances!
I really hope we can launch a fundraising campaign to ensure Adie and Archie have a competitive playing budget for next season. I miss those Ken Loach film nights, City ale promotions and City DVD sales!
Last Saturday City put in a creditable performance against a good if tetchy Eastbourne side. It was the first game without Jason Mellor and the new keeper Stuart Moore did a solid job after his unfortunate baptism in the Somerset Cup against Taunton. Dave Pratt was at the centre of it again setting up both goals. Josh Low had one of his best games for City and his cross for Dave Pratt's shot which led to Andy Watkins equaliser, was out of the top drawer. It was an encouraging crowd of almost 600 which suggests a few people came back after the successful community day.
This week City play another home game against a Hayes and Yeading side who are on the fringes of the relegation zone. City will be confident of 3 points.
The season reaches its end in just 3 weeks time and after this Saturday City have one final home game on Easter Monday against Farnborough and before that a trip to FA Trophy finalist Gosport Borough.
Then its back to the agonies of Somerset cricket.....it may be another season of struggle I fear but I am sure we will all be keeping an eye on who City will bring in to strengthen the squad for what will hopefully be a promotion charge next season.
Wednesday 2 April 2014
IT IS PUBLIC LAND! LEAVE OUR REC ALONE!
I see that the Bath Rugby plans to take over more public land at the Rec have been thwarted. I am a defender of the Recreation ground as an asset for the people of Bath. When I was a boy I ran at sports days there, watched Somerset cricket and enjoyed the open space in the middle of our beautiful City.
Bath Rugby is a private sports Club and it seeks to appropriate the people's land.
Thank goodness the Tribunal defends our interests.
It would certainly help if the Rugby Club didn't see that space as exclusively theirs. If they were open to other sports they might get more sympathy. The new stadium should be available to Bath City FC on favourable terms for significant matches in my view.
I am not a nimby but I will fight to defend public interests over private greed.
City's draw at Sutton was a good result and showed that we are close to the top teams. It has been really frustrating that we have dropped points at Havant and now Sutton (to a 90th minutes equaliser) as we would have surely still been in play off contention with other teams dropping points around us. But we have not quite been good enough. Adie Britton pinpointed the 12 draws and rightly said that we should have won six of those. Our season really would have ended in the playoffs then. We have to be stronger mentally next season.
I hate season's that end in this way. 5 games to go and all we can do is study the squad and try and carry something into the start of next season.
I find it hard to get excited about the Somerset Cup but Tuesday's defeat to Taunton Town was farcical. Judging by the comments on the Fan's Forum the 116 who watched the game got confirmation that Ross Stearn may be a talented player but appears divisive, that the midfield is a problem for us and that maybe we shouldn't bother with this competition!
I have an apology to make to Dave Pratt. A couple of weeks ago he wasn't in my retained list. Now he firmly is. He is back scoring goals to go alongside his incredible work rate. He is top scorer with 15 in all competitions. I think he can score more next season and carry us to promotion. There's a turnaround for you!
City are back at home this coming Saturday against Eastbourne, one of only 3 home games left. I don't know what else to say about the game really given what I said above.
I really do think we need some key changes in the Summer it will be more of the same.
Bath Rugby is a private sports Club and it seeks to appropriate the people's land.
Thank goodness the Tribunal defends our interests.
It would certainly help if the Rugby Club didn't see that space as exclusively theirs. If they were open to other sports they might get more sympathy. The new stadium should be available to Bath City FC on favourable terms for significant matches in my view.
I am not a nimby but I will fight to defend public interests over private greed.
City's draw at Sutton was a good result and showed that we are close to the top teams. It has been really frustrating that we have dropped points at Havant and now Sutton (to a 90th minutes equaliser) as we would have surely still been in play off contention with other teams dropping points around us. But we have not quite been good enough. Adie Britton pinpointed the 12 draws and rightly said that we should have won six of those. Our season really would have ended in the playoffs then. We have to be stronger mentally next season.
I hate season's that end in this way. 5 games to go and all we can do is study the squad and try and carry something into the start of next season.
I find it hard to get excited about the Somerset Cup but Tuesday's defeat to Taunton Town was farcical. Judging by the comments on the Fan's Forum the 116 who watched the game got confirmation that Ross Stearn may be a talented player but appears divisive, that the midfield is a problem for us and that maybe we shouldn't bother with this competition!
I have an apology to make to Dave Pratt. A couple of weeks ago he wasn't in my retained list. Now he firmly is. He is back scoring goals to go alongside his incredible work rate. He is top scorer with 15 in all competitions. I think he can score more next season and carry us to promotion. There's a turnaround for you!
City are back at home this coming Saturday against Eastbourne, one of only 3 home games left. I don't know what else to say about the game really given what I said above.
I really do think we need some key changes in the Summer it will be more of the same.
Wednesday 26 March 2014
WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY DAY!
It's great when a plan comes together!
People came in numbers to the community day- almost 1400 including many Bath school children via the Foundation. And the team did their bit hitting 4 goals at home in the league for the first time this season. It was a great attacking performance with some good goals and plenty of incident. Every City player did their bit but I was struck by just how effective Dave Pratt is and the final goal in stoppage time was a masterclass in the role of a battling centre forward.
There was a lovely buzz in the ground. Numbers turned up and enjoyed it. I know I did. I love a good crowd. It's what got me hooked in the first place.
Even if only a fraction come back to watch again it will have been worth it.
The group of exiles who supported the event -Alan Finney, Pete Flack, Gerry Walker, Barry Richards,Ken Loach (plus Martin 'Basil' Brush and Bob Chester) had a great time.
There were lots of 'thank yous' in the excellent match day programme but Bob Chester led the day and did a brilliant job.
What was noticeable was that the Club is now back working together under Chairman Paul Williams and his Board.
It was great to see the Conference's Brian Lee present the £15,000 cheque to Pete Sellwood of the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation.
There will be lots of speculation about how the Club did financially on the day. By my calculation it must have been worth it. With some 12 sponsors/backers paying circa £500 that gave the Club a around £6,000 base to work with. Obviously there were costs to the Club in terms of hospitality to deduct but that would be equal to normal gate receipts (say 500 x £10) - everything else on top of that was a bonus. If you assume that 1100 ( I think the children came in free) paid an average £5 each then that is another £5,000. There is the 10% to the RUH appeal but the bars etc looked busy so it was surely a good day for the Club.
For me its the involvement of people in the Club that's key and the fact that a new generation of younger supporters will come through.
Obviously Monday's game at Havant and Waterlooville was a huge disappointment made worse by last nights Dover slip up. I listened to the excellent Bath City internet radio commentary and we had enough chances to be ahead at half time. The second half was a non event. Whilst I am sure the players will keep going and win as many as possible mathematically it is now pretty much all over. A top 7 finish would be very good. We do need 3 players for next season and the midfield general is essential. I am not sure Phil Walsh is the dominating centre half we need but he has made a good early impression. Pratt and Watkins have been great but that out and out goalscorer is still missing.
This Saturday we face the daunting trip to high flying Sutton United. There is a chance to shape the squad for next season but I suspect the management may wait a couple more games for that.
We need to carry momentum into next season so a positive last 6 games is important for me.
People came in numbers to the community day- almost 1400 including many Bath school children via the Foundation. And the team did their bit hitting 4 goals at home in the league for the first time this season. It was a great attacking performance with some good goals and plenty of incident. Every City player did their bit but I was struck by just how effective Dave Pratt is and the final goal in stoppage time was a masterclass in the role of a battling centre forward.
There was a lovely buzz in the ground. Numbers turned up and enjoyed it. I know I did. I love a good crowd. It's what got me hooked in the first place.
Even if only a fraction come back to watch again it will have been worth it.
The group of exiles who supported the event -Alan Finney, Pete Flack, Gerry Walker, Barry Richards,Ken Loach (plus Martin 'Basil' Brush and Bob Chester) had a great time.
There were lots of 'thank yous' in the excellent match day programme but Bob Chester led the day and did a brilliant job.
What was noticeable was that the Club is now back working together under Chairman Paul Williams and his Board.
It was great to see the Conference's Brian Lee present the £15,000 cheque to Pete Sellwood of the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation.
There will be lots of speculation about how the Club did financially on the day. By my calculation it must have been worth it. With some 12 sponsors/backers paying circa £500 that gave the Club a around £6,000 base to work with. Obviously there were costs to the Club in terms of hospitality to deduct but that would be equal to normal gate receipts (say 500 x £10) - everything else on top of that was a bonus. If you assume that 1100 ( I think the children came in free) paid an average £5 each then that is another £5,000. There is the 10% to the RUH appeal but the bars etc looked busy so it was surely a good day for the Club.
For me its the involvement of people in the Club that's key and the fact that a new generation of younger supporters will come through.
Obviously Monday's game at Havant and Waterlooville was a huge disappointment made worse by last nights Dover slip up. I listened to the excellent Bath City internet radio commentary and we had enough chances to be ahead at half time. The second half was a non event. Whilst I am sure the players will keep going and win as many as possible mathematically it is now pretty much all over. A top 7 finish would be very good. We do need 3 players for next season and the midfield general is essential. I am not sure Phil Walsh is the dominating centre half we need but he has made a good early impression. Pratt and Watkins have been great but that out and out goalscorer is still missing.
This Saturday we face the daunting trip to high flying Sutton United. There is a chance to shape the squad for next season but I suspect the management may wait a couple more games for that.
We need to carry momentum into next season so a positive last 6 games is important for me.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
A GREAT DAY IN PROSPECT!
I am really looking forward to this Saturdays 'Community day' at Bath City Football Club. You can come along and 'pay what you want' and enjoy a fun afternoon out at May day Trust Park. With Bristol Rovers fans backing the initiative there should be a really good crowd there. Chelmsford are the visitors (k.o. 3 p.m.)
These events take quite some organising.
The Club needed the backing of key sponsors to ensure that it could achieve a baseline income for the game and I am proud to say that 3 organisations I am involved with stepped forward to sponsor the event. The Club's largest shareholder, the Bath City Supporter's Society, has put £500 in as has the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation. The latter will invite hundreds of the City's children and their parents along to the event. The Conference Trust's Brian Lee will present the £15,000 cheque to the Foundation on the pitch at half time.
I am also part of a group of 8, loosely called 'the exiles' who together are supporting the event. Along with Alan Finney, Ken Loach, Barry Richards, Pete Flack, Martin Brush, Bob Chester and Gerry Walker, I'll be briefly in the Moore Stephens lounge for a couple of pints of pre-match real ale before heading over to what I hope will be a packed popular side terrace.
The architect of the community day is Bob Chester who has worked tirelessly to sort out arrangements for the day along with the Club's Directors and Andy Weekes in particular.
Steve Skinner and Pete Sellwood have led the Foundation's substantial input to this and Martin Powell, Chairman of the Society, has organised the Society's support.
Mark Tanner has done a brilliant job getting posters and leaflets out with a group of supporters.
I make no apology for doing all these name checks.....I have surely left a lot of key people out....but without individuals putting in the time initiatives go nowhere.
So now its down to the rest of us to get friends and family to come along.
If we can get a crowd of 1000 plus and just a few come back for future games it will have been worth it!
Obviously last Saturday's win over Dorchester Town effectively kept our season alive. It was a comfortable win but we really should have scored more goals. I really hope we can put that right this Saturday against Chelmsford. If our season does come to an end then we still have the Somerset Cup and I was reminded by Alan Finney that there is pleasure enough in watching your team play regardless of the chance of silverware!
See you on Saturday!
These events take quite some organising.
The Club needed the backing of key sponsors to ensure that it could achieve a baseline income for the game and I am proud to say that 3 organisations I am involved with stepped forward to sponsor the event. The Club's largest shareholder, the Bath City Supporter's Society, has put £500 in as has the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation. The latter will invite hundreds of the City's children and their parents along to the event. The Conference Trust's Brian Lee will present the £15,000 cheque to the Foundation on the pitch at half time.
I am also part of a group of 8, loosely called 'the exiles' who together are supporting the event. Along with Alan Finney, Ken Loach, Barry Richards, Pete Flack, Martin Brush, Bob Chester and Gerry Walker, I'll be briefly in the Moore Stephens lounge for a couple of pints of pre-match real ale before heading over to what I hope will be a packed popular side terrace.
The architect of the community day is Bob Chester who has worked tirelessly to sort out arrangements for the day along with the Club's Directors and Andy Weekes in particular.
Steve Skinner and Pete Sellwood have led the Foundation's substantial input to this and Martin Powell, Chairman of the Society, has organised the Society's support.
Mark Tanner has done a brilliant job getting posters and leaflets out with a group of supporters.
I make no apology for doing all these name checks.....I have surely left a lot of key people out....but without individuals putting in the time initiatives go nowhere.
So now its down to the rest of us to get friends and family to come along.
If we can get a crowd of 1000 plus and just a few come back for future games it will have been worth it!
Obviously last Saturday's win over Dorchester Town effectively kept our season alive. It was a comfortable win but we really should have scored more goals. I really hope we can put that right this Saturday against Chelmsford. If our season does come to an end then we still have the Somerset Cup and I was reminded by Alan Finney that there is pleasure enough in watching your team play regardless of the chance of silverware!
See you on Saturday!
Wednesday 12 March 2014
MAIDENHEAD WIN GIVES US HOPE
City's win at Maidenhead last Saturday confirmed that we are in another little run of success. That's 3 games without defeat, but we need another 7 wins from 9 games to be close to 5th spot at the end of April.
There are opportunities to do it with struggling Dorchester Town the visitors to May day Trust Park this coming Saturday and then City entertain Chelmsford the following week for the 'community day'. By their standards Chelmsford have had a poor season.
If City can get maximum points from those games, adding in the away fixture at Havant on 24th March, we really will be back in with a chance of a play off place but it will be tough. Sutton away and Eastbourne at home will be the more difficult games on paper, but Hayes, Gosport, Concord and Farnborough could be the 4 wins final run in.
Realistically 7 wins from 9 when we have only won 4 in 15 is clutching at straws but I am just trying to keep the season alive!
Dover's emphatic win at wobbling Bromley last night was a bit of a blow to our hopes but they still have a lot of games to play. We have dropped to 7th on goal difference.
It was nice that City profited from a bit of luck in the last 5 minutes for a change at Maidenhead. The keeper's miss allowed Josh Low to tap home. I am one of those who values Josh Low. He has scored key goals and brings a lovely touch. Some fans condemn his work rate but 'making the ball do the work' was always a good quality in my book.
Phil Walsh had a good game at centre back according to those who were there and was singled out for praise by Lee Howells after the match. Whether he is a centre back than Preecey is too early to say.
It is great to See Andy Watkins scoring more regularly. He has been unlucky this season. He has to be one of the first names on the retained list at the end of the season along with Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Danny Ball, Andy Bowman and Noah Keats. After that for me, its open to debate.
So the players now have a welcome football free week.....I can't see any first teamer other than Jim Rollo playing at Cheddar....and this has to be good news when you see many of our play off rivals playing Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday and then Saturday again.
Feet up lads! (or Cheltenham races!)
There are opportunities to do it with struggling Dorchester Town the visitors to May day Trust Park this coming Saturday and then City entertain Chelmsford the following week for the 'community day'. By their standards Chelmsford have had a poor season.
If City can get maximum points from those games, adding in the away fixture at Havant on 24th March, we really will be back in with a chance of a play off place but it will be tough. Sutton away and Eastbourne at home will be the more difficult games on paper, but Hayes, Gosport, Concord and Farnborough could be the 4 wins final run in.
Realistically 7 wins from 9 when we have only won 4 in 15 is clutching at straws but I am just trying to keep the season alive!
Dover's emphatic win at wobbling Bromley last night was a bit of a blow to our hopes but they still have a lot of games to play. We have dropped to 7th on goal difference.
It was nice that City profited from a bit of luck in the last 5 minutes for a change at Maidenhead. The keeper's miss allowed Josh Low to tap home. I am one of those who values Josh Low. He has scored key goals and brings a lovely touch. Some fans condemn his work rate but 'making the ball do the work' was always a good quality in my book.
Phil Walsh had a good game at centre back according to those who were there and was singled out for praise by Lee Howells after the match. Whether he is a centre back than Preecey is too early to say.
It is great to See Andy Watkins scoring more regularly. He has been unlucky this season. He has to be one of the first names on the retained list at the end of the season along with Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Danny Ball, Andy Bowman and Noah Keats. After that for me, its open to debate.
So the players now have a welcome football free week.....I can't see any first teamer other than Jim Rollo playing at Cheddar....and this has to be good news when you see many of our play off rivals playing Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday and then Saturday again.
Feet up lads! (or Cheltenham races!)
Wednesday 5 March 2014
PLAY OFFS LOOK DIFFICULT BUT PRIDE RESTORED
I have mixed emotions following 2 good results against Bromley and Ebbsfleet. Pride has certainly been restored after the desperately poor showing against Basingstoke but sadly 2 points from a possible 15 leaves City well short of what's needed to make the playoffs.
The truth is that we have lacked the consistency needed to succeed. We have talent and can, as last night showed, play committed and entertaining football but the 'win some lose some roller coaster' is not a recipe for promotion.
We do have the basis of a team that can make it next season but until we get the specialist dominant centre half, leader and midfield terrier and target man up front we can look forward to another mid table season.
It's hard to know how the rest of this season will go. The players won't have written off the chance of 5th spot but we will have to win 8 or so games in the run in to do it. With so much fixture congestion it is possible that 65 points could do it but I am just clutching at straws.
Personally I hate season's that end with a quarter of the fixtures still to play!
I hope its an opportunity to bring a few more younger players in even for cameo appearances...
This Saturday City have a real chance to record a first victory after a winless streak of 5. Maidenhead is a happy hunting ground for us.
Then Dorchester at home on 15th March is another good opportunity to pick up points.
We can all then enjoy a carnival atmosphere at the 'community day' against Chelmsford on 22nd March.
You can pay what you want!
See you there!
The truth is that we have lacked the consistency needed to succeed. We have talent and can, as last night showed, play committed and entertaining football but the 'win some lose some roller coaster' is not a recipe for promotion.
We do have the basis of a team that can make it next season but until we get the specialist dominant centre half, leader and midfield terrier and target man up front we can look forward to another mid table season.
It's hard to know how the rest of this season will go. The players won't have written off the chance of 5th spot but we will have to win 8 or so games in the run in to do it. With so much fixture congestion it is possible that 65 points could do it but I am just clutching at straws.
Personally I hate season's that end with a quarter of the fixtures still to play!
I hope its an opportunity to bring a few more younger players in even for cameo appearances...
This Saturday City have a real chance to record a first victory after a winless streak of 5. Maidenhead is a happy hunting ground for us.
Then Dorchester at home on 15th March is another good opportunity to pick up points.
We can all then enjoy a carnival atmosphere at the 'community day' against Chelmsford on 22nd March.
You can pay what you want!
See you there!
Wednesday 26 February 2014
HOW TO MOTIVATE A TEAM
Well it didn't appear to be a page out of the textbook on motivation and management. Far from it. Dispensing with the services of a popular player just before kick off was inexplicable especially when it was clear that the squad was on the floor after a a defeat midweek at Weston.
It doesn't give me much confidence in our management team.
The 1-0 defeat at home to Basingstoke has certainly made the playoffs harder to reach. We have to win at least 8 of 12 games remaining.
I am obviously hoping that the players and management pick themselves up and do this but with a couple of tough games coming up I am not confident.
It is going to be a hard ask at leaders Bromley this weekend but what a perfect time to show that we are a talented squad......
I will be listening to the game with the Northern exiles at the Port Street bar starting at 1 p.m. in Manchester this coming Saturday.
Tonight City play Cheddar in the Somerset Cup. With such a weakened first team squad I am expecting Jim Rollo to be the lynchpin of a development squad 11.
Talking to Bob Chester I know that preparations for the community day on 22 March are well under way. Please spread the word as it should be an enjoyable day with a big crowd. You can 'pay what you like'!
Let's hope the players keep us in contention with a couple of miraculous results against Bromley and the Ebbsfleet.
It doesn't give me much confidence in our management team.
The 1-0 defeat at home to Basingstoke has certainly made the playoffs harder to reach. We have to win at least 8 of 12 games remaining.
I am obviously hoping that the players and management pick themselves up and do this but with a couple of tough games coming up I am not confident.
It is going to be a hard ask at leaders Bromley this weekend but what a perfect time to show that we are a talented squad......
I will be listening to the game with the Northern exiles at the Port Street bar starting at 1 p.m. in Manchester this coming Saturday.
Tonight City play Cheddar in the Somerset Cup. With such a weakened first team squad I am expecting Jim Rollo to be the lynchpin of a development squad 11.
Talking to Bob Chester I know that preparations for the community day on 22 March are well under way. Please spread the word as it should be an enjoyable day with a big crowd. You can 'pay what you like'!
Let's hope the players keep us in contention with a couple of miraculous results against Bromley and the Ebbsfleet.
Wednesday 19 February 2014
DOVER JINX AND WESTON WOE
Dover's blotter ensured that the game was on last Saturday. At half time City looked good but the loss of Ben Adelsbury at half time did for us and we lost 2-0 in the end.Now I love all that technical stuff about football. Formations and probing weaknesses etc. But in the end on a muddy pitch lighter skilfull players struggle. Bigger City players like Preecey and Ben Adelsbury do better. So its all very simple really. Dover had more bigger blokes so they won.
I was 'cheerfully' predicting that both the Dover and Weston games would be off and was proved wrong.
We really are lucky to have such a good surface at May day Trust Park. Other Clubs face a huge fixture backlog whilst City do not. That has to help in the League run in.
It seems clear that extreme weather events are here to stay. Climate change has brought more intense rain storms so Non league football is going to face a problem year on year. Spending money on drainage (or in Dover's case the pitch 'blotter') and a dedicated team of people looking after the pitch has certainly helped City but might teams have to look at synthetic pitches in the future? They are not a perfect solution of course. Keynsham Town's synthetic pitch has carried surface water which they have been unable to clear on at least one occasion.
As fans we are going to have to get more used to uncertain diaries and blank Saturday's I am afraid.
On a personal note I am still keeping up the fight against global warming and I hope the next Government takes it more seriously than the current one.
Returning to the 'size and surfaces' theme, I read Ben Adelsbury's comments in last week's Chronicle and then realised why City had put in a 7 day on Weston's big striker Chas Hemmings. Physical sides do better in these wet conditions and we'll need a bigger stronger squad to make that top 5. It was interesting that Hemmings played against a City side that he could very well be joining. At the game on Tuesday He seemed to impress the weston officials but City fan's we're split on whether he will add anything to us.
The defeat at Weston was a key moment for me. Obviously I want us to go on and get the 8 or so wins we need to make the playoffs and I really hope we can keep the season alive but I was so disappointed by the performance that I am really not sure that we are good enough. Archie says we are tired, have too many injuries and can't cope with the heavy pitches. On top of that we can't traain. On the one hand I have sympathy for our plight but on the other have to say that we must put it right if we want to progress. We need some more resilient players and are crying out for a midfield prompter. Weston had one. Maybe we are looking at the wrong player?
This Saturday brings another must win fixture for City. Basingstoke are mid table and 9 points adrift of City but with 3 games in hand. Home form is improving for us and we have to be confident. I am worried about the state of the squad after Archie's comments!
What great news it was that the Foundation received the £15,000 grant from the Conference Trust. This will directly benefit the football Club is so many ways and will certainly help the playing budget. This is a direct result of the change at Board level. I spent many months trying to secure this funding with colleague Foundation Trustees but we met with resistance from the previous Club Chairman. In all my years in the professional and voluntary world I had never encountered anything like it. This is a tremendous result and I did permit myself a celebratory beer when the news came through last Friday.
Don't forget the community day on 22nd March at May day Trust Park. Spread the word!
The Northern exiles are meeting in Manchester Saturday 1st. The Port Street bar at 1 p.m. and we hope to listen to the Bromley game over Bath City Internet radio, a few pints and the usual wisdom that flows when sage City fans get together.
I must also put in a plug for the DVDs. Skyblue as he is known on the official Forum, does a brilliant job filming games. He is in fact Jason Mellor's dad! The family will have a brilliant collection of Jason's best moments on film. I remember when Kenny Allen came along for a legends night at Twerton a few years ago. We had a few stills but very little film other than his appearance for Torquay at Wembley. We had much more film of Paul Evans and his many sterling City performances. Thanks to his dad Jason should have a pretty comprehensive library of goalkeeping heroics.
Don't forget the Mendips expedition to Cheddar in the Somerset Cup next week. Its a chance for Jim Rollo to get some game time again but hopefully not the 2 hours Jim did in the last round!
I was 'cheerfully' predicting that both the Dover and Weston games would be off and was proved wrong.
We really are lucky to have such a good surface at May day Trust Park. Other Clubs face a huge fixture backlog whilst City do not. That has to help in the League run in.
It seems clear that extreme weather events are here to stay. Climate change has brought more intense rain storms so Non league football is going to face a problem year on year. Spending money on drainage (or in Dover's case the pitch 'blotter') and a dedicated team of people looking after the pitch has certainly helped City but might teams have to look at synthetic pitches in the future? They are not a perfect solution of course. Keynsham Town's synthetic pitch has carried surface water which they have been unable to clear on at least one occasion.
As fans we are going to have to get more used to uncertain diaries and blank Saturday's I am afraid.
On a personal note I am still keeping up the fight against global warming and I hope the next Government takes it more seriously than the current one.
Returning to the 'size and surfaces' theme, I read Ben Adelsbury's comments in last week's Chronicle and then realised why City had put in a 7 day on Weston's big striker Chas Hemmings. Physical sides do better in these wet conditions and we'll need a bigger stronger squad to make that top 5. It was interesting that Hemmings played against a City side that he could very well be joining. At the game on Tuesday He seemed to impress the weston officials but City fan's we're split on whether he will add anything to us.
The defeat at Weston was a key moment for me. Obviously I want us to go on and get the 8 or so wins we need to make the playoffs and I really hope we can keep the season alive but I was so disappointed by the performance that I am really not sure that we are good enough. Archie says we are tired, have too many injuries and can't cope with the heavy pitches. On top of that we can't traain. On the one hand I have sympathy for our plight but on the other have to say that we must put it right if we want to progress. We need some more resilient players and are crying out for a midfield prompter. Weston had one. Maybe we are looking at the wrong player?
This Saturday brings another must win fixture for City. Basingstoke are mid table and 9 points adrift of City but with 3 games in hand. Home form is improving for us and we have to be confident. I am worried about the state of the squad after Archie's comments!
What great news it was that the Foundation received the £15,000 grant from the Conference Trust. This will directly benefit the football Club is so many ways and will certainly help the playing budget. This is a direct result of the change at Board level. I spent many months trying to secure this funding with colleague Foundation Trustees but we met with resistance from the previous Club Chairman. In all my years in the professional and voluntary world I had never encountered anything like it. This is a tremendous result and I did permit myself a celebratory beer when the news came through last Friday.
Don't forget the community day on 22nd March at May day Trust Park. Spread the word!
The Northern exiles are meeting in Manchester Saturday 1st. The Port Street bar at 1 p.m. and we hope to listen to the Bromley game over Bath City Internet radio, a few pints and the usual wisdom that flows when sage City fans get together.
I must also put in a plug for the DVDs. Skyblue as he is known on the official Forum, does a brilliant job filming games. He is in fact Jason Mellor's dad! The family will have a brilliant collection of Jason's best moments on film. I remember when Kenny Allen came along for a legends night at Twerton a few years ago. We had a few stills but very little film other than his appearance for Torquay at Wembley. We had much more film of Paul Evans and his many sterling City performances. Thanks to his dad Jason should have a pretty comprehensive library of goalkeeping heroics.
Don't forget the Mendips expedition to Cheddar in the Somerset Cup next week. Its a chance for Jim Rollo to get some game time again but hopefully not the 2 hours Jim did in the last round!
Wednesday 12 February 2014
RECOVERY?
This week I was thinking about how difficult the last few years have been for many people. Austerity has certainly taken its toll with the bulk of households having less money to play with. After 4 years in Government the Coalition is now triumphant about a recovery but that ignores the fact that people have struggled for the last 4 years and that the recovery isn't benefiting the wider population.
My energy bills recently shot up and like many I have had 4/5 years of pay freeze/low percentage rises.
And I am not sure the recovery is a lasting one built again on consumer debt and a short term boost in the housing market.
Now this isn't just me venting at the failure of the market economy. I was thinking about how Paul Williams and the Board might stabilise and grow Bath City FC in what will be continued tough times for ordinary people where leisure money is tight.
There have been lots of debates about the pricing structure for City home games. I think the Club has got it right. £10 -£12 for an adult coupled with free or no more than a token fee for children is a good offer when you look at the competition. Bristol City and Rovers Charge similarly £18 -£24 with limited concessions. Bath Rugby is an eye watering £34 to £40 and I couldn't see many concessions? Other leisure competitors might be the Cinema which is a tenner per adult (and £8 for teens) and the theatre £24 to £38. Our pricing is very competitive.
The standard of football at City is good. It has been entertaining at home this season.We just need to get more people to come along to improve the atmosphere. When I first went to Twerton Park in 1968 2/3000 people was enough of a crowd to make a real impact on me. 6/700 struggle to make an impression though the Legion really has helped improve the noise levels.
City need to keep the prices low and get more people along. The Foundation will help with its successful reach into schools and the wider community plus a menu other attractions on match day besides the game. Andy Weekes has done a brilliant job with food and drink offers and that needs to be kept going.
However difficult the economy people need some fun. We need to make Bath City an 'affordable and quality' place to have that fun.
So it was great to see the Board announce the 'Community day' for the game against Chelmsford on 22nd March when attendees are invited to pay what they like. The initiative is being backed by the Supporters Society, Foundation and businesses. I am part of a small group of exiles who are signed up to support the event. I think it will be a great success but we need as much publicity as possible.
We certainly need a major old fashioned publicity drive in my view. The social media exposure is great but we need to reach out to local people. Posters help. A good friend of mine lives in Eastbourne but was born in Bath. His Dad was an avid City fan during the war and he watches the occasional game. He was in a chip shop in Eastbourne the other week, saw a poster saying City were in town and he went along to the game. A testament to the power of the old ways of getting noticed!
I really had expected Saturday's game against Whitehawk to be postponed but the miracle of the May day Trust Park pitch continues amidst the worst winter rains for 250 years. With the non league programme wiped out the Non League paper knew where to come to see a game and it was duly featured on Sunday. After 65 minutes City looked like they were the bottom 3 side. Collectively we couldn't put a foot right but when Noah Keats connected from 25 yards on the volley it all changed. Great credit to the players for keeping going and to the management team for making the changes at half time. Ross Stearn made all the difference and Josh Low looked much happier in a more forward role. I enjoyed my long trip home knowing that City were now up the fourth - more firmly in the top 5 than last week but still with a lot of work to do.
I did reflect that one brilliant week in February had wiped out the 4 weeks of frustration in January!
At least the walking wounded - Aaron Brown, Joe Burnell, Simmo and now Andy Watkins -have another week to get fit.
Now we have the long trip to Dover this coming Saturday. After the defeat there earlier in the season in the Trophy I hope City can make amends. Their form is similar to ours and they are a play-off rival.
We then face local rivals Weston super Mare on Tuesday night.
Its half term so I'll be able to get down to Woodspring Park. They are a team we usually beat at a ground where we rarely lose. I hope we can keep that record up next week. I am sure there will be a big City following to make it difficult for the poorly supported home team. They are having a good season though so it will be another tough game.
Things are really looking up at City. Let's do all we can to get more people to come along!
As a footnote if you can, vote for the name of the Fan's Forum on the official website. I really like 'What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us'
My energy bills recently shot up and like many I have had 4/5 years of pay freeze/low percentage rises.
And I am not sure the recovery is a lasting one built again on consumer debt and a short term boost in the housing market.
Now this isn't just me venting at the failure of the market economy. I was thinking about how Paul Williams and the Board might stabilise and grow Bath City FC in what will be continued tough times for ordinary people where leisure money is tight.
There have been lots of debates about the pricing structure for City home games. I think the Club has got it right. £10 -£12 for an adult coupled with free or no more than a token fee for children is a good offer when you look at the competition. Bristol City and Rovers Charge similarly £18 -£24 with limited concessions. Bath Rugby is an eye watering £34 to £40 and I couldn't see many concessions? Other leisure competitors might be the Cinema which is a tenner per adult (and £8 for teens) and the theatre £24 to £38. Our pricing is very competitive.
The standard of football at City is good. It has been entertaining at home this season.We just need to get more people to come along to improve the atmosphere. When I first went to Twerton Park in 1968 2/3000 people was enough of a crowd to make a real impact on me. 6/700 struggle to make an impression though the Legion really has helped improve the noise levels.
City need to keep the prices low and get more people along. The Foundation will help with its successful reach into schools and the wider community plus a menu other attractions on match day besides the game. Andy Weekes has done a brilliant job with food and drink offers and that needs to be kept going.
However difficult the economy people need some fun. We need to make Bath City an 'affordable and quality' place to have that fun.
So it was great to see the Board announce the 'Community day' for the game against Chelmsford on 22nd March when attendees are invited to pay what they like. The initiative is being backed by the Supporters Society, Foundation and businesses. I am part of a small group of exiles who are signed up to support the event. I think it will be a great success but we need as much publicity as possible.
We certainly need a major old fashioned publicity drive in my view. The social media exposure is great but we need to reach out to local people. Posters help. A good friend of mine lives in Eastbourne but was born in Bath. His Dad was an avid City fan during the war and he watches the occasional game. He was in a chip shop in Eastbourne the other week, saw a poster saying City were in town and he went along to the game. A testament to the power of the old ways of getting noticed!
I really had expected Saturday's game against Whitehawk to be postponed but the miracle of the May day Trust Park pitch continues amidst the worst winter rains for 250 years. With the non league programme wiped out the Non League paper knew where to come to see a game and it was duly featured on Sunday. After 65 minutes City looked like they were the bottom 3 side. Collectively we couldn't put a foot right but when Noah Keats connected from 25 yards on the volley it all changed. Great credit to the players for keeping going and to the management team for making the changes at half time. Ross Stearn made all the difference and Josh Low looked much happier in a more forward role. I enjoyed my long trip home knowing that City were now up the fourth - more firmly in the top 5 than last week but still with a lot of work to do.
I did reflect that one brilliant week in February had wiped out the 4 weeks of frustration in January!
At least the walking wounded - Aaron Brown, Joe Burnell, Simmo and now Andy Watkins -have another week to get fit.
Now we have the long trip to Dover this coming Saturday. After the defeat there earlier in the season in the Trophy I hope City can make amends. Their form is similar to ours and they are a play-off rival.
We then face local rivals Weston super Mare on Tuesday night.
Its half term so I'll be able to get down to Woodspring Park. They are a team we usually beat at a ground where we rarely lose. I hope we can keep that record up next week. I am sure there will be a big City following to make it difficult for the poorly supported home team. They are having a good season though so it will be another tough game.
Things are really looking up at City. Let's do all we can to get more people to come along!
As a footnote if you can, vote for the name of the Fan's Forum on the official website. I really like 'What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us'
Wednesday 5 February 2014
BARREN SPELL ENDED
City's run of 6 games without a win finally came to an end at home to play-off chasing rivals Bishops Stortford last Saturday. It was a tremendous relief! It wasn't City's best performance of late but we were due a result especially at home. It is quite astonishing that after only 3 points from a possible 18 the win propelled into 5th spot - realistically the position we ware going for by the end of the season.
It was the Noah Keats show with his two goals but once again Andy Watkins posed all the questions up front.
City's win at Woking last night against Hayes and Yeading keeps us in fifth place with just 16 games to play. In awful conditions and in front of only 97 people (Bas says 30 of those were City fans) - I reckon I played in front of more in the Bath and District in the 1970s - Dave Pratt and Andy Watkins scored to secure the points. Listening on Bath City Internet radio we were really under the cosh when Joe Burnell departed but when Dave Pratt scored in the 45 minute it relieved the pressure and another breakaway from Watto in the 70th sealed it.
The real worry is defensive cover. Unless Simmo or Dan Ball can make quick returns we do look light for Saturday's game.
We are now firmly in 5th place but it is very competitive.There are at least 6 teams on 33 points plus battling for that 5th place. But 60 points would surely be enough to keep our season alive into the playoffs?I think there are easily 7 or 8 winnable games from that last 16.
City can really boost the promotion cause with a win over Whitehawk this coming Saturday at May Day Trust Park.
The Brighton based side have struggled so far this season so City will hopefully do the business. They currently lie 20th in the table with only five wins from 24 games. However they are better away from home where they have only won once. We do need to be tougher and more clinical and see off poorer teams if we are to get promotion.
I will be there. I am working in London that morning with a 6 a.m. start from Derby but I can make it across to Bath for the game and a couple of pints in Charlies pre and post match. I hope to see you there!
I do worry that more rain will finally put paid to a game at Twerton but fingers crossed we can perform miracles again this week.
On 1st March the northern exiles are meeting in Manchester to listen to the Bromley game on Bath City internet radio. It's a chance for us to talk about City and enjoy a few pints in some of Manchester's legendary real ale pubs. We start at the Port Street bar at 1 then head on to the splendid Marble Arch. Join us if you can.
On the official website fan's Forum Skyblue has offered to investigate a live stream of City games. Please support this if you can. It will put money in the City coffers if he can sort out the technicalities and especially linking with the excellent Bath City Internet radio.
And another mention that Bas is able to provide DVDs of many of City's games in the last 2 seasons for a reasonable fee. All proceeds will go to the Supporters Club.
Bas can be found in the stadium superstore on match days! (I got told off before for calling it a shed).
See you Saturday!
It was the Noah Keats show with his two goals but once again Andy Watkins posed all the questions up front.
City's win at Woking last night against Hayes and Yeading keeps us in fifth place with just 16 games to play. In awful conditions and in front of only 97 people (Bas says 30 of those were City fans) - I reckon I played in front of more in the Bath and District in the 1970s - Dave Pratt and Andy Watkins scored to secure the points. Listening on Bath City Internet radio we were really under the cosh when Joe Burnell departed but when Dave Pratt scored in the 45 minute it relieved the pressure and another breakaway from Watto in the 70th sealed it.
The real worry is defensive cover. Unless Simmo or Dan Ball can make quick returns we do look light for Saturday's game.
We are now firmly in 5th place but it is very competitive.There are at least 6 teams on 33 points plus battling for that 5th place. But 60 points would surely be enough to keep our season alive into the playoffs?I think there are easily 7 or 8 winnable games from that last 16.
City can really boost the promotion cause with a win over Whitehawk this coming Saturday at May Day Trust Park.
The Brighton based side have struggled so far this season so City will hopefully do the business. They currently lie 20th in the table with only five wins from 24 games. However they are better away from home where they have only won once. We do need to be tougher and more clinical and see off poorer teams if we are to get promotion.
I will be there. I am working in London that morning with a 6 a.m. start from Derby but I can make it across to Bath for the game and a couple of pints in Charlies pre and post match. I hope to see you there!
I do worry that more rain will finally put paid to a game at Twerton but fingers crossed we can perform miracles again this week.
On 1st March the northern exiles are meeting in Manchester to listen to the Bromley game on Bath City internet radio. It's a chance for us to talk about City and enjoy a few pints in some of Manchester's legendary real ale pubs. We start at the Port Street bar at 1 then head on to the splendid Marble Arch. Join us if you can.
On the official website fan's Forum Skyblue has offered to investigate a live stream of City games. Please support this if you can. It will put money in the City coffers if he can sort out the technicalities and especially linking with the excellent Bath City Internet radio.
And another mention that Bas is able to provide DVDs of many of City's games in the last 2 seasons for a reasonable fee. All proceeds will go to the Supporters Club.
Bas can be found in the stadium superstore on match days! (I got told off before for calling it a shed).
See you Saturday!
Wednesday 29 January 2014
OH WE DON'T LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE!
I am sure that on my 2 previous visits to Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough played the famous songs 'Sussex by the Sea' and 'Oh I do Like to be beside the Seaside' to herald the teams coming on to the pitch. Well for City last Saturday the lyrics of the song did not ring true at all. Once again a 90th minute killer goal lost us the match. For the first time in 2014 defensive frailties re-surfaced. We dominated the last 20 minutes with the howling gale at our backs and there appeared to be only one winner but poor defending cost us.
The big problem now is morale. 6 games without a win and the long coach home must have been wondering what we do next.
Lee Howells had said there were some tired legs and he wanted to make changes so Ross Stearn and dave Pratt were rested but new boy Scott Wilson never got a chance even from the bench.
Steve Skinner pointed out on the Fan's Forum that we don't have a leader on the pitch. What wouldn't we give now for an Adie Harris, Jon Holloway or Matt Coupe! The only leader we have in the squad is Jim Rollo. Putting that right has to be a priority for new signings. Speaking to Martin Brush(Bas), his view is that we could have won all of the last 6 games. A good leader on the pitch might have tipped the balance our way in my view.
It was good to hear than Dan Ball was making a speedy recovery. He will strengthen the squad for the run in.
We need a win from somewhere and we now have 2 home games in a row to try and get it.
This coming Saturday will be a real tester with fellow contenders play-off Bishops Stortford visiting May Day Trust Park. With only 4 wins out of 12 home games so far this season surely this Saturday will see City's faithful home fans get the win they deserve. Whilst the games have been entertaining and competitive all of us want to see some wins. We want to finish as high as we can and only wins and points will ensure that.
Get along this Saturday if you can. The team need a lift and City's fans can help.
Sandwiched between the home games is an away trip to Woking to play Hayes on Tuesday night.
I couldn't end this week without reference to Yeovil's last gasp 3-2 defeat at Derby last night. I rarely go to Pride Park (now the IPRO stadium) but was invited last night. I shocked my hosts by turning down the invitation on the grounds that I 'disliked' Yeovil. They couldn't understand this so I explained that we had over 100 years of fierce Somerset local rivalry so I couldn't stomach seeing them run out in front of 25000 people in the Championship. A t home in front of the TV last night I did keep an eye on the score and saw that Yeovil were 2 up at half time. Fortunately 2 goals in the last 5 minutes turned it around. Old 'rivalries ' run deep so I was delighted to see Yeovil drop to the bottom of the league as a result.
I still hope that we'll play them again but maybe only briefly on our way up the pyramid passing them on their way down!
I can dream!
The big problem now is morale. 6 games without a win and the long coach home must have been wondering what we do next.
Lee Howells had said there were some tired legs and he wanted to make changes so Ross Stearn and dave Pratt were rested but new boy Scott Wilson never got a chance even from the bench.
Steve Skinner pointed out on the Fan's Forum that we don't have a leader on the pitch. What wouldn't we give now for an Adie Harris, Jon Holloway or Matt Coupe! The only leader we have in the squad is Jim Rollo. Putting that right has to be a priority for new signings. Speaking to Martin Brush(Bas), his view is that we could have won all of the last 6 games. A good leader on the pitch might have tipped the balance our way in my view.
It was good to hear than Dan Ball was making a speedy recovery. He will strengthen the squad for the run in.
We need a win from somewhere and we now have 2 home games in a row to try and get it.
This coming Saturday will be a real tester with fellow contenders play-off Bishops Stortford visiting May Day Trust Park. With only 4 wins out of 12 home games so far this season surely this Saturday will see City's faithful home fans get the win they deserve. Whilst the games have been entertaining and competitive all of us want to see some wins. We want to finish as high as we can and only wins and points will ensure that.
Get along this Saturday if you can. The team need a lift and City's fans can help.
Sandwiched between the home games is an away trip to Woking to play Hayes on Tuesday night.
I couldn't end this week without reference to Yeovil's last gasp 3-2 defeat at Derby last night. I rarely go to Pride Park (now the IPRO stadium) but was invited last night. I shocked my hosts by turning down the invitation on the grounds that I 'disliked' Yeovil. They couldn't understand this so I explained that we had over 100 years of fierce Somerset local rivalry so I couldn't stomach seeing them run out in front of 25000 people in the Championship. A t home in front of the TV last night I did keep an eye on the score and saw that Yeovil were 2 up at half time. Fortunately 2 goals in the last 5 minutes turned it around. Old 'rivalries ' run deep so I was delighted to see Yeovil drop to the bottom of the league as a result.
I still hope that we'll play them again but maybe only briefly on our way up the pyramid passing them on their way down!
I can dream!
Wednesday 22 January 2014
FRUSTRATING TIMES
Last night's draw at Tonbridge means that City have only won once in 7 games. It is a very frustrating time and I can imagine the atmosphere on the team and supporters coaches on the long journey back last night. We seemed to dominate again and create chances but not really test the keeper.
It is beginning to look like a weakness up front. We have not scored enough. This is less a reflection on the two front men who work very hard but haven't had the breaks. I agree with Martin Powell that sometimes you need another option. 2 strikers isn't enough. I still believe fortunes will change for Andy Watkins. he is too good a player for it not to.
For me last night might have been the time to throw Nat Jarvis on and go for broke but he wasn't on the bench.
Amazingly despite the barren spell we are still within touching distance of a play off place. A couple of wins would see us into the top 5.
It has been very quiet off the pitch since Paul Williams took over as Chairman just before Christmas. Since the AGM there has been very little in terms of public announcements on where the Club is going. This is not surprising. Inevitably Paul and the Board have had to draw breath and take a view on priorities.
What I do know is that there are a number of positive initiatives and developments under discussion and supporters groups are much more fully involved. I am a Foundation Trustee and a Supporters Society Committee member and whilst I cannot give away any detail here I do know that people are fully engaged and hopefully positive announcements will follow.
Last Saturday the team were extremely unlucky not to take something from League leaders Bromley. Two goal line clearances and a missed penalty did for us. As Paul Hill said, fine margins indeed. What was clear is that to win the league you have to be solid, physical and clinical. Bromley took their chances and shut up shop. I remember City's successful teams always had an element of this. We all like to think that flair and skill wins trophies but sadly that isn't enough.
What was really encouraging was the crowd of 755. Although there was a good away following is this early evidence that some of the lost hundreds are coming back?
Once again the pitch held up in the face of more bad weather and we are very lucky to have football whilst other Clubs sit Saturdays out.
This coming Saturday City travel to Eastbourne to take on Borough. They are playing well and are themselves in playoff contention. It will be tough but surely this is the day we turn our season around and confirm ourselves as playoff contenders?
It is beginning to look like a weakness up front. We have not scored enough. This is less a reflection on the two front men who work very hard but haven't had the breaks. I agree with Martin Powell that sometimes you need another option. 2 strikers isn't enough. I still believe fortunes will change for Andy Watkins. he is too good a player for it not to.
For me last night might have been the time to throw Nat Jarvis on and go for broke but he wasn't on the bench.
Amazingly despite the barren spell we are still within touching distance of a play off place. A couple of wins would see us into the top 5.
It has been very quiet off the pitch since Paul Williams took over as Chairman just before Christmas. Since the AGM there has been very little in terms of public announcements on where the Club is going. This is not surprising. Inevitably Paul and the Board have had to draw breath and take a view on priorities.
What I do know is that there are a number of positive initiatives and developments under discussion and supporters groups are much more fully involved. I am a Foundation Trustee and a Supporters Society Committee member and whilst I cannot give away any detail here I do know that people are fully engaged and hopefully positive announcements will follow.
Last Saturday the team were extremely unlucky not to take something from League leaders Bromley. Two goal line clearances and a missed penalty did for us. As Paul Hill said, fine margins indeed. What was clear is that to win the league you have to be solid, physical and clinical. Bromley took their chances and shut up shop. I remember City's successful teams always had an element of this. We all like to think that flair and skill wins trophies but sadly that isn't enough.
What was really encouraging was the crowd of 755. Although there was a good away following is this early evidence that some of the lost hundreds are coming back?
Once again the pitch held up in the face of more bad weather and we are very lucky to have football whilst other Clubs sit Saturdays out.
This coming Saturday City travel to Eastbourne to take on Borough. They are playing well and are themselves in playoff contention. It will be tough but surely this is the day we turn our season around and confirm ourselves as playoff contenders?
Wednesday 15 January 2014
A POINT GAINED: STILL THERE OR THEREABOUTS
I listened to last Saturday's game at Basingstoke on Bath City Internet radio and once again Andrew Kerslake and Bob Chester did a great job describing the match. I have even started to laugh at Andrew's jokes!
When Andy Watkins hit the bar again and City didn't score following a good period of pressure it was hard not to feel frustrated but when City survived a few late scares it became clear that it was probably a point gained rather than 2 lost. Certainly that seemed to be the view of those who were there.
It was also a clean sheet achieved without 2 of our better defensive players (Ball and Preece).
Jason Mellor kept City in the game in the latter stages.
We are now difficult to beat. That's official with just one reverse in 12 games.
We are there or thereabouts in 7th place just 2 points off the top 5 but we have used up our games in hand.
At the half way point in the season we are well placed.
However, if we are to contend for a play off place we have to start winning.
My heart sank when arguably our most creative player and top scorer, Ross Stearn was stretchered off in the first half. If we are going to start gathering more 3 point hauls we certainly need him. I used social media to contact him and find out how he was. He said that it was a bad cut and as long as the stitches did their job he hoped to be available for the coming home game against league leaders Bromley. (This coming Saturday, 18th January, 3 pm May Day Trust Park)
Indeed it is a real test this Saturday but I fancy City to really go for it and get a famous win. Our home form is not great with only 4 wins from 11 but we are better than that and we can show it this weekend. Bromley have only lost 3 games and must be due a dip in form? Indeed they suffered an unexpected reverse at home to Concord last night!
I know that a bigger than usual crowd and a noisy Legion will help the cause.
City then head off into deepest Kent next Tuesday night to face a Tonbridge Angels side struggling towards the bottom of the division. It is certainly a game that City would hope to win.
For those who can't get to games or who like to watch footage of matches they have attended the redoubtable Bas now has access to a great many full match DVDs from the past 2 seasons. Just pop along and see him in his shed on match days. All funds will go to the Supporters Club.
When Andy Watkins hit the bar again and City didn't score following a good period of pressure it was hard not to feel frustrated but when City survived a few late scares it became clear that it was probably a point gained rather than 2 lost. Certainly that seemed to be the view of those who were there.
It was also a clean sheet achieved without 2 of our better defensive players (Ball and Preece).
Jason Mellor kept City in the game in the latter stages.
We are now difficult to beat. That's official with just one reverse in 12 games.
We are there or thereabouts in 7th place just 2 points off the top 5 but we have used up our games in hand.
At the half way point in the season we are well placed.
However, if we are to contend for a play off place we have to start winning.
My heart sank when arguably our most creative player and top scorer, Ross Stearn was stretchered off in the first half. If we are going to start gathering more 3 point hauls we certainly need him. I used social media to contact him and find out how he was. He said that it was a bad cut and as long as the stitches did their job he hoped to be available for the coming home game against league leaders Bromley. (This coming Saturday, 18th January, 3 pm May Day Trust Park)
Indeed it is a real test this Saturday but I fancy City to really go for it and get a famous win. Our home form is not great with only 4 wins from 11 but we are better than that and we can show it this weekend. Bromley have only lost 3 games and must be due a dip in form? Indeed they suffered an unexpected reverse at home to Concord last night!
I know that a bigger than usual crowd and a noisy Legion will help the cause.
City then head off into deepest Kent next Tuesday night to face a Tonbridge Angels side struggling towards the bottom of the division. It is certainly a game that City would hope to win.
For those who can't get to games or who like to watch footage of matches they have attended the redoubtable Bas now has access to a great many full match DVDs from the past 2 seasons. Just pop along and see him in his shed on match days. All funds will go to the Supporters Club.
Tuesday 7 January 2014
CITY CONCEDE LATE AGAIN BUT STILL IN CONTENTION
Everyone felt the frustration of another late equaliser conceded at home last Saturday. City had dominated the second half and looked to have secured the 3 points with Dave Pratt's 80th minute goal but the curse of injury time and that 'dead ball' struck again. It has happened three times at home this season to Tonbridge, Boreham Wood and now Staines. Might it cost us a play off place come May?
I remain positive about our prospects. One defeat in 11 games is an amazingly good run and when the luck turns (not least for Andy 'woodwork' Watkins) then surely we will push firmly into that top 5.
The game was only made possible because of the Board's investment in the playing surface over the past few years and the efforts of an intrepid few with forks once the rain had stopped on Saturday morning. We were one of only 2 games in our league to survive the deluge and fared better than a number of 'illustrious' league neighbours - Yeovil for example couldn't get a game on!
The big talking point was the absence of Ross Stearn from the starting line up. The post match interviews were silent on it. We can only speculate.
The managers appeared to keep faith with those who had played well (but lost) at Eastleigh. And in fairness it almost worked.
If he is fit surely Stearn will start with Watkins and Pratt this coming Saturday?
The games now come thick and fast with 7 in February and another 7 in March.This will test City's small squad.
This coming Saturday sees the relatively short trip to Basingstoke. It is a winnable fixture but difficult as they lie in the top half of the table. The weather appears to improve towards the end of the week so hopefully the 'forkers' of Basingstoke can do their stuff.
I am looking forward to the big game at Mayday Trust Park on Saturday 18th January against leaders and Champions elect Bromley. We can really see how far we have come against the team that is well clear at the top.
Other fixture news, with dates for your diary include away at Hayes (Woking) on 4th February, at Weston Super Mare on 18th February (this is during half term so I hope to get along) and Ebbsfleet at home on Tuesday 4th March.
Off the field fundraising discussions are stirring as all parts of the Club begin to work together again. I'll try and write about this when I know more but suffice is it to say its great to see supporters fully engaged again!
I remain positive about our prospects. One defeat in 11 games is an amazingly good run and when the luck turns (not least for Andy 'woodwork' Watkins) then surely we will push firmly into that top 5.
The game was only made possible because of the Board's investment in the playing surface over the past few years and the efforts of an intrepid few with forks once the rain had stopped on Saturday morning. We were one of only 2 games in our league to survive the deluge and fared better than a number of 'illustrious' league neighbours - Yeovil for example couldn't get a game on!
The big talking point was the absence of Ross Stearn from the starting line up. The post match interviews were silent on it. We can only speculate.
The managers appeared to keep faith with those who had played well (but lost) at Eastleigh. And in fairness it almost worked.
If he is fit surely Stearn will start with Watkins and Pratt this coming Saturday?
The games now come thick and fast with 7 in February and another 7 in March.This will test City's small squad.
This coming Saturday sees the relatively short trip to Basingstoke. It is a winnable fixture but difficult as they lie in the top half of the table. The weather appears to improve towards the end of the week so hopefully the 'forkers' of Basingstoke can do their stuff.
I am looking forward to the big game at Mayday Trust Park on Saturday 18th January against leaders and Champions elect Bromley. We can really see how far we have come against the team that is well clear at the top.
Other fixture news, with dates for your diary include away at Hayes (Woking) on 4th February, at Weston Super Mare on 18th February (this is during half term so I hope to get along) and Ebbsfleet at home on Tuesday 4th March.
Off the field fundraising discussions are stirring as all parts of the Club begin to work together again. I'll try and write about this when I know more but suffice is it to say its great to see supporters fully engaged again!
Thursday 2 January 2014
POSITIVE ABOUT 2014 FOR CITY
City has a new Chairman and we can go into 2014 with all parts of the Club working together again!
I made no secret of my concern about the way the Club was being led. I do not propose to go over old ground but suffice it to say that the Society, Supporter's Club and Foundation can hopefully now all swing behind the new leadership to face the challenges of the Club's finances.
In all the public statements there were two significant notes for me. Firstly it was clear that this was a divided Board with the former Chairman out on a limb. Secondly, the appointment of a unifying leader following the last 2 years was essential 'as the Club had lost the support of many individuals and groups which are so important to a Club like Bath City'. In the 'did she resign or was she pushed debate'. I'll leave it to you to conclude but most of us know how these things work.
One early bonus from the change is that the Club and Foundation might now be able to take forward the funding application to the Conference Trust. If this can be successfully concluded then this could help the playing budget and specifically might help Adie and Archie fill the gap left by Dan Ball's injury?
I want to pay tribute to Pete Sellwood, who has continued to grow the work of the Foundation, and he has maintained contact with the Conference Trust. This has kept the possibility of funding alive. The Board of trustees has also been strengthened with former City Director John Reynolds now joining.
As importantly, the Supporters Club and Society, who have been effectively excluded from the Club for many months, can now play a full part. We are all City fans and we all want the best for the Club. Paul Williams has encapsulated that very well in his public statements so far.
The Club's AGM heard how the finances for 2012 had worsened in the Conference Premier years and passed the key motion concerning Geoff Todd's loan. I voted for the motion on the basis that the legal advice did not say that this couldn't be done but rather that there might be other options. It was a challenging meeting but I left in no doubt that there was a will to go forward together.
Another New Year's Day and another postponement at Weston! The curse of 'Weston super mud' strikes again! In fairness the rain was atrocious and all games in the Skrill South but one were postponed.
I sensed that City's players and fans were ready to bounce back from the very unlucky defeat at Eastleigh last Saturday. The chance to get rid of the frustration that result brought was lost. But it was more evidence of City's great progress that we can outplay the promotion favourites. Maybe we'll have a chance for revenge in the play off final?
Let's hope that we can get a game played at Mayday Trust Park this coming Saturday against Staines Town.
We remain handily placed in the table with games in hand.
I am looking forward to 2014 off and on the pitch.
A Happy New Year to all those who read this from one very happy Bath City fan!
I made no secret of my concern about the way the Club was being led. I do not propose to go over old ground but suffice it to say that the Society, Supporter's Club and Foundation can hopefully now all swing behind the new leadership to face the challenges of the Club's finances.
In all the public statements there were two significant notes for me. Firstly it was clear that this was a divided Board with the former Chairman out on a limb. Secondly, the appointment of a unifying leader following the last 2 years was essential 'as the Club had lost the support of many individuals and groups which are so important to a Club like Bath City'. In the 'did she resign or was she pushed debate'. I'll leave it to you to conclude but most of us know how these things work.
One early bonus from the change is that the Club and Foundation might now be able to take forward the funding application to the Conference Trust. If this can be successfully concluded then this could help the playing budget and specifically might help Adie and Archie fill the gap left by Dan Ball's injury?
I want to pay tribute to Pete Sellwood, who has continued to grow the work of the Foundation, and he has maintained contact with the Conference Trust. This has kept the possibility of funding alive. The Board of trustees has also been strengthened with former City Director John Reynolds now joining.
As importantly, the Supporters Club and Society, who have been effectively excluded from the Club for many months, can now play a full part. We are all City fans and we all want the best for the Club. Paul Williams has encapsulated that very well in his public statements so far.
The Club's AGM heard how the finances for 2012 had worsened in the Conference Premier years and passed the key motion concerning Geoff Todd's loan. I voted for the motion on the basis that the legal advice did not say that this couldn't be done but rather that there might be other options. It was a challenging meeting but I left in no doubt that there was a will to go forward together.
Another New Year's Day and another postponement at Weston! The curse of 'Weston super mud' strikes again! In fairness the rain was atrocious and all games in the Skrill South but one were postponed.
I sensed that City's players and fans were ready to bounce back from the very unlucky defeat at Eastleigh last Saturday. The chance to get rid of the frustration that result brought was lost. But it was more evidence of City's great progress that we can outplay the promotion favourites. Maybe we'll have a chance for revenge in the play off final?
Let's hope that we can get a game played at Mayday Trust Park this coming Saturday against Staines Town.
We remain handily placed in the table with games in hand.
I am looking forward to 2014 off and on the pitch.
A Happy New Year to all those who read this from one very happy Bath City fan!
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