I shall be handing over monies collected thus far to the club tomorrow.Talking to Adie , Geoff Todd and Ken Loach today put things clearly into focus: what we need, in addition to the monies raised thus far, is a commitment by 30 people to pop in £10 a week for the season.This addition to the budget would enable us to sign a quality striker...names in the hat are Lewis Haldane and Rigg from Rovers and Matthews or Tubbs from Salisbury to give an idea of what could be done with your money.
If you can't manage a tenner a week, any regular or one off sum is appreciated, but the basic required is 30 X £10 per week for the season to be pledged by friday....you could even club together with mates to make up the tenner.

Roll of honour

pledges

1.Adie Britton
2.Geoff Todd
3.Ken Loach
4.Gibbons
5.Pete Mcc
6.Lord Bear
7.Cliff Dover
8.CANNONBALL
9.Judge Mental
10.You?

donations

1.Steve Skinner
2.Lord Diablo.
3.Andrew Matthews
4.Dave Peglar
5.Wanderer
6.Gerry D
7.City Awayday
8.Yeovile are vile
9.Anon
10.Rod Donaldson

We're over £3000 now..please see me at a game or pm me if you want to help to ensure that we don't miss out if the right man becomes available.
...YOU or YOU and your MATES can make all the difference this season.

I can manage £25 per month. Am happy to make out a standing order from my bank account. Just say the word

Thanks Cliffdover...that is a fantastic gesture...will get the clubs bank details from Paul Williams for you

Just had a chat with Adie.....basically, any money raised here increases his options for finding a quality striker, as he still has some money left in the budget but perhaps not quite enough to get his man.He mentioned Tubbs, Matthews, Haldane and Rigg as real possibilities and a few names of quality players he had tried to sign over the summer.He is setting the bar quite high in looking for the sort of striker who could spearhead a promotion bid and set off a very promising compact squad.
Adie would welcome constructive debate here on who the fans would like to see coming ...what are people's views on the players mentioned above and does anyone have other good suggestions?

From the times I've watched Bristol Rovers play (two or three times a season) Rigg has always looked pretty lively. Perhaps not up to League One standard but certainly fine for our level. Not sure how prolific he's been for them, think he and Haldane have been used on the wing more. Both have also been kept out by the likes of Lambert, Duffy and Kuffour in attack, no real disgrace there.

Haldane looked good the other night but going by his goal record last year I'm not as keen. Hasn't really excelled at Rovers after a promising start.

Haven't seen Tubbs and Matthews enough times to make a proper judgement. Think Tubbs was sent off four times in one season a couple of years ago? Hope his discipline has been sorted. Matthews was usually a sub for Salisbury behind Tubbs and Sales, but since the latter started I assume he's been more regular. Think he's more a target man.

I guess it'll all come down to money. Salisbury are in a right mess but other clubs at their level might make offers for Tubbs and Matthews. Rigg and Haldane might not want to drop three divisions. Guess they might consider a season loan though. I think Haldane will be released by Rovers, he's been there about 10 years.

already made my views known on the rovers pair - on a different level to what we have at present and presumably their wage demands would be as well. until we are in a position to go out paying above the odds for such players, loan deals look to be the only option. i'm totally against the quick fix option, very good though dcb was, but a season long arrangement might be a better alternative. re other players, i've absolutely no idea as i only watch us and i'll believe adie when he says there's no one in the area! going outside it is never ideal - do players 50+ miles from bath get to training regularly and do we want a repeat of the douglas fiasco at thurrock?

speaking of hitmen to win us promotion is stirring stuff - good luck with the appeal (like many others, what money i can afford goes elsewhere on things like season tickets, city sweep and supporting events). however, it may be in the coming months that we need to focus on preserving our place at this level and holding out for that star striker could see us make another stuttering start, as we did last year.

hopefully the academy and closer links with local schools will be the answer in the long run - i was encouraged by the invitation to youngsters to attend pre-season training and that they were given a chance in friendlies. less encouraged by the news that the most promising appears to be going to help paulton's campaign - surely he would have offered much needed competition to the 2 in possession. and if chipp aren't using highmore, can we still have a look?

one other thought - is it wise to publicise to the world who our targets are?

I agree with powell although the players spoken about and others who are "available" are obviously going to be targets for us so the secrecy is only required when direct contact has been initialised.

Adie is correct to not break the budget, the financial position is not going to improve in the short term as the general economic climate in the UK is continuing to be depressed, albeit at a slower rate than the previous 12 months, but unemployment is still due to rise considerably so it is a game of poker to the extent that many part time players will find their options lessening.

As supporters we may have to be extremely patient as winning may be difficult due to lack of striking power / goal scoring, however I believe we have a squad of players who can comfortably achieve a top half finish; the resolve of the players to grind out results will be the key.

Maybe there are other targets that are being kept under wraps ...Adie suggested mentioning these guys to provoke discussion and to give an idea of the standard he was seeking.

that's fair enough, but why give possible rivals to their signatures any inkling of our interest? there have been enough players over the years who we have been close to signing and then have made last minute changes of direction to the likes of newport and wsm...

Anyone who takes the trouble to come on here from other clubs management seeking hints and info would probably be well enough informed as to what fish lurk in local ponds already.....certainly your posts points up the urgency of raising more money quickly to get one of our targets signed up asap.I appreciate that most reading this do already, as Martin does, put lots into the club, but perhaps we could squeeze out that little drop more that could make a huge difference to the quality of the striker we could sign; joining together with a group of friends to chip in a quid or two a week to make up a ten pound pledge would be enormously helpful.

Asking the fans who to sign? Is this incase the new boys a flop he can blame us?

Exeter

Ben Watson
last season 4 starts 8 subs
previos clubs Bognor Grays


Cheltenham

Theo Lewis 18 school by at chelsea and reading
Jake Lee 18 ?

Plymouth

Ashley Barnes 21

On loan to a number of clubs example Eastbourne
was at Paulton before a move there

Swansea

Casey Thomas just given a deal was at Polt Talbot played wales under 17 19 and called up for the under 21

Just quickly looking around some websites maybe players that Adie could look into???

Ashley Barnes was starting more regularly for Plymouth in the second half of last season. In fact he was linked with moves to Fulham and Everton. I'm sure he'll be a starter for Plymouth next season as well.

Despite all these highlights I'm sure he'll still say the best moment in his career was scoring five in 30 minutes against my Sunday side three and a half years ago...

Good constructive work your majesty....Adie works hard and makes a point of following up recommendations like these...keep 'em coming