Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2006 Q1
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| Friday 31st March 2006 |
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Jeff Eckhardt
New signing |
On transfer deadline day Tim Harris has added at least two players to his squad and released two. Coming in are Stuart Jones, an experienced goalkeeper who has signed strictly as cover for Matt Bath. Jones has played in the Football League but will be more familiar to City fans as the mouthy Weston goalkeeper who feigned injury to get Jimmy Cox booked in the top of the table clash in March 2003. Joining him is veteran defender Jeff Eckhardt who has spent the past two seasons with Merthyr Tydfil after representing a host of League sides in his younger years, most notably with Fulham in the early 1990's. Harris also hopes to add two more players tonight although it is expected that they won't be signed in time to face Bedford Town tomorrow at Meadow Park (k/o 3pm).
To make room for them Paul Stonehouse has completed his seven week loan spell and returns to Forest Green Rovers whilst defender Lyndon Tompkins has joined Hellenic League promotion hopefuls Bishops Cleeve.
The Ladies team blew their chance to move back into contention in the Championship race after they slumped to a 1-3 home defeat against Team Bath on Wednesday night. Kelly Aldridge got the consolation goal for the yellows but the defeat was made worse with the news that Yeovil had been beaten by Frome. |
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| Saturday 25th March 2006 |
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Dave Wilkinson
Wondergoal! |
City continued their amazing run of victories and clean sheets at Aylesbury today with a one goal win away at Buckingham Road.
Backed by a fantastic vocal following Tim Harris' men struggled for the best part against the relegation haunted Ducks and after seeing the home team create a number of half chances stole the points with a superb dipping half volley from Dave Wilkinson with ten minutes remaining. There were rumours after the game that Aylesbury boss Neil Trebble had walked out on his team amid further budget cuts as they now seem doomed to the drop whilst City move up to 15th place and can confidently look forward to Premier Divison football next season.
Photos from Aylesbury can be found and a summary is .
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| Sunday 19th March 2006 |
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Michael Whittington
Unlucky Seventh |
City extended their unbeaten run to seven games tonight as they beat Yate Town 2-0 to record their third successive victory for the first time in just under two years. Striker Michael Whittington was the difference between the two sides as he netted twice in the first half before being clattered by Yate keeper Tony Court as he scored his second and being subbed during the interval.
To be fair to the Bristol team they were arguably the better side over the course of the match and with their mixture of pace, power and aggression it's not hard to see why they've climbed the league table in recent months. Former City striker Jimmy Cox drew a blank in front of goal whilst Lee Jeffries hardly put a foot wrong and David Elsey was booed every time he got near the ball after he got Dave Wilkinson sent off earlier in the season.
The win has opened up a four point gap between the Tigers and Northwood who currently occupy the fourth relegation place. It will also give Tim Harris' men a boost ahead of Saturday's crunch match at Aylesbury where victory will almost certainly ease any fears of relegation.
For the Yate photos click and for a report click .
Defender Richard Mansell has had his contract cancelled and has joined Hellenic League side Bishops Cleeve for the remainder of the season. However, he has been retained on a dual registration and is still available to play for City. |
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| Sunday 19th March 2006 |
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Grace McCatty
Injury time winner |
City scraped through against local rivals Cheltenham Town at Seasons this afternoon thanks to an injury time winner from Grace McCatty. After an unispiring first half substitute Lorraine Johnson raced through to put the Tigresses in front and gleefully shouted "That's how to score girls" as part of her elaborate celebration. However the Robins grabbed an undeserved equaliser when City keeper Jo Thompson dropped a cross in front of their striker but McCatty won the derby for City at the death!
For photos from Cheltenham, click .
In the Southern League the Tigers were without a game so City fans' attention was diverted to the teams around them. Evesham beat Hitchin 2-0 and both Chesham and Cheshunt picked up a point apiece against Merthyr Tydfil and Chippenham respectively. Northwood and Aylesbury both lost and the Ducks will be looking certainties for the drop if we win at Buckingham Road on Saturday.
City are in action on Tuesday night at home to Yate Town (k/o 7.45pm). Three points are a must against the Lodge Road outfit who have struggled on the road this season. Get down to Meadow Park and get behind those Tigers! |
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| Saturday 11th March 2006 |
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Luke Corbett
Headed the third |
As the battle at the bottom of the league hots up City showed true grit and determination as they beat Team Bath 3-0 at Meadow Park this afternoon even though their opponents pretty much dominated play throughout the game!
Tim Harris kept faith with the same starting eleven that had beaten Northwood a week earlier even though Luke Corbett was now fit, although City's leading scorer did come on for most of the second half and capped his display with the third goal. The first two came in six first half minutes as Tom Webb put the finishing touch to a delightful through ball from Jody Bevan and then former Team Bath player Chris Holland was tripped in the area for Bevan to step up and convert the penalty. Ged Roddy will look back and wonder how his team were so easily beaten as his charges controlled the game from start to finish yet failed to even test Matt Bath in the City goal. The closest they came to scoring was a back header from Chris Thompson which flew over the City keeper as he raced off his line in a rare misunderstanding by the Tigers defence.
For the Team Bath photos click and for a report click . |
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| Saturday 4th March 2006 |
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Michael Whittington
Five in four games |
City came out on top in yesterdays vital six-pointer against Northwood at Chestnut Avenue thanks to Michael Whittington's fifth goal in his last four games. The young striker tidied up with a shot that went in off the post after Jody Bevan had fluffed his effort from Tom Webb's cross at the start of the second half.
It was actually a game of very few chances with both sides having just the two clear ones each. The Cockney's were guilty of a terrible miss with the City back line easily pierced and as the ball fell nicely for Darren Grieves, the Savalas headed striker skied the ball over the crossbar and buried it in the graveyard behind the goal. They might've pinched an undeserved leveller late in the second half too but a free header from Luke Garrard was aimed straight at Matt Bath. Whittington had the only other chance for the Tigers but after a free run on goal a bad bounce made it easy for the defenders.
The victory lifts Tim Harris' team up to eighteenth place and gives them the base to mount a real survival effort in the weeks to come.
For a few photos click and for a few words click . |
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| Sunday 29th January 2006 |
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Laura Meheran
Hit the bar |
It had to happen eventually but today's defeat for the ladies against Yeovil Town couldn't have come against worse opposition. The Somerset side had been making ground on the Tigresses for a while and their 3-2 victory at Meadow Park saw them leapfrog City to the top of the league.
It had started well enough for Ian Powell's side as Laura Stephens cracked in an opener from the edge of the penalty area but Ellie Wolfe ran onto a perfectly weighted through ball to grab the equaliser. Worse was to follow when City's young keeper made a mistake and was punished in the harshest possible way as she fumbled Vicky Barter's cross into her own net.
In the second half City had the wind at their backs but were unable to break down the stubborn defence of the well organised visitors and the inevitable happened when Jess Gilbert virtually settled the tie as she tapped in from close range after a cross had hit the bar. City didn't give up though and Grace McCatty pulled one back to set up a frenetic injury time period that saw a thirty yard lob by Laura Meheran smack against the bar and fall into the keepers hands. If it had've gone in it would've been hard on Yeovil.
For a few photos from the game click . |
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| Saturday 21st January 2006 |
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Jody Bevan
Impressed in defeat |
City's 0% record stretched to six games at Meadow Park this afternoon as they fell to a 0-2 defeat against Bath City. Both goals came in eight first half minutes as Alex Sykes, who has recently completed a month on loan with the Tigers rifled home with an angled drive. Scott Partidge grabbed the second with a half volley after Tim Harris' team which included five new faces failed to clear under pressure from Phil Walsh. Striker Jody Bevan was the pick of the bunch as the much changed team tried to force a way back into the game in the second half but the Romans held on to claim all three points.
For a few photos click and for a summary click .
More comings and goings at Meadow Park have seen the addition of Jorge Ferro, a 33 year old experienced Portuguese defender from Bridgwater. Heading out of Meadow Park are Lee Davis and Marvin Thompson who have both been released. |
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| Friday 20th January 2006 |
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Mark Preece
Replaces Griff |
Tim Harris has been a busy man in his first full week as Gloucester City manager. After losing Neil Griffiths to Cinderford and approaching a weekend with a mixture of injured and suspended players he has brought in four new faces.
Eighteen year old defender Mark Preece comes in on loan from Bristol Rovers whilst Harris has looked towards the scum and picked up youth striker Micheal Whittington as well as Cinderford Town forward Jody Bevan. The new boss has also added Jon Miller from Street where he scored twice as they knocked us out of the FA Cup last season.
They will have a baptism of fire as they face in form Bath City at Meadow Park tomorrow (k/o 3pm) and it will be a good test for the teenage defender against experienced striker Scott Partridge. |
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| Wednesday 18th January 2006 |
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Neil Griffiths
Now kills bears |
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure to find Neil Griffiths because the Tigers skipper has jumped ship and joined ex-teammates Mike Cook, Andy Hoskins, Chris Burns and Keith Knight at Cinderford Town.
Griffiths was the clubs longest serving player having made his debut in October 1999 but enjoyed his fair share of highs as well as the lows that he suffered whilst at Meadow Park. Many of the fans at City are struggling to understand why a player of his calibre is happy to tread water in a league which is below his standard on a pitch so bad that games are called off more often than not.
The disappointing news leaves defensively frail City short on numbers at the back as they approach Saturday's home game with Bath City with an unwanted run of five defeats on the bounce. Last nights results saw long time bottom team Northwood leapfrog Tim Harris' men after they surprisingly saw off the challenge of Chippenham Town so it's more important than ever to put a halt to this alarming sequence of results. |
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| Sunday 15th January 2006 |
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Lorraine Johnson
Four goals |
The Ladies went goal crazy in this afternoon's County Cup match in Shurdington as they beat Warden Hill 16-1. Manager Ian Powell rested one or two players and gave some of the reserves a run out against weaker than normal opposition so he will be delighted with the response after the long Christmas break.
City scored six times in the first half and opened the scoring through Laura Stephens but were pegged back by a superb free kick around the wall by a Warden Hill player. Further strikes from Lorraine Johnson (2), Helen Wood, Laura Green and Kelly Aldridge gave the Tigresses an unassailable lead into the break.
The second half saw City hit three goals in as many minutes through Johnson, Wood and a first of five for Grace McCatty. The shots continued to rain in as the home team lost interest and City racked up a total of ten strikes in the second half to give the game a rugby score. By the time Donna Turner had headed home the sixteenth with five minutes to go the referee blew the final whistle to spare the Cheltenham side any further embarrasment.
Photos from game are .
Tim Harris has made his first signing for City from within by securing the services of Matt Bath on a twelve month extension to his current contract. The popular goalkeeper has recently been subject to offers from Mike Cook at Cinderford Town but has chosen to stay with the club that gave him his big break in 2001. |
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| Saturday 14th January 2006 |
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Adie Harris
Put City in front |
New boss Tim Harris wouldn't have taken too many positives from his new charges at Grantham today as they slumped to their fifth successive defeat. Adie Harris had given the Tigers a surprise first half lead with a shot inside the keepers near post but a free header by Grant Brown and a second half deflected finish for Micheal Sneddon give the Lincolnshire side all three points.
Photos from The Meres are and for a summary click .
The County Cup game at home to Bristol Rovers has been re-arranged for Tuesday February 28th with a 7.45pm kick off. |
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| Tuesday 10th January 2006 |
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Tim Harris
New City boss |
In a surprise move it has been announced that Tim Harris has stepped down as manager of Merthyr Tydfil to take over as boss at City. Churchdown based Harris had only been in charge at Penydarren Park since the start of this season but has always wanted to be the boss at Meadow Park after enjoying spells as Assistant on two occasions previously. It is also believed that he will be involved in the club at boardroom level too and with his wealth of local business contacts this may well herald the start of a new dawn for Gloucester City AFC.
See the official press release
Welcome aboard Tim, good luck!!!
Tonight's scheduled County Cup game against Bristol Rovers Reserves was called off due to an unfit pitch. A new date will be confirmed in due course. |
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| Saturday 7th January 2006 |
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Richard Mansell
First ever goal |
In a rollercoaster ride of a game at Meadow Park this after the Tigers came back from 1-3 down to lead 4-3 having scored three times in six second half minutes. Annoyingly dreadful defending saw a good Tiverton side net twice in the last five minutes to snatch the points.
It started badly for Neil Mustoe's men as Tivvy's highly rated striker Jamie Mudge put the Devonians two up and there was only one team in it for long periods. Following a low centre across the face of goal Dave Wilkinson and Chris Holloway tangled after the ball had gone but referee Les Sinclair spotted an infringement by the Welshmen as Wilko tried to get back up. Luke Corbett cooly slotted home from the spot but within a few minutes the two goal deficit had been re-established as Chris Bale rose unopposed to head home.
Tiverton would've hoped for a final whistle at half time and the game was seemingly won until the 73rd minute when Richard Mansell picked up the pieces to grab his first goal for the club after his intital shot had been parried by Mark Ovendale. Straight from the kick off Wilko won possession and glided through the opponents defence before nonchelantley flicking in a shot from twenty yards that had Ovendale standing and watching. Amazingly five minutes later the ball was in the net again thanks to an inexplicable own goal from Steve Winter although it seems to have been awarded to Daryl Addis.
But. The afternoon was totally spoiled by City's piss poor defending in the last few minutes as Tiverton stole all three points with an own goal (although not sure how) from Matt Bath and a tap into an empty net by Bale.
For photos from the game click and for a summary click . |
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| Friday 6th January 2006 |
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Neil Mustoe
In Charge |
The Executive Committee at Meadow Park has announced that Neil Mustoe will take over from Chris Burns as manager of Gloucester City AFC. The fans choice will be ably assisted by veteran winger Adie Harris on a game by game basis although it is expected that both will remain in place until the end of the season.
The appointment is a popular one with the playing squad and so far only Alex Sykes has departed, but he'd come to the end of his month on loan from Bath City so that was expected. 29 year old Mustoe is still a week or so away from his return to action so tomorrow's home game against Tiverton Town (k/o 3pm) will be his first experience of his new job as possibly City's youngest ever boss. |
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| Monday 2nd January 2006 |
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Dave Wilkinson
Overhead kick goal |
City put up a vastly improved performance against $alisbury City at Meadow Park this afternoon but they still slipped to defeat to endure three losses out of three over the Christmas period.
Both Burnsy and Knighter were given a guard of honour as they took to the less than perfect Meadow Park pitch for the last time and the gaffer could've had a nightmare start as he was cautioned in the first minute for elbowing Salisbury's Paul Sales. Despite a string of fine saves from Matt Bath the team with the £8500 per week playing budget took the lead when the City keeper couldn't hold a controversially awarded free kick and Craig Davis fired home the rebound.
The big spenders from South Wiltshire weren't ahead for long though as Dave Wilkinson made amends for his red card on Saturday with an audacious chip over the keeper with his back to goal from Alex Sykes' cross.
In the second half the Chelsea of the Southern League scored what proved to be the winner when Wayne Turk brought the ball down in the area amid calls for offside and shot into the far corner. It should've been a deserved draw but for the bulk of Whites keeper Kevin Sawyer blocking firm drives from Mansell and Wilko.
For photos from the Salisbury game click and for a summary click .
Early indications appear to suggest that Neil Mustoe and Adie Harris will take charge of first team affairs until the end of the season. Muzzie is City through and through whilst if Adie can get the team as fit as he is then we'll beat anyone! |
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| Sunday 1st January 2006 |
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Chris Burns
Calls it a day
Chris Burns
Always gave 100%
Chris Burns
City Legend |
City boss Chris Burns has resigned from his position at the helm at Meadow Park. He and his assistant Keith Knight told the players after Saturday's woeful performance at Yate as City slumped 1-3 to the Bluebells.
Chris took over from Tommy Callinan in the summer of 2001 and found himself with just a handful of players from the previous season. With only a tiny budget to spend he called upon his former youth team charges and friends from Brockworth as he built a team that started as relegation favourites but surprised many with a comfortable mid-table finish.
The Gaffer continued to bring the best out of his younger players with Neil Griffiths, Lee Smith and Tom Webb improving whilst he scoured local football for more talent and netted a top quality goalkeeper in Matt Bath from Whitminster.
His most memorable achievement during his reign was the tremendous FA Trophy run in 2002/03 which included victories at Conference sides Woking and Southport which will be forever remembered by the City faithful.
With the re-organisation of the non-league pyramid it was vital that City finished in the top eight during the 2003/04 campaign and Burnsy did it in style as he lead his team to the runners-up spot. City could've even snatched the title from season long leaders Redditch on the last day had results gone the right way but in the end the size of his small squad just fell at the final hurdle.
Other than the Trophy run, cup competitions have always been a thorn in Chris' side with just one run of note to the fourth qualifying round in 2003/04. His five attempts have seen his team dumped by both Street and Christchurch in successive seasons, both two divisions below the Tigers. Although less financially rewarding the Trophy has also been a stumbling block in the past two seasons with first round exits to Kings Lynn and Cirencester Town bitterly disappointing fans at Meadow Park.
Life back in the Southern League Premier wasn't easy and although the club had been promoted in name they were essentially playing at the same level as the previous season. The people of Gloucester weren't convinced and insufficient crowds lead to continual tightening of the belt as his budget was cut.
City survived but it wasn't a pretty campaign as it became clear that money talked in this league and Burns' men just couldn't live with some of the well backed teams at this level.
This year has been much of the same and at the time of writing City are out of three cups at the first attempt and perilously close to the relegation places. A week ago Chris and Keith offered to step down following another cut in their playing budget but they chose to stay and decided to offload a couple of the clubs higher earners instead.
But following Saturdays defeat they changed their mind and the home game against Salisbury City will be their last. Thanks to Chris and thanks to Keith for all that you've done, good luck for the future.
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