bert tann

Bristol Rovers are considering ways to help ensure the season is completed safely amid Covid-19, such as potentially scrapping the team bus for away games, says boss Paul Tisdale. Football is under scrutiny from the government and Public Health England with coronavirus cases rising. Clubs have also been issued guidance by three major professional bodies within the game around player behaviour. "We've got to be so careful," Tisdale told BBC Points West. "We're even talking about now, for away travel, not having a team coach and going independently. "I'd love it if football can continue through to the end of the season, we've got to do everything we can to make that happen." Rovers, who had to manage their own outbreak last month in suspending two games, have had extra hygiene protocols put in place by Tisdale. The former Exeter City and MK Dons boss confesses to wearing gloves in the dressing rooms "for the past four or five years" to avoid the passing of germs, while players are also requested to fist-pump rather than shake hands. One of the requests of the joint Premier League, English Football League and Football Association guidance for players is to consider the need for distancing around goal celebrations. Those protocols also concern travel, time spent in the dressing rooms and warm-ups, as well as interactions with match officials and opponents after games. "It's one of my pet hates, over-celebrating, so it's music to my ears," added Tisdale. "It's a sensible thing to suggest but quite a difficult thing to apply and make happen, because by definition we're in the middle of a fight, a battle and competition and the enjoyment and excitement you get from scoring a goal is going to take some level discipline to avoid that. "Celebrating in the dressing rooms is an obvious own goal, I don't think we need to be doing that."

Popped in once for a dry martine. She moistened up after I gave her a tickle.

I understand that Dwane Developments UK Ltd is one of Britain's most prosperous companies because their tenant, BRFC, not only pays them rent but also pays for all of their business expenses and capital costs. It is said that even Musk and Bezos look enviously at this business model.

Actually the scheduled move in date is in 8 months time. Mr Al-Quidi’s interview with Sam Frost in the Evening Post has stimulated a massive debate on the Rovers’ fans forum with most Gasheads eagerly looking forward to the coming thaw so that work on both the stadium and training ground can continue. The consensus is that with Mr Al-Quidi and his dynamic board of directors at the helm there has never been a better time to be a supporter of BRFC. Of course we feel for other EFL clubs who are close to administration and begging for financial help but, as our midfield maestro Josh Barrett will tell you, football is all about the survival of the fattest.

We don't have any showers up at Portaloo Park. Our players train on the bowling greens there and then retreat to a secret location to get changed and talk tictacs.

Someone at the club thought voluntary liquidation meant the liquidator was a volunteer and wouldn't need to be paid but Mr Tisdale obviously thinks otherwise.

But Mr Al-Quidi took the credit for doing all those things a few months after he rode into town ? We are either following American election practises and counting things twice or we have signed up to the green new deal and every few years will be recycling our list of groundbreaking achievements.

Rovers have started to use the magnificent new training ground at Almondsbury and Mr Al-Quidi has just announced through his Instagram account (36 million devotees) that it is to be named “The Quarter”. I understand this is because only a quarter of it will ever be finished.

September 6, 1954 Liverpool make four changes for their game with Bristol Rovers, at Bristol, this evening, for which they only left Liverpool this morning, so that they will have had close on seven hours train journey before taking the field. As Hughes is fit and returns to centre half, Twentyman resumes his normal left half berth. Arnell tales over at centre forward from Louis Bimpson, who received an eye injury on Saturday, and Anderson fills the vacancy thus created at inside right. Anderson had 13 senior appearances last season, scoring five goals. Bristol Rovers have made a good start this season under their flamboyant young manager BJ Tann. At home they have defeated Port Vale and Derby County and drawn with Birmingham City. Seven of their nine goals have been scored by Geoff Bradford, the player for whom Liverpool made a big offer a year ago. He got a single in each of the four opening games, and a hat-trick against Derby on Saturday. Despite playing in less than half his club’s matches due to a broken leg. Bradford topped the Rovers’ marksmen last winter with 21 goals in 18 outings, getting at hat-tricks on five occasions. Half of his games were at inside right, as he only took over the leadership when Vic Lambden was dropped. A stalwart defence. So far, this campaign, the Rovers have made only one change in their side. Paddy Hale, a former reserve centre half, having had outings at inside right. The defence is the same as that which played almost unchanged throughout last season, when the first six men on the team sheet missed a total of only 18 games between them. Ray Warren, captain and centre half, is now in his 21st season at the Eastville Stadium, and from all accounts is playing as well as ever, though, possibly a little more inclined to use his head to save his legs. On the basis of what we have seen of Liverpool thus far, their prospects of victory to-night look remote unless they pull out something very much better than in any previous game. A displays no better than that against West Ham is unlikely to bring a point never mind two. But we can still hope. Match: Football League, Second Division, at Eastville Stadium, kick-off: 18:15. Bristol Rovers – Liverpool 3-0 (2-0). Attendance: 25,574. Bristol Rovers (2-3-5): Howard Radford, Harry Bamford, Les Edwards, Jackie Pitt, Ray Warren, Peter Sampson, George Petherbridge, Paddy Hale, Geoff Bradford, Bill Roost, Peter Hooper. Liverpool (2-3-5): Dave Underwood, Tom McNulty, Frank Lock, Barry Wilkinson, Laurie Hughes, Geoff Twentyman, Jimmy Payne, Eric Anderson, Alan Arnell, John Evans, Billy Liddell. The goals: 1-0 Bradford (40 min.), 2-0 Bradford (42 min.), 3-0 Bradford (85 min.).

Few would have suddenly embarked on such a project three months after the Government had invoked emergency powers which effectively shut down their business and even fewer would be pleading poverty while spending money to develop land which they didn't own and with no formal lease agreement in place.

Joking aside Peter, there is a feeling among the football elder statesmen I have spoken to that Rovers may have made a blunder in the way the new training ground is being paid for. The money is coming into the club from Mr Al-Quidi and then out again to pay the contractors working on the project. But to obtain funding under the rescue package individual clubs may be audited to determine their financial need. Which could lead to the question "If you are so desperate for cash to keep your business afloat why are you spending vast sums on a training ground which is not necessary for your survival but which is enhancing the value of land held independently by your owner ?" For Rovers the EFL rescue package may open a Pandora's box of hornet's nests within a can of worms.

The shares are 10p each so this new resolution allows the company to allot 4.95 million more shares. In June Mr Al-Quidi said he had swapped the Dwane Sports loan for shares in BRFC 1883 Ltd, which had capitalised the loan, but he hadn't. When eventually the Bristol Post was pressured into confronting the club about this false statement Mr Starnes response was that they first needed to have an AGM to pass a resolution to allot more shares. The AGM took place on September 28th and the resolution was passed but no new shares have been allotted to Dwane Sports and the loan remains in place as does the charge over the Memorial Ground. We constantly hear that Mr Al-Quidi has saved the club by capitalising the debt. But he hasn't.

An important announcement about Bristol Rovers new stadium is expected later this afternoon. I shall be providing updates here from 4pm onwards.

Another strongly worded letter of complaint is on it's way to the EFL following release of the BCFC "training ground update" video which is clearly intended to belittle the magnificent rugby club house and barn gymnasium complex being constructed at Almondsbury. Such intimidation of an oppressed minority has no place in the modern world and I should not be at all surprised if piecemeal protests are seen on Gloucester Road this evening. Our leaders, the Al-Quidi family, are bound to come out fighting but unfortunately this is likely to be among themselves.

I think Bobby Davro gave him that one. My gags were provided by Leslie Crowther.

Ah .... I remember those twin peaks between 1955 and 1960. Pity her husband found out.

Yes, the Rovers fans do still believe the debt has been capitalised even though Companies House says otherwise. And if there was no debt why does the charge over the Memorial Ground remain in place ? I think the Al-Quidis May be a family at war.

Some spiv from oddschecker has us down for relegation ??? Bristol Rovers (21st) occupy the first relegation spot. I’m surprised how much respect the bookies are giving them this season. They have the Gas rated as a top 10 side and I can’t for the life of me work out why. They’ve lost their key striker Clarke-Harris and guess who was their second-top scorer in the league last season? Abu Ogogo with three goals. Everyone else managed two or fewer goals. Now someone please tell me why they are rated as a top ten side! James Daly and Jonah Ayunga are the only recognised strikers at the club and they have a combined total of 3 EFL games to their name. Defensively they’ve got a half decent lot of centre back options but they look weak at full back, whilst classy midfielders Liam Sercombe and Ollie Clarke, so long a positive partnership for Rovers, have departed. They’re one of my favourite bets of the summer at a huge 8/1 for relegation.

Don't forget Alex Munro who was turned out many times for Scotland

So you are sure no request has been made to extend the agreement with the current training centre venue till May 2021. And you have heard of no communications taking place which have included the phrase “uncertainty over whether the Almondsbury Training Centre will be completed” ?

Have Rovers asked to extend the current temporary training venue arrangement till May 2021 because construction of the four male changing rooms, four female changing rooms and lounge bar is running behind schedule ?

We only have one man's word for that and this is not how it appears at the companies registry in Jersey. And the same man seems to have forgotten to tell Companies House in England that shares have been issued to capitalise the Dwane Sports loan so their charge over the Memorial Stadium can be removed from the record. I think we might shortly be hearing from Mr Hani Al-Quidi who is not a great fan of Bristol Rovers FC and, at the moment, may not be a great fan of Mr Wael Al-Quidi.

Don't tell I tell 'ee

There was great rejoicing when it was announced that Rovers were substantively debt free and, apart from trade creditors and leasing etc, didn't owe the Al-Quidi's or anyone else a penny. But now it turns out we still owe the Al-Quidi's at least £ 18.4 million and probably a lot more.

But does he own the club and Dwane Sports Ltd ? Or is his family still in control ? This is what was said on June 19th. But the £ 18.4 million loan owed to Dwane Sports by Bristol Rovers 1883 Ltd has not been capitalised. Firstly, Club President Wael Al Qadi has reached agreement for the acquisition of a controlling stake in our holding Company Dwane Sports from the other members of his family. This provides him with full control over Bristol Rovers (1883) Limited (BRFC1883) and Bristol Rovers Football Club Limited(BRFC). As part of this process, Wael has agreed to capitalise £18.4m of loans owed to Dwane Sports from BRFC 1883 and £16.5m owed by BRFC to BRFC1883. In addition to the above, he has also agreed to write off £2.1m in interest that was charged on these loans, leaving the club (apart from our ordinary trade creditors, leasing and HP agreements) substantively debt free.