Pre - Season Games

I have always thought a West Country mini tournament would have made the pre-season more interesting - the Thatchers cup perhaps - involving Bristol City, the Gas, Yeovil, Swindon, Cheltenham, Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth and even maybe our sheep-worrying friends north of the Severn; Cardiff, Swansea and Newport - even perhaps Reading to make even numbers.
There would be some nice competitive fixtures in there that would be worth attending and perhaps even televising.

 

I have always thought that the Bristol City pre-season warm up schedule is about as exciting as watching paint dry and it need some revitalization. A West Country Cup would add some spice and local rivalries to boost the interest rather than usual boring stuff that is brought out every season since time began. I can remember watching the Welsh Cup and Gloucestershire Cup at Ashton Gate many many years ago and although they didn't really count for much at least it was local. Isn't there anyone out there who would sponsor such a mini tournament and add a little fun into the bargain?

 

I’m all for a local mini league as pre season games but the number of teams participating would have to be limited to 3 or 4 otherwise you’d be looking at having to play up to 10 or even 20 games with all the clubs listed

 

True, Wouldn’t be much competition for us either , especially the horse punchers, too risky to play them they’d just kick everyone in sight.

 

Pre season is about getting players fit ready for the season. Not competitive games that could lead to injuries.

 

I was thinking more of a ‘World Cup’ approach, with teams ‘seeded’ according to their league status with just the group winners going through to the finals.

 

It’s just an idea.
It probably won’t happen for the reasons you suggested - plus policing local derbies is also difficult

 

I think it would be good too. But some fans on all sides will ruin it for everyone else. Too much hatred for some people on all sides unfortunately. I wish it could be like the rugby where you see fans from both sides mix with each other in the stands and they have alcohol too.

 

My passion is for my club, my team, whoever we’re playing I dislike the opponents when the game is on, I want City to win the game. I have no problem with other fans wanting the same for their club, team. Once the game is over, it’s over. I don’t hate Rovers fans, I have some as my relatives. When I was with my ex many years ago, I’d often travel to AG with two bother in laws that were Gas heads, we’d park the car outside my parents house, who lived in Ashton we’d walk to the ground together and meet up after the game at my parents house, have a cuppa before heading home. We used to take the piss out of each other, but all in a good natured way.

 

That's what its suppose to be. Nothing further than banter

 

I've not experienced anything serious first-hand - either from Gasheads when I was in Bristol, or Swindon fans since I've lived here.
A bit of banter and piss-taking but that's it.

There ARE people who take it further though - I used to work with one City fan back in the 1980s. He was a really 'straight' guy; married with children, hard worker, great colleague, friendly, polite and professional - the model employee and mate - but when it came down to City and Rovers he had a completely different personality. It was frightening listening to some of his violent 'rumble' stories of running battles and serious beatings - I was shocked and disgusted - and told him so, but he just laughed at me- he was PROUD of his hooligan activities.

Thankfully, that mindset and behaviour seems to be a thing of the past, but whether that's simply because we haven't played against each other for years, or because people have become more civilised remains to be seen.

 

thats what life is all about "taking the piss" banter give it and take it. Makes for 3 happy visits on 3 evenings a week shovelling mud, moving rocks and taking the piss!!! Let the good times roll ............

 

Did you know that the phrase ‘taking the piss’ is derived from when people used to pee in the local tannery. They would be paid a penny (hence the term ‘spend a penny’) for their urine which was used in the tanning process.
This became a useful income supplement to the poor and King Henry VIII realised he was missing out on some tax, because the penny was cash in hand, so he taxed the process (piss) - hence ‘taking the piss’.

 

Thanks for the history lesson, I’ve never heard that one before !