Cook makes Twerton Park return as 2011-12 squad begins to take shape (31/5/11)
City’s busy summer continued as they secured the services of Crawley Town forward Jamie Cook on a one-year deal. It will be the 31-year old’s second spell at Twerton Park having spent the final months of the 2003-04 season on loan from Stevenage Borough. Prior to this he had been part of Steve Evans’ Boston United side that won promotion to the Football League in 2000 and he re-joined the controversial manager at Crawley in July 2007. He returned to his first club, Oxford United, for the 2009-10 season due to the Red Devils financial problems but was back a year later, though somewhat ironically then struggled to get a regular start due to their unprecedented spending spree on the ultimately successful ‘Project Promotion’.
Defensive options boosted with the arrival of Stonehouse (28/5/11)
Paul Stonehouse has become City’s third summer signing after switching from Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Mansfield Town. The 23-year old, who can play at left-back, centre-back and left midfield, previously played for Forest Green Rovers, where he made over 170 appearances and also became the youngest player to play one hundred Conference games. He has signed a one-year contract.
Midfielder Joe Burnell has also agreed a new one-year deal.
City snap up experienced midfielder Mills from troubled Diamonds (23/5/11)
Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Gary Mills has become City’s second new arrival of the 2011 close season. The London born 30-year old played over 150 games for the Northamptonshire club in three spells, playing a major part in their climb from the Football Conference to Division 2 ten years ago, and has also played for a number of other clubs at this level including Mansfield Town and Tamworth.
Gethin Jones has become the latest current player to sign a new deal for the 2011-12 season.
2011-12 Blue Square Bet Premier line-up confirmed following play-off final (22/5/11)
Following AFC Wimbledon’s penalty shoot-out win over Luton Town in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final yesterday City now know their opponents for the 2011-12 season. Stockport County and Lincoln City drop down from the Football League whilst Braintree Town, Ebbsfleet United, Alfreton Town and AFC Telford come up from the Blue Square Bet North and South. This will see City face Stockport and Alfreton for the first ever time whereas the meetings with Ebbsfleet (in their previous guise as Gravesend & Northfleet) and Telford (also in a former incarnation) will be the 64th/65th and 51st/52nd respectively. The full line-up is:
Of course, this could change in the annual AGM Cup with uncertainty over Rushden & Diamonds’ future which could yet save Southport.
Early odds from Blue Square have City at 66/1, ahead of AFC Telford (80/1), Gateshead (100/1), Ebbsfleet United (100/1), Barrow (125/1), Braintree Town (200/1), Tamworth (200/1) & Hayes & Yeading United (250/1). Luton Town are predicted to bounce back from their play-off defeat at 3/1 with Wrexham (13/2), Darlington (15/2), Mansfield Town (15/2), York City (9/1), Lincoln City (9/1), Newport County (10/1) & Fleetwood Town (11/1) their potential rivals.
Welsh international keeper Garner becomes first summer signing (20/5/11)
City have signed goalkeeper Glyn Garner from Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Newport County. The Pontypoll born 34-year old made over 250 league appearances for Bury, Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury Town before dropping into non-league, first with Grays Athletic then, last season, Newport. He also earned a single international cap for Wales as a second half substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in May 2006.
City announce slight increase in matchday admission prices (18/5/11)
It will cost slightly more to get through the Twerton Park turnstiles next season after the club confirmed the 2011-12 matchday admission prices. The new admission prices will be: Adult Terrace £14, Adult Grandstand £15, Adult Terrace + 1 Child(U16) – £16, Adult Terrace +2 Children(U16) – £18, Adult Grandstand + 1 Child(U16) – £18, Adult Grandstand + 2 Children(U16) – £21. All other ticket prices remain the same: Concession/Student Terrace – £9, Concession/Student Grandstand – £10, Unaccompanied Child(U16) Terrace – £4, Unaccompanied Child(U16) Grandstand – £5.
The saver deal on season tickets have been extended until 7 June. To download an application form click here.
Hogg amongst trio facing fitness test to earn new contract (18/5/11)
Midfielder Lewis Hogg will need to show he has overcome the pelvic problem that sidelined him for much of the 2010-11 season if he is to earn a deal for the new campaign. The injury restricted him to just ten starts and, along with Adie Harris and Luke Ruddick, who also missed large parts of the season, he will need to prove his fitness during pre-season to secure a non-contract offer. Gethin Jones, Jim Rollo, Joe Burnell, Scott Murray, and Danny Webb have all been offered new contracts and Hector Mackie has been invited to return for pre-season. Ryan Robinson, Giancarlo Borhy, and Leigh Henry have been released.
City have confirmed dates for their pre-season trips to Merthyr Town (Saturday 16 July) and Salisbury Town (Saturday 6 August). The home match against Cheltenham Town will now take place on Saturday 28 July. In addition, Bristol Rovers will be hosting a friendly at Twerton Park against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Thursday, 14 July while their pitch is being renovated.
Pirates head pre-season list as attention turns to 2011-12 season (11/5/11)
City have announced details of two pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2011-12 season. Bristol Rovers will visit Twerton Park on Friday 8 July before Cheltenham Town head to Bath three weeks later. They will also make trips to Weston Super Mare, Merthyr Town and Salisbury City on dates to be confirmed. City’s second season in the Blue Square Bet Premier is unofficially due to start on Saturday 13 August 2011 and run until Saturday 28 April 2012.
City secure Simpson services for 2011-12 season (10/5/11)
Sekani Simpson has become the lastest City player to sign a new contract for the 2011-12 season. The 27-year old former Bristol City player passed the 200 game mark during last season as he comfortably made the step up to Blue Square Bet Premier football. He joins Lee Phillips, Marc Canham, Adam Connolly, Marley Watkins and Danny Webb in committing themselves to the club for its second season in the non-league top flight.
Scotty shows he’s still super in Dave Palmer Memorial match (10/5/11)
Scott Partridge was the star of the show as a whole galaxy of former City players returned to Twerton Park on Sunday in memory of former captain and assistant manager Dave Palmer who passed away in March aged just 49. It was as if Scotty had never been away as he struck a hat-trick to fire the Other Team to a 5-2 win over a Dave Palmer XI. It was another goalscoring hero, Martin Paul, who opened the scoring on nine minutes with a long range effort that gave Dave Mogg no chance. Partridge made it 2-0 ten minutes later before two quick-fire strikes midway through the second half completed his treble. Jerry Gill pulled a goal back direct from the kick-off, firing over a strangely statuesque Steve Book in the Other Team’s goal. Gill then won a penalty which was converted by James Palmer, son of Dave, but there was no comeback for his side as Jason Eaton completed the scoring with three minutes left. With nearly 300 supporters watching the game raised over £1500 for the football club and the Jessie May Trust.
Departing Jombati named 2010-11 player of the season (7/5/11)
At last night’s end of season awards presentation Sido Jombati was named supporters’ player of the year. The Portuguese born defender, who looks set to leave the club during the summer and move to France, also was the manager’s player of the year. The Players’ player award went to striker Lee Phillips, who also picked up the Golden Boot for his 16 goals. Supporter of the year was Paul Hill and Andy Skinner won the young supporters award. One final award was given to Michael York as club volunteer of the year. The evening also saw speeches from Adie Britton and departing chairman Geoff Todd plus an auction of a number of the playering shirts which raised around £1000.
The kick-off of the Dave Palmer Memorial Match at Twerton Park tomorrow has been brought forward an hour to 2pm.
Archie wins bragging rights over Adie in battle of supporters (2/5/11)
City’s assistant boss Lee Howells won bragging rights over manager Adie Britton yesterday as his team won 3-1 in the supporters match at Twerton Park. Jone Gibbons gave his side, captained by Jim Rollo, a first half lead before Rich Yeo made it 2-0 after the break. A stunning long range effort from Jaz Grizzel pulled a goal back moments later but a second goal for Gibbons, a bullet header after losing his marker Sido Jombati, who was leading Britton’s team, restored the two-goal lead. The match was to raise funds for next season’s playing budget and thanks to all involved in organising it, in particular Dan Tanner.