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'