Hamdon Mart

8 minutes ago, AshtonGreat said:

No chance nowadays. They were good this year though

I agree, but it would be nice to see. 

6 minutes ago, RedorDead BCFC said:

Enjoying the Editors 

My predictions for next year headliners will be Taylor Swift Friday, Sam Fender and then I’m stuck. 

Manics on Sunday, please!

2 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

Do they ever play From Despair to Where or Little Baby Nothing live? I’ve seen them twice and they didn’t play it. My two favourite manic songs 

They played both of them at Bath, have to say LBN (with the Anchoress doing the Traci Lords bit) was as good as I've ever heard it. You have great taste in Manics songs IMO as I love those two + Enola/Alone too. 

1 hour ago, And Its Smith said:

Manics sounding good. Underrated band. Them doing their  best 20 songs would be an amazing headline. 

Absolutely outstanding set. Saw them for the 10th time last week at Bath Forum and they smashed it, just like they did tonight.

Still relevant, still nailing it and hopefully Emily Eavis will do the right thing and book them as headliners next year. Brilliant live.

47 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Dave Lee was my school age…Peacock was in my bruv’s year…2 school years older, as was King.

Dave would’ve had to have been playing two years up.

He played for Aiden Rangers on a Saturday (his dad wasn’t manager of that team).  He was good, but they had a top side he didn’t stand out any more than some if his teammates.

I only met him once outside of footie, when he was the coffin bearer for my mate - Neil Payne…who’s dad Dave you may have come across with your Hengrove connections.  RIP Payner…what a lad he was.  Happy memories and sad ones too.

Yes, now you mention it, he would have been playing two years up. Went to Chelsea quite young IIRC, maybe 14/15 years old.

He still does a bit for Chelsea now, was on the pitch for the tribute to Gianluca Vialli this season having played with, and for, Vialli. 

Lovely guy, very quick banter, and great company. 

Don't know the Paynes, Neil or Dave. Was Dave the ex-Bath City player that died quite young?

Some great memories of the Dicks brothers on here, mind. Grantley was assistant manager at Hengrove when I joined as secretary; bloke petrified me with every look and I didn't really know much of him back then!

Nice guy though when you got to know him. Have never met Julian.... and speaking of Darren Peacock, think he played for the same Warmley team as Phil King and Dave Lee, run by Dave's dad Vernon. I'm sure at least one of them was playing a year up.... still see Dave quite a bit at City & Rovers matches and we're walking mates now too. 

More than a thousand season tickets sold already! 

On 04/05/2023 at 19:54, Lanterne Rouge said:

Dunno if Madonna still lives locally. She definitely did when she was with Guy Ritchie.

She lived nearer to Salisbury, still quite close mind you, but not sure she does anymore.

Someone has messaged Game Of Thrones actor James Purefoy who replied that he's looking for someone to invest (unlikely, I'd say). Only other half famous YTFC fan passed away a couple of years ago, Trevor Peacock who played Jim Trott in Vicar of Dibley. That said he would have probably said "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no" anyway. 

31 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

If anything the teams coming down from the NL makes it less likely for a while. Torquay, Yeovil and Maidstone will all go into the South and Scunthorpe into the North, meaning that there's likely to be more movement from South to North.

Think the team that has to go from South to North will be one of Oxford City (if they're not promoted, that is), Bishop's Stortford or Billericay. Not ideal really for any of them given some of the northerly outposts they'll be travelling to. 

On 19/04/2023 at 16:00, LondonBristolian said:

My Grandad was from Yeovil and a Yeovil Town fan so I do have a soft spot for them. Sad to see how far they've fallen in recent years. 

Not sure how old he is but there's a fair chance I might know him. Support was down in the 1,000-1,200 range when I was younger, everyone knew everyone else (let's not do "you're all related anyway" joke....  ).

Criminally mismanaged is correct and now apparently the newest takeover has fallen through. Interestingly, and maybe showing a little bit of hope for the situation, this news has come from the prospective owners personal Twitter rather than SU Glovers' account, meaning maybe there is a chink of light there. If there isn't, I see nothing else on the horizon than administration as the monthly wage bill is 70k and the new rent payments of £50k a quarter kick in this week. That's a lot of money to find when there's no matchday income coming in. Can't see too many people buying season tickets without knowing who the owner is going to be so it's all a vicious cycle. 

Sigh.

An incredible watch. Difficult to remember she's just a kid, really. 

Continued best wishes for your recovery, Brooke. 

4 minutes ago, WarksRobin said:

It will be interesting to see how they get on with FFP rules in the league. What is it, a limit of % of income can be spent on salaries?

Take your point but the income from streams has rocketed this year (as has a lot of their sponsorship income tbf) and I'm sure that things will ramp up again next season, particularly if things go well on the pitch. 

I'd think that the first requisite for City this coming season if they want to make a serious attempt at reaching the playoffs is to have two players for every position, for every formation. So if whatever NP chooses, he has cover for every position and with another 50-55 games on the cards next season, that will be vital if there's to be no fall-off. Probably means Pring isn't going anywhere, I'd say.... JB as a LCDM might well work; after all, King & James can't play every week, that's for sure. 

Maybe as regards to Mehmeti, NP think he might try him on the right at some point. He's got Sykes and a few others  that can play there but IMO Weimann is better as a 10 and no one else has really grabbed the shirt when they've come in. And you only have to look back to last Saturday to see how dangerous a quality left footed player can be on the right flank. 

Chloe Bull ending her career as a player to take up a Talent ID role with the FAW.

And the exodus continues with Chloe Bull, Lia Cataldo, Jodie Hutton and Lily Greenslade all released too.

Surprised that both Hutton & Cataldo are going, that leaves us a bit short on the left hand side. I'd have kept Cataldo, I think. Greenslade couldn't force her way into the first team at Championship level so her cards were already marked & Chloe Bull's been absent a bit lately though again, I'd have probably offered her another 12 months. 

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-women-confirm-released-list/

Club have announced that Aimee Palmer, club captain, has left BCWFC by mutual consent. 

https://twitter.com/bristolcitywfc/status/1652968603577384961

While her inswinging corners were a sight to behold (think I saw her score directly from three of them), her injuries this season curtailed her influence on the side. Still one of the players I love to watch and she'll be missed. 

Good luck Aimee. 

Was being cheered from all four sides of the ground, not something you see very often! 

54 minutes ago, phantom said:

I bet there were crazy scenes 

Unless I'm mistaken (and taking into account late goals elsewhere of course). Chorley went from 4th to 12th in fifteen minutes? Blimey, that's some drop! And looks like Gloucester went from 12th to 4th also...

2 hours ago, Sandhurst Red said:

Howeys is worth it for the incredible story about Asprilla being in charge of the VHS video player on the team bus when they used to get a coach to away games.

One week, he casually swaps up his usual offering of Disney films, to play a homemade porn film.

My text version reciting the story does not do Howey the justice of how he tells it. 

I'd forgotten that one, brilliant!! And the stories of how his brother used to have people in the streets come up to him and sing "Howey, Howey, Howey... your brother is a ****..."

I'd implore anyone reading this to watch/listen the following Undr The Cosh ones....

Andy Woodman - two parter - side splittingly funny. Some of his stories are just brilliant, especially the ones at his time at Newcastle.

Clarke Carlisle - two parter, the second one is quite moving.

Martin Allen - not sure whether I'd like to play for him or not having heard this. 

Mick Harford - great. Not what you'd expect at all. (ETA - the last four minutes or so are comedy gold!)

Mentions in despatches for Mark Crossley and Steve Howey too. 

24 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

Congratulations to the girls! A season to be proud of and worthy champions. It's been a few years since the men won the League 1 title and the South Stand was only half built then. Good time for another party.

I thought the side put out by Lauren Smith had a few surprises but they all played well. If there was a touch of nerves or distractions with a crowd of over 7,000 (let's say that again - 7,000) the girls didn't show it. No jitters or fluffs, there was a composed and determined edge today. Charlton are no mugs but they hardly had a look-in, thanks to some solid centre-back play and a driving midfield. Any opportunities in and around the City box was normally dealt with by blocks; Fran Bentley really only had to deal with one decent effort on target which she stopped magnificently.

Getting the ball forwards, we had far the better movement. Ella Powell was bombing on in the first half to good effect and making it difficult for Charlton to press. Rachel Furness was having a big influence in the middle of the park, seizing on opponents' runs and turning into attack. She may not have been here long but it's clear she has added to the club greatly.

Grace Clinton pounced on a defensive slip and after that there really wasn't a threat of a response. Scoring almost immediately after the restart left Charlton without a valid way back and it was largely one-way traffic.

I have to say that Abi Harrison was outstanding today - not that she isn't in other games. She showed what she is all about with her positional nous, her skills with or without the ball and her leadership. When the first goal went in she insisted on getting the team into a huddle before the ball was back on the centre spot and giving them the benefit of some well-earned international experience. It must be impossible to define her value to the club: she is an on-field coach, a top goal-scorer, a passionate leader and (I dare say) something of a club icon. It's often said you need characters at a good club, and Abi is certainly in that class.

Ffi Morgan's entry in the second half was topped with a great strike, However, she suffered a nasty-looking injury near the finish and there was concern. Fortunately, she was up and walking about in the after-match party so it doesn't seem that worrying.

It must be said that there were two winning teams out there today - one in red, the other in black. Lauren Smith and her staff have reaped their just rewards after a season of improvement and encouragement. I'm not sure who they all are but you have to commend them all. Perhaps Mr Lansdown will be rightly pleased that the system works well and will be looking to carry on at all levels. Surely, there can be no doubt about the coach of the season award.

So the season has proved successful, in front of a record breaking crowd at the Gate. I recall how Liverpool's fans celebrated their title last year on our manor and today will be particularly pleasing for all Robins. But the season has not finished yet! Put the Prosecco down and make sure we end it in the way we want to at Brum - in a way we mean to carry on.

Naturally, with the end of the season approaching there will be a time set aside to take stock and begin planning for the next. Who will be moving on (or back to their parent club)? Who will be looking at contracts? And who are the new players coming up from the academy? Are there any players being scouted with the hope of adding to the squad? Interesting times ahead.

But for now it's partytime - a well deserved moment to enjoy and celebrate. Mindful of just how things can change in the blink of an eye (ask Leah Williamson) you must take these moments and get the most out of them. After all, with the WSL a reality, the hard work starts now!

Two years out of the top flight have been corrected. But take a second to soak it in: Bristol City Women - Barclays Womens Champions 2022-23! A credit to the club and the city. Well done everyone!

I can't add very much to this, Erithacus, because I agree with every single word you've written. Have enjyed watching the Womens matches these past 2-3 years and looking forward to covering them again next season.

As others have said quite correctly, City need to compete next season with the teams that aren't in the big four. If they beat those around them then pinch a few points off the rest, they'll be fine next season. 

As for Lauren, hopefully she'll win "Coach Of The Year" because she has brought in the right players at the right time and married the right formations with the right tactis pretty much flawlessly. And it was noticeable today that even those not in the matchday squad were included in the celebrations, that's always good to see. I'd add a word of praise for Anita Asante who must have been a huge help to Lauren this season with her experience and winning mentality.

Wow, Bristol City Women's FC - FA Women's Champions for 2022/23. Sounds great, doesn't it?

Just now, Hamdon Mart said:

I can't add very much to this, Erithacus, because I agree with every single word you've written. Have enjyed watching the Womens matches these past 2-3 years and looking forward to covering them again next season.

As others have said quite correctly, City need to compete next season with the teams that aren't in the big four. If they beat those around them then pinch a few points off the rest, they'll be fine next season. 

As for Lauren, hopefully she'll win "Coach Of The Year" because she has brought in the right players at the right time and married the right formations with the right tactis pretty much flawlessly. And it was noticeable today that even those not in the matchday squad were included in the celebrations, that's always good to see. I'd add a word of praise for Anita Asante who must have been a huge help to Lauren this season with her experience and winning mentality.

Wow, Bristol City Women's FC - FA Women's Championship winners for 2022/23. Sounds great, doesn't it?

1 hour ago, View from the Dolman said:

He's almost certainly going to be referring to who the geezer from Sky who loiters around the tunnel (who will feed info about substitutions to the commentators etc.) said scored it rather than the actual broadcast.

There will be a match manager down by the tunnel who could possibly have told Downsy it was Wells that scored it; after all, his view was similar to him.

I told OPTA the second it went in that it was Cornick that scored so our customers would have known correctly. I was 99.9% sure it was Cornick so went with it, the 0.1% remaining was the miniscule thought that maybe it had crossed the line before Cornick touched it (the angle of cross didn't support that!). 

15 hours ago, petehinton said:

That’s Yeovil down

Yep, not mathematically but Lazarus himself would be proud of this comeback if we stayed up.

The unedifying sight later in the evening of Mark Cooper calling out the prospective owner in his post match interview, the owner replying on Twitter denying all of it and naming half a dozen players he'd suggested but got turned down by Cooper. Tweet thread then gets deleted after drink finished (I guess) but obviously many people have screenshotted it.

Bad times to be a YTFC fan. 

On 08/04/2023 at 22:59, Kid in the Riot said:

Great win for Taunton at Bath yesterday. Bath's resources must be far greater than Taunton's. Rob "Dr" Dray doing a fantastic job, all considered. 

I went to Larkhall Athletic today. Beautiful ground overlooking Bath. 0-0 but an entertaining game with plenty of chances and a couple of sendings off! 

I was at this game too, Kid, decent summary of the match there. City under 21 keeper Josey Casa-Grande played well for the Larks, I thought. 

Couple of the Lymington players looked to be spoiling for a fight most of the game - the 5 should have gone too and the 7 should have got a yellow for his imaginary card waving at the ref before he eventually saw red for a poor tackle. 

Like Larkhall's ground, quirky.