PRESS RELEASE : WHITTINGTON RETURNS TO THE TIGERS IN PERMANENT DEAL
Gloucester City manager Tim Harris has further boosted his striking options by signing Michael Whittington, who was released by Cheltenham Town at the end of last season. Whittington is no stranger to Meadow Park, having enjoyed loan spells with the club whilst at Cheltenham that had yielded thirteen goals from just twenty games.
That strike-rate, and his obvious talent, have made "Whitts" a firm favourite with the Meadow Park faithful, and coupled with the signing of the prolific Jack Pitcher recently shows clear intent by Gloucester City to provide a ferocious attacking threat this coming season. Manager Tim Harris says; "We are well aware of what Michael is capable of, and what he can achieve with an extended run in a team. There has been a lot of interest in him, as there always is in goal scorers, but he has chosen to come here because he sees this as a club that can help him with his ambitions of a return to the full-time game. We are more than happy with that ambition. If he works hard and scores the goals then he can get noticed and achieve that aim - and both he and the club will be winners in that situation.
For his part Whittington is excited to be joining; "I had interest from a few clubs, and I have been around clubs at this level on loan but Gloucester is the one that stood out for me so it was an easy decision to make" says Whittington. "The club matches my ambition, Tim is a good manager who knows how to get the best from his team, and the fans are fantastic every match, really getting behind the team. I have had a disjointed year with loan spells at various clubs, but now things are settled I am looking to get a good run in the side, build the confidence that all strikers feed off, and start showing my best form. Of course I want to get back into the professional game, everybody dreams of that, but the best way for me to achieve it is by being successful with Gloucester City, and that is what I intend to do.
Manager Tim Harris is still actively pursuing other player options as he looks forward to the new season. "It is my duty as manager of this team to constantly look to improve it" says Harris. "I am talking to players and to clubs all the time, but at the same time we have to be realistic. Some have said that Gloucester City are throwing money around this summer, but that simply isn't true, as a club we are still developing our commercial side, and after the hard work of the last few years we wont jeopardise the future of the club spending money we don't have. I remain on a very tight budget, but the simple fact is that we have players recognising what we are building here, and wanting to be a part of that. They are joining for the right reasons, which is very pleasing. But we continue to need Gloucestershire's business community to embrace this club and help us generate the cash that will enable success on the pitch."
Jason Mills watches as Michael Whittington signs for City alongside new secretary Shaun Wetson
Friday 22nd June 2007
Matt Rose 2nd spell at City
PRESS RELEASE : CITY SIGN MATT ROSE FROM CONFERENCE CLUB WESTON
Weston Super Mare Captain Matt Rose has signed a contract to join Gloucester City.
Rose will start his second spell at the club, having been at Meadow Park for a season in 1999-2000. Rose has also played for City Manager Tim Harris before in a three-year spell at Newport County. That spell was ended in September 2003 by a move to Conference South Weston Super Mare.
Talking about his latest signing, Tim Harris said; “I have known Matt for a long time, and he was an immense asset for me at Newport. He can improve us in every respect – he is a terrific player, with a passion and drive to win, and he is a great presence to have in the dressing room and at training as well. He will improve what we have here at Gloucester in all of those respects, and will take us another step towards building the team that we need to challenge for honours.
For his part Matt was delighted to be joining City at this time; “I have been at the club before, but on that occasion it was not the best of the times for the club. But even then the fans were terrific, and I believe that has been maintained. Once I knew Tim wanted me, and he had explained what he was seeking to achieve down here, then I was keen to get on board. I am hungry for success, and hungry to win trophies, and I think we have a good springboard now. Tim and I both know how the other works, so I feel I can settle in quickly, and hope to play a big part in bringing success to the club. I know many of the players, and we have a great chance to push on this year and take the club towards the next level.
Tim Harris and Matt Rose are all smiles after the midfielder signed for City last night
Gloucester City Football Club have put together a challenging programme ahead of the 18 August start to their new British Gas Business League Premier Division Season.
The players will not be surprised to see that Manager Tim Harris is preparing a comprehensive schedule for them in preseason, starting with an all-day training session on 30 June. It is also hoped that the players will be spending a couple of days away with the British Army performing fitness and team-building exercises.
In addition to that the following matches have been arranged:
11 July Wed Ledbury Town A (7.45pm)
17 July Tue Salisbury City H (7.30pm)
19 July Thu Chelt Saracens A (7.30pm)
21 July Sat AFC Telford Utd H (3pm)
25 July Wed Frome Town A (7.30pm)
27 July Fri Bath City H (7.45pm)
3 August Fri Redditch Utd H (7.45pm)
7 August Tue Shortwood Utd A (7.45pm)
13 August Mon Quedgeley Wanderers A (6.45pm)
Tim Harris is pleased with the way the pre-season period is looking; “we have a good schedule of matches and in Salisbury, AFC Telford, Bath City, and Redditch we will have higher-level opposition to test ourselves against.
“I am grateful to Hartpury College and to the British Army for their support of the club, being able to access their superb facilities really helps us in our preperations. Fans can rest assured that no stone will be left unturned as we look to prepare the squad for a positive league and cup campaign.”
Sunday 27th May 2007
Jack Pitcher New Striker
PRESS RELEASE : CITY FANS PERSUADE JACK TO PITCH IN
Gloucester City manager Tim Harris has pulled off another major transfer coup by securing the signature of prolific Southern League striker Jack Pitcher, who joins on contract from Clevedon Town.
Pitcher has terrorised defences in the Southern league for several seasons - his three season spell at Clevedon netted him 73 goals in just 140 appearances, whilst he scored close on 30 goals in a season and a half at Mangotsfield before that.
Pitcher says that the atmosphere at Meadow Park played a big part in his decision; “we played Gloucester on the final day of the season, and frankly they were better than us. I had been disappointed with the way the season had gone at Clevedon, and being ambitious for success I decided that I should move on in the summer. I was really impressed with the atmosphere generated by the Gloucester fans, and the stadium is obviously one of the better ones at this level. Tim Harris sold the club to me - it’s a big club, and he told me of all the on and off field work that is going in to bring success to the club, and from that moment on I was sold on the idea of playing for Gloucester City. I am desperate for success, and feel that this club shares my ambition”
Tim Harris added “The capture of Jack Pitcher I believe will be a major boost to our attacking options as his record speaks for itself. Once again to obtain someone of Jacks ability and his desire to come to Meadow Park is testament to the hard work put in by everyone, especially the supporters at the club over the last 18 months.“
But Harris went on to sound a word of caution; “we have an mountain to climb if we are going to see Gloucester City maintaining and challenging for honours. I am convinced the good times are coming back to this very proud City football club, but we need more people, businesses and fans to come forward and make this club a force to be reckoned with. But we are up for the fight, and there is a positive feeling about the place.
Tim Harris watches as Jack Pitcher signs on the dotted line
Monday 21st May 2007
Kev Sawyer New Signing
PRESS RELEASE - "City sign Ciren Star"
Gloucester City are delighted to announce that they have completed the signing of Cirencester Town star Kevin Sawyer, who has signed a contract to play for The Tigers for the coming season.
Sawyer started in the academy system at Cirencester before moving on five years ago for a highly successful period with Salisbury, ending with a Southern League Premier Division Championship medal at the end of the 2005-6 season, a season which saw him as the only ever-present in Salisbury’s Premier Division matches, keeping 22 clean sheets in their title-winning campaign. He then went on to spend another year at Cirencester last season, picking up the sponsors and supporters player-of-the-year awards.
Tim Harris was delighted to capture Sawyer, saying Kevin is a keeper of stature at 6’ 3” and has a big presence. He has tasted success at this level, and is one of, if not the best keeper in the league”
“I see this as a major coup for the club, especially as Kevin wanted to be part of what we are building here. But at the same time it was not an easy decision to release Ray Johnston. He was a popular keeper on and off the field, and had done nothing wrong, but as a manager you sometimes have to make tough decisions. I have to look to bring in the very best players that I am able under the budget I have to work with, and there can be no room for sentiment”
For his part, Sawyer is excited by the new challenge at City “City are a big club, with a great fan-base and ambitions for the future, so I was delighted to hear that they were interested in me. From that moment on I knew that there was no other club I wanted to play for at this level, even though several others were interested.”
Sawyer went on to say “Tim has told me of his plans, of his need to bring in a few players and his aims for next season, and it is clear that his ambitions match mine – I have not joined Gloucester City to spend my time in the Southern League Premier Division, and want to help the club reach a higher level. If we can gain promotion to the Conference South then who knows what else we can achieve”.
Finally, Tim Harris adds “We are in discussions with one or two other quality players, and I hope to be in a position to make further announcements in due course”.
Friday 18th May 2007
Lyndon Tompkins Three Awards
The Tigers held their annual players awards at the Walls Sports & Social Club tonight with a meal, stand up routine from Phil Warren and live music from Terry Houlihan's band "Over The Hill". The evening was a great success with demand for tickets outstripping supply with people turned away!
The make up of next seasons SL Premier has been confirmed with our league again being used to house the runts and the strays of the Isthmian League. Whilst our Cockney chums can trip over and get to away games we find ourselves travelling from Merthyr Tydfil, to Tiverton, Bashley and Kings Lynn incurring expenses that the Supporters Trust will have to find and at the same time ruling out the probabllity of regular away travel provided for the Tigers' fans. One team smiling though will be Corby Town who were given a reprieve following the demise of our old foes from Farnborough. Also congratulations go to Slimbridge following their promotion to the league below City!
The full list is below
Banbury United
Bashley
Bedford Town
Brackley Town
Bromsgrove Rovers
Cheshunt
Chippenham Town
Clevedon Town
Corby Town
Gloucester City
Halesowen Town
Hemel Hempstead Town
Hitchin Town
Kings Lynn
Mangotsfield United
Merthyr Tydfil
Rugby Town
Swindon Supermarine
Team Bath
Tiverton Town
Weston Super Mare
Yate Town
Saturday 28th April 2007
Lyndon Tompkins Player of the Year
Alex Sykes Double whammy!
The Tigers finished their 2006/07 campaign with a 3-1 win at home to Clevedon Town to secure their highest league finish for a decade.
Despite the Seasiders enjoying a shade more possession than their hosts Alex Sykes showed that if you don't shoot you don't score as he twice found the net from well outside the area. A minute after Marc Richards had left the field with a bloodied and broken nose Syko spotted Clevedon keeper off his line and deftly lobbed the ball into the top corner. Then with the half time break approaching and after a season's worth of trying he finally hit the target when Tom Webb cut his corner back for him to lash an unstoppable shot from easily twenty-five yards. Fair play to Syko for never giving up!!!
Clevedon came out after the break with a point to prove and pulled a goal back when the dangerous Mike Symons crossed to the far post where Mitchell Paige stooped to head home and despite trying to grab an equaliser they were undone when Jason Welsh ensured all three points for the Tigers when he poked home a loose ball from a corner just before the end of the game.
To hear Tim Harris's thoughts of the game click here.
Congratualtions to Lyndon Tompkins who was named as Supporters player of the year before the match. After battling back from several injuries Lyndon has been immense this season and won a close vote which would've seen both Syko, Welshy, Tom Webb and Chris Thompson high up in the stakes.
Thanks to E.ON for their co-operation with the FA Cup which was on display at Meadow Park today, more than a hundred people had their photo taken with the trophy. It was quite surreal seeing it sat out on the pitch!
Ricco gets plastered and Welshy celebrates his goal with some younger T-Enders
Tuesday 24th April 2007
FA Cup Day at Meadow Park Great Deals!
CITY LAUNCH GREAT DEALS FOR VISIT OF FA CUP
Gloucester City are have put together some great deals for fans to allow as many as possible to enjoy their final game of the season on Saturday. As previously announced, the FA Cup trophy will be present on the day, and City want the football fans of Gloucester to come out in force to see it, so have arranged the following deals:
Kids for a quid - any child between the ages of 7 and 16 can get into the game for just one pound. Children under 7 can gain free entrance.
Family Tickets - Two adults and up to four children (between 7 and 16) can come in for just £16
Season Ticket holders can also bring one adult guest in for the day for half the normal admission price - as long as they are wearing something yellow and something black!
City are hoping that many people will take up this offer and come down to what is going to be a fantastic day. City spokesman Mike Dunstan said “we have lots of activities going on in addition to what should be an excellent game of football. There will be multiple chances to win City footballs, and of course there is the FA Cup, which sponsors E.ON have kindly agreed to bring. Fans can for a small fee have a picture taken with the trophy, and the print sent to their home address. We would urge the people of Gloucester to seize this opportunity to be part of what should be a really memorable day. We hope to see many new faces down at Meadow Park”.
Saturday 21st April 2007
Jimmy Cox Two closer to 100
Jamie Reid Finished his own move
City ended their away campaign with a hard working and incisive 3-1 victory at Ladysmead against Tiverton Town.
Two goals in the first half from Jimmy Cox and one in the final few minutes from Jamie Reid were enough to beat the Devon team who were playing their eighth game in the last two weeks, although they fought well and hardly looked fatigued by their incredible backlog of fixtures.
The Tigers took the game to Tiverton from the kick off and had taken the lead within three minutes. An Alex Sykes corner was cleared back to him and he returned a deep cross that Marc Richards nodded back into the six-yard box where Jimmy Cox controlled the ball before turning and firing a shot into the roof of the net.
Fifteen minutes later Cox doubled the lead with his second goal when Scott Griffin found his strike partner in space wide on the left and Jimmy calmly shot under Danny Barker in the Tiverton goal. In the build up Griffin was floored by a very late challenge from Nathan Rudge that went unpunished by the referee.
After a spell of pressure and a series of corners the home team pulled a goal back with a direct free kick from full back Chris Vinnicombe after Neil Mustoe had been harshly penalised for handball on the edge of the area.
It seemed that the Tigers were getting very little from the officials and the point was highlighted when handball was again given against a City player, this time Luke Buttery as he thrust out his chest to block a potentially dangerous ball. However, at the other end when Alex Sykes fired in a half volley a Tiverton defender blocked in the same way as Buttery had and despite loud appeals from the away contingent the penalty wasn’t awarded.
Then after the home team stepped up a gear the City players finally worked out that it would be easier to pass the ball around and make Tiverton chase and within a few passes had scored a third when Jamie Reid started and finished a move involving Matt Shaxton and Webb down the right hand side.
Tim Harris was away so David Mehew spoke to TR today, click here to hear him.
Two closer to a hundred goals - Jimmy Cox scores twice at Tiverton
Tuesday 17th April 2007
Neil Mustoe Should've scored
Any hope of finishing in the top ten of this seasons BGB Premier division seems a long way off tonight after City fell to the second defeat inside four days away at Maidenhead United.
Against a team supposedly paying out £8000 per week in wages (on a crowd of 218!) even though the Magpies stars didn't stand out in a skillful way they were always quick to the ball and denied City the opportunity to pass the ball around. However, they weren't much cop up front and looked as though they could play all night and not score from open play so it was disappointing that the linesman gave a dubious decision against Luke Buttery midway through the second half and substitute Dwaine Lee stole in unmarked to head past Ray Johnston.
City might've even grabbed a late equaliser when Neil Mustoe, who's playing out of his skin at the moment found himself the target of a Buttery cross but lacking heading practice he got under the ball and directed it well over the bar. Another point of interest was the presence of a Tranmere Rovers scout who was watching a City player. Any idea who that could've been???
Tim Harris spoke to TR after the game, click here to hear him.
For highlights of the second half of tonights game click here.
Sunday 15th April 2007
Kookie Patel Freight Trained
As much as it was disappointing to lose out in the semi's of the PST, to be honest City struggled against a good team who scored twice in a couple of minutes and even scored our goal for us with a well taken own goal.
However, the manner in which some of the Cullompton players behaved was hard to stomach. Last week at Meadow Park they were guilty of going in late on the keeper, not fifty/fifty challenges but when they really had no right to. Today they did it twice, once in the first half that left Kookie needing treatment while the knuckle head on the touchline shouted "Well In" at the player that did it while Kookie was receiving treatment.
Then in the second half their number 10, Angie Pope (I believe) was guilty not of a foul but more of common assault when she jumped straight at Kookie after running at speed at her and left her again needing treatment. She was booked for that challenege and it's a shame that the video footage that Bev shot hasn't come out because that was disgraceful.
We did pick up for the final ten minutes but the fact that Cullompton's keeper hardly got dirty says it all.
It's just a shame that some teams have to resort to those kind of tactics to win.
Kookie Patel receives treatment twice thanks to the barbaric tactics employed by Cullompton Rangers
Saturday 14th April 2007
Dave Wilkinson Missed Sitter
On a rock hard Meadow Park pitch City meekly surrendered all three points against an impressive Wealdstone side who were fighting for their Premier Division survival.
After a goalless first half which saw both teams dominate for short spells all the action came in the second period but it was the Cockney team who mastered the wildly bouncing ball to control it long enough to put it in the net. First speedy striker Theo Robinson poked home a left wing cross and with the game entering it's final throes Dean Papali nipped in ahead of Ray Johnston to give the scoreline a more emphatic feel.
The game might've had a different conclusion if substitute Dave Wilkinson found the net from five yards and Jimmy Cox finished from Scott Griffin's unselfish pass. However, the win for the Stones has pretty much guaranteed that Cirencester Town will be relegated to the next league down for next season.
Tim Harris wasn't happy after the game, click here to listen why!
Jamie Reid jumps for a header against Wealdstone
First & Second half highlights from todays game against Wealdstone
Monday 9th April 2007
Scott Griffin Goal v's former club
Tom Hamblin First goal in anger
City hammered a further nail into relegation threatened Cirencester Town’s coffin with an easy 3-1 victory at the Corinium Stadium today.
The Tigers rained in shots on Kevin Sawyer’s goal all afternoon and were disappointed to come away with just three goals but it was thanks to the larger than life goalkeeper that the scoreline remained respectable. Scott Griffin, a Cirencester player for the past four seasons until he arrived at Meadow Park in February put the Tigers in front when he nodded Alex Sykes acrobatic volley beyond Sawyer’s grasp with just over twenty minutes on the clock.
Tom Hamblin got the second with a powerful header from a Tom Webb corner to register his first goal in a City shirt and Jimmy Cox scored the third just five minutes into the second half with a well struck shot that went in off the crossbar.
However Hamblin will be disappointed to have given the home team a lifeline when he put through his own net from a fierce Lee Smith cross from the right wing after an hour.
Other than the three goals Sawyer was kept busy all game and Alex Sykes will wonder how he didn’t end up on the scoresheet having tried his luck several times only to see his efforts from distance either just go over or strike the bar.
More chances fell to Webb following good advantage played by the referee, Griffin missed a great chance from twelve yards when gifted by a sloppy backpass from Smith and in the second half a Cox effort ricocheted off the post to Griffin who saw his shot blocked on the line.
All in all a very satisfying result for the Tigers but one which will contribute heavily to Cirencester playing in a lower league next season. Hopefully their two best players today will be in City shirts by that time...
Listen to Tim's opinions about todays game at Cirencester here.
Match highlights will be available soon thanks to Shandid Camera!
Tom Hamblin heads his first competitive goal in Gloucester City colours!
Sunday 8th April 2007
Stephens & Greener Scored the goals
The Ladies pulled off a superb victory at a sun baked Meadow Park this afternoon with a 2-0 win against a very good looking Cullompton Rangers side.
Goals in each half from Laura Stephens and Laura Green turned out to be enough to take all three points from the Devon team who'll wonder how they came away with nothing although even though they had a number of good players it was a team effort from City that won the day.
Stephens gave the Tigresses the lead after a spell of Cullompton pressure when she sidefooted home Yvette Kemp's free kick and Green doubled the advantage just after the break when she bravely headed home Kemp's corner.
See highlights from the game below including both goals (thanks to Rio!)
Laura Green doubles City's lead with a powerful header against Cullompton
First & Second half highlights from todays game against Cullompton
Tuesday 3rd April 2007
Marc Richards Two goals!
City travelled to Merthyr Tydfil tonight and drew 1-1 against the Welsh team as the game was finally played at the third time of asking after both previous attempts had fallen victim to the rain.
Matt Shaxton made his full debut for City in place of Jimmy Cox but it wasn't long before Cox came off the bench to replace the unfortunate Alex Allard who suffered a nasty injury following an accidental collision.
After a goalless first half it was Merthyr who took the lead in bizarre circumstances when Lyndon Tompkins' attempted clearance struck Marc Richards on the back and flew past the static Ray Johnston. Although, if the ex-Ciren player thought he had to make up for the own goal he did with aplomb when he started and finished a move involving Adie Harris and Cox to score his second goal in two games. Youngster Shaxton almost won the game at the death but his well struck volley was charged down by a Merthyr defender.
To hear Tim Harris's views after the game click here.
Thanks to Merthyr Tydfil FC and Mike Donovan for allowing me permission to perch precariously above the main stand on the TV gantry at Penydarren Park and film the highlights of the game which are available to view below.
First & Second half highlights from Merthyr Tydfil v's City
Tiger Roar news streams from January, Feb & March 2007 can be found here
Page last updated : 20th November 2008
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