Audio: Lee Howells and Manda Rigby frustrated by "negative" Bath City fans
Bath City chairman Manda Rigby says the negativity of some supporters is getting "very wearing" after head coach Lee Howells was involved in a verbal altercation with fans during yesterday's 1-1 home draw with Truro City.
"It was a frustrating game but there were a couple of guys who, from the first whistle to the last, criticised everything on the field and off the field," said Howells, who watched substitute Josh Low rescue a point by cancelling out Andrew Watkins' 90th-minute opener with virtually the last kick of the game.
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Mark Preece congratulates Josh Low (right) on his late leveller. PICTURE: Simon Howe
"The sad thing was when Truro scored, and it was a good goal, you could actually see happiness on their face. Then when we scored - and I assume they are our supporters - they looked disappointed.
"I do believe they do it to get a reaction and I don't understand why. You can understand it sometimes but we'd just had two good results [against Tonbridge Angels and Eastbourne Borough].
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"I don't really understand why you would come and waste a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon to criticise, criticise and criticise."
Rigby was equally frustrated by the fans' reaction but said: "If you go to most grounds, there will be some people who can be quite negative.
"I would say that 99 per cent of our fans are amazing and really get behind the team but we do seem to have some people who are more delighted when we are doing badly than doing well.
"From the size of the pasties to the starting line-up, they'll just find fault with everything. In the end it does get very wearing."
Meanwhile, Joe Burnell is facing a spell on the sidelines after missing yesterday's match with appendicitis.
Director of football Adie Britton has also been absent from the past two games with illness.
Next up for City is the Somerset Premier Cup quarter-final tie against local rivals Odd Down at Mayday Trust Park on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Listen to the Andrew Kerslake's interview with Lee Howells and Manda Rigby
17 Comments
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by matlaske
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 4:58PM
“what I can remember Ray Stock had the the same idea as Manda with his well known saying We do not need supporters we got The Rovers money, the result being he got rid of the supporters club and splitting the club in three.The difference being we have not got that luxuryof that money”
by WestonRay
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 8:20AM
“Ask yourself what he would have thought about the football which is far more important.”
by Owlowl
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 8:04AM
“I often wonder what the internet forums would have been like in the days of Ray Stock and if the comments would have been any different?”
by WestonRay
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 7:48AM
“Now,now Twerton1 we shouldn't moan ,you know we've been told not to.We just pay are money,watch and go home.”
by Twerton1
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 6:33AM
“Well well the increasingly arrogant Rigby hogging the headlines yet again, I think we'll have to accept that some people just love seeing their name in print.”
by WestonRay
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 5:55AM
“It's the blinkered view of some that have foolishly kept Adie at the club imho.Nice chap and all that but he should of gone last season.”
by Newly_Wed
Monday, February 25 2013, 8:56PM
“well said, dls198733
unfortunately nothing you or i say is going to change the blinkered views that the small number of posters on here exhibit”
by WestonRay
Monday, February 25 2013, 5:57PM
“The grounds so empty these days a few disgruntled fans stand out.Most I believe go now through habit.I go to see my mates more than the football these days which is a shame.We had a couple of good results of late which has been good but two wins will be followed by four losses.”
by DaveF_Walcot
Monday, February 25 2013, 5:25PM
“Oh, I'm not a fan, WestonRay. I went about four times before having to retire with neck strain because the team couldn't keep the bloody ball on the ground. I'm making a comment because Ms Rigby's wailings have jumped from the back pages to the front. As I said, a sure sign that there's trouble at t'mill.”
by dls198733
Monday, February 25 2013, 4:51PM
“I absolutely agree with Newly_Wed. It's ridiculous. If you want to sl** the club off that's fine, but let everyone else support it. If you're unhappy, either accept that you happen to have a difference of opinion or go to another club. I state, again, look at the FINANCES. It's unsustainable. Bath City, in its current state will be a Southern League team, probably Division 1 or below. Either way, Rigby is holding the slowly rotting strings together has had some considerable mud flung her way of which much is wrongly flung and Twerton Park is the noose. Players don't want to hear the negative rabble either. Put your personal differences aside, support the club so in the long-term you may well get what you want - Rigby & Britton to move on and someone else in... on lots of money, with fewer players, being relegated. Oh wait...”