Polly Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Why Bristol - the most underachieving sports city in England - is finally stirring from its slumber Bristol is the biggest city never to have hosted Premier League football but under new boss Nigel Pearson, City may finally buck that trend ByTom Morgan, SPORTS NEWS CORRESPONDENT2 March 2021 • 8:00am Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson (right) celebrates with Famara Diedhiou after victory at Swansea CREDIT: PA Bristol has an uneasy relationship with success. The rapid gentrification of the city, which has seen apartment blocks and expensive coffee shops continue to spring up even during the Covid-19 pandemic, has prompted an existential crisis among the city's longer-term residents: stickers reading "Make Bristol s--- again" are a common sight on lampposts and walls, a protest at the influx of Londoners heading west. One area where Bristol has never had to struggle with the burden of glory, however, is sport. It is the biggest city never to have hosted Premier League football; its rugby union club has never won the league title; and Gloucestershire, who play their home games in the city, have not won the County Championship since WG Grace led them to the title in 1877. But there are signs of stirring. Bristol Bears are top of the Gallagher Premiership under the expert tutelage of Pat Lam [see table below], and, following torrid recent months, both City and Rovers enjoyed victories on Saturday under high-profile new managers. Gallagher Premiership 2020/21 latest standings (top four) Gallagher Premiership Team P W D L -/+ BP Pts 1 Bristol 11 8 1 2 101 7 41 2 Exeter 11 7 0 4 82 7 35 3 Harlequins 11 6 1 4 59 5 33 4 Sale 11 7 0 4 27 4 32 Joey Barton's appointment at the Memorial Ground was the more startling, although it will take time for the former Manchester City midfielder to revive a club still facing a desperate struggle to drop into League Two. It is at City where expectations will be rocketing, however, following the arrival of Nigel Pearson. EFL Championship 2020/21 latest standings (mid-table) English Football League - Championship Team P W D L GD Pts 7 Barnsley 32 15 6 11 2 51 8 Cardiff City 33 14 8 11 14 50 9 Middlesbrough 33 13 8 12 3 47 10 Stoke City 33 11 12 10 1 45 11 Bristol City 33 14 3 16 -9 45 12 Millwall 33 9 16 8 2 43 13 Preston North End 33 13 4 16 -5 43 14 Luton Town 32 11 8 13 -10 41 High expectations are never in short supply at Ashton Gate. It was Lee Johnson, the former manager, who described City as "a Premier League club in waiting" in November 2017 and when they defeated Manchester United in the Carabao Cup the following month that prediction looked reasonable. But while the shops around Ashton Gate are now as likely to sell sourdough as cider, the football club has stalled with mid-table finishes in the Championship, barring a flirtation with the play-offs. Prior to a marauding second-half comeback to beat Swansea 3-1 on Saturday, Pearson - the club's eighth manager in 10 years - clocked the mood. "I think people will get tired of saying it's a club with potential," he said. "I think it's time that we try to realise that potential." It is not just Premier League football which has proved evasive - they have not played in the top tier at all since 1980, a remarkable statistic for a city of half a million people with no major rivals for miles around. The 2008 play-off final defeat to Hull is as close as City have come, despite a £45 million redevelopment of Ashton Gate and millions more spent on player transfers. There has been a £45 million redevelopment of Ashton Gate CREDIT: PA Louis Carey, the club's record appearance maker who played in that play-off side, suggests a change in mentality is required. "The foundations are incredible to start something," he says. "I just believe that it's a mentality (issue) at the football club. The team always seemed to start well, and then there's that energy around the place that says 'same old City will throw it away'. In my beliefs, you get back what you put out. I think there's got to be a mentality shifting - the feeling that we're good enough." If there is that mentality at City, it does not come from the top, where Stephen Lansdown - a self-made billionaire who started out in business from a bedroom in Clifton - is as ambitious as they come. The 68 year-old is a hands-on owner and, as a lifelong City fan, is invested with more than just his cash. Bristol City owner Stephen Lansdown (right) CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES He went on local radio to attempt to take the blame for the disastrous appointment of Dean Holden, whose six-match losing streak led to the sack a fortnight ago, and then took personal charge of appointing Pearson, interviewing him on Zoom. The swiftness of that appointment helped calm tensions amongst fans who had turned on Mark Ashton, the chief executive, over an inexplicable five-week delay between sacking Johnson and then recruiting Holden, his former assistant. Lansdown said prior to Pearson's appointment that he would need to recruit Pep Guardiola if he was to recreate the same success he has enjoyed recently under Lam at Bristol Bears but in terms of a proven Championship promotion-getter, he may have found the next best thing. Bristol Bears are the reigning European Challenge Cup winners CREDIT: AFP Pearson, steeped in experience at Leicester City and Watford, was announced within hours of Barton joining Rovers, meaning that not since 1990 - when Rovers and City were promoted to the old Division Two under Gerry Francis and Joe Jordan respectively - have these bitter rivals had such renowned coaches simultaneously. Carey, the former captain, is cautiously optimistic. "Nigel Pearson has got an incredible track record - it's a bit like with the Gary Johnson situation, where he's come into the club with a good track record of getting teams promoted." Unlike his two predecessors, Pearson is manager rather than head coach, and there is hope he might have greater input in transfer strategy in the summer should things go to plan. It means there are now two alpha-males at the club in Ashton and Pearson, but Carey suggested there may only be one winner. "On paper it looks a good fit, but it has to be a system where people collaborate and work together," Carey said. "If you've got too many egos, trying to be top dog, it ain't gonna work. That's a fact." Nigel Pearson has a reputation for being a no-nonsense manager CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES The sales of Adam Webster, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Joe Bryan and Josh Brownhill have generated tens of millions for the club, but a moneyball-style extensive player turnover, and the previous managers' habits of constantly tinkering with the system, has been unsettling. However, in a Championship where salary spending has been at 107 per cent of revenue, the club's pre-tax loss of £10.07m for the latest tax year amid Covid represents comparative stability. Last year the club returned a profit. A soon-to-be-completed new training facility may also help ease concerns raised privately by senior players around alarmingly high levels of injuries in the squad this season. Despite the sense of impatience, it is clear that City have made huge strides off the pitch, with Ashton Gate's capacity expanded to 27,000 and plans for a new 'sporting quarter' close to the stadium, which will include a 4,000-capacity home for the Bristol Flyers basketball team and housing developments. It is a far cry from the 1980s and 90s, when Ashton Gate was a dilapidated shell and Rovers would ground hop between stadiums. Marina Dolman, the City president and widow of former chairman Harry, who has been attending games without fail since 1961, says fans had a right to demand better. "In Bristol, we always expect the best," she said. "The improvement in the stadium has been wonderful. It's one thing he (Lansdown) does have in common with Harry because Harry always said to the team that, 'we need to improve the stadium for the sake of the supporters'." Amongst the younger generations, Stanley Hughes, 25, a City fan and podcaster whose show One Stream in Bristol has soared in popularity during lockdown, says current frustrations are borne out of unrealistic expectations. "I think it's sort of inevitable that the fan is going to get frustrated because everyone else is bigging us up," he says. Like those tongue-in-cheek anti-gentrification stickers, this is a city with an uneasy relationship with success. Integrity matters at a club that would not exist at all were it not for the sacrifice of eight players agreeing to cancel their contracts in Feb 1982, with City minutes from folding. City came back from the dead then, and there was a sense of revival on Saturday too as the players huddled together after the final whistle at the Liberty Stadium. In a take-no-prisoners figurehead in Pearson, success might yet be achievable in the manner the fans crave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hunt-Hertz Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Lifelong City fan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italian dave Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Eight mangers in ten years? Given how long LJ was here, that's shockingly short tenures for the other 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin_unreliant Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 9 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said: Lifelong City fan? Don't let facts get in the way of a good story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady bunch Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 6 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said: Lifelong City fan? In short yes, but a full answer in full i think: Life long Bristolian who loves all the sport in the city and I think watched both clubs in the early days, but when son Jon came along and followed him to footy, Jon was 100% city and Dad followed suit (very luckily for us I think!)... Top owners in my view and Jon gets unfair stick - city 100% through and through and a proper city fan with a wealthy dad.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Marina Dolman, herself, says "fans have a right to demand better." Food for thought, and OTIBS, there. @Marina's Rolls Royce, your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Team Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Good to see our very own @Shtanley in the national press! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 The papers seem to run this article once every 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 4 minutes ago, italian dave said: Eight mangers in ten years? Given how long LJ was here, that's shockingly short tenures for the other 6. I make it seven in the last 10 years (since 2011) - Pearson, Holden, Johnson, Cotterill, SOD, McInnes, Millen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midlands Robin Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I've just learnt that @Shtanley is only 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Just now, tin said: I make it seven in the last 10 years (since 2011) - Pearson, Holden, Johnson, Cotterill, SOD, McInnes, Millen. They've possibly counted Pembo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shtanley Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 11 minutes ago, Midlands Robin said: I've just learnt that @Shtanley is only 25. I behave like a 15 year old I'll admit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 20 minutes ago, Midlands Robin said: I've just learnt that @Shtanley is only 25. Me too. He just a lad........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 BeCAUse FooTBALL DiDNT ExiST BeFORe 1992 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Standard "Bristol & Bristol City Bingo" there Cider Catchment area Gentrification "Londoners" Underachievement/Potential Ashton Gate Eight reference Billionaire owner Only average marks for the article though with a distinct lack of reference to Banksy, Baldrick or Massive Attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laner Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 48 minutes ago, Polly said: Pearson, steeped in experience at Leicester City and Watford, was announced within hours of Barton joining Rovers, meaning that not since 1990 - when Rovers and City were promoted to the old Division Two under Gerry Francis and Joe Jordan respectively - have these bitter rivals had such renowned coaches simultaneously. Not so sure Barton is a 'renowned coach'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Sorry what, are they comparing Barton & Pearson.. I mean on what merit is that even remotely possible? Pearson, steeped in experience at Leicester City and Watford, was announced within hours of Barton joining Rovers, meaning that not since 1990 - when Rovers and City were promoted to the old Division Two under Gerry Francis and Joe Jordan respectively - have these bitter rivals had such renowned coaches simultaneously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_Alligator Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Yawn.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Saturday Boy Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 No major rivals for miles around. That'll upset the blue few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nogbad the Bad Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 2 minutes ago, TomF said: Sorry what, are they comparing Barton & Pearson.. I mean on what merit is that even remotely possible? Pearson, steeped in experience at Leicester City and Watford, was announced within hours of Barton joining Rovers, meaning that not since 1990 - when Rovers and City were promoted to the old Division Two under Gerry Francis and Joe Jordan respectively - have these bitter rivals had such renowned coaches simultaneously. Say what you like about Barton, but no doubt he's well known in the football world. 49 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said: Lifelong City fan? Mentioned early on in the comments section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Junkie Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 'to revive a club still facing a desperate struggle to drop into League Two. Seems pretty easy to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfOfWestStreet Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Why do I feel I've read that article about ten different times over the last 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midred Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, WolfOfWestStreet said: Why do I feel I've read that article about ten different times over the last 10 years. Life-long Telegraph reader? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italian dave Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 52 minutes ago, tin said: I make it seven in the last 10 years (since 2011) - Pearson, Holden, Johnson, Cotterill, SOD, McInnes, Millen. And I think you're a far more reliable source than the Telegraph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Geoff Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 59 minutes ago, italian dave said: Eight mangers in ten years? Given how long LJ was here, that's shockingly short tenures for the other 6. 3 in 10 months skews that statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brent Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Let me just put my glasses on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneCity Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 An article just like that comes along every few years. First read it during the Terry Cooper years. Then again in Jordan's first stint. It returned under Scott Davidson's tenure, when Russel Osman promised promotion 'within 5 years'. The 'stirring from slumber' tag line, with 'promise' and 'potential', has been knocking about for a very long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie andrews Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 31 minutes ago, Masala said: No major rivals for miles around. That'll upset the blue few Tis true though..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 hour ago, ExiledAjax said: The papers seem to run this article once every 3 years. I remember one national paper, Daily Express I believe, had a headline "Boom Boom Bristol" referring to City Rovers and Concorde all doing well in the early 70's, two out of three proved correct, the tramps wandered off back to the third division. Followed shortly and quickly by our mob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 40 minutes ago, CyderInACan said: Standard "Bristol & Bristol City Bingo" there Cider Catchment area Gentrification "Londoners" Underachievement/Potential Ashton Gate Eight reference Billionaire owner Only average marks for the article though with a distinct lack of reference to Banksy, Baldrick or Massive Attack. And Hull 2008, don't forget the Live on Sky Sports Dean Windass Hull play off final defeat in 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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