Ashton Gate Eight - 40th Anniversary events announced

[3 Peaps In A PodCast]

12 hours ago, Loco Rojo said:

Does anyone know if there's a good podcast interviewing them at all? I'd like to learn more about it and thought Geoff Merrick's interview was really interesting.

I interviewed all 6 in groups of 2 for around 20 minutes each, will release them over the coming weeks under the Robins Reunited banner of 3 Peaps In A Podcast, hope you enjoy them! 
 

 

[Offside]

It was a great tribute to the 8 today. Good to see Geoff Merrick enjoying himself!

[ralphindevon]

10 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

No plastic footballs then, and at the time, Shilton was the best keeper in England and in his prime. That did bring a tear, as I have not seen it again, and my memory was quite accurate and it brought back memories of youth and witnessing City in the top flight. I recall Gerry  Sharpe saying the went out and measured it , was 39 yards from my recollection of what he said. Was mentioned on the old egroups chat . Hope they put it on youtube. 

Yes as you and others have mentioned and it’s jogged my memory, someone measured it, remember seeing it in the WDP, by counting the stripes on the pitch if I remember rightly. 
I also remember the east end going nuts, I was relatively new to Ashton Gate then but could tell that was a strike you don’t see every day, not sure it’s been matched at Ashton Gate since.

I look forward to getting a proper look at it again soon but from what I saw today I don’t think anything will match the view I had that day in the East End. 

[eardun]

Really good tribute today; well done City and Scott Davidson. Brought a tear to my eye. Memories. Unfortunately my Dad was too unwell to attend today but on the bright side my daughter attended her second game today - first one was when she was 5; she’s now 22! - and my wife attended for the first time in 16 and a half years. Plus a gutsy win and it’s my birthday tomorrow - well today now! A good day all round. 

[Loco Rojo]

8 hours ago, 3 Peaps In A PodCast said:

I interviewed all 6 in groups of 2 for around 20 minutes each, will release them over the coming weeks under the Robins Reunited banner of 3 Peaps In A Podcast, hope you enjoy them! 
 

 

Great, thanks for letting me know.

I listened to your recent one with Wayne Allison and Junior Bent and enjoyed that too. Good work.

[054123]

10 hours ago, Red Shadow said:

This is the one thing that I find so cringeworthy. It's akin to watching a documentary or a film of a true event only to find something has been added/altered to make it more of a "nice" story. Rant over

I think everyone knows that nobody had a ‘dream’ just like there weren’t any ‘heroics’, it must have been a distressing, awful time for everyone involved.

Im just thankful that it got sorted but respectful of the fact that these 8 players gave up their jobs to do so.

[italian dave]

6 minutes ago, TomF said:

 

Was that original commentary too? “That was from another county….” Must go up there with the commentary about Dziekanowski at Leicester! 

[View from the Dolman]

Just now, italian dave said:

Was that original commentary too? “That was from another county….” Must go up there with the commentary about Dziekanowski at Leicester! 

It can't be an original commentary - Jon Champion was born in 1965 (and would have been 14 at the time of the game). 

[ralphindevon]

19 minutes ago, TomF said:

 

Ok I’m watching this all day now. What a goal and what a memory for those of us there, and yes it was in colour on the day.

If you look at the size of the box, 18 yards, then this isn’t quite 40 yards but it’s a long old way out to beat a keeper like Shilton. Absolutely brilliant. Wish he was there yesterday but respect his decision not to.

Edited February 20, 2022 by ralphindevon

[italian dave]

13 hours ago, ralphindevon said:

Great tribute and quite emotional. My life seemed to flash in front of my eyes when they showed Jimmy Mann’s goal against Forest.

I could see exactly where a 14 year old me was stood in the East End as it sailed past Shilton.

The frightening thing was how black and white and grainy it looked, made me feel about 90 years old.

Also, in all the time we haven’t seen the goal the further out it’s been, in reality it wasn’t quite the 40 yarder that some have spoken about but a cracking effort all the same. Especially as we all hated Shilton in those days.

That could be me writing that - give or take a few years old!!

Definitely brought a lump to the throat.

40 yards or not, I was still surprised that it really was as far out as I remember: often those sort of goals seem miles out at the time but are actually just outside the area - that really was a long way outside it!

Great work from the club yesterday: an event to remember. 

[Dollymarie]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ralphindevon]

May have missed it being mentioned already but how good were the kids with flags when they had to March through the sprinklers getting soaking wet?

I must admit I’d have broken rank and walked around them but they didn’t flinch and just marched straight into the spray.  Great work and I hope they dried out quickly.

[Denbury Red]

As others have said - considering how the club have managed these events before, I was concerned this may be another disaster - but I was delighted and impressed at the whole thing - topped off by Geoff Merrick saying how much he had enjoyed the past 3 days.

And whoever agreed with both teams and the ref - that the teams would open up and allow the 8 to walk off the pitch through them to applause - did another great job.

Im really hoping someone has kept a video diary of the 3 days which could be sold on DVD - and then all the proceeds to go to the 8.

Does anyone know if this is planned?

[spudski]

1 hour ago, TomF said:

 

Just look at the anticipation and reading of the game by Gerry Gow. So proactive and ahead of the game. Knew exactly where that ball was going before it did....and what a strike.

[shahanshahan]

 

[Clevedon Red]

15 hours ago, Sleepy1968 said:

Hopefully the Media Team will produce a youtube video about the Ashton Gate 8 commemorations, and include it in that.

Don’t hold your breath, at the moment not even a clip put on any social media site by them. 

[Big C]

The only thing I winced at was Downsey saying we were celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Ashton Gate 8.  Not sure it could be called a celebration

[Red Army 75]

Good to see . Didn’t know anything about that until I saw this tweet this morning. Fair play 

Anyone how involved or what he done. Seems quite heavily involved in the arrangement of it all 

[Red Army 75]

Who was there . Beauty 

[Ska Junkie]

I'm sure I'm not the only one but, after being around in '82, I found the whole thing quite emotional tbh.

I still don't think enough was / is done for the 8.

[Ska Junkie]

Just now, Red Army 75 said:

Who was there . Beauty 

I was in attendance, in the old enclosure, by the tunnel wall, stood on my foldable stool dad made from tubular steel in work. Imagine trying to take that in nowadays.

[Ska Junkie]

2 hours ago, Big C said:

The only thing I winced at was Downsey saying we were celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Ashton Gate 8.  Not sure it could be called a celebration

Spot on Big C, a poor usage of the word. Not sure what the right word would be though, 'commemoration' maybe?

[Hello Dave]

39 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Good to see . Didn’t know anything about that until I saw this tweet this morning. Fair play 

Anyone how involved or what he done. Seems quite heavily involved in the arrangement of it all 

Massively involved, he does a lot behind the scenes that people don’t know about. He actually drove to Hull to see Jimmy Mann this week. Mann couldn’t make it because of illness, so Scott drove up to see him and deliver some memorabilia. He’s a top man.

[Red Army 75]

1 minute ago, Hello Dave said:

Massively involved, he does a lot behind the scenes that people don’t know about. He actually drove to Hull to see Jimmy Mann this week. Mann couldn’t make it because of illness, so Scott drove up to see him and deliver some memorabilia. He’s a top man.

Thanks Dave. What a great thing to do, I honestly didn’t realise he was still associated with city in any form. Fair play 

[Hello Dave]

1 minute ago, Red Army 75 said:

Thanks Dave. What a great thing to do, I honestly didn’t realise he was still associated with city in any form. Fair play 

Arranges a lot of meals etc. for ex players, especially the promotion team of the 70s. Got a box down there as well.

[Bristol Oil Services]

32 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Who was there . Beauty 

Diego Maradona had to get a bit closer to Shilton before he was confident of beating him ....

[daored]

@JerrySLOwill there be an opportunity for non season ticket holders to purchase the brochure produced? 

[Clevedon Red]

1 hour ago, Red Army 75 said:

Who was there . Beauty 

@Desso Now you can see what end it was at

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Red Army 75 said:

Who was there . Beauty 

Me!

 

[BigAl&Toby]

1 hour ago, Ska Junkie said:

I'm sure I'm not the only one but, after being around in '82, I found the whole thing quite emotional tbh.

I still don't think enough was / is done for the 8.

I found it emotional too. I’ll be honest I also think that not enough was done to truly recognise the selfless sacrifice that the 8 made.

I get that loads lost money when the club failed. I get the argument that there’s no legal obligation to make things right. I get the argument that some might have since been declared bankrupt and that support might not have been easily possible. I get that some had testimonials - I met George Best and Chris Garland in what was then George’s Bookshop on Park Street.

Someone once said to me that a pat on the back and the Pope’s bollocks shared something in common. Both were worthless.

Yesterday’s “celebration” felt a bit like that to me……

[Davefevs]

29 minutes ago, TomF said:

Someone send it to Peter Jackson so we can watch it in full HD colour 

I did that first time around

6 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

I found it emotional too. I’ll be honest I also think that not enough was done to truly recognise the selfless sacrifice that the 8 made.

I get that loads lost money when the club failed. I get the argument that there’s no legal obligation to make things right. I get the argument that some might have since been declared bankrupt and that support might not have been easily possible. I get that some had testimonials - I met George Best and Chris Garland in what was then George’s Bookshop on Park Street.

Someone once said to me that a pat on the back and the Pope’s bollocks shared something in common. Both were worthless.

Yesterday’s “celebration” felt a bit like that to me……

Me too. I took my dad (80) yesterday, so it took me back to standing on his toolbox in the away end with my bruv.  Was nice for him to be with me and Joe.

[myol'man]

2 hours ago, Red Army 75 said:

Who was there . Beauty 

Yep, there behind the goal next to pillar 4.

Shilton shaking his head as he picked it out of the net 

[Red Army 75]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

I did that first time around

Me too. I took my dad (80) yesterday, so it took me back to standing on his toolbox in the away end with my bruv.  Was nice for him to be with me and Joe.

Can’t beat football for creating memories. I have more memories of Bristol City than anything else. 

[bcfc01]

2 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

I found it emotional too. I’ll be honest I also think that not enough was done to truly recognise the selfless sacrifice that the 8 made.

I get that loads lost money when the club failed. I get the argument that there’s no legal obligation to make things right. I get the argument that some might have since been declared bankrupt and that support might not have been easily possible. I get that some had testimonials - I met George Best and Chris Garland in what was then George’s Bookshop on Park Street.

Someone once said to me that a pat on the back and the Pope’s bollocks shared something in common. Both were worthless.

Yesterday’s “celebration” felt a bit like that to me……

I felt the same way.

But hearing the words of Geoff Merrick and others from the 8 (a couple saying its been up amongst the best few days of their lives), it occurred to me that its all about them and if they can overcome the invidious position it put them in at the time, get rid of the sour taste it left in their mouths, and get over any bitterness that may linger, then the commemoration is all good and lets leave it at that.

Sounds like a great deal of effort was put into it by people inside and outside the club so well done them.

 

[Nickybee]

7 hours ago, TomF said:

 

Thanks for sharing. I was lucky enough to be there - Block F of the Dolman at that time. 

Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere on this thread or another one, but I can remember back in ‘82 wondering who I was going to follow if City weren’t around .

I didn’t (and still don’t) know if it would have been possible for City to have ‘started again’ at that time like one of the ‘phoenix’ clubs of today. 

What I will say is that those 8 people did something that meant so much to so many people and that would have affected their lives at the time - of course there have been ups & downs since but at least we’ve been able to experience those - I’m truly grateful for what they did and it mustn’t be forgotten. 

[shahanshahan]

Video just released by the club, from just before kick off
 

 

[Banjo Island]

20 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Video just released by the club, from just before kick off
 

 

tremedous how i love this football club thank you the 8 legends

[Cardy]

Apologies if this has already been asked & answered however I have been wondering what the score is with Jimmy Mann & / or his family not part taking in the the Ashton 8 celebrations? Is there a specific reason for this?

It seems to have been brushed over somewhat by the club but there is one pic of the Ashton 6 plus I assume Chris Garland’s son in the changing room holding their shirts up whilst the Mann shirt is just left on the peg. All a bit sad really.

[Simon bristol]

On 20/02/2022 at 16:52, Davefevs said:

I did that first time around

Me too. I took my dad (80) yesterday, so it took me back to standing on his toolbox in the away end with my bruv.  Was nice for him to be with me and Joe.

Fevs. I wasnt old enough to attend until the mid 80s, but obviously the story of the 8 is well known…. Ive always been a little confused about the role played by the 8 in the successive relegations,, were they all key members of the squad who went from 1st division to 4th? Did any of them, as free agents, go back up the leagues?

 

[eardun]

39 minutes ago, Cardy said:

 

Apologies if this has already been asked & answered however I have been wondering what the score is with Jimmy Mann & / or his family not part taking in the the Ashton 8 celebrations? Is there a specific reason for this?

It seems to have been brushed over somewhat by the club but there is one pic of the Ashton 6 plus I assume Chris Garland’s son in the changing room holding their shirts up whilst the Mann shirt is just left on the peg. All a bit sad really.

I saw this on twitter so it’s certainly been recognised by the Mann family.

 

[ralphindevon]

1 hour ago, Cardy said:

 

Apologies if this has already been asked & answered however I have been wondering what the score is with Jimmy Mann & / or his family not part taking in the the Ashton 8 celebrations? Is there a specific reason for this?

It seems to have been brushed over somewhat by the club but there is one pic of the Ashton 6 plus I assume Chris Garland’s son in the changing room holding their shirts up whilst the Mann shirt is just left on the peg. All a bit sad really.

Edit: these are his words from the end of an recent interview.

“I won’t be at the reunion. I was struggling with it all and it wasn’t doing my health any good so I won’t be there, I’m afraid. I’ll apologise to the supporters and players and that and there are things... well I’m not going to discuss them but I’ve had a bad time, if you know what I mean. It’s difficult.”

A great shame but I respect his decision and hope he’s ok. I’ll never forget as a 14 year old in the east end that goal he scored against Shilton, nor the consistent performances throughout his time with us. 

Edited February 21, 2022 by ralphindevon

[ralphindevon]

Just been catching up on all the clubs social media videos and photos they e been posting today.

We like a good moan at the club at times but that weekend was very special, well done Scott Davidson and all involved.

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Simon bristol said:

Fevs. I wasnt old enough to attend until the mid 80s, but obviously the story of the 8 is well known…. Ive always been a little confused about the role played by the 8 in the successive relegations,, were they all key members of the squad who went from 1st division to 4th? Did any of them, as free agents, go back up the leagues?

 

No, in virtually all cases their careers petered out.  Poor old Trev Tainton ended up suffering having to play half a dozen games in the same team as me!!!

Id have to look it all up, I know Sweeney went to York, Trev to Torquay with Rodgers, Merrick to Hong Kong, think Mann might’ve gone to somewhere like Barnsley.  Others will rattle it off for you.

[slartibartfast]

Haven't read the whole thread, but did Chrissy G attend, couldn't pick him out on the film , cheers 

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

Haven't read the whole thread, but did Chrissy G attend, couldn't pick him out on the film , cheers 

No, his son Adam did.  Believe he isn’t in the best of health.

[ralphindevon]

4 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

Haven't read the whole thread, but did Chrissy G attend, couldn't pick him out on the film , cheers 

No, I don’t think he’s been in good health for years. He was represented by his son.

Jimmy was represented on the day by Tom Ritchie

[Simon bristol]

21 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

No, in virtually all cases their careers petered out.  Poor old Trev Tainton ended up suffering having to play half a dozen games in the same team as me!!!

Id have to look it all up, I know Sweeney went to York, Trev to Torquay with Rodgers, Merrick to Hong Kong, think Mann might’ve gone to somewhere like Barnsley.  Others will rattle it off for you.

Thanks,, how instrumental were they in the successive relegations? Is it fair to say At least some of these players were part of a squad with one of the worst records ever in english football?

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

Thanks,, how instrumental were they in the successive relegations? Is it fair to say At least some of these players were part of a squad with one of the worst records ever in english football?

I think key players losses like Gow….then Harford etc, together with the players getting older had an affect.

@Curr Avon can you add more?

[Simon bristol]

38 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think key players losses like Gow….then Harford etc, together with the players getting older had an affect.

@Curr Avon can you add more?

Cool, if this was our current squad that got us relegated to league 2, the level of animosity towards them would be unbelievable, yet thats not how the 8 are remembered.

I understand the levels of salary arent the same as now, but they were still making a good living, yet some of them, in some form, must have been horrifically underperforming? 
 

im trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad.

[eardun]

48 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think key players losses like Gow….then Harford etc, together with the players getting older had an affect.

@Curr Avon can you add more?

Even though I loved watching him, I never quite understood how we managed to sign Harford given our financial position - and in Division 3 by that stage. That World in Action documentary on the other thread seems to ask the same question. If wiki is to be believed we signed him for £160k in Aug 81 and sold him 7 months later in March 82 for £100k. Further evidence of the financial mismanagement, I guess. 

[spudski]

7 hours ago, billywedlock said:

It is still hard to comprehend how the club went from the top flight and got relegated in successive seasons to Div 4 (LG2). How some of the players that looked quite Ok at the higher levels were then part of a group that fell off the edge. Whilst a few of them were getting older, it does not explain why the great failure. As a fan in those days, it really was hard to comprehend. Yes of course we lost some key players (Cheese for example) but it was impossible to understand a total implosion , OK out of the top flight, but to totally collapse . We did rely on buying experienced but end of career players ( Hunter/Cooper/Royle etc.) but still , why the huge failure. I did not understand back in the day and even now with the benefit of hindsight struggle to understand how we were the first club in history to go from the top flight to the bottom in successive seasons. Others can maybe explain. 

The world in action clip struck a chord with me, regarding something that hadn't registered at the time.

In 1979 Gary Collier left on a free. Dicks then gave very long contracts to various players so that it wouldn't happen again. The likes of Whitehead on £500 a week with gauranteed bonus add ons...decent money in those days.

We then got relegated the following year.

With those long contracts, you then feel nice and secure. Pretty cosy. Set up for the rest of your career.

You can just go through the motions, no desire...no need. You aren't having to fight for your career or livelihood anymore.

It struck a chord.

[frenchred]

7 hours ago, Simon bristol said:

Cool, if this was our current squad that got us relegated to league 2, the level of animosity towards them would be unbelievable, yet thats not how the 8 are remembered.

I understand the levels of salary arent the same as now, but they were still making a good living, yet some of them, in some form, must have been horrifically underperforming? 
 

im trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad.

I'll bite

I don't think your trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad at all

I believe you are just trying to whip it up I'll  feeling towards the magnificent 8 and on this forum

Either go dig up all the stories surrounding this sad era, it's not hard with Google, or join the majority in thanking these guys and the club for what was done over the weekend.

Your continual digs regarding the players performance at the time.serves no.purpose

[East Londoner]

8 hours ago, Simon bristol said:

Cool, if this was our current squad that got us relegated to league 2, the level of animosity towards them would be unbelievable, yet thats not how the 8 are remembered.

I understand the levels of salary arent the same as now, but they were still making a good living, yet some of them, in some form, must have been horrifically underperforming? 
 

im trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad.

I get where you’re coming from but it’s probably unfair to just blame the players. From some simple research it appears anyone of any value was sold off and sometimes for less than they were worth and not replaced.

So perhaps falling through the leagues was inevitable and remember while we were the first Wolves also suffered three consecutive relegations no long after 

However what’s always amazed me is how those running the club seemed to escape scrutiny. It appears there was a lot of taking more money out of the club than was being put in as well as a lot of incompetence. Maybe it was a different era but whereas Risdale at Leeds was crucified although has somehow remained in football those allegedly managing the club just seemed to disappear into the background 

 

[Super]

12 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Video just released by the club, from just before kick off
 

 

Actually thought the music was great as well.

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, spudski said:

The world in action clip struck a chord with me, regarding something that hadn't registered at the time.

In 1979 Gary Collier left on a free. Dicks then gave very long contracts to various players so that it wouldn't happen again. The likes of Whitehead on £500 a week with gauranteed bonus add ons...decent money in those days.

We then got relegated the following year.

With those long contracts, you then feel nice and secure. Pretty cosy. Set up for the rest of your career.

You can just go through the motions, no desire...no need. You aren't having to fight for your career or livelihood anymore.

It struck a chord.

Didn’t we get £325k in a tribunal for Collier?

Listening to JP on 20Man last Monday he implied that it wasn’t Dicks who agreed the contracts, but the board.  All Dicks said was that we had to secure players to avoid them leaving under “freedom of contract” and City running the risk of tribunal under-valuing the player(s).

[spudski]

22 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Didn’t we get £325k in a tribunal for Collier?

Listening to JP on 20Man last Monday he implied that it wasn’t Dicks who agreed the contracts, but the board.  All Dicks said was that we had to secure players to avoid them leaving under “freedom of contract” and City running the risk of tribunal under-valuing the player(s).

I really can't remember whether there was money from a tribunal.

The world in action interviews are a really good insight. Both Dicks and the Board blaming one another. And giving reasons. Peter Godsiffs appraisal is good too. 

The buck stops with the board, they have to sign things off. They could have turned it down.

Either way, however way you look at it, giving players contracts that long is madness. 

Having to play and have the drive to get your next contract...the impress...get a better deal, will always give a certain percentage of ' extra' from a player.

We basically handed some a sofa.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, spudski said:

I really can't remember whether there was money from a tribunal.

The world in action interviews are a really good insight. Both Dicks and the Board blaming one another. And giving reasons. Peter Godsiffs appraisal is good too. 

The buck stops with the board, they have to sign things off. They could have turned it down.

Either way, however way you look at it, giving players contracts that long is madness. 

Having to play and have the drive to get your next contract...the impress...get a better deal, will always give a certain percentage of ' extra' from a player.

We basically handed some a sofa.

Googled. Yes £325k for him in a tribunal. 

[Simon bristol]

4 hours ago, frenchred said:

I'll bite

I don't think your trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad at all

I believe you are just trying to whip it up I'll  feeling towards the magnificent 8 and on this forum

Either go dig up all the stories surrounding this sad era, it's not hard with Google, or join the majority in thanking these guys and the club for what was done over the weekend.

Your continual digs regarding the players performance at the time.serves no.purpose

Im not really looking to, and i dont believe i have the ability to whip up ill feeling amongst a support numbering tens of thousands, but im trying to understand the situation that happened 40 years ago, which is current news as they were all on the pitch at the weekend.

[Curr Avon]

14 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I think key players losses like Gow….then Harford etc, together with the players getting older had an affect.

@Curr Avon can you add more?

In addition to the AG8 contracts, a number of things contributed to City's downfall Dave, way before 1982.

The failure to properly insure Cheesley following his retirement (from League football) in 1977 to fund his replacement. Although Garland joined in November '76, helping to save City that season, he was badly injured early in the following campaign and played few games between 1977-80.

Ousting Chairman Robert Hobbs in 1977, after he invited potential new Directors to join the Board for a £25000 investment, and the subsequent costly court cases. 

The failure to bring through any capable talented youngsters, apart from Mabbutt, instead relying on aged players with a limited shelf life. Cooper suffered an injury early in his career and played few games. Late on Meijer, Jantuunen etc were poor replacements, as was Tony Fitzpatrick who cost £350000 and contributed a solitary goal in the forgettable 80-81 season, when we scored just 29 in 42. 

As a footnote Gow went to Man City in October 1980, and despite having battered knees starred in the 1981 Cup Final against Spurs, plus a further season before joining Rotherham, then Burnley.

Harford was a terrific signing in the Summer of 1981, but we had to sell him after the takeover. He actually went back to Newcastle, as City either hadn't made any transfer payments, or were behind, and the Toon then sold him to Birmingham. Strange days indeed. Most peculiar Momma.

 

Edited February 22, 2022 by Curr Avon

[myol'man]

Apart from the initial two weeks pay off and 8th share from the testimonial match, have the 8 ever received another payment from BCFC?

Who benefits from the sale of Ashton Gate 8 merchandise?

[Rich]

14 hours ago, Simon bristol said:

Cool, if this was our current squad that got us relegated to league 2, the level of animosity towards them would be unbelievable, yet thats not how the 8 are remembered.

I understand the levels of salary arent the same as now, but they were still making a good living, yet some of them, in some form, must have been horrifically underperforming? 
 

im trying to get some idea of whose responsibility it was that the collapse was that bad.

There was a collective of responsibility for the wrong doings and effect that subsequently materialised.

When we got to div 1 it was obvious that we had to attract better more experienced players, especially with the loss of Cheesley right at the start of our experience. We then also lost what was probably our best player in Collier, massive hit losing those two. The youth team (todays academy) was abandoned to help pay towards those costs. Ultimately there were not a lot coming through when we did hit on hard times. Not sure about the scouting system being cut back as well.

When those older players reached their sell by date which was quite quick as they were all older players in Cooper, Hunter, Royle, Cormack, we'd tried to bring in equivalent replacement players but not successful in the likes of Fitzpatrick from Scotland. So we were struggling with the core that got us promoted, Merrick was injured for 18 months prior to the collapse.

I don't think you can blame the players as we'd lost our best in Gow, Ritchie, Mabbut, Whitehead, by the time of 82 came about. Then when it really hit was the selling of Harford and Moller by the old board, our chances of survival from the 3rd went with them.

The 8 players were doing what they could for themselves and negotiated a pay off, I believe it ended up at £100k, £12k each, plus monies raised at testimonial events. Not too bad really, as a large terrace house could be bought with that in Ashton, about £500k nowadays.

In truth, it was bad management by the board of directors, who ruled with their hearts not their heads. Of course, there were no parachute payments in those days. They'd have probably been better cutting their cloth and accepting that, if that option was available then.  

[Silvio Dante]

2 hours ago, Simon bristol said:

Im not really looking to, and i dont believe i have the ability to whip up ill feeling amongst a support numbering tens of thousands, but im trying to understand the situation that happened 40 years ago, which is current news as they were all on the pitch at the weekend.

To be fair, I didn’t read it as digging - and it’s not an unfair question. 
 

What is probably true, bearing in mind where they went after, is that the 8 were probably past their best collectively. There’s a debate to be had as to whether the whole situation took it out of them desire wise, but it isn’t as if they were playing below what was probably their level at the time.

I think it also has to be noted that the gap between Division 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 wasn’t the chasm it is now. Once you have downward momentum it’s hard to arrest it, as Wolves also showed shortly thereafter.

The folly of the long contracts has also been covered - and it’s important to note they were well, but not excessively paid. Certainly it wasn’t “don’t work again” money.

I think the broader answer to your question is that if we plummeted with Palmer, Wells, Kalas, Weimann, James etc - well paid experienced players - it’d be more of a case to answer than the “8”, as those players are both paid well enough to never have to work again, and are at clearly a level above the bottom two divisions.

So, I read it as an unfortunate mixture of players all declining together and colossal mismanagement. But there was also never going to be vitriol at Mann, Merrick, Tainton etc in view of club service prior.

I should say here that I was only 4 at the time of the “8”, but from my knowledge of football at the time and reading, the above makes sense.

[ralphindevon]

The question was the about the record consecutive relegations, they were nothing to do with Cheese, we had 4 years in the top flight without him, bar 1 1/2 games.

It had everything to do with losing Hunter, Collier and Gow. Without them, an injured Merrick and a few others ageing was the perfect storm for the disaster that followed. 

[ralphindevon]

After Saturdays events I was just thinking how good it would be to see the players who played against Fulham at the game tonight. It would round off things nicely. 

[Rich]

3 hours ago, myol'man said:

Apart from the initial two weeks pay off and 8th share from the testimonial match, have the 8 ever received another payment from BCFC?

Who benefits from the sale of Ashton Gate 8 merchandise?

It wasn't just a share of the testimonial money. As far as I remember and I'm confident this is correct, although many figures have been bandied around recently. They received a share of £100k raised from the sale of the old club, to BCFC 1982. Not sure if that was equally shared out, or based on contract value and length. I'd imagine Merrick's contract was worth more than Marshalls. They also received monies from a testimonial.  If it was an equal share out, which I doubt, they'd have received £12k each, the equivalent of a large terraced house in Ashton, todays value £500k.  I did hear that Geoff Merrick put his towards a farm in Long Ashton. Trevor Tainton started a business, which sadly failed, Marshall went to Walsall and sadly they also went bust, lucky omen?

At the time I was a self employed Plumbing and heating engineer, earning £50 per week,, although they weren't earning anything like todays money It wasn't bad. Jimmy Mann was earning a basic £300 per week presumably plus bonusses and he was one of the lower paid players, so six times my earnings, possibly £4k to £5k per week in nowadays terms. Though it's difficult and probably unfair to make proper comparisons.

Without meaning to sound ungrateful to those players, there was a reason they never played many games between them after the collapse of the club. I would hazard a guess that it was mostly age related. They were in an awful position of accept the pay off or, 20p in the £ that creditors agreed to and got or, possibly get nothing.

[maxjak]

I in no way mean this in any disparaging way, and fully respect the sacrifice of the Ashton Gate 8....but I was unaware until researching the proceedings that took place, that 5 of the 8 were 30 plus, Gerry Sweeney being 37 and Trevor Tainton was 34.  The average age was 31, it just surprised me that other than Marshall and Aitken, they were all nearing the end of their careers?   Not that that detracts in any way from the validity of their contracts, but it just emphasise's the recklessness of the board in handing out  contracts that were on occasion far too long?     ie  Clive Whitehead..........11 years?

[shahanshahan]