Miah Dennehy

Well if two of you heard it, it must be true

Aww shucks thanks. FWIW I seem to remember at the time we sold something like 25k for the Conference play off, whereas we did sell over 40k for the 2007 play off game against Shrewsbury. I seem to remember it being reported at the time that it was a record for one set of fans, the reason being we were allowed to have a larger allocation as Shrewsbury didn't take up the extra allocation that Wembley offers (or did at the time). I also vaguley remember the record being broken by Millwall who played a semi final there and took 50k? I feel I should also point out that at Exeter away this season we were only given around 1200 tickets and I had to get a ticket in the home end. I met up with a mate and his wife in the home end and I also spotted 3 others who I recognised as Rovers fans AND I know of 2 others who bought tickets in a different home section. If you take into account the good weather that day and just how ******* brilliant we are, it clearly suggests that Exeter should have given us an allocation of around 6000. The mugs.

I think the way we play will mean that we get a few hidings. I thought the game against Wednesday could easily have panned out the same way had they taken early chances, as it happened I was thinking we would pinch it near the end. That was never the case yesterday, poor defending meant the game was effectively over in the first half, although we were much better in the second half and had Sinclair's half chance gone in, well you really never do know with Rovers at the moment. A few of us were chatting on the coach on the way up and to a man we agreed we would rather see Rovers trying to play they do and accept that now and then we will get caught out , and believe me, at 3-0 down it looked like we were on for a VERY heavy defeat, than seeing us parking the bus and trying to grind out some kind of result. I won't get drawn into any kind of debate about Joey Barton as a man, but I think he is a very astute coach and , when given the right players, really can work wonders with a team. It is actually enjoyable watching us play at the moment.

Maybe if we had we wouldn't have got such a hiding!

You may have enjoyed being around Southey Park yesterday morning . Our double decker coach left there at 9, Just under an hour later , we had travelled around 100 yards the coach got jammed in a side street. A couple of us did think may be a sign of a bad day ahead!

I didn't realise HML was non competitive , it wasn't when I was involved. I just think taking away the league structure would-hopefully- take away the focus from winning games and make it more about learning how to play the game and enjoying it. I have lost count of the amount of times I have heard youth coaches talk about 'must win' games .

I haven't been involved in kids football for over a decade, the Respect campaign started while I was and frankly it means and achieves nothing. Parent and volunteers have to self police. They have to stop allowing bullying tactics of refs by parents and coaches. Shouting at a 14 year old ref-even if they have made a bad mistake- is not acceptable. If the ref ***** up, then suck it up, its kids football FFS and everyone is learning. As it stands, the only solution I can think of, and it would be hugely unpopular, would be to put an end to the leagues and make every game, in effect, a friendly. That would also stop the ridiculous practice of the stronger teams signing up the better players. Kids in Portishead shouldn't be playing for teams in Hanham IMO.

I can't swear to this, others on here maybe able to confirm my memories. I thought at least one City fan was extradited, or at least attempts were made to do so, I do know his name, though I'm not happy about putting it on here and he travelled to the game with one other very well known City fan at the time who I was quite friendly with. I think your wider point that football fans must take SOME responsibility for SOME tragedies over the years, but the insinuation that being born in a particular city and following a particular team gives you a propensity to behave in a particular IS sinister and dangerous.

There were plenty of supporters of other clubs at Heysel, including Bristol City. More and more the city of Liverpool seems to be considered 'fair game'. Sinister stuff.

No idea I'm afraid. He didn't set the world alight with us, I was chatting to a mate at Exeter who said to me, that his Hibs mate had said he was dog shite for them, about two minutes later Jasper went on a great run and sent a great cross over for a goal, so who knows it does seem that Barton brooks no dissent whatsoever and once someone shows any rebeliousness, he bombs them out and I can only assume that is what has happened here.

I saw some 12 year old Argyle fans shouting 'Come on then' on Filton Avenue and one of them threw a punch at someone. that was about the size of it.

I hate to sound like an old fart, but the Western league isn't what it was and I think much of that is the money that can get chucked around at that level. When I was younger, the league was of a standard that players could be taken from that level and relatively easily slip into the pro game. Off the top of my head , Rovers got Paul Randall, Gary Penrice, Nicky Tanner, Phil Purnell and Nigel Martyn from that-or similar- levels. Western League clubs were established at that level and there wasn't really too much movement among the pyramid (if it was even in place back then) In relatively recent times it has become possible for teams with ambition (and money) to shoot for the stars - I remember Bitton being a Bristol & District side and Forest Green Rovers being Western League (possibly even County League?). I used to be involved with AEK Boco, who as AEK Rangers were just a parks football side, but once the merger with the kids side (Boco) came about, there was an injection of cash and that added with the ambition of some dedicated people, the senior side are now Western league with a large clubhouse and floodlights. Now they, like most other clubs at that level, have a relatively high turnover of players as young lads chase the money , and who can blame them with the cost of rent and mortgages? As long as there is the money at this level, there will be more clubs like Yate, Bitton and Mangotsfield who soar too high and come crashing back down. Even happens at local rugby now.

Am I the only person who thinks 'safe standing' is an utter load of old bollocks? Old school, 'normal' terraces are perfectly safe as long as they are adequately maintained and you don't allow them to get over crowded.

Well I'm sure if there were any capacity restrictions that affected Rovers , the figure would miraculously change .

It was raised but not that high. Yesterday every available ticket was sold. It may yet be raised again.

It was some safety shite thing yes ..Obviously I'm all for safety in stadium, but the reduction was ridiculous. I don't know what the exact attendance was today, but all tickets were sold.

Or the fact that our ground doesn't hold 5 figures.

I'm not quite sure how City fans getting parking tickets is you hitting a soft spot . Or are you seriously suggesting parking companies and traffic wardens are targeting City fans whilst ignoring Rovers fans parking misdemeanours?

As I explained on the thread regarding the lack of penalties City get being linked to Rovers being every referees favourite second team and noone liking a gurt Ted, it seems the same can be applied to enforcement officers. Either that, or you may be being a tad paranoid

Why is it the council's fault that companies like Halfords 'sell' their parking?

More than you maybe, but apparently not particluarly any more or any less than most.

Do we get more penalties than others? I thought the point was that you don't get them.

That is staggering how few penalties you get. The obvious explanation is that we are every referees favourite second team and no one likes a gert Ted

He may well change his mind, I just don't think it has improved the game. I had no idea how few penalties you get, mind you, I have no idea how many Rovers have got in the same period.

I think there are definitely decisions that can be influenced by various factors in a game, including the home crowd. I'm not complaining btw, everyone can make a mistake, including the ref and that's just part of football, sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don't. I would much prefer it the way it is than have to attend games where VAR came into play, how anyone can think that has improved the game is beyond me.