Gloucester City Football Club

MORE PLAYER NEWS

Club Chairman Dave Phillips and Manager Dave Mehew have issued a rallying cry to the supporters of the club to get out and support the team to the hilt over the next 10 days and beyond following the resumption of football activities after the snow.

 Dave Phillips said "we have lost several Saturday games to the extreme weather, and these now feed back in as Tuesday matches, starting with the home game against Hinckley on Tuesday . Unfortunately  the attendances midweek are generally significantly lower, so although we will catch up on the games, unless everyone makes the effort to come out for the midweek games the club will have lost significantly.  When you are on a tight budget as we are that is obviously a worry.  Mehew is also keen to see strong support; "our supporters are magnificent in all they do for the club, and we need to see them at every home game roaring the players on as we look to gather the points we need  - they really do make a massive difference."

 Dave Phillips continues "we need  all our fabulous supporters to help those who struggle to make the evening games, and would also remind people that there is a Supporters Trust coach available at just £5, for details call Joe on 07860 802839 or Paul on 07835923131.

CITY FALL TO  WORKINGTON ON MARATHON TRIP

Two late goals from Workington, one from the penalty sport when a draw looked the likely outcome.

City Chairman Dave Phillips and Manager Boris Mehew, together with all of the players would like to thank all those who made the mammoth trip, and also to the Trust for funding an overnight stay for the players.

SOUTHPORT GAME NOW ON TUESDAY 23 MARCH

Following the earlier postponement of the game, we now play Southport on 23 March (7-45pm kick-off) at the Corinium Stadium, Cirencester.

HUNT EXTENDS STAY AS OLD-BOY RETURNS

Gloucester City are delighted to announce the return of Jamie Reid, who re-signs for the club from Cirencester. "Reidy" is a product of our Youth Team, so this is very much a case of coming home for a player who has already clocked up over a 100 appearances for the Tigers.

Meanwhile Ben Hunts loan spell is now extended up to and including our game against Harrogate at the end of February.

Our match in Droylsden on Saturday 9 January is unsurprisingly off due to the continued freeze. This match will now take place on Monday 15 March (7-45pm).  Also, the following games have also been rearranged:

• Hinckley United  (Home)    Tuesday 26th January 7:45pm

• Solihull Moors     (Home)    Tuesday 2^nd February 7:45pm

• Harrogate            (Away)    Tuesday 23^rd February 7:45pm

• Droylsden            (Away)    Monday 15th March 7:45pm

NEW YEARS DAY REVENGE FOR CITY

The second running of the Gloucester City AFC 'Family and Friends' Christmas Golf Day held at Rodway Hill Golf Club on Wednesday 30th December 2009 saw a real contrast in playing conditions from the Inaugural Event twelve months ago, played on a bright, crisp day.

This year the event was played in near constant drizzle with a biting wind and the course not unexpectedly, playing extremely slow, but hey, this tournament was on , unlike a lot of football matches recently!  Not for the fair-weather golfer then, but for all that, some impressive scoring and keen golf was the order of the day. The foursome of Messrs. Dutter, Stephens, Clifford and McNair representing one of two GCAFC Youth Development entered, won with 83 Stableford points, with City Striker, Jack Pitcher in second place with Messrs. Hodder, Hopson and Gibson as companions, on 81 points. Quality scoring then in the prevailing conditions.

The longest Drive at the Seventh Hole was won by Paul Elkins, and Nearest the Pin on the Sixteenth Hole was Andy Pepperell, both members of the other GCAFC Youth Development team entered. 

City's very own Tom Webb, one of the members of last year's winning team unfortunately adjourned to the clubhouse after Nine Holes with hypothermia beckoning, (or so suggested), but a couple of warming mugs of tea saw a revival in time to join the 'eighteen holers' for a hearty meal, as outside the daylight started to fade!

BOXING DAY LOSS AS CITY FALL IN THE REDDITCH MUD

With standing water all over the pitch, and areas holding significant frost, it was somewhat surprising that this match went ahead, but in the end it was Redditch who coped better with the conditions to run out 4-1 winners.  With four players out for City (the suspended Tom Webb, Matt Rose and Neil Mustoe, and the injured Will Morford) so Ben Hunt (on loan from Bristol Rovers) and former Bristol City Academy player Joe Mclennan (who has signed from Unibond League Warrington Town) made their debuts, but could not save City from defeat.  Hunt did however mark his debut with a consolation goal.

City's other new signing, Rob Aldrich was unavailable due to a one match suspension picked up whilst playing for Pegasus.

HUNT IN FOR CITY LOAN

City scored first but came away on the wrong side of a 4-1 defeat against a classy Stalybridge Celtic. Lee Smith scored the goal from thew spot after Jack Pitcher had won the penalty.

FAREWELL AND THANKS SYKO

All at the club wish to thank Alex Sykes for his huge service to the club, and to wish him well in his managerial career, which starts with the Assistant Managers job at Bishops Cleeve.  Thanks for the memories Syko, a major contributor to our promotion last season.

CITY BATTLE TO PRICELESS WIN AGAINST GAINSBOROUGH

City secured a fine 1-0 win against Gainsborough Trinity thanks to an early goal from Mike Symons. On a heavy pitch they out battled their opponents, even for the 43 minutes they played with 10 men after Matt Rose was dismissed for a second yellow.  City are now up to 16th - get behind the lads at Eastwood on Tuesday and back at The Corinium against Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

DEPLETED CITY BLOWN OUT OF TROPHY

In conditions that were virtually unplayable, and the ball frequently blown back over the kickers head City fell to a single-goal loss at Truro.  City were depleted by the lack of a large part of their spine - Marc Richards, Matt Rose and Mike Symons unable to travel - and battled well, but could not craft a goal. Good luck to Truro against Chemsford, who won 2-1 this evening.

Stafford Rangers beat City with a single goal in the first half, and despite almost constant City pressure City could not secure the point their possessiion deserved.  James Palmer unfortunately saw red for a second booking in injury time .  An independent report by a local student can be read HERE

CITY WIN BATTLE OF THE TIGERS!

The Tigers of Gloucester defeated the Tigers of Hyde this afternoon in an entertaining game at the Corinium. City were in front from a 20 minute thunderbolt from Lee Smith, and had their chances to increase that in the first half, whilst Hyde also piled on the pressure. But the introduction of the excellent Jack Pitcher in the second period brought instant success as the player made a speedy run followed by the inch-perfect cross to give Smithy a virually unmissable header.  Pitcher nearly brole the post with a powerful shot, but by then the points were safe.

TRINITY EDGE IT

City fell to a single-goal defeat at Gainsborough Trinity this afternoon.  Several decent second half chances were spurned, and the winner came off both posts to sum up a disappointing afternoon for The Tigers

YOUTH WIN AGAIN IN THE CUP

On Wednesday evening 21st October, at the Corinium, Gloucester City overcame Thatcham Town in the Third Qualifying Round of the F.A.Youth Cup courtesy of a battling performance against arguably the best side they have yet played this season, to continue their run in this year's competition.

They were taken to extra-time, after the two teams had concluded the 90 minutes with the scoreline at 2-2, but finished with two goals in extra time for a 4-2 final score-line.

After a goalless first half Carl Prestidge opened the scoring for the visitors on 65 minutes, but City came back to take the lead with a brace from Curt Russell on 76 and 82 minutes.

With the clock ticking down, Thatcham forced extra time when Prestidge got his second of the night with a wonderful strike from some thirty five yards that dipped over goalkeeper Ollie Hall on 89 minutes.

The first half of extra time saw no more goals, then after the change-over it was Mark Ford who passed the ball into the net from a free kick on the edge of the area in front of goal on 108 minutes that gave City the lead again, with the defensive wall disbelievingly motionless. Skipper Jack Twyman buried a back post header on 113 minutes to make sure that City earned a First Round Proper tie away to Oxford United on a date to be arranged. Oxford United earned their progress with a 4-3 win against Newport County.

TIGERS ON TOP AT WHADDON ROAD

City won through to the semi-final of the Gloucestershire Senior Professional Cup last night with a comprehensive 4-0 beating of local rivals Cheltenham Town.  City rested many of the players likely to be involved on Saturday, but we in control of the game throughout the 90 minutes, with Lee Smith, Alex Sykes, and a brace from the impressive Mike Symons enough to see off the old enemy.

So its on to the massive FA Cup game against Lowestoft on Saturday - please make sure that you come along, and bring a friend or two to roar City into the first round proper!

UNLUCKY CITY AS COD ARMY NET LATE WIN

ITS LOWESTOFT TOWN IN 4thQUALIFYING AFTER SUPER SHOW AT DORCHESTER

BALLY MOVES ON 

Luke Ballinger has today signed for Frome Town, although City retain his Conference registration.  In paying tribute to Luke Manager Dave Mehew said "Bally has signed for Frome because the travelling was starting to become too much for him - he lives in Melksham, so its 90 minutes to Gloucester before we start on up for the away games, and that's a big commitment.  He has been a great servant for us - probably our best player in the last 6 weeks of our promotion season, and we have agreed that we will continue to hold his Conference registration, so although there are no immediate plans for his return it is not beyond the realms of possibility in the future.  All at the club wish him well at Frome".

WEBB AND MUSTOE TAKE NEW POSITIONS AT THE CLUB

Before the game with Workington Manager Dave Mehew revealed to the players that Neil Mustoe has agreed to take the position of player-coach, a move that will help release Boris to scout more teams on training nights and freshen up the training for the lads.  That obviously leaves a vacancy for club Captain, and Tom Webb has been appointed to that position on his birthday and as he moves ever-closer to the all time appearance record for the club.  Matt Rose will continue to be vice-captain.  Congratulations to both Neil and Tom, and every success with your new positions.

STATEMENT ON FUTURE FIXTURE CLASHES

All of our scheduled Conference North games will take precedence over any Cirencester Town fixture that clashes, by order of the Conference Board.

Given our wish to be good tenants at Cirencester, it is with some dismay but understanding, that GCAFC have to accept this decision, but Cirencester Town are aware of the position we find ourselves in over this, and we are grateful for their on-going support and understanding.

The position was originally brought about by a failure of the Southern League fixture compiler to take full account of our scheduled Conference North fixtures, released one month before the Southern League fixtures.

LIKE A BET - BET WITH BLUESQUARE AND HELP CITY!

Gloucester City have set up an affiliation scheme with League Sponsors BlueSquare for those that like to have a sporting bet.  The good news now is that with Blue Square both youand the club have the chance to win, so if you enjoy a flutter then click the picture on the right, or the banner at the top for further information!

SSANGYONG RENEWS TIGERS SUPPORT

South Korean car manufacturer SsangYong ,  is renewing its shirt sponsorship of Gloucester City Football Club for a further season.  to read the full story click HERE