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38 years ago today the Ashton Gate Eight saved our club. As we challenge once more for promotion to English football’s highest division I guess it’s appropriate to take a minute to be grateful we actually have a club to support. Whatever the rights and wrongs of what preceded the events that unfolded, these men should rightly forever remain in the consciousness of all City fans for what they did. Thankyou. COYR https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38750475 and who could forget this iconic image from that era too

This crops up every year and amazes me the difference between those who were there at the time so recall what happened and those younger who now lionize 8 'martyrs' who are nothing of the sort. I've previously referenced the excellent history of the PFA that covers our decline in detail, so worthy to recall the facts: The 8 were never "forced" to sign away their contracts or livelihoods, they tore nothing up, they mutually agreed to terminate their contracts voluntarily and in doing so were given (gratis) their registrations to trade. The fact they struggled to find careers at other clubs says more of them than the club; They didn't leave without compensation, the 8 shared circa £100k in compensation (a pretty sum in those days, not all of which was taxable.) In 1982 £12,500 would have gone a long way to buying a house in Bristol; The 8 could have held onto their contracts and become creditors and left with nothing - they didn't. Sadly, quite a few local suppliers to the club did go unpaid and it's to them we owe a debt - they got now't but grief from some fans. Remember, too, the other City employees who were laid off without compensation, save of nobody does appreciate their nameless sacrifice; The fact few of the 8 went on to have further careers in football had everything to do with the fact they were either past it, not very good or both (which beggars why they were on such long contracts in the first place?) Several were vocal and highly critical of the club and remained so for years afterwards, blaming many of their future ills and mistakes on this one event. Contrast the spate of redundancies around Bristol at the time, many associated with the decline of the docks and supporting industries with few of those impacted, including many City supporters, receiving nowhere near such level of support from their employers. It was therefore no great surprise the 8's initial 'testimonial' wasn't that well supported. What happened to the 8 was deeply regretable, as was the impact on local creditors and the decline of the club, but the world didn't stop turning. The club exists wholly because of the actions of a few clever directors who saw a way forward and executed their plan. It's to them, not the 8, we owe thanks each week.

When you become old enough to have lived through events which are now referred to as 'history' it's only natural you want it reported as you remember it from the time. From that point of view I concur with the gist of the above. That's not to say Sir Geoffrey, Jimmy Mann, Trevor Tainton, Gerry Sweeney, and Chris Garland (during 2 spells at the club) should not be forever remembered by the club and fans with gratitude as outstanding servants to BCFC - they truly were, and remain some of my all time City heroes. David Rodgers is not a similar all time great imo, but he had a good City career and there was never a doubt that he gave his all for the club. Aitken and Marshall barely featured for City by comparison, and I've always thought of Aitken as primarily a Rovers' man both before and after his short stint at AG. The true heroes of the hour for BCFC afaic were, and always will be, Deryn Coller and Ken Sage, and they deserve far more recognition for everything they did to save the club.

Has anyone actually read BTRFTG's post above? Its a very accurate summary of what happened. Though their departure played a part in City staying in existence, I'm afraid that the Ashton Gate weren't eight selfless, altruistic individuals who willingly sacrificed themselves for the good of the club. They were unwittingly caught up in the middle of a situation that should have been avoided, and took a course of action which was probably the best for them at the time. I'm very glad they did what they did, but to say that they were the ones that saved the club is simply wrong.

5 of the players once were great players for the club, but none of them were by 1982, their stars had faded fast. Rodgers I'd not include in that list partly because he could never replace the utter quality that was Gary Collier, but also as many recall his goal scoring exploits, save those often in his own net. Aitken and Marshall weren't great or good in 82 nor had ever been beforehand.

You, and the others who have pointed out the truth and facts of how this whole A8 saga played out, have hit many nails on the head, and yet we still have this ridiculous song about "8 men had a dream". They were all having nightmares on the pitch, as we fell from Division 1 and were fast approaching Division 4 with these players at the core of these abysmal performances and results. As you say, 5 of those players were integral to our promotion and/or performed admirably in the top flight. My personal opinion is that I would add David Rodgers to the 5 as his partnership in central defence alongside Norman Hunter in 78/79 was extremely effective, I would also say that Geoff Merrick was brilliant in getting us to the top flight, but he suffered being shuffled out to left back, and then lengthy spells out of the side due to injury. However, by 1982, as shown by the results and league position, these players were way past their best, and basically bleeding the club dry, as the administrators quickly realised that their contracts were unsustainable. It always makes me laugh/cry that anyone could seriously consider Aitken and (especially) Marshall to be Bristol City "heroes". I also think that if OTIB/Social Media had existed at the time, the view of the 8, and their performances in 1981/82, would have been torn to shreds by most on here. But back then we were drip fed news by the EP and local media (and in this case the national media) tended to make out the Ashton 8 as the victims and therefore the heroes who "saved" the club. As has been said, and nobody likes to see anyone lose their job, they had no choice, if the club had folded, they would not have got a penny in compensation. I don't think anyone who sees the 8 as visionaries with a "dream to save our team" wants to hear the truth about what happened. There has not been one serious counter argument to the "alterative" view from a few of us on this thread who were obviously there at the time (not just as kids under the age of 10), but quite a lot of happy-clappy "we must name the stadium after the A8" nonsense. I also get the impression that, as NTB alluded to, that many on here have had the story handed down to them, and don't want the facts to get in the way of their perception of this part of our history.

Not just as a mark of respect/gratitude but so those too young to be aware can ask why there is a stand named after them and that keeps the story alive

If anyone should have a stand named after them it should be Deryn Coller and Ken Sage.

Picked up a copy of this share issue booklet/pack with all the unfilled in application forms at a car boot last year for £2, what a bargain for a piece of our clubs history.

I understand that people want it acknowledged, but ow many milestones/achievements/memorials are marked on the 38th,or any other random number, anniversary? I think the club will honour the past in two years time, but I understand why they wouldn’t every year.

Very remiss of the club not to honour this in some way.

Very much so - remembered by the fans and those of us around at that time who bought shares. I suppose the present club don't want to dwell on an episode that was before their reign and doesn't read well now in that the players were shafted from all sides . They didn't have much of a choice as the old club (their employers) were going bust anyway and the new regime made it clear they couldn't afford to take over their contracts. The 8 did what they had to do to smooth it through and ensure we continued but as I say they didn't have much of a choice. Different world now and I see the millionaire Sol Campbell backed a winding up order (he's owed £180K in wages along with many other creditors) presented to the High Court that would see the demise of Macclesfield.

???- yes, but then I started a yacht-making business in my attic, sails went through the roof ...

Things you love to see ..

My mother passed away in September 2018, aged 99, having been a lifelong City supporter. She first went in 1946, moved next door to the ground in Ashton Road in 1960 and continued attending until 2008 when it became too much for her to make it into the ground. She then acquired Sky so she could watch our occasional appearances (and her beloved Liverpool and Stevie Gerrard). She started in the Main Stand Enclosure (where we saw the 1965 promotion game), moved to the Dolman Stand (where she saw the 1978 promotion game) and ended hr viewing days in the Williams Stand. I had left her before then to watch from the East End with my mates from Exeter United AFC. The discussion of the Ashton Gate 8 reminded me that amongst her papers was a £10 Supporters' share, in BCFC (1982) PLC, issued on 5 May 1982. I am not even sure if it is still valid, let alone has any monetary or collector's value, or whether things have moved on and the formation of a new company invalidated it. Anyone have any thoughts?

This is as good a representation of the events at the time that I have seen on here, you have absolutely hit the nail on the head.

There’s probably an inconvenient truth to a lot of that, i must admit i found it strange that players that were first division players only two years before were unable to significantly lengthen their careers after their contracts were torn up Saying that there should be something from the club to mark the event, not just to the Ashton Gate 8 but also the directors who helped save the club, i must admit i was a little disappointed the Lansdown Stand didn’t remain the Williams Stand. So either a statue or if we ever open a museum at the ground a fitting exhibit so those who sacrificed and worked for our survival are recognised and remembered But no i don’t think the club should comment every year..

Remember that game well. The away end had no terracing and was just a sloped stretch of gravel as I recall !

This should have been marked by the club today, I went to Newport thinking it may be the last time ever watching City as a league club, times have changed but this should never be forgotten.

No mention of this by the club official channels today- that’s a miss IMO.

seems only right to post this again https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9295743/story-of-soccer-saturday-lg2-relegation-battle

I started a cold air balloon business - but it didn’t get off the ground ...?

I think your memory is failing it was way up over my ankles and the urinal was just above my knees.

Don’t worry....The Sags will always keep this memory alive!

Yeah I have the booklet stored away somewhere too - a priceless piece of City and Family history. I remember having a lapel badge, too, at the time even though I was only 8 years old - wore it to Wansdyke Primary with pride!

I would love to see images of the ashton gate 8 on the outside of the stadium a fitting tribute

Thread renamed accordingly

Never to be forgotten ?

Were you one of the lucky ones who got to club a Fewer on the noggin?

Well surely that means a banning order ?

I was at Newport as well- and the next game at home to Fulham when I think it was 4? young lads made their debuts. Both games so memorable for very different reasons.

Managed to get down to AG that day. We were let into the Enclosure to survey the eerily empty ground, everyone quiet and lost in their thoughts, preparing for the worst. Then the good news came through and it was straight into Wedlock's for a celebratory pint!

@Shtanley interview with Jonathan Pearce was a real eye opener. I appreciate he has his biases, but certainly a perspective on the club and despite all the money pumped into shiny new assets, the lack of anything in recognition of what these, many now poor, players did for us.

It`s not us that need convincing Julie!

I’d be surprised to see Coppell go somewhere and last until the end of the season..! Not sure Rovers have a big enough youth set up to lure him in anyway..!

Why were the Mansfield fans upset?

The footage didn’t seem to catch it , but on the final whistle there was a deep silence, really eerie looking back . Lots of genuine football fans deeply upset, and a few idiots that got all the publicity unfortunately

“Whilst we’re waiting”? Don’t you mean “While our sh1te team continues to tank”? Windass can’t bow, he’s too tubby.

The only thing they have to keep them happy is watching a 12 year old play off final. A final that they will never ever be good enough to reach. Bless.

badengas First Team 7 minutes ago Quote Whilst the best thing in football is seeing us win, whilst we're waiting watching the sh!t lose will have to do. Record Sky Channel 403 at 3am and watch it whenever you want to. Dean Windass take a bow son. Sad Bastards!

“Poor cross-town relations” ... what a fantastic comparison of da gas with Liam Walsh’s parent club! Great journalism! And knowing that lot even the fact that Cov have a manager called Robins would have wound them up! And he played for us! Edit: apologies, I see @Vincent Vega has already highlighted this ...

Mark Robins revealed afterwards that his payers had been told by their hosts that they were going to “kick them off the pitch,” – a claim, he added, that he felt Rovers executed pretty well throughout the game. Vile, putrid little club. Always have been, always will be.

How dare you call me Andy Llewellyn.

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