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25% => Other Football Stuff => Topic started by: Mr Stevens on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 12:34:34



Title: West Country football
Post by: Mr Stevens on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 12:34:34
Looking a bit shit at the moment. Bristol City are in freefall and some of the posters on OTIB are getting concerned. Ourselves and Rovers are both useless and I can't get the table up but I don't think Yeovil are setting the Conference alight.

When the two teams doing reasonably well are Cheltenham and FGR, it's time to worry. Although never setting the world of football alight, it hasn't been like this for a long time. Why can't the area produce a decent team that stays decent?


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 12:37:14
Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay - they are west country clubs. Plymouth seem to be doing reasonably well.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 13:17:45
Bristol City is a strange one as they have the billionaire owner, great stadium & big fanbase yet they never seem to take it to the next level apart from a decent cup run 3 years ago and a brief stint in the old first division 76-80.
Maybe Lansdown likes his rugby more than football as he seems to invest heavily on decent coaches and playing staff where some of the managers they've had over recent seasons would have disappointed us lot and considering what they've got to offer they should be appointing bigger names than they have done. Maybe top managers have been interviewed and turned them down so it will be interesting to see who gets the job this time around.

Rovers are abit like us promised so much but nothing materialised and they are slowly decaying away. Cheltenham and FGR are both well run small clubs but with limited expectations the same as Exeter & Torquay where as location will probably stop Plymouth from a long stint in the championship as it's hard to attract both players and management to that part of the country.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 13:24:50
With every passing season The Premier League moves a little further away from The Championship League. None of the West Country clubs will ever get near the EPL again in my opinion.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 13:42:51
As things currently stand, only BCFC have any realistic prospect of getting to the top division. I suspect that will be the case for many years.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Cheltred on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 17:47:50
As things currently stand, only BCFC have any realistic prospect of getting to the top division. I suspect that will be the case for many years.
That they have a realistic prospect - but won't get there!


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 18:14:51
That they have a realistic prospect - but won't get there!

Knowing nothing about the club, it does seem strange that they haven't been able to make it.  I am sure their followers consider that they have massive potential which has yet to be fulfilled.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:29:30
Bristol City strike me as 'all the gear, no idea'.

They have everything in place off the pitch but don't have the courage to appoint the right manager or roll the dice in the transfer market.

They seem to try and replicate others (eg Swansea by drafting England youth coaches) without finding the key ingrediant, whatever that is.

I do enjoy living in Bristol during a good ol' fashioned City meltdown.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:31:42
Bristol City strike me as 'all the gear, no idea'.

They have everything in place off the pitch but don't have the courage to appoint the right manager or roll the dice in the transfer market.

They seem to try and replicate others (eg Swansea by drafting England youth coaches) without finding the key ingrediant, whatever that is.

I do enjoy living in Bristol during a good ol' fashioned City meltdown.

I think your assessment is spot on. Nice City Bristol if you forget the football rivalry but it would take a brave man to wear a STFC shirt there tho😀


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:45:12
I think your assessment is spot on. Nice City Bristol if you forget the football rivalry but it would take a brave man to wear a STFC shirt there tho😀
Used to wear mine regularly from 1988-1999 when I lived in Brizzle and in Yate. Had a few ripe comments particularly on the Monday in the city centre after we beat them 4-0 at Trashton. Went to replace one of my tyres in Yate before a Town game and was told to fuck off by a Slave Trader who hoped I crashed on the way to the game - blowing him a kiss as I walked out didn't seem to improve his mood or those of his mates.
Had many stand offs with City / Rovers fans but no punches thrown. I did, however pop out one evening about 9 to bump into Steve White who was surprised to see a Town shirt in Yate.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:47:36
Used to wear mine regularly from 1988-1999 when I lived in Brizzle and in Yate. Had a few ripe comments particularly on the Monday in the city centre after we beat them 4-0 at Trashton. Went to replace one of my tyres in Yate before a Town game and was told to fuck off by a Slave Trader who hoped I crashed on the way to the game - blowing him a kiss as I walked out didn't seem to improve his mood or those of his mates.
Had many stand offs with City / Rovers fans but no punches thrown. I did, however pop out one evening about 9 to bump into Steve White who was surprised to see a Town shirt in Yate.

Great story Chalkie and I guess if you were a cat you lost a few of your lifes😀 That 4-0 thrashing was superb and we literally played them off the park that day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqT9UPz4flg


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:53:25
Great story Chalkie and I guess if you were a cat you lost a few of your lifes😀 That 4-0 thrashing was superb and we literally played them off the park that day
It was a bit lary at times but I didn't really give a fuck. If I took a slap or 2 I'd have been proud. Now I couldn't give a fuck about the club. Times change.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:55:10
It was a bit lary at times but I didn't really give a fuck. If I took a slap or 2 I'd have been proud. Now I couldn't give a fuck about the club. Times change.

It just goes to show as we all get older there's more to life than football


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 19:59:57
Lived in Rovers territory for a few years in the 2000s. I occasionally wore some STFC apparel and never got any grief.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:07:24
Lived in Rovers territory for a few years in the 2000s. I occasionally wore some STFC apparel and never got any grief.
I always found rovers fans were ok with one or two cunts. City fans were just cunts, an odd decent one or two.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:09:53
I think your assessment is spot on. Nice City Bristol if you forget the football rivalry but it would take a brave man to wear a STFC shirt there tho😀

I live in BS4 and see Rovers stuff all the time. There are times and places in South Bristol where you'd be daft to do that (BS3/3 Lions) but Bedminster/Southville is a lot different these days.

My wifes grandad used to drink in the 3 Lions on a Sunday late morning (WWII veteran and treated him very well). We went in to say hello once and got a very stern heads up as I was wearing a blue band t-shirt under my hoodie. They can be very intense.

(https://i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article4671790.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_three-lions.jpg)


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:12:58
I live in BS4 and see Rovers stuff all the time. There are times and places in South Bristol where you'd be daft to do that (BS3/3 Lions) but Bedminster/Southville is a lot different these days.

My wifes grandad used to drink in the 3 Lions on a Sunday late morning (WWII veteran and treated him very well). We went in to say hello once and got a very stern heads up as I was wearing a blue band t-shirt under my hoodie. They can be very intense.

(https://i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article4671790.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_three-lions.jpg)

The three lions is a notorious hard city pub full of nutters and used to run coaches to England away games


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:18:49
I was a north of the river guy. Rarely ventured south and wouldn't have worn a town shit anywhere near that fucking place. Suicide mission.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:21:13
I was a north of the river guy. Rarely ventured south and wouldn't have worn a town shit anywhere near that fucking place. Suicide mission.

😀😀😀


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:21:24
Scallywag football supporters to one side, I have always thought that Bristol is a great place to live/work in and may well move back at some point.  


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:24:00
Scallywag football supporters to one side, I have always thought that Bristol is a great place to live/work in and may well move back at some point.  

I agree it's a lovely City and I could spend hours walking adound the harbourside up Brandon Hill to Clifton


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:24:40
Bristol is great. Been here 9 years now and can't believe how quickly that has gone.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:28:21
Bristol is great. Been here 9 years now and can't believe how quickly that has gone.
Agreed. Spent 10 years there but before a lot of it was developed. Chose to move back to Swindon. A lot going on in Bristol. Great music scene.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:41:07
In terms of sustained football progression within the Westcountry... it's really is down to financial backing now, isn't it?

Bristol City's rise to mainstay Championship side = Steve Lansdown

FGRs rise to the EFL = Dale Vince

Cheltenham Town's Rise = Simon Keswick

Swindon's last flirtation = Andrew Black


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Mr Stevens on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:41:49
It's a funny thing about Bristol City. I hate them more than any other side and always look for their score to get some perverse pleasure when they get beaten. That being said, I don't think I've met one of their supporters that I didn't like and it's the same with Rovers. When they are gathered en masse though, I don't really like them at all. And City are usually better than us, sadly.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:51:24
Worked in Filton for the last 7 years and there are a few City diehards who are the same as any other loyal supporters.

There's a lot of enthusiasm for football but most of it is towards the Premier League teams especially Liverpool or Man Utd.

I guess City need to break through to the PL as they are still a second team for many. Linked with Nigel Pearson now.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 20:57:37
In terms of sustained football progression within the Westcountry... it's really is down to financial backing now, isn't it?

Bristol City's rise to mainstay Championship side = Steve Lansdown

FGRs rise to the EFL = Dale Vince

Cheltenham Town's Rise = Simon Keswick

Swindon's last flirtation = Andrew Black


With the exception of Bristol Rovers - Wael al-Qadi


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: JBZ on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 21:07:10
That Nestor Lorenzo Heade will tell you that the only way to thrive is fan ownership and will point to Exeter's upwards trajectory.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 22:10:54
With the exception of Bristol Rovers - Wael al-Qadi

I don't think al-Qadi has got access to the family fortune though.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, February 21, 2021, 22:22:08
I don't think al-Qadi has got access to the family fortune though.

Whereas 23yr old Sunderland Chairman, the Swiss Kyril Louis-Dreyfis very much does. I wonder when Power might claim he once loaned a chalet to his family and the accrued interest on missed payments has shot up to around £7.5m? Might we see a letter provided?  :hmmm:

"See the fing is Shawnnn..."


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, February 22, 2021, 09:40:32
The three lions is a notorious hard city pub full of nutters and used to run coaches to England away games

I presume that 'No Holden us back now' poster is no longer there?


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Tails on Monday, February 22, 2021, 10:42:32
Scallywag football supporters to one side, I have always thought that Bristol is a great place to live/work in and may well move back at some point. 

100%. Great city. Always love a good day drinking outing in Bristol.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: 4D on Monday, February 22, 2021, 14:31:29
My nephew lives near Ashton Gate. My mate was driving past Broadmead about 20 years ago one early evening waiting at traffic lights, when an almighty scrap bundled out of some place, tables and chairs flying and heading his way. He drove off pretty sharpish. My great aunt and uncle lived in St Werburghs for decades, as a kid when we visited them in the 70s I was surprised to see some local kids in the street outside the chippy with no shoes on  :eek:
I saw a bloke wearing a town shirt in Warmley a few years back, we weren't playing in Brizzle that weekend either.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: BoA Vagabond on Monday, February 22, 2021, 14:54:34
There was a time that going to Bristol meant trouble whether you were going to the football or not. Numerous times I had altercations and/or bottles thrown at me. Never once started anything. Incidents just happened. Over the last twenty years it has become quite pleasant. I get bothered by beggars but that happens everywhere. Even sat in with City the last time we played there and apart from some Paddington Bear hard stares, got no bother at all. No trouble getting back to Temple Meads either. Probably helped that we got stuffed!


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Costanza on Monday, February 22, 2021, 15:01:21
I presume that 'No Holden us back now' poster is no longer there?

They do one for every manager. The only one I've seen that wasn't really positive was for Steve Cotterill which was along the lines of 'win us over'. I think he succeeded.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Monday, February 22, 2021, 15:12:09
There was a time that going to Bristol meant trouble whether you were going to the football or not. Numerous times I had altercations and/or bottles thrown at me. Never once started anything. Incidents just happened. Over the last twenty years it has become quite pleasant. I get bothered by beggars but that happens everywhere. Even sat in with City the last time we played there and apart from some Paddington Bear hard stares, got no bother at all. No trouble getting back to Temple Meads either. Probably helped that we got stuffed!
The beer kellar was great fun back in the day.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: swindonmaniac on Monday, February 22, 2021, 15:20:02
The beer kellar was great fun back in the day.
Especially with those bloody great big beer steins,  no lederhosen for me though.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: 4D on Monday, February 22, 2021, 15:54:53
There was a time that going to Bristol meant trouble whether you were going to the football or not. Numerous times I had altercations and/or bottles thrown at me. Never once started anything. Incidents just happened. Over the last twenty years it has become quite pleasant. I get bothered by beggars but that happens everywhere. Even sat in with City the last time we played there and apart from some Paddington Bear hard stares, got no bother at all. No trouble getting back to Temple Meads either. Probably helped that we got stuffed!

The 4-0 battering we gave em in 91 was "interesting". Mind you we didn't get out until 5.45pm :D


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Monday, February 22, 2021, 17:10:53
The 4-0 battering we gave em in 91 was "interesting". Mind you we didn't get out until 5.45pm :D

When we stopped them getting in the play offs in 87 that was really interesting😀


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: chalkies shorts on Monday, February 22, 2021, 18:56:23
Nice to see the three lions in bedminster paying homage to swindons finest. They gave s banner saying making plans for Nigel, we're in XTC. Just on BBC news.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Monday, February 22, 2021, 19:31:24
Nice to see the three lions in bedminster paying homage to swindons finest. They gave s banner saying making plans for Nigel, we're in XTC. Just on BBC news.


I did see that 😀


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: 4D on Monday, February 22, 2021, 19:32:07
When we stopped them getting in the play offs in 87 that was really interesting😀

My mate went to that, he'd parked his car on the other side of Greville Smyth Park too  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 15:14:52
My mate went to that, he'd parked his car on the other side of Greville Smyth Park too  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

To say they were angry after the game would be an understatement and wouldn't have fancied going through Grenville Smyth park with a few thousand nutters on the warpath


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Banker on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 16:07:07
Good question. Did see an article recently about the merit of a one club Bristol United FC for glory approach, but seems there's no appetite for it. It also mentioned the side effect of the competing traditional rugby support base within the west country. With the Bears and Chiefs in ascendancy, this has made an impact on football gates in recent years, I know that. Not been aware of a similar rugby following in Swindon, other than seeing the occasional Bath (or Gloucester) cap/shirt ?

Geography obviously plays a part too certainly in the deepest parts of the west country. Rather than move and uproot his family Tisdale used to commute daily from Biddestone, and did so for 12 years, and a car load of Bristol-based players would do the same. Always been a problem down there, recruiting players/managers, being out on a limb. Again, I wouldn't think that would be such a problem for Town, is it ?


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 16:39:51
Can't imagine Swindon being a problematic location although it feels like a few times in the past few years we've lost out on players due to them being too northern. It's pretty easy to get to Swindon from most places in the south, it's in a nice part of the world (minus perhaps the Town itself) and it's cheap to live there.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 16:52:57
Good question. Did see an article recently about the merit of a one club Bristol United FC for glory approach, but seems there's no appetite for it. It also mentioned the side effect of the competing traditional rugby support base within the west country. With the Bears and Chiefs in ascendancy, this has made an impact on football gates in recent years, I know that. Not been aware of a similar rugby following in Swindon, other than seeing the occasional Bath (or Gloucester) cap/shirt ?

Geography obviously plays a part too certainly in the deepest parts of the west country. Rather than move and uproot his family Tisdale used to commute daily from Biddestone, and did so for 12 years, and a car load of Bristol-based players would do the same. Always been a problem down there, recruiting players/managers, being out on a limb. Again, I wouldn't think that would be such a problem for Town, is it ?

Since the mid 80's Swindon never seemed to struggle attracting quality managers and read an interesting article a while back that in general Bristol City could never get big names to join them because it's too far away from London, Surrey and the Home Counties as it can be upto a two hour drive each way with Swindon only being an hour. I don't think the emergence of Bristol Bears rugby has affected the football crowds as the the last couple of seasons they've have overnight 13,000 season ticket holders and average crowds have been around the 20k and Plymouths attendances have also been pretty good considering Exeter chiefs is just down the road but as you say they are out on a limb so will always struggle to attract decent players and managers even though it's a lovely part of the country. As for Bath & Gloucester rugby taking support away from Swindon I doubt it very much as I know a few who follow either team but aren't really interested in football and in general it seems to be a completely different fanbase.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 16:54:07
To say they were angry after the game would be an understatement and wouldn't have fancied going through Grenville Smyth park with a few thousand nutters on the warpath

He mentioned it to a copper who advised him to do a big loop to his car, he did. He saw one shithead step out in front of a cantering police horse to lob a brick or something and got poleaxed by the horse.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 16:57:56
He mentioned it to a copper who advised him to do a big loop to his car, he did. He saw one shithead step out in front of a cantering police horse to lob a brick or something and got poleaxed by the horse.

Ashton Gate was always a nasty place to get in and out of no matter what transport you used and such a long walk back to temple meads but just as dangerous getting back to the coach park


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 17:59:21
Ashton Gate was always a nasty place to get in and out of no matter what transport you used and such a long walk back to temple meads but just as dangerous getting back to the coach park
I remember very well the football train specials of the 70s and 80s that went into Parson Street or Bedminster station with the old bill marching the 500+ Town fans down the side of the River Avon taking us the long way round to the ground with Shitty fans lobbing bricks and all kinds of stuff at us along the route.


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 18:10:24
I remember very well the football train specials of the 70s and 80s that went into Parson Street or Bedminster station with the old bill marching the 500+ Town fans down the side of the River Avon taking us the long way round to the ground with Shitty fans lobbing bricks and all kinds of stuff at us along the route.

Never known a club have so many thugs looking for trouble


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, February 26, 2021, 15:32:27
What could possibly go wrong

https://nonleaguedaily.com/ex-swindon-chairman-mccrory-has-introduced-a-potential-investor-to-yeovil/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ex-swindon-chairman-mccrory-has-introduced-a-potential-investor-to-yeovil


Title: Re: West Country football
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, February 26, 2021, 17:34:03
What could possibly go wrong

https://nonleaguedaily.com/ex-swindon-chairman-mccrory-has-introduced-a-potential-investor-to-yeovil/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ex-swindon-chairman-mccrory-has-introduced-a-potential-investor-to-yeovil

He has been one of the unnamed backers all along since the new owner took over 2 years ago.

Interesting post by a Yeovil fan on onefootballforum.

"Interesting twist, Jed McCrory has denied he's buying us. He did this by searching out one of our fans on Facebook after they mentioned him on Twitter, sent him a couple of private messages claiming it's all bollocks."

Quote
Former Swindon Town owner Jed McCrory has denied that he is part of a group purchasing Yeovil Town FC. The current Stratford Town owner, who was until earlier this month part of the set-up at Worcester Warriors Rugby Union club, has taken to Facebook to reply to one Glovers fan about the media reports linking him with the Huish Park ownership.

McCrory contacted the Glovers fan following saying with some sarcasm:

"I have been informed you would like to talk to me ref my atrocious record. I would be delighted to talk about my record with you, so please let me no (know) when you are available."

In a later reply, McCrory says:

"I'm not buying you're (your) football club. I have my own money but thanks for being concerned about me."

Another reply in the conversation says:

"Social media is full of people that write opinions, not facts. No club has ever gone pop under my remit ... The problem is you read social media and have an opinion without asking the person in kind. Therefore an opinion you take that isn't fact you spread and people that no (know) you start to believe ... You need to ask (journalist) Chris Spittles ... And you would be lucky to have me at Yeovil ... All the best next season, I truly would like Yeovil to get promoted next season ... all the best to you pal."

Despite some appalling grammar, the account appears to be genuine. McCrory's Facebook name of "GM McCrory" represents his full legal name of Gerard Martin McCrory. His timeline includes a December 2016 post relating to an FA Cup Second Round match between Luton Town and Solihull Moors - at that time a club he was a Director at. The account is also friends with a BBC Points West presenter that would have been working for the BBC around the time that McCrory was Swindon Town's owner.

This afternoon, we have also heard from an entirely different source, that McCrory is denying being the selected bidder that the club stated had been given preferred status last Friday. His denial would therefore cast doubt on Tuesday night's reports that he was part of the chosen consortium, giving a potential plot twist in terms of who will be buying the shares currently registered to Norman Hayward and John Fry under the Huish Park Stadium Partnership Limited company that is used to represent the ownership of the Yeovil Town FC companies.

Quote
If he does turn out to be our new owner, this would be a great start to an improvement in club-fans relationships .... denies being owner, blocks any fans who suggest otherwise

And a year ago.

Don't forget there are still a lot of rumours going around that Jed Mctwatface is part of the party that own Yeovil. He has a lifetime supply of brown envelopes...

The local paper the Western Gutsache still denies he is involved......they are wrong :)