Tough Love sees Gosling become latest player to commit to the City cause (28/5/02)
Despite long running rumours of a feud with manager Alan Pridham talented City midfielder Jamie Gosling has signed a new one year deal. The clash between the two appeared to come to head in December when the former Team Bath player asked for a transfer. However, this request was turned down and he went on to play a vital part in City’s successful battle against relegation. Naturally Chippenham were sniffing around before Gosling put pen to paper to join Adrian Foster, Paul Milsom, Gary Thorne, Andy Williams, Iain Harvey, Mark Hervin, Dan Cleverley and Jim Rollo.
The draw for next seasons Somerset Premier Cup has given City the short trip to Western League side Odd Down.
New season Some Assembly Required process begins with arrival of Rollo (24/5/02)
Former Merthyr Tydfil defender Jim Rollo has become City’s first summer signing. The 26-year old, who made nine City appearances during two previous loan spells at the club, signed a one-year deal yesterday. Three current players also put pen to paper on new deals, with Mark Hervin and Iain Harvey turning down overtures from Chippenham, and Dan Cleverley receiving due reward for his excellent end of season form after making the step up from the reserves. Jason Drysdale, Gary Kemp and Jamie Gosling are also expected to sign new contracts next week.
Chippenham Town have managed to sign up one more City star, although this one is known at Twerton Park for her off the field successes. Sue Evans has made the short move to Wiltshire to become the Bluebirds new Commercial Manager ending a 2 year stay at City. I would just like to thank her for all the support she has give this web page in her time at the club. Her replacement is Dave Edler, who will combine his current role as bars manager with the commercial side.
Welcome to the Hellmouth – Top scorer Foster given 10 day ban (18/5/02)
Last seasons 21 goal top scorer Adrian Foster will miss three games at the start of the 2002-03 season after being given a 10 day suspension by the Somerset FA. Having initially received a 35 day ban the punishement was reduced at an appeal hearing held in Midsomer Norton last week following Foster’s sending off against Exmouth Town in February. The 31-year old will be available for City’s opening match on August 17 but will then miss the next three games.
City fans can watch England’s World Cup clash with Argentina on June 7 and also find out who will be the clubs main sponsor for the forthcoming season. The Patron’s club draw will take place after the match has been shown on a large screen in Randall’s. There will also be a running buffet, quizzes and a prize draw during the afternoon. Tickets cost £15 and are available from the club on 01225 423087.
As expected former City captain Colin Towler has completed a move to Premier Division newcomers Chippenham Town.
One player who looks unlikely to be making the opposite move to Towler is Chippenham striker Steve Tweddle. The 32-year has indicated his wish to leave the Wiltshire side but the £5000 price tag placed on him by manager Tommy Saunders has halted any interest from Alan Pridham. This is despite the two clubs agreeing a similar fee back in February.
Pre-season Checkpoint includes visits from four league sides (15/5/02)
City’s pre-seaspn build-up to their 2002-03 Dr Martens Premier Division campaign with see four Football League sides visit Twerton Park. As already posted Leyton Orient (21/7), Swindon Town (24/7) and Cardiff City (5/8) will face Alan Pridham’s side, and they have been joined by Bristol Rovers who return to their former home on Tuesday 30 July. The complete list of friendlies is:
| Tuesday 16 July | Swindon Supermarine | A | ko 7.30 |
| Sunday 21 July | Leyton Orient | H | ko 2.00 |
| Wednesday 24 July | Swindon Town | H | ko 7.30 |
| Saturday 27 July | Wimborne Town | A | ko 3.00 |
| Tuesday 30 July | Bristol Rovers XI | H | ko 7.45 |
| Friday 2 August | Port Talbot Town | H | ko 7.45 |
| Saturday 3 August | Weston Super Mare | A | ko 3.00 |
| Monday 5 August | Cardiff City | H | ko 7.45 |
Marines bound Hale heads away from City Into The Woods (14/5/02)
Loan star Matt Hale will not be making a permanent move to Twerton Park after he revealed plans to sign up with the Marines. The left-sided midfielder, who arrived from cash-strapped Weymouth in March, played a major part in City’s successful relegation battle but will now turn his back on football to begin the gruelling selection procedure for the Marines. Two other familiar faces could also be heading away from City after Mark Badman and Graham MacLean were not offered new contracts by manager Alan Pridham. However both players have been offered non-contract deals with the view to earning new deals with the Romans.
Despite the complaint coming after the supposed time limit City’s reserve side have been docked 3 points for playing the ineligible Rob Cook against Exmouth Town back in February. However, the deduction does not affect their promotion to the Premier Division as they still finish one point above the Devon side. Unless of course Exmouth find another reason to go crying to the Western League.
Go Fish early for a season ticket and save yourself pounds (9/5/02)
As has now become traditional City have announced that supporters who purchase their 2002-03 season tickets before June 30 will receive a substantial discount on the price. With the prices unchanged from last season an adult stand season ticket will cost £138.00 before June 30 then £153.00 after that date. Match day admission prices have also not increased, adults paying £8.50 for a stand seat or £6.50 for a place on the Twerton Park terraces. For the full prices see the table below.
City’s pre-season campaign will see at least three Football League sides grace the Twerton Park. Leyton Orient will vist on Sunday 21 July (ko 2.00pm) and three days later Swindon Town make the short journey to Bath (24/7 ko 7.30pm). And on Monday 5 August Cardiff City will be the opposition (ko 7.45pm). Details of further friendlies to follow when confirmed.
For the third time in four seasons City’s matchday programme has been named as the best in the Dr Martens Premier Division by the Wirral Programme Club. The publication, edited by Chris Stillman, also came 7th in the national list behind winner Redhill, an improvement of five places after last years 12th spot. Congratulations to Chris and Mark Stillman and everyone who has contributed to the programme.
Beer Bad? Definitely not if you’re drinking it to Save the City (6/5/02)
City fans can now drink to the clubs future and help raise funds for the Supporters Society at the same time. Local brewer Bath Ales have produced ‘Save the City Ale’ and with every pint downed 40p will go toward the fund aimed at raising £250,000 to buy back control of the club. The beer was available for the first time at the recent Kevin Brown concert and will be on sale at Charlie’s and Randall’s throughout the summer. And nearer the start of the 2002-03 season Bath Ales will run a promotion of the beer at The Salamander and The Hop Pole.
City Reserves promotion to the Screwfix Western League Premier Division was confirmed at the weekend following the goalless draw between Exmouth Town and Frome Town. Even with the possiblity of a three point deduction hanging over them the result means they are four points ahead of the whinging Devon side.
Another matter in the hands of the Somerset FA will be dealt with on May 15 when City’s top scorer Adrian Foster appeals against the 35 day ban he received for a sending off against Exmouth (shock horror!!) in his only reserve appearance of last season. With no video evidence to back up Foster’s protestations of innocence the ban is unlikely to be quashed but a reduction is a possibility.
Captain Towler looks set to remain in DML but Older and Far Away (4/5/02)
Long-serving captain Colin Towler looks to be heading to Dr Martens Premier Division newcomers Chippenham Town after he was not offered a new contract at City. The 32-year old defender, who joined City in January 1997, becomes the first victim of manager Alan Pridham planning for the new season. However, one player who will be remaining at Twerton Park is Jason Drysdale. The former Newcastle left-sided player has attracted interest from Weston Super Mare and City Reserves, sorry I mean Chippenham, but has indicated his wish to remain at City and should sign a new deal during the coming week.
Thorne completes full set of Band Candy with web page award (4/5/02)
Gary Thorne made it a hat-trick of player of the season awards by coming out top in this season web page vote. Having already scooped the supporters and Bath Chronicle titles the ex-Newport County defender completed the set by beating Paul Milsom and Adrian Foster into second and third places respectively. The most improved vote was won by Dan Cleverley. The full results can by found by clicking here.
Teachers Pet reaps reward of relegation escape with new deal (1/5/02)
City’s board has backed Alan Pridham to build on the success of keeping the club in the Dr Martens Premier Division by confirming him as manager for the 2002-03 season. Following a meeting on Monday night the decision was relayed to the former Paulton Rovers boss yesterday evening. Despite coming in for much criticism during the season Pridham’s against the odds success has seen his popularity rise and he now been handed the task of continuing the progress he has made. Unlike last season he has also been given a contract and in return the club has requested a more integrated approach with the reserve side. Pridham will now turn his attention to which players he wishes to retain at Twerton Park. Only Adrian Foster, Paul Milsom and Gary Thorne are under contract, although Andy Williams has another option year on his deal.
City’s reserve side could miss out on promotion to the Screwfix Western League Premier Division after they were accused of fielding an ineligible player in the 3-2 win over Exmouth Town back in February. The player in question was loan midfielder Rob Cook and if City are found guilty of the charge they will be docked three points. Unsurprisingly, it will be Exmouth who benefit from this punishment as they currently lie in third place five points behind City but with one more match to play. The reason that Cook was ineligible for the game is that loan players are not allowed to play at Western League level. However, the time the Devon side took to protest, particularly as only after Dave Hobbs side drew their final two games would any points deduction make a difference, could play in City’s favour as appeals should be made within a certain timescale.