Sandhurst Red

For me - the definition is a simple one. Do you care enough to talk about who your support, to check on results and feel happy or annoyed dependent on the result. Living where I do, it can feel a real effort to make games, but with both myself and my 2 children having season tickets - we do try to do almost all of them, and have some great family time too. At various times, that will include my wife, who cared little for football until she met me, and actually stated after the Cardiff game, "I quite enjoyed that!". This was the same lady, I hasten to add, that said after Sunderland scored the 3rd goal in that infamous 3-3 game around 4 seasons ago, "Wouldn't it be funny if they get a 4th.." That was a quiet car journey home to Berkshire! What I love more than anything is joining conversations with other friends at work, or at social times, where I proudly say who I support. Due to this, over the last 8 seasons, I've managed to persuade close to 20 friends to visit Ashton Gate, and almost all being impressed with what we have. The stadium.... the football at times has been woeful. My son plays locally in a football team at Under 9's level, and amongst the various Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City kits on display at training, he always turns up wearing his various City Kits. And is proud as punch to do so. This weekend, as a family, we've ventured North to have a few days away in Blackpool, so my son and I will go to the game tomorrow, whilst my wife and daughter head off for afternoon tea. We frequently do this for at least 2-3 away games in a season. I'm lucky that I can combine following City, with family life, and as a father who lives 100+ miles from Bristol, to ensure my son supports BCFC will go down as one of my best parental achievements. Others may suggest it's the worst thing you could do! So in summary, what is a 'Real Fan' - someone who cares about the club. They don't need to travel, they don't need to go to games - but if makes you happy, then do so, but we're all equals. Do however be proud of the club you support and do so - be it the good or bad times.

There's many fans who make comments around me each game that are just strange. At the risk of getting abuse, so many football fans really don't understand the game or the laws of it. Constant calls of offside when clearly not, shouting out for fouls when it was a good challenge from the opposing player too. Not understanding how a team works as a shape etc.... Opinions of course, but I truly believe that the gulf in knowledge of what the game involves and how fans understand/ interpret it, is becoming bigger than ever.

Follow every twist and turn in the life of a football manager as the BBC go behind-the-scenes with League One’s Rotherham and Oxford to witness all the drama both on and off the pitch. Highly recommended, having listened to the first 6 episodes - it gives you a great sense of what it is like behind the scenes of football clubs. Lots of City connections/references, including Steve Cotterill, Matt Taylor, Mark Sykes etc https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cf9vkv/episodes/downloads

The same had been said for years with the likes of Anfield, and Craven Cottage. Grounds that were unable to be modified due to location and surrounding area - however with advances in engineering and changing circumstance of the area, these are now a reality. Is it imminent we redevelop A/G further? No, not beyond the plans for the Flyers. Is it likely that we could expand the Atyeo and Dolman, and have a plan should we need to. Yes, very much so - and plans do exist.

Far less busy based on Ticketmaster - a LOT of seats left to sell, in particular seats on the pitch area.

Was interesting to see Ben Foster talk about fixture release day on his podcast yesterday and what players look for and their take on it all. He was keen to stress that as a player, any tie against a promoted side is not wished for, let alone an away one. With this in mind, and I would agree with him, Sunderland away is about as bad as it could get TBH. I'd be happy with away to Millwall or QPR (selfishly local for me) as any London game will see good away numbers travel, and both of those clubs are similar in terms to us of expectations, albeit QPR would have the conundrum of a new manager that could be a blessing or curse.

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-home-games-streamed-free-to-season-ticket-holders/ ? PRE-SEASON HOME GAMES STREAMED FREE TO SEASON TICKET HOLDERS MONDAY, MARCH 28TH 2022 City’s pre-season home matches will be live-streamed free to 2022/23 Season Ticket holders. The Robins have four home matches at the Robins High Performance Centre in preparation: Wednesday, July 6th – Cheltenham Town (2pm) Tuesday, July 12th – Portsmouth (2pm) Tuesday, July 19th – Forest Green Rovers (2pm) | Exeter City (4.30pm) Due to the earlier start to the season and to give optimum preparation time for the Ashton Gate pitch, all pre-season games will be played at the Robins High Performance Centre. City will be under-taking an Alpine training camp at the end of June, though there will be no games or open training sessions for fans to attend. The High Performance Centre has a limited capacity and there will be no general tickets available for supporters. More than 13,000 Season Tickets have already been purchased for the Sky Bet Championship season which kicks off on July 29th. And to allow as many of our fans as possible the opportunity to watch the pre-season games, Robins TV will stream the Cheltenham Town and Portsmouth matches, and either the Forest Green Rovers or Exeter City game, free to 2022/23 Season Ticket holders, who will each receive a voucher code. The games will also be available live on Robins TV to non-Season Ticket holders and away fans for £4.99 each.

Did this actually happen and take place last week? It seems like all info and news on it has vanished without trace.

Seen Springsteen and the E-Street band 12 times at various places all over the world and they are nothing short of exceptional. IF he does play AG - I would seriously suggest anyone who like live music to see him before it is too late. And I for one would be rather excited to see Springsteen at the Gate. Doesn't get much better than that, aside from Chris Martin scoring a 97th minute Championship winning goal v Cardiff ?

Players do come and go, however do remember that they are no different than you or I and have feelings etc. Callum was amazing when he met my son, giving him so much time and encouraging him to pursue a dream of playing football. Last week was mental health week, and mayn don't know some of the injuries that Callum has faced as he is quite a private person. Many may say he should/could have delivered more, but I will say this - from what I saw, he gave his all and both he, and his family cared deeply about this club. He also did a lot in the community that was unnoticed and unreported, and represented Bristol City as a professional at all times. Good luck Callum and I for one hope you go on to achieve more in your career.

Players do come and go, however do remember that they are no different than you or I and have feelings etc. Callum was amazing when he met my son, giving him so much time and encouraging him to pursue a dream of playing football. Last week was mental health week, and many don't know about some of the injuries that Callum has faced as he is quite a private person. Many may say he should/could have delivered more, but I will say this - from what I saw, he gave his all and both he, and his family cared deeply about this club. He also did a lot in the community that was unnoticed and unreported, and represented Bristol City as a professional at all times. Good luck Callum and I for one hope you go on to achieve more in your career.

It was the season I expected to be honest - and as ever, it is the hope that kills you. There were some low points - away to West Brom and Coventry were just woeful There were some high points - away at QPR with the Wells winner and home v Cardiff spring to mind To me, it is clear where investment is needed and we have some very experienced people at the club who I feel will strengthen where we are going. What many don't realise is really how bad things behind the scenes were. COVID provided a smokescreen of accountability and accessibility for us to see ourselves. Some still within the club are using it, to hide behind the decisions they made and the actions taken - but I do believe we have turned a corner for the better. Like many, I'm ready for a break TBH (albeit a shorter one with the WC) and am already looking forward to the fixture list and trips down the M4 to watch the team. Next year will be better, but it won't happen overnight. I'd happily take a top 10 finish for next year, providing we keep the spine of the young and developing squad which justified the investment into the training centre. Then in 2023/24 - we'll be fighting the once again relegated Fulham to win the league!

Based on where I live, the cost of fuel is the biggest issue for me. A 200 mile round trip for every game is taking it's toll. But to ensure that my son and daughter wear the red of BCFC with pride around Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey = priceless (providing I don't look at the Esso receipt every Saturday evening). All 3 of us will renew through blind faith/love/hope/stupidity.

Sums up a lot of comments on this forum. The lack of actual football knowledge amongst some supporters is genuinely terrifying.

Likewise - always found him very approachable and wanting to help. I raised an issue with him and he actively wanted to help resolve it. He does a lot that goes unseen and unnoticed. One thing I would say though is that the Ask SLO forum is slightly flawed in that you can't reply back, when he has posted back. It means if there are further elements to follow-up on, they can't be expressed.

By the off chance, does anyone have a Youth Large version of this for sale? My son has determined that this is the shirt he wants for his birthday and as is often the case, it is the only one out of stock on the website. Thanks.

Not sure how many know the full story, but many players in the team were glad to see the back of him due to some of his behaviour

I'll be coming from near Reading. Keeping fingers crossed the usual long trip home is a sweet one as I pass lots of Royals fans on the M4, looking grumpy as they bemoan yet another loss.

He's gone alright! https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/12529081/sunderland-sack-head-coach-lee-johnson-following-6-0-defeat-by-bolton-in-league-one

Exactly this. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again. A quick look back over the last 12 games of the goals we have conceded. How many have come from Vyner's inability to beat his man at a cross. I've counted at least 7.

Sorry I could not disagree anymore. Pearson has given Vyner ample opportunities to prove himself and he continually fails to take them. A manager has to trust his defenders to do their job and pick up their man from crosses in particular. Yet again (and with fresh legs, having come on as a sub) Vyner has not just been beaten to the ball, he's nowhere near him and the striker has just drifted 3 yards from him with a basic move. Sorry, no scapegoat, but his mistakes are getting highlighted and he is costing the team and his teammates points week in, week out. I'd rather play Cundy for the rest of the season and give him some experience as the trust instilled in Vyner just doesn't pay off - and he needs to go to help himself, and for us to be serious about achieving more. I've not even mentioned his passing which is worthy of a thread on it's own by the way....

Thanks for the nice comments, and I agree that the lack of funds may be an issue. That said, the amount of out of contact players this summer on free transfers is huge. There will be some good quality available, and also players who are mentally right for what Nige is building. To an extent you can coach a player to get better, or add physicality. Changing an attitude or habit of behaviour is harder. Others teams (QPR with all their turmoil, Coventry and Barnsley last year) have shown you don't need big money, but you need to identify team players to align to the approach and system the manager wants. With that in mind, our biggest expense will be signing on fees and not transfer fees.

This is why Pearson is the right person for the job and patience needs to be shown. Attitude in football and dressing room culture is vital to a happy team, that is then a successful one. This mess started with Ashton and Johnson - arguably some forced on them, due to players we sold and cashed in on, but ultimately, the process of checking the players coming in was not good enough and did not look beyond their natural and potential ability. Holden walked into a ticking time bomb, with a squad of unfit, unhappy players with a few who were causing issues behind the scenes. Nige has come in - taken stock, and is slowly but surely getting rid of them, to enable the culture required to come back. Players have to do it his way, or no way. When players like Kasper Schmeichel or Matty James speak so highly of him, it is for a reason, however some of our players don't like the harsh realities being served to them behind closed doors. To his credit, Pearson always said it was a 3 year plan to convert and we are nearing the end of year 1. I've no doubt following a summer overhaul, we'll see a big difference in the next 12 months. Today is a good day for this club, and his honesty should be a further warning to those players who think they can do as they wish.

Being local to Reading FC, I see this last part a huge amount. The amount of fans that live in Berkshire who support London clubs is high. When Reading did have success, many adopted Reading as their second team, to enjoy Premier League football and then deserted them thereafter. No doubt if/when that success returns - they will come back in their droves. Much can be said about Bristol as a City, and as a club we have our own issues, but the loyalty of our fanbase for a Southern team is actually quite good. Each time I drive back up the M4 after witnessing another 97th winner conceded at home, I am miserable until I arrive and come off at junction 11 and see the Madjeski stadium and think to myself - 'it could be far worse!'.

One of the best and most sensible posts I've seen on here in a long time. Great analysis.