http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Steve-...-taking-hold/story-24191385-detail/story.html It will not happen overnight but if SC has any lasting involvement with Bristol City, it will come to fruition. For the first time in a long time, or even in my life supporting City, I really do feel that we are beginning a journey that we have never made before! Where will it go?
SL will hand over the reins to JL, it's just a question of when. Let's hope the stupid mistakes of the recent past have been learned by all in charge, so that history can't repeat itself. The fact that the 8th biggest city in England has at best a 3rd division club is a disgrace. What I didnt realise is that Bradford is bigger than Bristol Cities, towns & districts Population London 7,074,265 Birmingham 1,020,589 Leeds 726,939 Sheffield 530,375 Bradford 483,422 Liverpool 467,995 Manchester 430,812 Bristol 399,633
Interesting totals as I had always thought Bristol is sixth largest. However, we do have a big advantage over the other provincial cities because of where we are. Bradford are only a stones throw from Leeds and Huddersfield. Within a 20 mile radius of Sheffield are Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield. Birmingham has Villa, Blues, Coventry, Walsall, WBA and Wolves. Yet Bristol has no other league clubs within that 20 mile circle and a total population of approaching about 800,000. Should give us an advantage but sadly has not in the past. Will it ever happen here? I have a really good feeling that something good is about to happen in Bristol sport but how long will it take?
Those were mayoral figures, and probably are just the actual city's populations. I think greater Bristol has around 600,000 people but I'm not sure how far that extends outwards
Newcastles population is about 240,000 yet they have the 4th largest capacity stadium after Wembley, Old Trafford and the Emerates- 52,000 fill their stadium all the time. Gateshead is only over the road and is a large town (Vanerama league) and there is a large catchment area around it. I Lived in Little Stoke that and Patchway, doesn't come under Bristol but is a huge enough place especially when you take in Bradley Stoke as well. I always though the Greater Bristol extras brought our total nearer 600,000 anyway. We get good crowds compared to most league 1 sides but I still cant see why only 13,000 come. (Yes, I know capacity is currently restricted, but it hasn't always been that way). Maybe that will change in the future. The new capacity is to be around 27,000- I did look to see what grounds have similar capacity- It is there with the likes of Norwich, Hull, Wigan, Bolton, Stoke and West Brom who have similar capacities.- I do too, see a very positive side to our future development.
Greater Bristol, and not wishing to upset anyone who lives in the places mentioned, would include all those places in South Glos from Severn Beach in the west, Wotton under Edge to the north and Longwell Green/Bitton in the east. Then Keynsham and Saltford, Bath? The north east Somerset towns. West Wilts, and southwards as far as Bridgwater and Staunton. Well over a million population with only Exeter City and Swindon Town as competition? Enough for a successful football team in Bristol to survive and thrive? Yes.
Bristol is the tenth biggest urban population http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_in_the_United_Kingdom
Includes urban areas in South Glos but rather selectively apart from Pill does not include Keynsham, Long Ashton, Portishead, Clevedon, Weston, Nailsea etc? Southampton and Portsmouth get lumped together so why not Bristol and Bath and all the towns of North East Somerset?
I know that's what will probably happen, but please JGF, don't be so overtly pessimistic at the moment as while we are winning, let's dream a little.
