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.
Wednesday 26 February 2014
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!
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