The Power Brokers

Bristol City power rankings: The 20 most influential Robins - from Scott Murray to Dave Barton
Our Bristol City reporter takes a look at the top brass strolling the corridors of power at Ashton Gate and making the key decisions over the club's future

. And so we present our run-down of the 20 most powerful people at Bristol City Football Cub.
These are the people making the decisions inside Ashton Gate and judged by our city writer on where they sit on the power curve.

Note: it's a tongue-in-cheek look at who does what and where they fit in at the 35th largest football club in the country (according to the Athletic).

20. Dave Barton, head coach of communications
The club's ultra-professional communications manager, recruited by City after his sterling work with the British and Irish Lions. For his communications work to clarify, not playing rugby. Gets a bit of stick on social media occasionally but is completely unflappable under pressure.

Asks the questions in the post-match video interviews with Dean Holden. Famed for asking Lee Johnson if Josh Brownhill's 98th-minute winner against Charlton 'was better than sex?'.

Affectionately known as 'Kev' to Jamie Paterson. And only Jamie Paterson. [Sources: Because he looks like a Kev rather than a Dave, apparently.]

19. Tomas Kalas, club skipper
The club captain is obviously one of the most-respected individuals at the club and inherits the captaincy from Korey Smith.

Kalas is also the club record signing, a rock in defence and also a rather natty dancer with fellow centre-half Nathan Baker at times.

18. Paul Simpson/Keith Downing, assistant head coaches
The new assistant head coaches command respect for their longevity in the game and deeds with the England youth ranks.

We've lumped them in together but the two are not one single entity of bubbling football experience and knowledge.

17. Gary Probert (l), head of the academy
Head of the academy and playing a vital role in City's young players walking the pathway to the first team.

Not to be confused with Gary Davenport, with both often hanging around together (unhelpfully Gary D has shorn his long locks that helped distinguish him previously), who has been majorly involved in the designs of the new training ground project up at Failand from an academy point of view that will hopefully help propel the club to new successes from the spring.

16. Jamie Paterson, key dressing room influence
The king of the players WhatsApp group according to one ex-Bristol City player - ironically after one incident where something was dropped into the wrong group - and one of the chief architects of banter among the squad. Also now one of the longest-serving players at the club with Korey Smith having left.

In great form currently and now nominated as the Championship player of the month.

15. Sean Gilhespy, head of technical recruitment
Nicknamed 'closet' by a former Bristol City manager for being sat in the corner of the office years ago but has risen to a top position in the recruitment team under CEO Ashton due to his diligent good work for the club.

The ex-Gordano School pupil, very fond of his golf, performs a vital role helping City acquire transfer targets. Arguably an unsung hero at the club.

14. Matt Parsons, player support officer
The former supporter liaison officer now promoted to player liaison officer. Involves a whole new level of liaising, a shiny jacket and plenty of quiz questions.

Formerly of the Arsenal but City through and through.

13. Scott Murray, kitman and City icon
Legendary City winger (354 league appearances over two spells and 74 goals netted in that time) and fast becoming just as iconic kitman too.

Powered by Irn-Bru. Just make sure he brings the shinnies.

12. Mark Kelly, Ashton Gate Stadium managing director
Mr Ashton Gate Stadium is the man to harangue when there is no hot water during matches. In reality, Mr Kelly and his team have played a vital role in making Ashton Gate Stadium one of the soaring successes of the club's recent history, and the Robins one of the commercial powerhouse clubs of the Championship.


Recently paid an instrumental role in Ashton Gate securing the Heineken European Cup final for 2019/20, as Steve Lansdown paid tribute to at the weekend - a terrific accolade for the stadium.

11. Andy Rolls, head of performance
Another former Arsenal man who was recruited by CEO Mark Ashton to join the Bristol City project. In charge of sports science and medicene. Knows more about tendons than all of us put together.


Used to work with Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger so sure knows his football too.

10. Gavin Marshall, group chief financial officer
We're into the company directors now and up first is the Bears and Flyers-keen Marshall whose tracking of contractual clauses is vital in City bringing in and paying out the variables associated to complex player transfers.


Has previously admitted regarding Bristol City's accounts: "What I find hard is, as a finance person, I want to stick to a strategy or a plan and it's hard to get people to stick to that plan and take the emotion out."

9. Luke Werhun, head of operations/club secretary
The administrative focal point at the Robins and the man who deals with the EFL, transfer sheets, red tape and other club secretaries.


A close associate of CEO Ashton with both working together at Oxford United previously before Bristol City.

8. Lisa Knights, group chief of communications
The former Setanta Sports presenter and consummate professional has now been with Bristol Sport for six years as Chief of Communications and holds real sway at the club.


Often seen fronting the Robins TV productions on a Saturday or interviewing Steve Lansdown via video link.

7. Marina Dolman, club president
As close to Bristol City royalty as it gets. The widow of the inventor turned Mr Bristol City, Harry Dolman OBE, with the former chairman's name still adorning one of the stands at Ashton Gate.


Maybe not as influential as we might dare to suggest, but we believe Marina could be if she wanted. Has her own walkway behind the Lansdown Stand as evidence of that: could she stop us all from walking down there if she wanted?

6. Brian Tinnion, left-footed magician and loans guru
We've asked this a few times but is Brian having more of an impact now with his fantastic work setting up youth player loans than he did scoring that goal at Anfield? Maybe in the long run we'll be able to tell.


Another icon on the pitch - 458 league appearances for City, 36 goals and a spell in the dugout for good measure too. Now one of the club's chief diamond-makers, as he helps develop the next wave of young talent.

5. Doug Harman, executive director
And so we reach the current board members: became executive director in 2016 after two spells as Chief Executive, and has previously been a spokesperson for the club on major matters but less so these days.


Doug has a financial background and has previously paid thanks to the Lansdown family for their continuing support for the club.

4. Dean Holden, gaffer
The head coach was appointed on a permanent basis in the summer and is regularly receiving phone calls from managers offering him advice.


Perhaps after the great start to his managerial career he should be the one making the calls... "It's early days..."

3. Steve Lansdown, owner
Evidently still the major power given his key roles in the dismissal of Lee Johnson at the end of last season and in the appointment of Dean Holden in the summer.


However, unable to attend games currently and is watching the club stream along with supporters given the travel restrictions into and out of Guernsey.

2. Mark Ashton, CEO
In the day-to-day running, makes most of the big calls for the club. Has been integral to the building up of the infrastructure at the club over the past years and may in the future be regarded as a football pioneer and great if he can help guide City slowly and steadily - as appears to be happening - to the top tier through a careful balance of youth talent from the academy, trading players and player development.


EFL board member and canny operator in the transfer market.

1. Jon Lansdown, chairman
At the top of the tree, in our estimations. Has helped build the community arm of the club and is steadily more involved at Ashton Gate, having replaced Keith Dawe as chairman at the end of the 2018/19 season. Holds the keys to a lot of big decisions at City - with a major commercial role such as deciding over the new kits and much more. Keen advocate of taking the right, even if longer, path to success.

Big US sports fan, with the inspiration perhaps rubbing off in BS3 at times. Maybe surprisingly drives a mini for such a tall man.

Joint first position with the Bristol City fans, upon which the club is built though?

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-power-rankings-20-4581838

 

A bit of a who's who but it does give us an insight into some of the internal structure.

 

Certainly top heavy.