City really did announce their candidacy for the 2014 playoffs with a solid win over Maidenhead United at May Day Trust Park last Saturday.
We had enough chances to win by more than Dave Pratt's solitary header but the current league momentum was maintained and we climbed to just 1 point off a playoff place. (Last night's results meant that we dropped to 2 points off the top 5).That's quite a turnaround in just a few short weeks.
Can we keep it up?
Josh Low filled in for Ross Stearn and City's star man has another 2 games of a suspension to serve. With other suspensions looming (Dan Ball for 5 yellows) the squad does look thin. It's going to be harder to keep the run going without more squad depth.
What looked like too many games in November evaporated when the Boreham Wood away game was postponed and then the trip to Tonbridge. However the Club have moved quickly to fill the spare date. City will now go to Boreham Wood on 30 November but a mid week trip to darkest Kent still beckons.
Next up at home is Boreham Wood on 7th December followed by Ebbsfleet on 14th. 6 points from those 3 games will keep us firmly in contention.
The Club has very little time to set up an AGM in 2013. It is a chance for shareholders to ask some questions and get a bit more detail on how the finances look.
For me the questions are around the debt. It is bound to have risen but by how much and why? And what are we doing to counter that? There are strong rumours that the site for a new stadium is Lansdown. When will we have a formal Club position on a move?
Given that the team has worked wonders to get us to the fringes of the playoffs how can we keep it up? Is there scope to strengthen the squad?
And very fundamentally for me when will supporters be able to play their part in the Club again after 2 years of the current Chairman systematically excluding the Society and the Supporters Club?
These questions and many more wait to be asked when we the shareholders have an opportunity.
On a final note the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation held its AGM last Friday. Under the continued leadership of Pete Sellwood and Ken Loach, the Foundation goes from strength to strength. Long time City fan Steve Skinner is now part of the team working with Pete Sellwood. I am a Foundation Board member so must declare an interest of course but I am proud to be associated with such a success story.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
ONLY THE PLAYOFFS LEFT?
With City's defeat at Dover, the only way to keep this season alive is a tilt at a playoff place.
When the draw was made many of us felt that the annual curse of the FA Trophy had struck before a ball had been kicked but City's recent form gave us real hope that we could progress. It wasn't to be. Some said that it was a battling performance and we gave Dover a run for their money. Others felt we did a 'Salisbury' and paid them too much respect. Whatever the post match analysis we lost.
7 hardy City fans made the long trip by train but the winner of the award for travel goes to Andy Watkins who came all the way from Launceston to Dover and back in one day. That's real commitment to the cause!
I wonder what he and the rest of the squad think about the rest of the season?
In the cold light of day I am not sure our squad is strong enough to mount a challenge. We have seen that we have the talent but I think Martin Powell made the point that our best 11 was there at Dover and we don't have many options beyond that. He is right but presumably finances limit what we can do. Isn't there a young striker in the academy who could join the 16?
Things have gone very quiet off the pitch.
I still hold very firmly to my view that all is not well and that change must come if we are to progress as a united Club.
This coming Saturday City return home to play Maidenhead United. Can the thrills of the Sutton game be repeated? I certainly hope so.
I am sure Andy Watkins is looking forward to a shorter trip!
We need to keep picking up points to be there or thereabouts by January/February 2014. We are currently only 4 points off a play off place.
A word of congratulation to Charlie Griffin and Brackley Town on their FA Cup success. I know he was an unused substitute but I am amongst those who would have liked to have seen Charlie stay with us as part of a squad. It is good to see that he is enjoying success at his new Club.
When the draw was made many of us felt that the annual curse of the FA Trophy had struck before a ball had been kicked but City's recent form gave us real hope that we could progress. It wasn't to be. Some said that it was a battling performance and we gave Dover a run for their money. Others felt we did a 'Salisbury' and paid them too much respect. Whatever the post match analysis we lost.
7 hardy City fans made the long trip by train but the winner of the award for travel goes to Andy Watkins who came all the way from Launceston to Dover and back in one day. That's real commitment to the cause!
I wonder what he and the rest of the squad think about the rest of the season?
In the cold light of day I am not sure our squad is strong enough to mount a challenge. We have seen that we have the talent but I think Martin Powell made the point that our best 11 was there at Dover and we don't have many options beyond that. He is right but presumably finances limit what we can do. Isn't there a young striker in the academy who could join the 16?
Things have gone very quiet off the pitch.
I still hold very firmly to my view that all is not well and that change must come if we are to progress as a united Club.
This coming Saturday City return home to play Maidenhead United. Can the thrills of the Sutton game be repeated? I certainly hope so.
I am sure Andy Watkins is looking forward to a shorter trip!
We need to keep picking up points to be there or thereabouts by January/February 2014. We are currently only 4 points off a play off place.
A word of congratulation to Charlie Griffin and Brackley Town on their FA Cup success. I know he was an unused substitute but I am amongst those who would have liked to have seen Charlie stay with us as part of a squad. It is good to see that he is enjoying success at his new Club.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
CITY BEAT LEAGUE'S 'WHIPPING BOYS'
One of the great things about writing regularly is that you can drag up old cliches and phrases. Football is full of them.
Every season there is at least one team that is a clear struggler. This year it's Dorchester Town. They have now played 13 and lost 10. The League's 'whipping boys' is an old phrase that came to mind as I thought about what I would write this week. A 'whipping boy' is someone who took a beating regularly. Strictly it was a servant for young princes or aristocrats who took the punishment for something their 'master' had done wrong.
Dorchester are being beaten regularly because of their parlous financial state. They have had to let good players go following savage budget cuts.
It is a real s shame because it's a Club with a lot to offer.It has a good modern well designed stadium in a lovely part of Britain. The Club is now community run but it inherited a terrible financial mess. I wish them well in rebuilding the Club.
City started as clear bookies favourites and duly delivered through 2 Dan Ball headers in the first twelve minutes. The game was effectively over then apart from Ross Stearn's sending off with half an hour to go. The consensus is that he retaliated after being fouled or said something to the referee. It is bad news because City's recent winning formula will be disrupted in his 3 game absence.
We are now motoring and certainly kept a foot on the pedal with a stirring home draw with high flyers Sutton United on Tuesday night. It was a great game particularly given that Sutton were in the top 5 and had only lost twice all season (and only once away from home). At 2-0 down with half an hour to go this team's 'never say die' attitude kicked in and we could have won it with a last minute spot kick. The ever impressive Stearn being denied by a spectacular save. The old buzz was back at Twerton and things really are looking up!
Whilst a 471 crowd wasn't bad by recent standards attendances remain a concern. The team are certainly doing their bit but I have always wondered whether twitter and facebook are the ways to get local people to come out and watch on a cold Tuesday night in Bath.
As a shareholder and long time fan of the Club I want to know what is being done to improve crowds. The Club's finances can only be getting worse. We cannot be put in the same position as Dorchester. When the Club's AGM finally comes I'll certainly be asking this question of the Chairman.
Every season there is at least one team that is a clear struggler. This year it's Dorchester Town. They have now played 13 and lost 10. The League's 'whipping boys' is an old phrase that came to mind as I thought about what I would write this week. A 'whipping boy' is someone who took a beating regularly. Strictly it was a servant for young princes or aristocrats who took the punishment for something their 'master' had done wrong.
Dorchester are being beaten regularly because of their parlous financial state. They have had to let good players go following savage budget cuts.
It is a real s shame because it's a Club with a lot to offer.It has a good modern well designed stadium in a lovely part of Britain. The Club is now community run but it inherited a terrible financial mess. I wish them well in rebuilding the Club.
City started as clear bookies favourites and duly delivered through 2 Dan Ball headers in the first twelve minutes. The game was effectively over then apart from Ross Stearn's sending off with half an hour to go. The consensus is that he retaliated after being fouled or said something to the referee. It is bad news because City's recent winning formula will be disrupted in his 3 game absence.
We are now motoring and certainly kept a foot on the pedal with a stirring home draw with high flyers Sutton United on Tuesday night. It was a great game particularly given that Sutton were in the top 5 and had only lost twice all season (and only once away from home). At 2-0 down with half an hour to go this team's 'never say die' attitude kicked in and we could have won it with a last minute spot kick. The ever impressive Stearn being denied by a spectacular save. The old buzz was back at Twerton and things really are looking up!
Whilst a 471 crowd wasn't bad by recent standards attendances remain a concern. The team are certainly doing their bit but I have always wondered whether twitter and facebook are the ways to get local people to come out and watch on a cold Tuesday night in Bath.
As a shareholder and long time fan of the Club I want to know what is being done to improve crowds. The Club's finances can only be getting worse. We cannot be put in the same position as Dorchester. When the Club's AGM finally comes I'll certainly be asking this question of the Chairman.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
ATTACKING INTENT MAINTAINED
City maintained the attacking intent established at Farnborough to solidly beat Havant and Waterlooville at May day Trust park last Saturday.
Ross Stearn showed why you should never leave your best players on the bench. He might not be the best player at tracking back and on occasion holds on to the ball for too long but his flair is there for all to see. His hat trick puts him amongst the League's top scorers and earned him man of the match on the day. Every time City have a free kick around the box, Stearn looks likely and so it was last Saturday. Ex Rovers keeper Bevan seemed to have it covered but was beaten but a grass skimmer which had far too much pace for even his 6 foot 4 inch frame to reach.
Like many other supporters I found Lee Howell's post match interview comments about Stearn somewhat difficult to understand!
But it isn't just about Stearn. Andy Watkins looks very lively and set up the second goal with great skill on the bye line. Young Bowman looks promising and when he adds the final ball to his repertoire will be a real find. Dave Pratt is rapidly winning fans plaudits for the most industrious player in black and white stripes. He was everywhere.
The only worry now is the lack of paying customers. Just 451 for a Saturday match with no Bath rugby home fixture is a real concern.
I won't repeat the arguments I have made before but the Board has to do something about this .....match day income is critically low. halting the decline requires new leadership!
I did enjoy the game despite Havant's late arrival for which they will surely be fined. I did join in the chorus of boos as they proceeded to delay the start further with an elaborate touchline warm up routine.
The substitute linesman did a brilliant job and was scrupulously fair as he gave City offside on a number of occasions.Without him the game might have been abandoned.
I met my fellow Derby based Bath City fan by chance for the first time late on in the game. It was great to meet Gareth who like me had done the 145 miles south for the game.
On Monday City faced 'cross town rivals' Larkhall in the Somerset Cup. I did find the match hype a little strange as we had never played them before! They are going well though and there was a healthy crowd of over 200. I hope they go on to get promotion..
Not unexpectedly the FA Trophy draw was completely unkind to us. A long trip to Dover is a difficult tie but if we can win this surely this could be our year!
This Saturday we face a struggling Dorchester Town. It feels like a 'banker' away win but we all know that there are no easy games. But if we maintain the attacking mindset then surely we'll get in contention for a play off place?
Ross Stearn showed why you should never leave your best players on the bench. He might not be the best player at tracking back and on occasion holds on to the ball for too long but his flair is there for all to see. His hat trick puts him amongst the League's top scorers and earned him man of the match on the day. Every time City have a free kick around the box, Stearn looks likely and so it was last Saturday. Ex Rovers keeper Bevan seemed to have it covered but was beaten but a grass skimmer which had far too much pace for even his 6 foot 4 inch frame to reach.
Like many other supporters I found Lee Howell's post match interview comments about Stearn somewhat difficult to understand!
The only worry now is the lack of paying customers. Just 451 for a Saturday match with no Bath rugby home fixture is a real concern.
I won't repeat the arguments I have made before but the Board has to do something about this .....match day income is critically low. halting the decline requires new leadership!
I did enjoy the game despite Havant's late arrival for which they will surely be fined. I did join in the chorus of boos as they proceeded to delay the start further with an elaborate touchline warm up routine.
The substitute linesman did a brilliant job and was scrupulously fair as he gave City offside on a number of occasions.Without him the game might have been abandoned.
I met my fellow Derby based Bath City fan by chance for the first time late on in the game. It was great to meet Gareth who like me had done the 145 miles south for the game.
On Monday City faced 'cross town rivals' Larkhall in the Somerset Cup. I did find the match hype a little strange as we had never played them before! They are going well though and there was a healthy crowd of over 200. I hope they go on to get promotion..
Not unexpectedly the FA Trophy draw was completely unkind to us. A long trip to Dover is a difficult tie but if we can win this surely this could be our year!
This Saturday we face a struggling Dorchester Town. It feels like a 'banker' away win but we all know that there are no easy games. But if we maintain the attacking mindset then surely we'll get in contention for a play off place?
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
BOUNCING BACK IN STYLE
After Saturday's disappointing exit from the FA Cup against Salisbury City the players of Bath City bounced back in some style with a 4-2 win at Farnborough Town on Tuesday night.
From all accounts it was City's best performance of the season and confirms that we have the quality and can summon the spirit when needed.
Will the team again be set up with attacking intent for this coming Saturday's home league game against Havant And Waterlooville? The smart money is on a return to a more traditional centre back pairing and no repeat of the Pratt, Stearn, Watkins trio heralded before the start of the season.
I hope it us repeated as I plan to make the journey home to see the team for the second successive Saturday.
Whilst I felt that the defeat by Salisbury was a let down - I hoped for a barnstorming Cup tie- the 1000 plus crowd was encouraging.
We do really have something to build on if the Club's supporters can be part of a Club revival.
There is a lot of talent and masses of energy which could surely help us achieve a Club once again rooted in the community.
I apologise that this weeks blog is a little late and shorter than normal. I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days in Berlin to get over the Cup defeat.
I also listened to snatches of the win over Farnborough on City radio though the breaks in transmission made Bob Chester sound a little like Norman Collier! It is brilliant to get news of City games when abroad so I am definitely not complaining.
See you this coming Saturday!
From all accounts it was City's best performance of the season and confirms that we have the quality and can summon the spirit when needed.
Will the team again be set up with attacking intent for this coming Saturday's home league game against Havant And Waterlooville? The smart money is on a return to a more traditional centre back pairing and no repeat of the Pratt, Stearn, Watkins trio heralded before the start of the season.
I hope it us repeated as I plan to make the journey home to see the team for the second successive Saturday.
Whilst I felt that the defeat by Salisbury was a let down - I hoped for a barnstorming Cup tie- the 1000 plus crowd was encouraging.
We do really have something to build on if the Club's supporters can be part of a Club revival.
There is a lot of talent and masses of energy which could surely help us achieve a Club once again rooted in the community.
I apologise that this weeks blog is a little late and shorter than normal. I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days in Berlin to get over the Cup defeat.
I also listened to snatches of the win over Farnborough on City radio though the breaks in transmission made Bob Chester sound a little like Norman Collier! It is brilliant to get news of City games when abroad so I am definitely not complaining.
See you this coming Saturday!
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
A POINT GAINED?
When you are 2 nil down to a side just above you in the table and have only won once in the last 8 games and lie just outside the relegation places , there is no doubt that it is a point gained when you fight back for a 2-2 draw. But City were fancied to do better than this and almost a quarter of the way through the season and half way through the 3 year plan to make real progress, it doesn't feel that good to me. Add to it that we would have expected to beat a struggling Whitehawk side (though travelling support said they were an OK team) and it was hard to celebrate much on Saturday evening.
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
CUP SUCCESS BRINGS TEMPORARY RESPITE
They did it!
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)