Louis Carey calls for a 'complete culture change' at Bristol City. please log in to view this image * LOUIS Carey believes Bristol City has to rediscover its true identity before the club can return to the second tier of English football. * And the long-serving defender and former club captain insists the squad must in future comprise players who are at Ashton Gate for the right reasons rather than just for the money. * Carey contends relegation from the Championship to League One proves the strategy of awarding inflated salaries and long contracts has not worked and is calling for a return to the core values that brought success in the past. * We had some success (under Gary Johnson) and then had a manager who came in and splashed the cash (Steve Coppell). * Carey believes these factors have all contributed to a loss of affinity between supporters and the club and he reckons it is up to the directors and the football staff to win fans over and foster a community atmosphere in and around Ashton Gate. * He said: "Personally, I don't believe everyone has been pulling in the same direction for a while now. * I think that applies to the club as a whole and Bristol City needs to get back to doing the things that made us successful in the past. * This is traditionally a family club, one where the supporters feel they know the players and have an affinity with them. The supporters are proud of their club and their city and they want to be proud of their team. But for that to happen, the players have to feel the same way. * They have to be a part of it like the fans and the fans have to want to come and watch you play because they feel as though they know you. At the end of the day, this football club is all about the community. If we can get back to that, bring a few Bristolians through and keep the local people coming through the turnstiles, then we can come back. http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Loui...tory-18878984-detail/story.html#axzz2Rq6gcHit
Too many good points there to thoroughly comment on. Having local players increase stock with support. The club should be a representation of the West Country v mercaneries/agents. The one player fans do have an affinity with its Louis Carey. It is not just the longevity of his service to BCFC, it is also when met he clearly is passionate about BCFC and obviously cares. Louis Carey exemplifies when met in person good things about sport and BCFC. Truly decent bloke amongst ?? There lies a malaise to be cured.
I can only praise the man,the others can pee off apart from Stead,Cunningham,Heaten,Maloney. The rest are not interested in our club.
I lost my praise for the man when he turned on McInnes after his sacking. He's been a good player for us, but for me he is largely part of the old regime and needs to be moved on. He'll go down as a club legend, and rightly so, but as a newly-relegated team we need to move forwards.
He should have said this publicly two years ago and it might have had an effect on what a disastrous two years it's been. But agree with EnderMB; we need to rebuild almost totally and my criteria is for anyone that was here in August 2011 and before, should leave us to do this rebuild with fresh blood. And anyone signed since December 2011 can also toddle off if they don't want the 50% pay reduction and/or League One football
Loius is a top man, had many long talks with him, the best man at the club & I for one would keep him on for at least another season.
I like Carey, has been our best defender for years. However, players like Skuse - another local lad, will do exactly as Carey did when he left for Coventry. Money.
Or what he perceived to be a lack of respect shown for service. Local lads were paid less than those coming in. As it was he later stated he made a mistake. I hope he is retained at the club in a coaching role. He has a lot to offer. As a coach myself feel he could excel in coaching for kids and upwards. He is a more than decent role model. Unlike some of his younger peers he can also play a bit and emphasis on technique v battling will become ever important in years to come.
One thing that would help to community atmosphere would be to see players helping to train kids in Ashton park again. Louis puts homself about the community where ****ers like Maynard didn't. That community feel went with the big earners coming in and big cars, many of whom also turned out to be **** at playing. The club needs to work very hard on kits pr and identity. People who ran events like testimonials for ex players etc will tell people that it can be very hard to work witrh City. The club have lost their way and have to start realising what the club is. It is a business but its like none other in its social standing. Bang on agaoin from Carey. BCFC need to show what their true identity is on and off the pitch.
The "affinity" between fans and players is not helped by "performances" like last Saturday. I can forgive the team playing poorly, but not to be bothered ............ well let's just say 6 days later i am still angry
The whole structure at BCFC has been crumbling for years and although I respect Louis tremendously where was his voice when the chips were really down? He has always been regarded as a leader at Ashton Gate and will go down as a City legend, and deservedly so, but leadership should never take a back seat to the things that really matter and I think Louis's voice went missing in action on several occassions. Do you think he will stay long enough in some capacity for the rebuild or is it time for him to retire completely?
