The Official Bristol City v Wigan Athletic Match Day Thread

[havanatopia]

Good morning to one and all for the start of another new season. I have to say I awoke this morning with a broad inner smile the likes of which I cannot recall for a long time and I am, naturally, a very happy chap. Much anticipation greets us all today in what might be the largest attendance at Ashton Gate for a few years and in what is a new dawn for Bristol City Football Club. Let us all wish everyone, including us the all important fan, the very best of luck for the long and arduous season ahead. I am confident we will end up significantly higher than 18th. 

So, to the opponents. Wigan Athletic. This is entirely from memory, honest, but I seem to recall that Wigan were only the second team to be automatically promoted into the Football League. The first being Wimbledon a year earlier. I think this was around 1979. For a town made infamous by George Orwell's depressing 'The Road to Wigan Pier' the town has or rather had something to cheer about in the meteoric rise of a club through the leagues. Their recent fall being their first palpable set back but they have returned to the second tier at the first time of asking and, coincidentally, are playing the team that were also Champions of League 1 a season before.

That the team even rose into the Football League let alone the top flight is remarkable given the overwhelming depravation of a place and as written so beautifully by George Orwell.

“The train bore me away, through the monstrous scenery of slag-heaps, chimneys, piled scrap-iron, foul canals, paths of cindery mud criss-crossed by the prints of clogs. This was March, but the weather had been horribly cold and everywhere there were mounds of blackened snow. As we moved slowly through the outskirts of the town we passed row after row of little grey slum houses running at right angles to the embankment. At the back of one of the houses a young woman was kneeling on the stones, poking a stick up the leaden waste-pipe which ran from the sink inside and which I suppose was blocked. I had time to see everything about her—her sacking apron, her clumsy clogs, her arms reddened by the cold. She looked up as the train passed, and I was almost near enough to catch her eye. She had a round pale face, the usual exhausted face of the slum girl who is twenty-five and looks forty, thanks to miscarriages and drudgery; and it wore, for the second in which I saw it, the most desolate, hopeless expression I have ever-seen. It struck me then that we are mistaken when we say that ‘It isn’t the same for them as it would be for us,’ and that people bred in the slums can imagine nothing but the slums. For what I saw in her face was not the ignorant suffering of an animal. She knew well enough what was happening to her—understood as well as I did how dreadful a destiny it was to be kneeling there in the bitter cold, on the slimy stones of a slum backyard, poking a stick up a foul drain-pipe.” 

And, according to the Mirror newspaper, nearly 80 years on from Orwell's book describing the effects of the Great Depression, we find soul-destroying hardship – unemployment, hunger, hypothermia and child poverty. And that was only written last year.

There has of course been re-development down the years but not having ventured to the town myself one wonders how truly depressing the place might still be for the desperate few. Orwell, while an indisputably master story teller and writer, does tend to portray all before him with chillingly depressing prose. 

I always considered Wigan the most unlikely place for a football team; always famous for its Rugby along comes the upstart football team. How grateful can they be to Mr Dave Whelan? Perhaps 'The Freedom of Wigan' should be bestowed upon him if it hasn't already although he has received an honorary degree from the 'University' of Bolton; is Wigan so deprived they must hand over such responsibilities to a nearby town who even has a place of education?

Enjoy the match today. I surely will; attending my first since those last 5 matches of our promotion winning year. I am envisaging a magnificent season even if we should find ourselves lost in the scramble of mid table obscurity. Bristol City, 27,000, brand spanking new, the sun is shining and its a glorious day, who would have thought it. Wow. 

Edited August 6, 2016 by havanatopia

[BCFC Grim]

FOOTBALL IS OFFICIALLY BACK 

[Major Isewater]

8 minutes ago, havanatopia said:

Good morning to one and all for the start of another new season. I have to say I awoke this morning with a broad inner smile the likes of which I cannot recall for a long time and I am, naturally, a very happy chap. Much anticipation greets us all today in what might be the largest attendance at Ashton Gate for a few years and in what is a new dawn for Bristol City Football Club. Let us all wish everyone, including us the all important fan, the very best of luck for the long and arduous season ahead. I am confident we will end up significantly higher than 18th. 

So, to the opponents. Wigan Athletic. This is entirely from memory, honest, but I seem to recall that Wigan were only the second team to be automatically promoted into the Football League. The first being Wimbledon a year earlier. I think this was around 1979. For a town made infamous by George Orwell's depressing 'The Road to Wigan Pier' the town has or rather had something to cheer about in the meteoric rise of a club through the leagues. Their recent fall being their first palpable set back but they have returned to the second tier at the first time of asking and, coincidentally, are playing the team that were also Champions of League 1 a season before.

That the team even rose into the Football League let alone the top flight is remarkable given the overwhelming depravation of a place and as written so beautifully by George Orwell.

“The train bore me away, through the monstrous scenery of slag-heaps, chimneys, piled scrap-iron, foul canals, paths of cindery mud criss-crossed by the prints of clogs. This was March, but the weather had been horribly cold and everywhere there were mounds of blackened snow. As we moved slowly through the outskirts of the town we passed row after row of little grey slum houses running at right angles to the embankment. At the back of one of the houses a young woman was kneeling on the stones, poking a stick up the leaden waste-pipe which ran from the sink inside and which I suppose was blocked. I had time to see everything about her—her sacking apron, her clumsy clogs, her arms reddened by the cold. She looked up as the train passed, and I was almost near enough to catch her eye. She had a round pale face, the usual exhausted face of the slum girl who is twenty-five and looks forty, thanks to miscarriages and drudgery; and it wore, for the second in which I saw it, the most desolate, hopeless expression I have ever-seen. It struck me then that we are mistaken when we say that ‘It isn’t the same for them as it would be for us,’ and that people bred in the slums can imagine nothing but the slums. For what I saw in her face was not the ignorant suffering of an animal. She knew well enough what was happening to her—understood as well as I did how dreadful a destiny it was to be kneeling there in the bitter cold, on the slimy stones of a slum backyard, poking a stick up a foul drain-pipe.” 

And, according to the Mirror newspaper, nearly 80 years on from Orwell's book describing the effects of the Great Depression, we find soul-destroying hardship – unemployment, hunger, hypothermia and child poverty. And that was only written last year.

There has of course been re-development down the years but not having ventured to the town myself one wonders how truly depressing the place might still be for the desperate few. Orwell, while an indisputably master story teller and writer, does tend to portray all before him with chillingly depressing prose. 

I always considered Wigan the most unlikely place for a football team; always famous for its Rugby along comes the upstart football team. How grateful can they be to Mr Dave Whelan? Perhaps 'The Freedom of Wigan' should be bestowed upon him if it hasn't already although he has received an honorary degree from the 'University' of Bolton; is Wigan so deprived they must hand over such responsibilities to a nearby town who even has a place of education?

Enjoy the match today. I surely will; attending my first since those last 5 matches of our promotion winning year. I am envisaging a magnificent season even if we should find ourselves lost in the scramble of mid table obscurity. Bristol City, 27,000, brand spanking new, the sun is shining and its a glorious day, who would have thought it. Wow. 

Orwell should have stuck with Keith Harris . 

What's that ? Orville ,

Ovell ...

[cidered abroad]

When I was working in the packaging industry, I used to go to the Heinz food factory in Wigan. 

It reputedly had the largest area of food processing under one roof anywhere in Europe. Baked beans and others by the megatonne every day 24/7. 

[Unan]

Football 

[Fordy62]

I've missed this so much. Pages and pages of text that can make or ruin your weekend. 

Here's to a fantastic day and let's hope the only things missing are those three little letters no one likes to see...

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

3 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

I've missed this so much. Pages and pages of text that can make or ruin your weekend. 

Here's to a fantastic day and let's hope the only things missing are those three little letters no one likes to see...

Is it "win"? or Poo? or Zzz?

 

Come on Fordy, stop teasing.

[Fordy62]

Just now, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Is it "win"? or Poo? or Zzz?

 

Come on Fordy, stop teasing.

Most historically followed by 'Fontaine'. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

Most historically followed by 'Fontaine'. 

Liam is four letters

[Posset red]

I'm going for 2-1 to city today ...... Thoughts ? 

[1960maaan]

Thank you @havanatopia I can now relax and get ready for the game, Saturday has officially started.

Off in a bit, Lions, fan park , Coopers, new stand , new players , suns shining I hope the day continues like this. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

1 minute ago, Posset red said:

I'm going for 2-1 to city today ...... Thoughts ? 

It's one of a large number of potential outcomes.

[Slack Bladder]

Looking forward to hearing some new songs for our new heroes.

The best I could come up with was for Hordur, to the tune of Madness by Madness

Magners, Magners they call him Magners

He's built like a sh1thouse and drinks nothing but Thatchers

Magners, Magners they call him Magners

Edited August 6, 2016 by Slack Bladder

[Chappers]

Wigan were not automatically promoted, they were elected. They replaced Southport

Edited August 6, 2016 by Chappers

[Davefevs]

The season hadn't officially starred until @BigTone gives us his condensed version.  We're not there just yet. 

[Ian M]

26 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

I've missed this so much. Pages and pages of text that can make or ruin your weekend. 

Here's to a fantastic day and let's hope the only things missing are those three little letters no one likes to see...

Am I the only sad bastard that reads the thread back when we win?

[chowie]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The season hadn't officially starred until @BigTone gives us his condensed version.  We're not there just yet. 

Followed by the "Have we scored yet"

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

50 minutes ago, havanatopia said:

Good morning to one and all for the start of another new season. I have to say I awoke this morning with a broad inner smile the likes of which I cannot recall for a long time and I am, naturally, a very happy chap. Much anticipation greets us all today in what might be the largest attendance at Ashton Gate for a few years and in what is a new dawn for Bristol City Football Club. Let us all wish everyone, including us the all important fan, the very best of luck for the long and arduous season ahead. I am confident we will end up significantly higher than 18th. 

So, to the opponents. Wigan Athletic. This is entirely from memory, honest, but I seem to recall that Wigan were only the second team to be automatically promoted into the Football League. The first being Wimbledon a year earlier. I think this was around 1979. For a town made infamous by George Orwell's depressing 'The Road to Wigan Pier' the town has or rather had something to cheer about in the meteoric rise of a club through the leagues. Their recent fall being their first palpable set back but they have returned to the second tier at the first time of asking and, coincidentally, are playing the team that were also Champions of League 1 a season before.

That the team even rose into the Football League let alone the top flight is remarkable given the overwhelming depravation of a place and as written so beautifully by George Orwell.

“The train bore me away, through the monstrous scenery of slag-heaps, chimneys, piled scrap-iron, foul canals, paths of cindery mud criss-crossed by the prints of clogs. This was March, but the weather had been horribly cold and everywhere there were mounds of blackened snow. As we moved slowly through the outskirts of the town we passed row after row of little grey slum houses running at right angles to the embankment. At the back of one of the houses a young woman was kneeling on the stones, poking a stick up the leaden waste-pipe which ran from the sink inside and which I suppose was blocked. I had time to see everything about her—her sacking apron, her clumsy clogs, her arms reddened by the cold. She looked up as the train passed, and I was almost near enough to catch her eye. She had a round pale face, the usual exhausted face of the slum girl who is twenty-five and looks forty, thanks to miscarriages and drudgery; and it wore, for the second in which I saw it, the most desolate, hopeless expression I have ever-seen. It struck me then that we are mistaken when we say that ‘It isn’t the same for them as it would be for us,’ and that people bred in the slums can imagine nothing but the slums. For what I saw in her face was not the ignorant suffering of an animal. She knew well enough what was happening to her—understood as well as I did how dreadful a destiny it was to be kneeling there in the bitter cold, on the slimy stones of a slum backyard, poking a stick up a foul drain-pipe.” 

And, according to the Mirror newspaper, nearly 80 years on from Orwell's book describing the effects of the Great Depression, we find soul-destroying hardship – unemployment, hunger, hypothermia and child poverty. And that was only written last year.

There has of course been re-development down the years but not having ventured to the town myself one wonders how truly depressing the place might still be for the desperate few. Orwell, while an indisputably master story teller and writer, does tend to portray all before him with chillingly depressing prose. 

I always considered Wigan the most unlikely place for a football team; always famous for its Rugby along comes the upstart football team. How grateful can they be to Mr Dave Whelan? Perhaps 'The Freedom of Wigan' should be bestowed upon him if it hasn't already although he has received an honorary degree from the 'University' of Bolton; is Wigan so deprived they must hand over such responsibilities to a nearby town who even has a place of education?

Enjoy the match today. I surely will; attending my first since those last 5 matches of our promotion winning year. I am envisaging a magnificent season even if we should find ourselves lost in the scramble of mid table obscurity. Bristol City, 27,000, brand spanking new, the sun is shining and its a glorious day, who would have thought it. Wow. 

Sorry "Our Man". Wigan and Wimbledon were both voted in. Auto promotion only came about in the 1980s.

Edit...sorry, beaten to it!

Edited August 6, 2016 by Mike Hunt-Hertz

[Selred]

Let's not break tradition:

Johnson out

Boooo

Something negative about Pack

Something negative about Freeman 

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

3 minutes ago, Selred said:

Let's not break tradition:

Johnson out

Boooo

Something negative about Pack

Something negative about Freeman 

Dolmanites leaving early....

[Selred]

Just now, Mike Hunt-Hertz said:

Dolmanites leaving early....

I'm not sure that's the usual name for them.....

[Major Isewater]

26 minutes ago, Posset red said:

I'm going for 2-1 to city today ...... Thoughts ? 

Should I have Salad or Pizza for lunch ? 

Does everybody in North Korea really believe all the propaganda ? 

Noel Edmunds , cutting edge or cutting hedge ? 

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

Just now, Selred said:

I'm not sure that's the usual name for them.....

Isn't coprolite an old fossilised turd?

[Fordy62]

10 minutes ago, Ian M said:

Am I the only sad bastard that reads the thread back when we win?

The thread is like the highlights...

win and they're the most import tan thing in the world. 

Lose, and they don't exist. 

[stephenkibby.]

7 minutes ago, Ian M said:

Am I the only sad bastard that reads the thread back when we win?

No your not. and it's even better reading when we come from behind to win.

The normal doomers come out at 1/0 down in twenty mins, then disappear by 88 when were 2/1 up!!!

 

[Major Isewater]

10 minutes ago, Ian M said:

Am I the only sad bastard that reads the thread back when we win?

You're quite possibly the only one that reads it full stop . 

( I just look at the pictures ) 

 

[Selred]

1 minute ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said:

Isn't coprolite an old fossilised turd?

Well it starts with a C, you've got that bit right.

All according to our lovely Ateyo-ites.

[Major Isewater]

43 minutes ago, Griffin said:

Football 

Is n't it ? Marvellous .

[chipdawg]

YAAAAAAAAYYY!!! FOOTBALL'S BACK!

[Frenchay Red]

4 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said:

Dolmanites leaving early....

I'm definitely leaving early

 

 

To find a parking place

[Slack Bladder]

GIVE IT TO MARLON !!

[Posset red]

3 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Should I have Salad or Pizza for lunch ? 

Does everybody in North Korea really believe all the propaganda ? 

Noel Edmunds , cutting edge or cutting hedge ? 

Pizza,no,cutting edge anything else ? 

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

4 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Should I have Salad or Pizza for lunch ? 

Does everybody in North Korea really believe all the propaganda ? 

Noel Edmunds , cutting edge or cutting hedge ? 

Rotting veg.

[Major Isewater]

Just now, Posset red said:

Pizza,no,cutting edge anything else ? 

Thank you .

3-1 City .

Freeman hat trick . 

[Komazawa]

Just been down the Gate to collect my match ticket for my one and only game until QPR at Easter. It's got a big-day feel down there already. COYRzzzzz

[mozo]

I think set-pieces could be the difference today. I'd expect Wigan to try to keep it tight and counter attack. The defence might be hard to break down (hope not). So if O'Dowda, Tomlin and Kodjia can win some free-kicks in dangerous areas we need to punish them either direct from Tomlin or pinging it onto Flints head. 

[Fordy62]

Breaking news...

 

Gary O'Neil is fit. The following 13 players are definitely in today's squad...

kodjia

little

magnusson

flint

brownhill

golbourne

williams

GON

Wilbs

O'Dowda

Pack

Agard

source: BCFC snapchat... All their shirts have been hung up on pegs by Scotty. 

[BRISTOL86]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

Breaking news...

 

Gary O'Neil is fit. The following 13 players are definitely in today's squad...

kodjia

little

magnusson

flint

brownhill

golbourne

williams

GON

Wilbs

O'Dowda

Pack

Agard

source: BCFC snapchat... All their shirts have been hung up on pegs by Scotty. 

Great news if GON is fit to start. 

[P'head Red]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

Breaking news...

 

Gary O'Neil is fit. The following 13 players are definitely in today's squad...

kodjia

little

magnusson

flint

brownhill

golbourne

williams

GON

Wilbs

O'Dowda

Pack

Agard

source: BCFC snapchat... All their shirts have been hung up on pegs by Scotty. 

Think you can probably add Abraham to that list going by the article yesterday stating he'll go into the squad for today's game. 

[Fordy62]

[ChippenhamRed]

Gutted I can't make it today - heading off on holiday. A huge day in the history of the club! Let's hope we look back on today in a few years as the start of an exciting new chapter.  COYR!

[RaspberryRed]

43 minutes ago, Slack Bladder said:

Looking forward to hearing some new songs for our new heroes.

The best I could come up with was for Hordur, to the tune of Madness by Madness

Magners, Magners they call him Magners

He's built like a sh1thouse and drinks nothing but Thatchers

Magners, Magners they call him Magners

40/1 for 1st/Last goalscorer & 14/1 to score at anytime looks a massive price when all eyes will be on Flint

[Kodjias Wrist]

49 minutes ago, Slack Bladder said:

Looking forward to hearing some new songs for our new heroes.

All new songs will be rehearsed before hand at the lions . 

[pongo88]

Havana - you mention the Wigan pier. Were you referring to Lord Stopfiord of Fallowfield? Born in Wigan in 1888

 

[alexukhc]

Can't be there today, but enjoy all, day looks great for football, stadium looks great and I really love those new numbers and letters 

[BS4 on Tour...]

4 minutes ago, NeilS said:

Never seem to do well first up do we? Millwall ,  Sheff U last season, when was the last time we won opening day?

I'm sure you meant Sheff Wed - but didn't we win our first game of the title winning season away at Sheff U?

Edited August 6, 2016 by BS4 on Tour...

[Fordy62]

3 minutes ago, NeilS said:

Never seem to do well first up do we? Millwall ,  Sheff U last season, when was the last time we won opening day?

Am I missing the tone? We beat Sheff U didn't we? Live on Sky. 

[Cornacix the Druid]

20 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Breaking news...

 

Gary O'Neil is fit. The following 13 players are definitely in today's squad...

kodjia

little

magnusson

flint

brownhill

golbourne

williams

GON

Wilbs

O'Dowda

Pack

Agard

source: BCFC snapchat... All their shirts have been hung up on pegs by Scotty. 

Cant see Tomlin in that list???

[Fordy62]

2 minutes ago, Marty said:

Cant see Tomlin in that list???

I'm guessing there was a side of the room they didn't show. Otherwise we're playing without a goalie!

dont panic!

[Cornacix the Druid]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

I'm guessing there was a side of the room they didn't show. Otherwise we're playing without a goalie!

dont panic!

Oh Ah!

[havanatopia]

1 hour ago, Chappers said:

Wigan were not automatically promoted, they were elected. They replaced Southport

You are absolutely right Chappers.. I was not far off with my date though; Wigan being voted in in 1978 for the 1978/9 season and instead of being the first to be promoted without the vote they were, in fact the last to be voted in. So all in all my memory from nearly 40 years ago is not that bad  That is my positive spin on things anyway and until such time as I am perhaps corrected again!

[steve39]

Hope Wigan set off early as m5 is stacked right up into Gloucester I'm predicting a late ko.

[Cornacix the Druid]

1 minute ago, steve39 said:

Hope Wigan set off early as m5 is stacked right up into Gloucester I'm predicting a late ko.

I predict a riot!

[havanatopia]

17 minutes ago, pongo88 said:

Havana - you mention the Wigan pier. Were you referring to Lord Stopfiord of Fallowfield? Born in Wigan in 1888

 

He was not mentioned even subliminally hidden under a pretext I can assure you. Is it your opinion that I should have included the honourable fella? He was born just outside Wigan in a place called Hindley Green which i suspect might be a little more leafy.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

2 minutes ago, Marty said:

I predict a riot!

The Wigan fans can just weave the Vespa through any traffic hold ups.

[havanatopia]

48 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Thank you .

3-1 City .

Freeman hat trick . 

I am feeling for a 3-1 also.

Abraham not in the squad?

[Davefevs]

25 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

I'm guessing there was a side of the room they didn't show. Otherwise we're playing without a goalie!

dont panic!

Plus having kit for some that don't make the 18 man squad, in case of injury during warm up.  Max is lift-sharing with Vyner, but I'd be surprised if Vyner made the 18, but you never know.

[ChippenhamRed]

35 minutes ago, NeilS said:

Never seem to do well first up do we? Millwall ,  Sheff U last season, when was the last time we won opening day?

Two years ago, against Sheff U. So not that long ago at all. Last season lost at Sheff W.

You've had a bit of a shocker there Neil!

[daored]

Think this will be an entertaining attacking game. Going for a high score draw 

[ooRya]

Why do people get married during the football season. ..... stupid relatives!

[pongo88]

1 minute ago, ooRya said:

Why do people get married during the football season. ..... stupid relatives!

They make the mistake of meeting someone who knows nothing about / dislikes football. What's even worse is marrying a Rovers fan (apologies is there's someone on the forum who has) . There should be a dating lonely hearts thread on the forum so that single City fans can meet up. 

[kevthered]

Wigan is the home of Northern soul...Cannot think of anything else positive to say about it.

[Major Isewater]

5 minutes ago, kevthered said:

Wigan is the home of Northern soul...Cannot think of anything else positive to say about it.

Their rugby team is n't too shabby and , er , cough , um ...

[Guest Reds2016]

What attendance are we expecting?

[Major Isewater]

1 minute ago, Reds2016 said:

What attendance are we expecting?

I read we've already sold 17000 . Dépends if there is POTD .

[Evocare]

teams? 

[Guest Reds2016]

4 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

I read we've already sold 17000 . Dépends if there is POTD .

Not bad, Wigan bringing 1k aswell 

[Cornacix the Druid]

2 minutes ago, Evocare said:

teams? 

Yep, 2 of em apparently.

 

[Evocare]

Just now, Marty said:

Yep, 2 of em apparently.

 

Gah i feared that

[citywest30]

4 minutes ago, Reds2016 said:

Not bad, Wigan bringing 1k aswell 

Think the 17k include Wigan 1300. And sure I read all ticket so no POTD. Would imagine attendance between 17000 and 18000.