Bristol City

After all the fun of the festive season, it is time to get back to be business.  The business of the FA cup and most of all the business of my FA cup glory hunt.

For anyone who doesn't know back in August I decided to pick a team from the extra preliminary round of the world's greatest cup competition and follow that teams progress.  Being a glory hunt I would in-turn follow the winner of each fixture.  It all started with Morpeth Town on the 15 of August, they lost to Dunston UTS who went on a good little run before being defeated by Spennymoor Town. Spennymoor lost eventually to AFC Telford United and now here I am at the third round supporting Telford's conquerors Bristol City.

Going into their FA cup tie tomorrow with Doncaster Rovers, Bristol City are currently top of league one a point clear of Swindon,  just like a red breasted Robin proudly singing atop a snow covered tree.

The Robins needed a very late winner from Kieran Agaard to dispatch the Conference bottom club Telford in the last round and although they are away tomorrow they should be favourites against the Rovers of Doncaster.

City last played Rovers in the league in September where they ran out 3-0 winners at Ashton Gate.
Goals from Aaron Wilbraham, Mark Little and Kieran Agaard secured the points for the home team on this occassion.

My first memories of Bristol City are from the late 70's, 1979 to be exact.  I remember having a football sticker book (not panini) from that year and the Robins were there in the English football's elite league, division 1.  Unfortunately for me Bristol City were one of the teams I didn't complete, but I do remember a few of the players from that time.

Gerry Gow who went on to play for Manchester City in the 1981 cup final against Spurs

Peter Cormack who had played for Liverpool in the 1975 cup final against Newcastle.

Terry Cooper former England full back who represented his country 20 times including appearances in the 1970 world cup in Mexico.

Joe Royle the former Everton and Manchester City striker who went on to score 18 goals for the club.

The Robins finished the 1978-79 season in 13th place with some memorable scalps along the way, most notably a 1-0 win at Ashton Gate against champions elect Liverpool.  Joe Royle the City scorer.


In stark contrast tomorrows opponents Doncaster Rovers finished the 1978-79 season 22nd in the old division four.  This included a 7-1 away defeat to Bournemouth.

Their team of that season featured Glynn and Ian Snodin, probably more famous for their time at Sheffield Wednesday and Everton respectively in the 80's.  They were managed at the time by former Leeds legend Billy Bremner although Bremner was player manager he only played 5 times for the club.

So back to tomorrow and on to the game in hand.

The Robins are obviously favourites and I really expect to be supporting them in the next round of the cup, but Doncaster who sit 14th in league 1 at present come into this game on the back of a 2-0 home win against Coventry and a creditable 0-0 draw at London Road to Peterborough last time out.

 Rovers will fancy their chances at home and a lot of their hopes will be pinned on their Strikers Curtis Main, Nathan Tyson, Theo Robinson and former Aston Villa player Harry Forrester.  In midfield they have Dean Furman and James Coppinger.  In defence Luke McCullogh and Reece Wabara are likely to start.

Defender Wabara can play anywhere along the back line.

Midfielder Coppinger can always come up with a goal.

Former Villa man Forrester is one to watch.

Like the Robins it was a late goal in the last round against Oldham that secured their place in the third round of the cup.  It could prove to be a close game tomorrow but lets hope Marlon Pack pulls the strings in midfield and the Robins can book their place in the next round.

Up the Robins!!