Roddy asks for vocal support
TeamBath boss Ged Roddy thanked the fans that came to support his side in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory over Salisbury City, but called on them to keep coming back and to make themselves heard at Twerton Park.
Roddy’s side booked their place in the first round with a 1-0 victory, thanks to substitute Shaun Benison’s 77th-minute striker, and the manager hopes the city of Bath will get behind his side.
“We got a great crowd here today, but they don’t yet understand how to make enough noise for us,” he said.
“We’ve been trying to build a fan base here in this city and it’s coming – those people that came today probably thoroughly enjoyed themselves, I’d like to say thank you to them.
“We need them to come back week in, week out and make some noise, like the Salisbury fans did. We need our fans to find their voice, but there’s plenty of them in here.
“There’ll be plenty more big games, we know the direction we’re going on the playing side – we can look after that, but we do need the support of the city to come behind us.”
Roddy also paid tribute to his physio, Jim Horrox, and the stewards at Twerton Park, who were on hand quickly when Dean Smith was knocked out.
“It wasn’t a nice situation. I thought Jim was our man of the match, because he handled it very well," the manager said.
“All the stewards here at Bath City were fantastic as well, so a bit of applause for them.”
Head coach Andy Tillson admitted his side did not play to their potential in the opening period, but was pleased to see his team go on to demonstrate that they can compete against a Blue Square Premier outfit.
“We just felt that we didn’t do ourselves justice in the first half. We didn’t start positively enough and that gave a side lacking in confidence at the moment a chance to get into the game,” he said.
“Once we got into half-time and got it sorted out we seemed to do better.
“We know we can do it now, we know we can compete at this level and we’d like the opportunity, so we’re going to have to work hard between now and the end of the season to make sure we get that opportunity."
Meanwhile, goalscoring hero Benison was delighted to have taken his chance, in only his third appearance for TeamBath, all as a substitute.
“I was just waiting for my time to get into the team, and I took it, I’m really happy,” he said.
“I came off the bench against Worcester on Monday, did well and got my chance today.”
15 Comments
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by gart, bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 1:01PM
“Agree Roger,
It's going to be a cracking game
and with a few more fans on the gate we should be able to give football fans in the Bath area something to shout about at last.”
by Roger, Chew Stoke nr Bristol
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 12:06PM
“The next home league game against Maidenhead United is a definite game to see and with both teams snapping at each others heels for top of the table, it's going to be an entertaining six-pointer with lots of goals!
As with AFC Wimbledom, who we'll play at home in early December, I think Maidenhead United will be challenging for promotion this season.”
by gart, Bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 10:16AM
“Correct Roger,
It's what the football fans of the City need and deserve and it's well over due.It will boost the local economy and we should get some t v coverage, which will also be good for the city.most of all i think it will be a huge boost for local football.”
by Roger, Chew Stoke nr Bristol
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 10:08AM
“Twerton Park and the residents of Bath deserve conference football week in week out. For too long, people have had to endure a rollercoaster of mixed emotions for their local teams and it's so refreshing to watch TB inject a much needed boost for the City.
If TB can make it to the conference, and I believe they can, then we'll be able to visit Twerton Park and feel an atmosphere that has been lacking for all too long.
If TB keep their prices fair, then I really think that football fans will return in their droves to watch well known teams playing entertaining football.”
by gart, Bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 10:00AM
“If they need cover what do you expect them to do walk around the campus looking for a goalie?.
I believe they are allowed to have loan players in like the rest of the football teams and who knows he might be on a refs coarse lol.”
by JayJayZ, Bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 9:38AM
“Gart, I'm not sure that really answers my point. I understand that loan players is a 'footballing thing' but it still does not seem to fit with the whole Team Bath philosphy. I do agree that Tilson (who I have a lot of time for as a Bristol Rovers fan) did a good job against Salisbury, though.”
by Gart, bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 9:03AM
“Yes it would be good if it was Forest Green,
One thing for sure it will put the City of Bath on the footballing map for a while.For a city this size we should have a successful football club, who would have thought it would come through the uni.
Who cares it's the city and the fans who will benefit.
I think it's all very exciting the possibility of Conference football coming to the City.”
by Roger, Chew Stoke nr Bristol
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 8:23AM
“I think it was Chasemore Town who TB played last year in the cup. They played very well on the day and were worthy winners. The crowd for that game was around 1,000, and I'll expect to see a similar crowd for our next cup game, preferably, FGR who are not too far away from Bath.”
by gart, bath
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 5:25AM
“Don't worry jayjayz it's a football thing having loan players, all teams do it.
I agree Salisbury were well nullified by Team Bath on Saturday.
Yet again Mr Tilson got the tactics right, it's can't be luck that they are doing so well again in the cup. We need to turn up again in numbers and give them our support,as Mr Roddy said and who knows where this run will go.One thing for sure it's all positive..
this can only be good for non league football in the area as it will give other teams something to aspire too.
Also it's good for the city of Bath.”
by JayJayZ, Bath
Monday, October 27 2008, 6:38PM
“Like a number of people it seems I went down to watch Team Bath for the first time on Saturday and was fairly impressed, although not with Salisbury for the higher division side. Saying this a draw would have been the fairest result. However, one thing has confused me about the game. Am I right in thinking Team Bath's keeper was on loan from another club? I thought all their players were students, therefore on courses at the University?”