HomeMatch report (sort of) - Bath City 0 Staines Town 1
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- Caldi Blue
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Caldi Blue Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:46 am
Alright lads (and Kate), done a write up of the game I went to on Saturday, I need to post it somewhere and this is my only place.
With Newport County's match against Kidderminster Harriers at Rodney Parade called off due to a waterlogged pitch after an early morning inspection, it didn't take long to decide that the choice of venue for my Saturday football fix was to be Twerton Park (now known as Mayday Trust Park), for the Blue Square South encounter between relegation rivals Bath City and Staines Town, of South East London and Ali G fame.
It wasn't a particularly difficult decision to make. The week preceding the game, Bath fans conducted a twitter campaign to #packthepark and #savebathcity in attempt to boost attendances and subsequently revenue for the struggling club. They would've hoped to gain local support mainly from the two Bristol clubs, particularly the blue and white division, who shared the ground with Bath for a decade in the 80s and 90s during their own period of financial strife.
And work it did. An attendance of 1073 (the clubs highest of the season) turned up to see Staines grab a winner in the penultimate minute of normal time, with a well struck right footed strike from debutant striker Tyrone Marsh, on loan from Oxford United, enough to ensure the London side took all three points. It was a goal that could play a vital part in Staines quest for survival come May and it also meant they leapfrogged their opponents, who have played a significantly less amount of games.
In truth the football was (expectedly) scrappy, with shots on target and free flowing moves few and far between, although admittedly the players weren't aided by a bobbling pitch, affected no doubt by the recent array of weather conditions it has had to endure.
But the day, for me, and I suspect a large chunk of the attendees wasn't necessarily about the standard of play, but the experience of non league football and the feeling of nostalgia, particularly for the Rovers fans in attendance. 'That's where I had my photo taken when I was (Rovers) mascot' said my pal 'I bet the toilets haven't changed'. And they hadn't, although where else, other than at a non league ground can you watch the game through a window whilst having a slash?
It's the small things like watching a game through a window whilst having a slash that ultimately contributes to the experience of the day. But without the support of the Bath faithful, the ones who turn up week in, week out to support their team, it would be a much lesser experience. Swapping terrace sides at half time in hope to witness their team score at closer range, the singing section of the fans were vocal throughout. 'Ali G's a wanker' was sung, which caused ripples of unashamed giggling and '(black and white) barmy army' rung out for the last 20 minutes with the late winner from the away team not even enough to dampen the chanting or spirit.
When the final whistle sounded (and the barmy army continued) Bath City FC's fate for the 2012/13 season was as unclear as it was at 3pm, but more importantly, so is the future of the club. You would suspect and indeed hope that the future of the club is secured in due time, because it is clubs like the Bath, now in it's 114th year, that make the structure of the English football league as special and unique as it is and the fact they are in such trouble is a stark reminder of the fragility of nearly every club at all levels of this brilliant game.
Got a spare Saturday afternoon? Go and watch a team that really needs your support and regardless of the football itself, it will be worth it.
With Newport County's match against Kidderminster Harriers at Rodney Parade called off due to a waterlogged pitch after an early morning inspection, it didn't take long to decide that the choice of venue for my Saturday football fix was to be Twerton Park (now known as Mayday Trust Park), for the Blue Square South encounter between relegation rivals Bath City and Staines Town, of South East London and Ali G fame.
It wasn't a particularly difficult decision to make. The week preceding the game, Bath fans conducted a twitter campaign to #packthepark and #savebathcity in attempt to boost attendances and subsequently revenue for the struggling club. They would've hoped to gain local support mainly from the two Bristol clubs, particularly the blue and white division, who shared the ground with Bath for a decade in the 80s and 90s during their own period of financial strife.
And work it did. An attendance of 1073 (the clubs highest of the season) turned up to see Staines grab a winner in the penultimate minute of normal time, with a well struck right footed strike from debutant striker Tyrone Marsh, on loan from Oxford United, enough to ensure the London side took all three points. It was a goal that could play a vital part in Staines quest for survival come May and it also meant they leapfrogged their opponents, who have played a significantly less amount of games.
In truth the football was (expectedly) scrappy, with shots on target and free flowing moves few and far between, although admittedly the players weren't aided by a bobbling pitch, affected no doubt by the recent array of weather conditions it has had to endure.
But the day, for me, and I suspect a large chunk of the attendees wasn't necessarily about the standard of play, but the experience of non league football and the feeling of nostalgia, particularly for the Rovers fans in attendance. 'That's where I had my photo taken when I was (Rovers) mascot' said my pal 'I bet the toilets haven't changed'. And they hadn't, although where else, other than at a non league ground can you watch the game through a window whilst having a slash?
It's the small things like watching a game through a window whilst having a slash that ultimately contributes to the experience of the day. But without the support of the Bath faithful, the ones who turn up week in, week out to support their team, it would be a much lesser experience. Swapping terrace sides at half time in hope to witness their team score at closer range, the singing section of the fans were vocal throughout. 'Ali G's a wanker' was sung, which caused ripples of unashamed giggling and '(black and white) barmy army' rung out for the last 20 minutes with the late winner from the away team not even enough to dampen the chanting or spirit.
When the final whistle sounded (and the barmy army continued) Bath City FC's fate for the 2012/13 season was as unclear as it was at 3pm, but more importantly, so is the future of the club. You would suspect and indeed hope that the future of the club is secured in due time, because it is clubs like the Bath, now in it's 114th year, that make the structure of the English football league as special and unique as it is and the fact they are in such trouble is a stark reminder of the fragility of nearly every club at all levels of this brilliant game.
Got a spare Saturday afternoon? Go and watch a team that really needs your support and regardless of the football itself, it will be worth it.
Last edited by Caldi Blue on Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:04 am; edited 1 time in total
- G-ster
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G-ster Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:54 am
There's an idea for a new thread here - "things you've done whilst having a slash".
How much was admission (to the game, not the toilets btw)?
How much was admission (to the game, not the toilets btw)?
- Caldi BlueCaptain of Country
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Caldi Blue Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:56 am
£12. It's something I want to do more to be honest when City aren't playing home and I don't fancy going away. Josh Low played too, went off injured after half hour.
- *** G L O V E S ***
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*** G L O V E S *** Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:13 am
Caldi Blue wrote:£12. It's something I want to do more to be honest when City aren't playing home and I don't fancy going away. Josh Low played too, went off injured after half hour.
Same here. I went to watch Hereford vs Plymouth last season - felt strange watching a match where I didn't really care who won. Was just there for the enjoyment.
- Valley Trash
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Valley Trash Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:32 am
Caldi Blue wrote:although where else, other than at a non league ground can you watch the game through a window whilst having a slash?
I've achieved that at the CCS... though I was forcibly ejected from the Sytner lounge for pissing up the inside of the floor to ceiling windows whilst watching the game...
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