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.
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