The next one, 1992-93

[1960maaan]

So this one was during a time when Roger Malone and HTV started taking more interest in football. Slightly better highlights, longer in places and interviews with Denis Smith after some game clips. Roger's quality was never in doubt, never rose above bang average but I looked forward to seeing with a clear head, what I had witnessed through beer goggles on the day. This one starts with an interesting interview with Jackie and Andy Cole, had to split again due to extended highlights of the Swindon home game. Remember when they were good(ish).

 

[22A]

In the close season the major expenditure was securing Andy Cole on permanent transfer as his loan had been so successful. He cost half a million pounds and a clause in the terms stated that Arsenal would receive a third of the profit should he be transferred elsewhere. Two promising youngsters were also secured; one from Millwall and Shaun Rouse a former England schoolboys captain from Glasgow Rangers. Andy May went to Millwall thus ending puns about the Bryant & May partnership. John Toshack’s son had been at Ashton Gate for a year but was not considered good enough and left on a free transfer to Dundee. The covered end of Ashton Gate became a seated area leaving only the Ashton Park end for standing. Plans were announced to erect a 5,000 seat stand at that end to create a 25,000 seat stadium. On the pitch a rule change meant that goal keepers could no longer handle a back pass.        

                The 1992/93 season began at home to Portsmouth with four players under suspension, Mark Aizlewood, Ray Atteveld, Wayne Allison and Leroy Rosenior. Dennis Smith experimented with a 5-2-1-2 formation. Dziekanowski was the odd one linking midfield with attack. After three minutes he was the first player in the country to score. Guy Whittingham then scored twice, only for Cole to equalise before the interval. The final score was 3-3 as Whittingham and Cole both scored again. Andy Leaning was replaced in goal by Keith Welch as he was having trouble with the new back pass rule. There were red faces in midweek though when they lost 1-0 at Cardiff in the first round of the Coca-Cola Cup as the League Cup was now known. Previously it had been the Milk Cup, the Rumbelow’s Cup and the Littlewoods Cup depending on the sponsor. City bounced back though and won 3-0 at Luton to be seventh when the first League table was published. This was ideal preparation for two tough home games; the home leg of the Cup tie, then Sunderland in the League. Cardiff were brushed aside 5-1 with Andy Cole scoring the first three. Wayne Allison was substitute and scored within 30 seconds of coming on. Sunderland fielded five central defenders and played out a goal less draw, although the woodwork twice saved the Wearsiders. The Anglo Italian Cup was resurrected that season and City won 1-0 at home to Watford in front of less than 4,000. Watford would now host Luton and City would then visit Luton at the end of the month. There was no match that Saturday as the game at Derby was televised live and therefore played on a Sunday.             

                 City changed tactics for this game to 5-3-2. After twelve minutes Paul Simpson scored twice in a minute for Derby and later on had a certain third saved by Welch. That was to be the turning point of the game. Twenty minutes later Shelton was about to score when the keeper floored him with a rugby tackle for which he was sent off. Cole, Rosenior and Aizlewood were all out with injuries so Martin Scott took the resultant penalty kick. He would be City’s penalty taker until he left following that kick. Tempers then flared and three City players were booked before half time. On the hour, Dziekanowski crossed from the left, Derby’s stand in keeper palmed the ball on and Allison put over the line only to be ruled offside. City kept plugging away and shortly afterwards, Junior Bent making his first appearance of the season, latched onto a loose ball in the Derby area and smashed an equaliser high into the net. Derby then took off Marco Gabbiadini who had scored so many goals against City in the last two years and brought on a defender. Within seconds of coming on, he leapt high in the air and headed past his keeper to give City the lead. Straight from kick off Derby broke away and Paul Simpson scored a third for both himself and his side. Despite this setback City attacked again and in the final minutes, Dziekanowski again centred from the left and this time Allison was definitely on side as he headed backwards over a defender into the top corner of the net to give City a 4-3 win. That was to be the high point of the season and only 9,515 attended the next home game when Southend, now coached by former City manager Bob Houghton, broke City’s unbeaten record with Benjamin scoring the only goal in the 75th. minute.  This was the third time so far that season an opponent had appeared to be offside and yet had been allowed to score. Referee Vic Callow also ordered off an 11 year old ball boy after an incident with a Southend player. The lad was led away in tears by a policeman! That night Dziekanowski was taken to the B.R.I. after an incident in a Clifton wine bar. West Ham were the next visitors and were 3-0 up at half time. Martin Scott pulled one back, but the Hammers ran out 5-1 victors. The police considered prosecuting the West Ham coach for inciting City fans with abusive gestures. The same thing occurred in the return match  Newcastle were top of the division with a 100% record after the first six games and were now home to an injury struck Bristol City and won 5-0 leaving City with the worst defensive record in the entire League.

                Although they were no longer members of the Football League, the Premier League clubs were still allowed to compete in the Coca Cola Cup, but they were seeded so that they could not be drawn together in the second round. City were paired with Sheffield United with the first leg in Bristol. Due to injuries, Wayne Allison and Terry Connor were the front pair of a 4-4-2 formation. 23 year old Matt Bryant was the old man in defence. Terry Connor had been out for 10 months and had only returned in time for the West Ham game. This was fortunate as Osman then developed cartilage problems and Aizlewood injured his back requiring keyhole surgery. Blackburn loaned defender Reid, but would not allow him to be cup tied. Rob Edwards headed City into the lead after which the referee had to untangle a player from each team who had become enmeshed in the net in the melee. The Blades equalised but then conceded a penalty that Martin Scott duly converted. In the second half a poor back pass left keeper Welch facing a ball he could not handle with three forwards racing in on him. He calmly stopped the ball with his foot and then lobbed it over their heads! Later on the referee had no option other than to write the name Dariusz Dziekanowski in his book. Most referees made do with giving him a lecture. Towards the end, the Pole and Allison both had shots saved on the line by a posse of Sheffield United defenders. In those first leg games, only two Premier League clubs were beaten, but only seven of them beat inferior opposition with the remainder drawing. Before the return, which the Blades won 4-1, City drew 1-1 at Luton in the Anglo Italian Cup and progressed to the next stage where they would play two Italian clubs at home and another pair away. The first three of these games were defeats and the fourth was drawn. This was at Cremenese on a wet windswept midweek afternoon. Despite a contingent going from Bristol, the attendance was a mere 535 spectators! Cremenese went on to win the competition and brought over 1,000 fans to England for the final. In the League City went for several months winning at home and losing away. Andy Cole improved his record and scored in six consecutive matches. His thirtieth appearance for City saw his twentieth goal. He was selected for the England under 21s, but had to withdraw through injury. He was then overlooked for the next two internationals, but eventually was selected.  

                                A sign of the change in British society was now seen at Ashton Gate. In 1970, people remarked that Steve Stacey was coloured. 1992 saw as many as six black players in the first team and no one commented on it. Racism visibly declined in south Bristol. With the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union the European Championship would involve 16 nations in the finals which were to be played in England and Ashton Gate was shortlisted as a potential venue. As it turned out, all the games were played at Premiership grounds. Ashton Gate was chosen instead for the return fixture between the Football and Italian Leagues. Swede Bjorn Kristenson was loaned from Newcastle but after some impressive displays, Portsmouth bought him. Terry Connor was loaned to his former club, Swansea. In December Cole failed to score and the team failed to win. Dziekanowski was now being omitted from selection and gossip had it that he was relieved of his car keys most days due to alcohol.

                1993 began with a pair of League defeats before a F.A. Cup tie at Luton. Allison and Cole threatened much but achieved little and Luton scored in each half to end City’s season. Martin Scott had missed the last two games through suspension and in the cup game an opponent felled him with more of an assault than a tackle. When he was able to stand he punched his assailants head and was sent off again. Newcastle offered 1.3 million pounds for Andy Cole. Leslie Kew replied that they could have him for 2.2 million. Due to the bad results Dennis Smith was sacked and once again Russell Osman became caretaker manager, this time until the season’s end. Newspapers pointed out that Joe Jordan’s contract at Hearts expired in the summer and he still had a house in the Bristol area. It was claimed that City would pay him £150,000 a year if he returned and he would become one of the wealthiest managers in the country if he took City into the Premier League. Osman retaliated by saying he was player/coach, had been assistant to Dennis Smith and was now caretaker for the second time in ten months. He therefore had the right credentials to be appointed full time. In February Glenn Pennyfather was loaned from Ipswich and Stuart Munro was signed from Blackburn. Nicky Melons went to West Brom for £75,000. All four games that month were away. At Fratton Park, Pompey twice took the lead and were still winning in the 75th. minute. Gavin came on as substitute and passed to Cole. A defender raced in and chopped him down and was sent off. Matt Bryant hit the resultant free kick into the net off the underside of the bar. Gavin then scrambled in a third for the first win since November. At Charlton, City led for most of the game but still managed to lose. The other games were draws. With a quarter of the season remaining City had only the bottom three beneath them. Two more games were then lost and it was fortunate that the others also slipped up. Against Tranmere Aizlewood was sent off and Scott missed a penalty. When Millwall visited, Andy May scored the only goal on his return. On March 12th. Osman was appointed manager for a year so that he could make signings. He paid Ipswich £80,000 for Pennyfather and Cole departed to Newcastle for £1,750,000. He then scored thirteen goals in thirteen games to help Newcastle to the Championship. A few years later he went to Manchester United for £7 million. Another arrival was Brian Tinnion who later became Manager after a fine career.

                Birmingham were bottom with 30 points, Rovers and Southend had 32 each and City 33. A new owner at Birmingham injected a large amount of cash to help Terry Cooper strengthen the team. When City visited, 15,000 saw Nicky Morgan score the only goal. This was followed by a win at Watford who had Keith Waugh in goal, but a defeat at Swindon when the others won brought City back into the bottom trio with 10 games remaining. Nicky Morgan scored again to give City another win and a draw before the visit of Rovers. Kick off was delayed as 22,000 filled the ground and some fans were locked out but it was a poor game. Ten minutes before half time, Leroy Rosenior broke down the wing and an unmarked Nicky Morgan scored from six yards out past a row of defenders. Brian Tinnion then converted a penalty after a defender handled in the area. Rovers then started playing and scored but it was too late to save the game. City climbed to 16th. position and Rovers were rooted to the bottom of the table. At Easter City climbed two more places but were still not safe. With four games remaining, any of the top 11 could be promoted and any of the bottom 11 could be relegated. Barnsley and Charlton were the only clubs in the division who had nothing to play for. City drew the next three games and then hosted Brentford who needed a win to stay up. City were safe and won 4-1 for the biggest win of the season. Rosenior scored a hat trick and doubled his goal tally for the season. The final position of 15th meant that they would have to play in the first round of next season’s Coca Cola Cup. A month later John Atyeo died at the age of 61.

[1960maaan]

@22A tell me you somehow coy and paste these round up's and don't type each one out as I post the vid's 

[Port Said Red]

Watching those videos, I had forgotten what a good passer of the ball Osman was. I guess because of his Managerial career here, some of us have forgotten what a class player he still was.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

6 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

So this one was during a time when Roger Malone and HTV started taking more interest in football. Slightly better highlights, longer in places and interviews with Denis Smith after some game clips. Roger's quality was never in doubt, never rose above bang average but I looked forward to seeing with a clear head, what I had witnessed through beer goggles on the day. This one starts with an interesting interview with Jackie and Andy Cole, had to split again due to extended highlights of the Swindon home game. Remember when they were good(ish).

 

"Bang average" was kind. He and Bruce Hockin....bumbling buffoons!

[1960maaan]

Part 2 folks , the thing that stands out are the 0-0's. Can only dream of a clean sheet these days 

 

 

[22A]

For you young un's, Swindon(!) won the play offs that season. They spent one year in the Prem, then had two successive relegations. The 92-93 season confirmed that sport is cyclicle. Pompey, Tranmere, Swindon, Millwall, Grimsby, P'boro', Charlton & Oxford all finished above City. Watford & Sunderland, both now in the Prem were below us.

[Clevedon Red]

3 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

Part 2 folks , the thing that stands out are the 0-0's. Can only dream of a clean sheet these days 

 

 

Thank you for posting these I've loved watching them. How many seasons worth do you have?

[1960maaan]

I think up to 2006, then some HTV programs. Flashback for the fans etc. Plus a few full games.

[Wanderingred]

God, what a dreadful season that was. In the first half of the year, we had Dennis Smith who tried his best to get us playing open, attractive football.. Unfortunately, bar Cole and Jacki we werent good enough for it and got regularly hammered.. 1-5 vs Brentford and West Ham, 0-5 at Newcastle, 0-4 at the Gas, 1-4 at Sheff Utd and Millwall. Smith was replaced by Osman mid season and we then shut up shop and bored our way to safety with the most ghastly negative football I've ever seen. By the end of the year, crowds were down to 6000-7000 odd, the football was that bad.

The only good memory I have of that season was beating the gas and virtually condemning them to the drop.

[054123]

The low gates will always stick with me. Even after the Atyeo opened I can remember Saturday home games and the gate looking desolate. The Dolman would look empty, save the die hards in the middle. 

[1960maaan]

16 minutes ago, Wanderingred said:

God, what a dreadful season that was. In the first half of the year, we had Dennis Smith who tried his best to get us playing open, attractive football.. Unfortunately, bar Cole and Jacki we werent good enough for it and got regularly hammered.. 1-5 vs Brentford and West Ham, 0-5 at Newcastle, 0-4 at the Gas, 1-4 at Sheff Utd and Millwall. Smith was replaced by Osman mid season and we then shut up shop and bored our way to safety with the most ghastly negative football I've ever seen. By the end of the year, crowds were down to 6000-7000 odd, the football was that bad.

The only good memory I have of that season was beating the gas and virtually condemning them to the drop.

Glad you put that , my thoughts exactly. I vaguely remember going to West Ham for a night match , played ok until the half way line but just didn't try to go past it.

[1960maaan]

11 hours ago, Wanderingred said:

God, what a dreadful season that was. In the first half of the year, we had Dennis Smith who tried his best to get us playing open, attractive football.. Unfortunately, bar Cole and Jacki we werent good enough for it and got regularly hammered.. 1-5 vs Brentford and West Ham, 0-5 at Newcastle, 0-4 at the Gas, 1-4 at Sheff Utd and Millwall. Smith was replaced by Osman mid season and we then shut up shop and bored our way to safety with the most ghastly negative football I've ever seen. By the end of the year, crowds were down to 6000-7000 odd, the football was that bad.

The only good memory I have of that season was beating the gas and virtually condemning them to the drop.

Lets hope the following year is better 

Maybe a cup run ...