Darrell Clarke Gone

[Gassy]

Cotterill spent about £1m and transformed us from a side that were heading for the drop to league champions within 18 months, yet “a monkey” could do his job, so go figure.

I’m defending him because your comments are ill informed and total nonsense. The irony in you telling someone else to have some respect whilst running down Cotterill’s achievements is quite something as well.

What makes us so “high and mighty” (your words not mine) is that the way we look at it, for the reasons you’ve already listed what makes you think you’ll have top end L1 managers queuing up? Yet you have one that wants the job and you’re just running him into the ground.

I get why you or any other Rovers fan wouldn’t want him, but I doubt you’ll attract any better in your current state.

You're not getting it, are you? Look at the quality of the players you signed for free in that time, we cannot attract those quality players, nor could we afford them. How is that so hard to understand?

Let's say Villa spent the same amount as Brentford. Do you think Brentford can attract the same quality of players/afford them? Plus, you spent that 1.2m on just 2 players ffs, we spend it on an entire squad. Can you still not see the difference?

You spent 6 years in the championship and your manager came in after 4 months of League 1. Was your squad really that bad that you were going down & only superman (Cotterill) could save you? Our last 6 seasons have been in the conference, league 2 & league 1. There is a bit of a difference.

But sure, if it calms you down from your love affair with Cotterill, a monkey couldn't have done that job. However, an average L1 manager could have.

We may not attract/get a better candidate, I've never said I want/expect better. I've only said that I dont want him. Please tell me where I have said (your words not mine) "what makes you think you’ll have top end L1 managers queuing up?"

For the record, we don't even know if he wants it.

 

[Gassy]

Queue some total no mark then!
The perfect scenario, just mentioned on OTIB, would be you give the job to Holloway and he takes you down. That would be hilarious! I nearly spat my tea over my laptop when I read that.

Merry Xmas Gassy!

Ironically, I'd rather have Cotterill than Holloway

 

[Ciderup]

Ironically, I'd rather have Cotterill than Holloway

Cott's is a really good Manager Gassy, far too good for you lot but he's outspoken which I can't see working out too well with your shower of shit owners. Bear in mind this is the bloke who accused Steve Lansdown of not spending enough!
He would, unfortunately, keep you up but I don't think he would last long TBH. I don't foresee a 'rag ass City' comment either.
Give it to Holloway, you know we you want to. Gas legend and all that.

 

[GEORGE]

I'm going to put a slightly different aside to this. At first when Cotts was mentioned to be in the frame I thought "No F*****g way " but after having more time to think about it -- Maybe he would be the right fit . Someone to put a bombshell up the current squad.


I don't think he would have the same budget as "The Shit " though when they won promotion. As for that bloke JJH ( who thinks he knows everything - But actually knows F*** All ) Burn 100k -- Your wide off the mark there . Mensa was 80 K tops & THD is on a separate type of transfer altogether based on games played.

Anyway hope we get this appointment right __ We really have to.

 

[Gassy]

Cott's is a really good Manager Gassy, far too good for you lot but he's outspoken which I can't see working out too well with your shower of shit owners. Bear in mind this is the bloke who accused Steve Lansdown of not spending enough!
He would, unfortunately, keep you up but I don't think he would last long TBH. I don't foresee a 'rag ass City' comment either.
Give it to Holloway, you know we you want to. Gas legend and all that.

Was his sacking unjust for you lot then? You all seem to think highly of him, but seem to also be the only ex-fans who do think highly of him..?

Just imagine the atmosphere if we started carried on losing games.

If he complained about Big Steve, then he'd have a great laugh with us. Knowing our lot, we'd probably expect him to pay his his own tracksuit

 

[JJH]

I'm going to put a slightly different aside to this. At first when Cotts was mentioned to be in the frame I thought "No F*****g way " but after having more time to think about it -- Maybe he would be the right fit . Someone to put a bombshell up the current squad.


I don't think he would have the same budget as "The Shit " though when they won promotion. As for that bloke JJH ( who thinks he knows everything - But actually knows F*** All ) Burn 100k -- Your wide off the mark there . Mensa was 80 K tops & THD is on a separate type of transfer altogether based on games played.

Anyway hope we get this appointment right __ We really have to.

Burn was six figures, THD you’re right is appearance based but potentially £250k. This is from someone who I’d imagine is far more clued up than yourself unless you’d like to prove otherwise?

Never said you’d have the same budget either, typical Gashead. Gaschat is fully of your type George, it’s difficult to make sense of what’s being written more often than not.

 

[Ciderup]

Was his sacking unjust for you lot then? You all seem to think highly of him, but seem to also be the only ex-fans who do think highly of him..?

Just imagine the atmosphere if we started carried on losing games.

If he complained about Big Steve, then he'd have a great laugh with us. Knowing our lot, we'd probably expect him to pay his his own tracksuit

Just my opinion Gassy but I think the rug was pulled from under him at our place TBH. Just look at the money LJ has been allowed to spend since and compare it to what happened to Cott's. He wanted to sign Andre Gay IIRC for a lot less than we spent on Fammy but was denied at the last minute but I stand to be corrected.
Our squad, at the time, was blatantly too weak for the Championship and I reckon he was stitched up but that's only my opinion.
When he came to ours as 'Arry's assistant with Brum, he was given one hell of an ovation by our support, well deserved too.
He's probably still got a lovely red tracksuit with the Bristol crest and his initials on it.

 

[Gassy]

Just my opinion Gassy but I think the rug was pulled from under him at our place TBH. Just look at the money LJ has been allowed to spend since and compare it to what happened to Cott's. He wanted to sign Andre Gay IIRC for a lot less than we spent on Fammy but was denied at the last minute but I stand to be corrected.
Our squad, at the time, was blatantly too weak for the Championship and I reckon he was stitched up but that's only my opinion.
When he came to ours as 'Arry's assistant with Brum, he was given one hell of an ovation by our support, well deserved too.
He's probably still got a lovely red tracksuit with the Bristol crest and his initials on it.

Maybe he can lend it to Wael - he’d probably wear it

 

[Gerry Gow]

1,300 going to Sunderland I hear. Fair shout, that’s a fucking good effort for this time of year and your current state.

We took more, mind.

 

[Gassy]

1,300 going to Sunderland I hear. Fair shout, that’s a fucking good effort for this time of year and your current state.

We took more, mind.

Cup final for your lot.

Just another game for us.

Come back to me when you get locked out away at Woking

 

[Ciderup]

Cup final for your lot.

Just another game for us.

Come back to me when you get locked out away at Woking

Think you've got the 2 clubs mixed up there Gassy. Fair play for having a sense of humour though.

 

[Bobbin']

Robbie Fowler on Soccer AM talking about becoming manager and said he’d be interested in the Bristol Rovers job.

 

[TTOCS]

Robbie Fowler on Soccer AM talking about becoming manager and said he’d be interested in the Bristol Rovers job.

Might not save them from relegation but that would give them their 5 mins in the media spotlight. Just beneath Macclesfield.

 

[Gassy]

What a time to be alive.

 

[Ciderup]

I'll tell you one thing Gassy, reading your forums, your fans continue to compare yourselves to us with posts like' people will go to the sh*t pit'. With all respect, we've moved on, maybe your support should as well as we're in different leagues, physically, financially and infrastructure wise.
I mean no disrespect but comparisons are futile and will only cause more angst in all honesty. Yes, we're lucky to have SL but you haven't so why make a comparison with something your board obviously can't afford / deliver?
The days of getting a new ground for nothing, as some of your support expect, have gone.

 

[Gassy]

Not really sure what you’re getting at there tbh mate? The quote you made doesn’t exactly make sense to me? What are they comparing exactly?

If some are (I haven’t read it but I have no doubt there are some), then for me there are three reasons;

1. Many of them have seen us playing in the same leagues or at least more competitively for most of their lives. So it’s a routine thing to compare us to our greatest rivals.
2. Plonkers. We all have them.
3. You’re the only real life example of what we could do if we had money and were built up properly with the correct facilities.

I think we all got a bit excited when the ownership came on board and tbh they haven’t really done anything. We moved forward a tiny tiny tiny bit, but are now in full swing in going backwards.

 

[Ciderup]

Not really sure what you’re getting at there tbh mate? The quote you made doesn’t exactly make sense to me? What are they comparing exactly?

If some are (I haven’t read it but I have no doubt there are some), then for me there are three reasons;

1. Many of them have seen us playing in the same leagues or at least more competitively for most of their lives. So it’s a routine thing to compare us to our greatest rivals.
2. Plonkers. We all have them.
3. You’re the only real life example of what we could do if we had money and were built up properly with the correct facilities.

I think we all got a bit excited when the ownership came on board and tbh they haven’t really done anything. We moved forward a tiny tiny tiny bit, but are now in full swing in going backwards.

Sorry if I didn't make my point very well Gassy.
Surely comparisons with what SL has given us, will only cause your support angst.
Maybe they should look elsewhere for a more reasonable comparison, unless, as you state, you suddenly have the finances to do something similar. Find out how other clubs have managed to rebuild their infrastructure without the large investment of one party.
We know we're very lucky to have the Lansdown family (although they do get stick at times, even now), you're not in that privileged position so all the comparisons do is to surely cause angst.
This isn't a 'look at us' post BTW, more a 'what CAN you do' in the future without the financial power SL can call upon.
I appreciate we're local rivals all that said. That will never change.

 

[Gassy]

Sorry if I didn't make my point very well Gassy.
Surely comparisons with what SL has given us, will only cause your support angst.
Maybe they should look elsewhere for a more reasonable comparison, unless, as you state, you suddenly have the finances to do something similar. Find out how other clubs have managed to rebuild their infrastructure without the large investment of one party.
We know we're very lucky to have the Lansdown family (although they do get stick at times, even now), you're not in that privileged position so all the comparisons do is to surely cause angst.
This isn't a 'look at us' post BTW, more a 'what CAN you do' in the future without the financial power SL can call upon.
I appreciate we're local rivals all that said. That will never change.

Ah ok thanks for clarifying, well I guess it’s just jealousy really.

Although miles apart, I feel most compare to just further their argument of how we could be better with real investment etc.

I guess it’s always hard to compare with other teams because there aren’t many cities with just 2 clubs and historically neither of us are very big at all.

I guess Sheffield (both bigger) or Nottingham would be a fairer reflection to look at? But again both with great stadiums.

For me, my ideal structure of what we could become/compare with, with smart investment and not splashing it is Brentford.

Their stadium is shite, new one on the way and they’ve been run properly for years and have established them as a championship team always challenging

 

[Ciderup]

For me, my ideal structure of what we could become/compare with, with smart investment and not splashing it is Brentford.

Their stadium is shite, new one on the way and they’ve been run properly for years and have established them as a championship team always challenging

That's one of the ones I was thinking of tbh fella although they're not short of a few quid.

How did Shrewsbury, Wimbledon, Scunny (twice), Rotherham, Oxford, Swansea (pre Prem when they rebuilt), Walsall even, Blackpool, Morecambe and, on a larger scale, Preston do it? More locally, Exeter have rebuilt as have Plymouth. Luton are planning on a tidy looking new stadium.

They've all rebuilt / relocated without, as far as I know, massive investment. Why can't the gas look at these and how they managed it and do something similar?

We don't pretend to be a big club by the way, we're just us. Improving off the pitch most certainly but in with some serious big hitters.

 

[Gassy]

That's one of the ones I was thinking of tbh fella although they're not short of a few quid.

How did Shrewsbury, Wimbledon, Scunny (twice), Rotherham, Oxford, Swansea (pre Prem when they rebuilt), Walsall even, Blackpool, Morecambe and, on a larger scale, Preston do it? More locally, Exeter have rebuilt as have Plymouth. Luton are planning on a tidy looking new stadium.

They've all rebuilt / relocated without, as far as I know, massive investment. Why can't the gas look at these and how they managed it and do something similar?

We don't pretend to be a big club by the way, we're just us. Improving off the pitch most certainly but in with some serious big hitters.

I agree actually, I believe it is for a few reasons (guess work);

1. We lose so much money per year (although maybe the others do/did)
2. Horfield residents would close it down before it began I am sure
3. We haven't had owners who actually have the ambition to really invest some serious money

Some other considerations;

About 10-15 years ago Dunford etc had a plan to build a new North stand (the blackthorn end). I've tried looking for those plans but can't see them online. I remember it looking fairly decent and would stretch round the corners too. I believe we had planning permission but of course the local residents fought it fiercely & there were restrictions on it such as not using the bar facilities on evening matches etc.

The New Mem (rebuild). The issue with the current land is that the stadium isn't smack bang in the middle of the land (including the car park). So the West stand is already as big & as far back as any stand could go. The (original) tent (south stand) is even worse, that literally maximizes the space available for a stand. When we were planning to redevelop the Mem & move to Cheltenham, the biggest problem was to fit in the stadium was we had to completely tear up the pitch. Which basically means going stand by stand is nearly impossible. Of course, the Horfield residents came out in their thousands yet again and did everything they could to stop it, including yet again - putting restrictions on the use of the club bars. (they even fought against a supermarket ffs on grounds of polution?!)

Here are a couple of photos of how much space is used up

 

[Ciderup]

I agree actually, I believe it is for a few reasons (guess work);

1. We lose so much money per year (although maybe the others do/did)
2. Horfield residents would close it down before it began I am sure
3. We haven't had owners who actually have the ambition to really invest some serious money

Some other considerations;

About 10-15 years ago Dunford etc had a plan to build a new North stand (the blackthorn end). I've tried looking for those plans but can't see them online. I remember it looking fairly decent and would stretch round the corners too. I believe we had planning permission but of course the local residents fought it fiercely & there were restrictions on it such as not using the bar facilities on evening matches etc.

The New Mem (rebuild). The issue with the current land is that the stadium isn't smack bang in the middle of the land (including the car park). So the West stand is already as big & as far back as any stand could go. The (original) tent (south stand) is even worse, that literally maximizes the space available for a stand. When we were planning to redevelop the Mem & move to Cheltenham, the biggest problem was to fit in the stadium was we had to completely tear up the pitch. Which basically means going stand by stand is nearly impossible. Of course, the Horfield residents came out in their thousands yet again and did everything they could to stop it, including yet again - putting restrictions on the use of the club bars. (they even fought against a supermarket ffs on grounds of polution?!)

Here are a couple of photos of how much space is used up

View attachment 10129
View attachment 10130

I'm sure I read somewhere that the mem site is bigger than the site of AG so it can clearly be done Gassy. Where you would go in the interim and where the finance would come from is another matter.
While it would benefit the club hugely to rebuild n your existing site, it would also require a very large investment from somewhere with little or no return to build there.
I can't believe all the clubs mentioned had the sort of cash needed to relocate so there must be a trick we're missing. The problem with moving elsewhere, I suppose, is that WAQ has secured all the debt he's accrued against the land value making the site, I assume, worthless to the football club.
It's a tough one certainly.

 

[Kenneth E End]

That's one of the ones I was thinking of tbh fella although they're not short of a few quid.

How did Shrewsbury, Wimbledon, Scunny (twice), Rotherham, Oxford, Swansea (pre Prem when they rebuilt), Walsall even, Blackpool, Morecambe and, on a larger scale, Preston do it? More locally, Exeter have rebuilt as have Plymouth. Luton are planning on a tidy looking new stadium.

They've all rebuilt / relocated without, as far as I know, massive investment. Why can't the gas look at these and how they managed it and do something similar?

We don't pretend to be a big club by the way, we're just us. Improving off the pitch most certainly but in with some serious big hitters.

Just as a point of order, our stadium is going to be a massive investment but I agree that generally for an identikit stadium it can be done so relatively inexpensively.

 

[Ciderup]

Just as a point of order, our stadium is going to be a massive investment but I agree that generally for an identikit stadium it can be done so relatively inexpensively.

Thank Ken. Out of interest, how are you managing to afford it then?
It looks good BTW.

 

[Gassy]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the mem site is bigger than the site of AG so it can clearly be done Gassy. Where you would go in the interim and where the finance would come from is another matter.
While it would benefit the club hugely to rebuild n your existing site, it would also require a very large investment from somewhere with little or no return to build there.
I can't believe all the clubs mentioned had the sort of cash needed to relocate so there must be a trick we're missing. The problem with moving elsewhere, I suppose, is that WAQ has secured all the debt he's accrued against the land value making the site, I assume, worthless to the football club.
It's a tough one certainly.

Probably, it definitely used to be bigger with the old car park before it was sold off.

As mentioned, I believe its the awkward positioning of the stadium as well. We certainly can't do it stand by stand, thats for sure (due to the pitch).

I think other clubs have had support from their councils too, be both know what Bristol council is like.

 

[Indian Dan]

Just to stick my L2 nose in - is there no way there could be a consensus between your owners and the BRFC Trust (if you have one) to redevelop the Mem as partners.

That’s what we’re doing here in readiness for the Conference!

 

[Ciderup]

Just to stick my L2 nose in - is there no way there could be a consensus between your owners and the BRFC Trust (if you have one) to redevelop the Mem as partners.

That’s what we’re doing here in readiness for the Conference!

This one?

As for the scoreboard on this image, really? November again?

 

[Gassy]

Just to stick my L2 nose in - is there no way there could be a consensus between your owners and the BRFC Trust (if you have one) to redevelop the Mem as partners.

That’s what we’re doing here in readiness for the Conference!

So just to show that they're pretty much against us moving forward, the fans proposed a Norwich type funding where fans would put money together to assist in the training ground at least. They rejected it saying they don't want outside investment.

Then when asked on radio why they don't just put more money into the club (because they clearly have it) they came up with some bollocks that the Supporters club owns 8% (i think) of the club and if they invest then they would have to & they don't want to do that to the supporters.

How nice of them.

 

[Gassy]

As for the scoreboard on this image, really? November again?

View attachment 10132

 

[Indian Dan]

Not seen that!

There’s a lot of ‘activity’ here on the development front. The golf course Power bought with the Luongo money (allegedly) has a planning application put in for residential which, if granted, will fund a training ground for the club.

The CG is close to being sorted with joint owners - Power and the Trust - buying the freehold off the council. Whether this could lead to Power’s exit strategy, I can only hope.

 

[Ciderup]

Not seen that!

There’s a lot of ‘activity’ here on the development front. The golf course Power bought with the Luongo money (allegedly) has a planning application put in for residential which, if granted, will fund a training ground for the club.

The CG is close to being sorted with joint owners - Power and the Trust - buying the freehold off the council. Whether this could lead to Power’s exit strategy, I can only hope.

That was my next question Dan. Why pay to develop something you then have to rent?
Glad to see the Flint money being used for something useful which is a surprise given your lots track record.