Majority shareholder set to follow the game in Africa. please log in to view this image Steve Lansdown is to miss Sunday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final – but insists he’ll follow it from afar in Africa. The club’s pre-season tour of South Africa and Botswana has been held up as one of the key factors behind City’s excellent camaraderie and season to date. But it’s also where the club’s majority shareholder will be when City visit Wembley for the first time in seven years as they prepare to tackle Walsall on Sunday (3.30pm). Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Lansdown said: “I had a pre-arranged holiday and business trip to Botswana booked up and I won’t be back in time for Wembley. “I’m going to have to find somewhere in the bush to be able to follow the game, avoiding the lions and elephants! “I shall try and watch; it just depends if SuperSport in Africa pick the game up. If not I’ll have to listen via BBC Radio Bristol’s commentary. “Obviously I would have liked to be there as it’ll be a great occasion and we’ve got 40,000 Bristol City fans travelling up there. It’s a chance to win a trophy and that’s what it’s all about. “It would be a great way to begin what we would hope to be a fantastic finale to the season.” Lansdown is delighted but not surprised by the huge contingent that will head along the M4 to Wembley on Sunday. “We’ve had big followings for previous finals in this competition and the play-offs,” he added. “We know we can attract big support and that’s why we’re building a 27,000-seater stadium. “If we had that stadium in place already then we would have had bigger crowds. However, the future is exciting; we need this. “When it’s complete, the facilities we’ll have and the ability to generate money off the pitch will only benefit the club. “The way we’ve played and the runs we’ve been on – it’s fantastic. We’re in a great position; we’ve got a Wembley appearance to look forward to. “If we can win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and then go on to clinch the League One title, what a season that would be.” http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/lansdown-to-miss-cup-final-2342460.aspx
“I had a pre-arranged holiday and business trip to Botswana booked up and I won’t be back in time for Wembley". Bad planning from the Boss..
Feel sorry for him - he's spot on with that last comment what a season it would be if we can win the double
Steve is a director of company which provides venture and development capital to various local energy and food projects. Sounds very altruistic but make no mistake he is a tough businessman
Can you remember a more exciting future at City?.....new stadium (ok ok I know its not THE new stadium!), promotion or even champions, Wembley final...and thats just in the near future! Long term just look at other teams who were in our position not so long back....Swansea and Saints to name but 2....
well the final was a pre arranged date so either bad planning or didn't think we were good enough to get there...lol
That's as maybe and fair play to him, but you'd think that with his vast fortune that the Wembley appearance might have been more appealing on this occasion.
When push comes to shove most businessmen put business first. Simple as. At the end of the day its his choice. As supporters we only want SL to deliver one thing viz a financially stable and successful club. He seems at ;last to be delivering that. Whether he is at Wembley or not males no difference to me or most supporters
