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Bristol City v Reading

Matchday programme: Bristol City v Reading. With an interview from Ayman Benarous, notes from Nigel Pearson, a detailed look at The Royals, a review Women's recent run of form, as well as a dive into the history books.

Matchday programme: Bristol City v Reading. With an interview from Ayman Benarous, notes from Nigel Pearson, a detailed look at The Royals, a review Women's recent run of form, as well as a dive into the history books.

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ROB NS<br />

2021/22 OFFICIAL BRISTOL CITY DIGITAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME<br />

AYMAN<br />

BENAROUS<br />

#38<br />

v READING<br />

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP<br />

ASHTON GATE | WED FEB 9 | 7.45PM<br />

PRINCIPAL<br />

PARTNER<br />

MATCH<br />

SPONSOR


ROBINS IN<br />

FOCUS<br />

26<br />

ZAK VYNER<br />

AGE: 24<br />

POSITION: Defender<br />

SIGNED: Academy<br />

Still just 24, Zak Vyner has made 88<br />

appearances in all competitions since<br />

his <strong>City</strong> debut almost six years ago.<br />

The Robins Academy graduate played<br />

the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 away win at<br />

MK Dons back on February 20th 2016,<br />

as a brace from Jonathan Kodjia gave us<br />

all three points in the Championship that<br />

day. One of Vyner’s defensive partners<br />

that Saturday afternoon was Nathan<br />

Baker, the only remaining member from<br />

the matchday squad still at Ashton Gate.<br />

In all, Vyner played four times in the<br />

2015/16 season, before embarking on<br />

four loan spells away from the club at<br />

Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle,<br />

Rotherham United and Aberdeen.<br />

It was at Plymouth Argyle where Vyner<br />

was named Young Player of the Year,<br />

despite only featuring 17 times in the<br />

second half of the 2017/18 campaign.<br />

Vyner, who has experience at centre-back,<br />

right-back and central midfield, has<br />

scored two goals for his boyhood club –<br />

both came in the 2020/21 season.


THE<br />

GAFFER<br />

A<br />

warm welcome back<br />

to Ashton Gate for<br />

our midweek fixture<br />

against <strong>Reading</strong>. We<br />

extend that welcome<br />

to Veljko Paunović,<br />

his players, staff and supporters for what is a<br />

relatively short trip to <strong>Bristol</strong>.<br />

For us, it’s our first game back in BS3 after three<br />

consecutive away games, so to play back on<br />

home soil under the lights should make for a great<br />

occasion.<br />

We can be disappointed<br />

to have not come<br />

away with more than a<br />

point from those three<br />

matches. We largely<br />

dominated against Luton<br />

Town and deserved<br />

more at Preston so it has<br />

shown there is always<br />

things to work on. That<br />

goes for both ends of<br />

the pitch, defensively<br />

and how we attack in the<br />

final third of the pitch.<br />

Again that showed on<br />

Saturday at Blackpool.<br />

There wasn’t much in the<br />

game but a quick fire double which ultimately saw<br />

us chasing a three-goal deficit was always going to<br />

make it a big ask.<br />

We were unable to manage the game, we lacked<br />

quality in the final third and, not for the first time, we<br />

conceded really poor goals. These were avoidable<br />

so it has been a case of going back to basics as we<br />

search for the solutions.<br />

WE'VE GOT<br />

TO FIND THE<br />

SOLUTION TO<br />

GET OURSELVES<br />

ON WINNING<br />

WAYS...THAT HAS<br />

BEEN ONE OF<br />

THE LESSONS<br />

FROM OUR<br />

RECENT RESULTS<br />

We've got to find the solution to get ourselves on<br />

winning ways, and that has certainly been one of<br />

the lessons from our recent results. However, I am<br />

pleased to be back at home after three away games<br />

in a row. Our reverse fixture against <strong>Reading</strong> was<br />

a poignant one as we secured our first win of the<br />

season.<br />

We took a two-goal lead that night and conceded<br />

another avoidable goal before they scored late on<br />

with the score at 3-2. That was a nervy finale but we<br />

got what we deserved in the end. The supporters<br />

went home incredibly happy that night so I plan for<br />

us to do the same tonight.<br />

Since my last programme<br />

notes, Ayman Benarous<br />

signed his new contract<br />

and I’m delighted for the<br />

lad. I think we can all<br />

agree how well he has<br />

performed for someone<br />

so new to this level. He<br />

has a lot of potential<br />

but I like the energy and<br />

commitment he brings, he<br />

knows what it means to<br />

wear the shirt and there’s<br />

a bright future ahead of<br />

him for sure.<br />

He has a good head<br />

on his shoulders so he knows there is a lot more<br />

hard work to go. Everyone in the team knows the<br />

levels of performance needed consistently to drive<br />

forward at this level and I hope to see a response on<br />

Wednesday night.<br />

Enjoy the game!<br />

Nige<br />

NIGEL<br />

PEARSON<br />

4 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 5


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A ST AT<br />

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YOU<br />

DIDN’T<br />

KN W<br />

OVER HALF A MILLION<br />

SKY BET CUSTOMERS USE DEPOSIT LIMITS<br />

TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET.<br />

THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL:<br />

6 WEMBLEYS.<br />

201 ALLY PALLYS.<br />

OR 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAYS.<br />

(THAT’S A LOT OF TWEED)<br />

ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS<br />

HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS.<br />

SO WHOEVER YOU BET WITH,<br />

SET AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR YOU<br />

AND THEN ENJOY THE SPORT.<br />

DEPOSIT LIMITS<br />

THAT’S BETTING BETTER.


READING<br />

CLUB FACTS<br />

GROUND<br />

SELECT CAR<br />

LEASING STADIUM<br />

AFTER THREE GAMES ON<br />

THE ROAD, CITY RETURN TO<br />

ASHTON GATE FOR AN<br />

UNDER-THE-LIGHTS CLASH<br />

WITH READING.<br />

<strong>City</strong> have only won at home<br />

against <strong>Reading</strong> on five<br />

occasions since 2000, the first<br />

of those a 4-0 rout in the Auto<br />

Windscreens Shield. Since<br />

then we’ve met at Ashton Gate<br />

13 times, all fixtures played in<br />

the second tier.<br />

V<br />

HEAD TO HEAD<br />

101<br />

MATCHES PLAYED<br />

Best victory: 7-2, October 1947<br />

Worst defeat: 2-5, November 1935<br />

Last time we met: 3-2, August 2021<br />

2021/22 IN NUMBERS<br />

W<br />

40<br />

CITY v ROYALS<br />

39.6 %<br />

WIN RATE<br />

D 20<br />

L<br />

41<br />

FORMED<br />

1871<br />

MANAGER<br />

VELJKO PAUNOVIĆ<br />

41<br />

GOALS<br />

SCORED<br />

57<br />

GOALS<br />

CONCEDED<br />

LEAGUE<br />

POSITION<br />

R3<br />

17 TH<br />

R1<br />

31<br />

GOALS<br />

SCORED<br />

49<br />

GOALS<br />

CONCEDED<br />

POSITION<br />

R3<br />

21 ST<br />

R1<br />

NICKNAME<br />

THE ROYALS<br />

HONOURS<br />

Best league finish<br />

8th in Premier League, 2007/08<br />

(under Steve Coppell, pictured)<br />

Second tier champions<br />

1993/94, 2005/06, 2011/12<br />

Third tier champions<br />

1925/26 (Division Three South),<br />

1985/86<br />

Fourth tier champions<br />

1978/79<br />

Simod Cup winners<br />

1987/88<br />

Clockwise from top: Manager Veljko Paunović; midfielder Josh Laurent;<br />

striker Femi Azeez and Nigerian Under-23 international Tom Dele-Bashiru<br />

POSSESSION<br />

44.6 %<br />

PASSING PERCENTAGE<br />

68.7 %<br />

TACKLE SUCCESS<br />

LEAGUE ONE CHAMPIONSHIP<br />

14<br />

TOP SCORER<br />

ANDI<br />

WEIMANN<br />

68.3 %<br />

AVERAGE AERIAL<br />

DUELS WON<br />

25.8<br />

YELLOW<br />

54 1<br />

CARDS<br />

6.97<br />

BEST AVERAGE<br />

RATING (OPTA)<br />

ANTOINE<br />

SEMENYO<br />

RED<br />

CARDS<br />

6<br />

MOST<br />

ASSISTS<br />

ANTOINE<br />

SEMENYO<br />

8TOP SCORER<br />

JOHN<br />

SWIFT<br />

7.21<br />

BEST AVERAGE<br />

RATING (OPTA)<br />

JOHN<br />

SWIFT<br />

YELLOW<br />

47 0<br />

CARDS<br />

POSSESSION<br />

47.3 %<br />

11<br />

MOST<br />

ASSISTS<br />

JOHN<br />

SWIFT<br />

PASSING PERCENTAGE<br />

78.8 %<br />

TACKLE SUCCESS<br />

65.2 %<br />

AVERAGE AERIAL<br />

DUELS WON<br />

17.9<br />

RED<br />

CARDS<br />

8 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 9


READING<br />

DID YOU<br />

KNOW?<br />

In November, <strong>Reading</strong> were deducted six points<br />

by the EFL for breaching its profitability and<br />

sustainability rules, with a further six-point deduction<br />

suspended until the end of the 2022/23 season. The<br />

club was not able to appeal the verdict.<br />

KEY PLAYER<br />

10<br />

JOHN SWIFT<br />

It was a case of Swift by name, Swift<br />

by nature after the midfielder enjoyed a<br />

rapid start to the 2021/22 season.<br />

With eight goals to his name so far, seven<br />

of those came in the opening seven<br />

games of the campaign, including a hattrick<br />

in a 3-3 draw with QPR in September.<br />

The former Chelsea trainee has scored<br />

just once since, the only goal in a narrow<br />

win over Barnsley in October but leads the<br />

club’s assists tally with 11.<br />

Part of the <strong>Reading</strong> setup since his arrival<br />

in 2016, his contract is up at the end of<br />

the season. The 26-year-old has been<br />

linked with moves either to the Premier<br />

League or another Championship side.<br />

Capped by England from Under-16 to<br />

Under-21 level, the Portsmouth-born<br />

player made just one appearance at<br />

Chelsea, replacing Eden Hazard in the<br />

final game of the 2014/15 campaign, and<br />

also spent time on loan at Rotherham<br />

United, Swindon Town and Brentford<br />

during his time with the Blues.<br />

READING VISIT ASHTON GATE TONIGHT<br />

SITTING JUST TWO POINTS ABOVE<br />

SAFETY AFTER A RUN OF FIVE LEAGUE<br />

DEFEATS.<br />

The team below them in the<br />

table, Peterborough United, also<br />

have a game in hand over the<br />

Royals, who in all competitions<br />

are now nine games without a<br />

win (L7, D2).<br />

The Berkshire club – who<br />

are celebrating their 150th<br />

anniversary this season –<br />

have conceded the joint-most<br />

Championship goals alongside<br />

the Posh (55), not the kind of<br />

form required after a six-points<br />

deduction imposed by the EFL<br />

back in November.<br />

Nineteen of those goals have<br />

come in the past five games,<br />

starting with a crushing 7-0<br />

loss on home soil to league<br />

leaders Fulham. Defeats<br />

to Luton Town (0-2) and<br />

Middlesbrough (1-2) followed<br />

before they were beaten 4-3 at<br />

home by Huddersfield Town,<br />

and then suffered a 4-0 reverse<br />

on the road at QPR.<br />

As well as the points deduction,<br />

manager Veljko Paunović – a<br />

former Serbian international<br />

who is currently in his first job<br />

in English football after being<br />

appointed in August 2020 – has<br />

<strong>Reading</strong> striker George Puscas is challenged by Han-Noah Massengo<br />

during the reverse fixture at the Select Car Leasing Stadium back in<br />

August. For a report and more images from the game turn to page 27.<br />

been hit by injuries. As a result,<br />

15 different players who came<br />

through the club’s youth system<br />

have played first-team football<br />

this season, amassing well<br />

over a century of appearances<br />

between them.<br />

So it would have been a boost<br />

to see last season's 22-goal<br />

striker Lucas João back in<br />

action in mid-January after hip<br />

and shoulder surgery.<br />

In the same month <strong>Reading</strong><br />

saw former captain Liam Moore<br />

leave on deadline day, securing<br />

a move on loan to Stoke <strong>City</strong>,<br />

while Tom Ince moved in the<br />

opposite direction for the<br />

remainder of this season.<br />

Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein<br />

has also linked up with the<br />

Royals for the same period.<br />

January also saw striker Andy<br />

Carroll conclude his short-term<br />

deal after scoring his second<br />

goal in eight games for the club<br />

in the defeat to Middlesbrough.<br />

10 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 11


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THANK YOU TO OUR<br />

PARTNERS<br />

PRINCIPAL<br />

ELITE<br />

SUPPORTING


BRISTOL CITY<br />

WOMEN<br />

Abi Harrison celebrates her first<br />

goal against Crystal Palace with<br />

Ella Powell and Melissa Johnson<br />

Satara Murray and Ava Kuyken<br />

celebrate the 5-0 win over<br />

Lewes in the Vitality Women's<br />

FA Cup Fourth Round<br />

STORMING<br />

THE PALACE<br />

<strong>City</strong> Women got<br />

back to winning<br />

ways with a<br />

resounding<br />

4-0 win over Crystal Palace on<br />

Sunday.<br />

Two goals from Abi Harrison<br />

and a direct corner from Aimee<br />

Palmer followed a 45-second<br />

opener from Chloe Bull to give<br />

the Robins all three points at the<br />

Robins High Performance Centre<br />

and place them sixth in the FA<br />

Women's Championship.<br />

Bull opened the scoring when<br />

she found the back of the net<br />

from the edge of the box. It was<br />

a mark of intent from the Robins,<br />

as Harrison slid in to make it 2-0<br />

after just 15 minutes.<br />

<strong>City</strong> pushed on for more in the<br />

second half and it paid off in<br />

the 54th minute when Palmer’s<br />

corner caught everyone by<br />

surprise as it sailed into the<br />

goal. Harrison then grabbed her<br />

second goal of the game as the<br />

Scot fired in on her right foot.<br />

<strong>City</strong> are now looking to rekindle<br />

the kind of form they showed<br />

in the first half of the season as<br />

they travel to Durham on Sunday.<br />

Prior to their victory over Palace<br />

Lauren Smith’s side were nine<br />

unbeaten after a 1-0 away win<br />

at Blackburn Rovers on January<br />

16th. A 3-1 loss to Super League<br />

side Manchester <strong>City</strong> in the FA<br />

Continental Cup three days later,<br />

however, kick-started a run of<br />

three successive defeats<br />

A 2-0 Championship reverse at<br />

home to Charlton Athletic –<br />

played in front of a club record<br />

956 fans at the Robins High<br />

Performance Centre – was<br />

then followed by their exit in the<br />

Vitality Women’s FA Cup. After<br />

taking hosts Southampton to<br />

extra time, they saw the Saints<br />

score the deciding goal before<br />

Jesse Woolley fired over the bar<br />

from the spot five minutes from<br />

time.<br />

BUY BRISTOL CITY WOMEN TICKETS<br />

CONNECTING<br />

WITH OUR<br />

COMMUNITY<br />

Zak Vyner, Max<br />

O’Leary, Ryley<br />

Towler, Louis<br />

Britton, Ava<br />

Kuyken and Satara Murray<br />

have all surprised participants<br />

attending both youth and adult<br />

sessions run by the Robins<br />

Foundation this season.<br />

The players enjoyed a kickabout<br />

with participants and took part<br />

in photos with fans. They were<br />

events which showed the club’s<br />

community connection and as<br />

always, we would like to thank<br />

the Professional Footballers<br />

Association for their continued<br />

support and for working so<br />

closely with the Foundation.<br />

The PFA is the union for all<br />

current and former footballers<br />

and scholars in the Premier<br />

League, the FA Women’s Super<br />

League, and the English Football<br />

League. They are committed<br />

to empowering footballers to<br />

recognise their value as people,<br />

not just players.<br />

Throughout 2021 the<br />

Foundation organised several<br />

player appearances to allow<br />

participants that they work within<br />

the community to meet their<br />

football heroes. From Zoom<br />

calls with students to attending<br />

a number of different sessions,<br />

both male and female players<br />

have continued to engage with<br />

the Foundation and make sure<br />

they have a constant presence in<br />

their community.<br />

16 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 17


PLAYER<br />

INTERVIEW<br />

Words James Crawley<br />

THE SUN MAY HAVE<br />

BEEN SETTING IN<br />

THE SKY OVER<br />

BRISTOL’S DOWNS,<br />

BUT FOR BOYHOOD<br />

CITY FAN AYMAN<br />

BENAROUS, IT’S<br />

SHINING BRIGHTLY<br />

ON HIS FUTURE…<br />

AYMAN<br />

FOR ALL<br />

SEASONS<br />

20 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 21


THERE WAS ALWAYS<br />

THAT DREAM THAT<br />

WHEN YOU'RE<br />

PLAYING FOOTBALL<br />

ON THOSE COLD<br />

DAYS, YOU WILL<br />

PLAY FOR BRISTOL<br />

CITY.<br />

PLAYER PROFILE<br />

SQUAD NUMBER<br />

38<br />

DOB: July 27th 2003<br />

Birthplace: <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Position: Midfielder<br />

Joined: 2009, Academy<br />

Ayman<br />

put pen<br />

to paper<br />

on a new<br />

contract last week, pledging<br />

his future with the Robins<br />

until 2025.<br />

It was an easy decision to<br />

make for the youngster who<br />

returned to the Downs for<br />

his new deal announcement.<br />

It’s a poignant setting for the<br />

18-year-old, who used to play<br />

football up there as a child.<br />

He went on to be scouted by<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong> and he joined the<br />

club’s Academy as a sevenyear-old.<br />

“Coming up as a <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

boy, it’s something I had<br />

always dreamt of,” Ayman<br />

said, reflecting on his rise<br />

to becoming a professional<br />

footballer.<br />

“I spent quite a bit of my<br />

childhood playing up on<br />

the Downs, from the age of<br />

about six I'd come and use<br />

the pitches and it was a good<br />

experience.<br />

“We used the pitches<br />

on a Sunday before the<br />

three o’clock games. We’d<br />

get here about half past<br />

one with the goals set up<br />

and nip in there quickly<br />

to use them for about an<br />

hour.”<br />

Like many youngsters,<br />

Ayman wanted to play<br />

football whenever he could,<br />

perhaps more so with<br />

football running in his family.<br />

He said: “My dad is a<br />

passionate football fan and<br />

my brother played to a good<br />

level.<br />

"There was always that<br />

dream that when you’re<br />

playing football on those<br />

cold days, that one day<br />

you will play in the Premier<br />

League and I hope I can do<br />

that with <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong> in the<br />

future."<br />

Ayman came off the<br />

bench to make his debut<br />

in October’s 2-1 win over<br />

Barnsley, before earning<br />

his first start in the next<br />

CAREER HIGHS<br />

FEBRUARY 2021<br />

Signs his first professional contract<br />

OCTOBER 2021<br />

Makes his <strong>City</strong> debut versus Barnsley<br />

NOVEMBER 2021<br />

Earns his first 90 minutes against<br />

Stoke <strong>City</strong><br />

FEBRUARY 2022<br />

Agrees a new<br />

contract with<br />

his boyhood club<br />

14<br />

game against Blackburn<br />

Rovers. He’s gone to make<br />

eight appearances this<br />

season, but it’s only just the<br />

beginning.<br />

Ayman continued: “It’s been<br />

a long journey but I’m glad<br />

where I’ve come from and<br />

where I’m going, hopefully.<br />

I’ve worked hard, I’m now<br />

seeing the rewards but there<br />

is still a long way to go until<br />

I’m a successful <strong>City</strong> player.<br />

“It’s been good progression<br />

through the Academy but I<br />

thank the manager (Nigel<br />

Pearson) for putting his<br />

trust in me and the other<br />

young players as well.<br />

Hopefully we can pick up<br />

results on the pitch and<br />

even better climb the table,”<br />

he said.<br />

Speaking in the aftermath of<br />

that 2-1 win over Barnsley,<br />

Ayman was quoted as<br />

saying “hopefully there’s<br />

more to come” and after<br />

showcasing what he’s about<br />

so far, we’ve no doubt there<br />

certainly will be.<br />

Above, top<br />

Making his<br />

first-team debut<br />

during the 2-1<br />

home win over<br />

Barnsley<br />

Above, left<br />

A young Ayman<br />

pictured during<br />

his early years<br />

with the club's<br />

Academy<br />

Below left<br />

Signing his new<br />

professional<br />

contract which<br />

sees him<br />

pledge his<br />

future at BS3<br />

until 2025<br />

Below right<br />

The 'Westbury<br />

Park Wizard'<br />

pictured during<br />

his days as<br />

a ballboy<br />

and with the<br />

Academy; with<br />

proud dad<br />

Karim whilst<br />

on duty with<br />

England Under-<br />

17s for whom<br />

he has been<br />

capped twice<br />

APPEARANCES<br />

8<br />

MINUTES<br />

463<br />

DEBUT<br />

NOVEMBER<br />

14TH 2012<br />

V SLOVAKIA<br />

SEASON STATS<br />

STARTS<br />

6<br />

PASS<br />

SUCCESS<br />

RATE<br />

INTERNATIONAL CAREER<br />

CAPS<br />

31<br />

GOALS ASSISTS<br />

2<br />

1<br />

HIGHEST<br />

OPTA RATING<br />

7.0<br />

V HUDDERSFIELD<br />

62.2 %<br />

22 | THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong><br />

THE ROB NS Cardiff <strong>City</strong> | 23


supporting grassroots<br />

and grass roots<br />

We support the women on the field<br />

and the soil under it.<br />

Proud sponsor of <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong> W.F.C.


ADVERTORIAL<br />

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IS THERE<br />

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WAY TO<br />

BUY YOUR<br />

NEXT CAR?<br />

CAZOO<br />

YEAH!<br />

ROYALS<br />

RUMBLED<br />

Azeez 19, Moore 81<br />

Weimann 5,52, Martin 14<br />

Tuesday, August 17th 2021<br />

Select Car Leasing Stadium<br />

2<br />

3<br />

Top: The Robins celebrate Andi Weimann's second, and<br />

<strong>City</strong>'s third, goal of the game (pictured above) as they<br />

seal their first league win since March 2021.<br />

The reverse league fixture between tonight's two<br />

sides saw <strong>City</strong>’s first win of the season, in part<br />

thanks to a brace from our Andreas Weimann.<br />

The forward headed <strong>City</strong> in front as quickly as the<br />

fifth minute before Chris Martin doubled the visitors’<br />

advantage after a quarter of an hour of play.<br />

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<strong>Reading</strong> halved the scores before the interval, but<br />

<strong>City</strong>’s cushion was restored when Weimann played<br />

a one-two with Alex Scott before keeping his cool to<br />

make it 3-1.<br />

Liam Moore would score with a low drive late on but<br />

the Robins withstood the late home side pressure<br />

to secure the win in front of a sold-out away end.<br />

9.1<br />

BEST PLAYER RATING<br />

CHRIS MARTIN<br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 27


894189418941894<br />

CITY<br />

ARCHIVES<br />

894189418941894<br />

894 HALL 1894 OF 1894 FAME 1894<br />

PAUL GAINEY PROFILES FLYING SCOTSMAN SCOTT MURRAY<br />

894189418941894<br />

There are some<br />

wonder he is so well regarded.<br />

players who,<br />

While with Scottish amateur side<br />

for whatever<br />

Fraserburgh, he scored in a trial<br />

894reason,<br />

1894 1894<br />

game for Liverpool 1894<br />

in 1994 but<br />

establish a rapport between<br />

their manager Graeme Souness<br />

themselves and the crowd.<br />

was sacked when they were<br />

dumped out of the FA Cup at<br />

894<br />

In 2004 I watched the 1894<br />

return 1894<br />

Anfield…by <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong>. 1894<br />

Murray<br />

of Scott Murray from a shortlived<br />

spell at <strong>Reading</strong>, as he<br />

he failed to establish himself,<br />

joined Aston Villa instead, where<br />

warmed up along the touchline<br />

leading to his first move to BS3<br />

894189418941894<br />

and then trotted on as a late<br />

in December 1997.<br />

substitute. You knew he had it. Murray jumped at the opportunity<br />

You also knew that what <strong>City</strong> felt when still playing for non-league In 2002/03 the Scot was top<br />

894<br />

for him was reciprocated. 1894<br />

Bath <strong>City</strong>, as well as 1894<br />

coaching scorer at the club 1894<br />

with 26<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong>'s Under-14s.<br />

goals. This led to a successful<br />

In all fleet-footed winger Murray<br />

£650,000 bid from <strong>Reading</strong><br />

made 426 appearances for <strong>City</strong> That record alone would<br />

but the draw of Ashton Gate<br />

894<br />

across two spells, scoring 1894<br />

91 guarantee Murray an 1894<br />

enduring became too much 1894<br />

and a season<br />

goals and in 2012 returned to place in the hearts of supporters. later he was brought home<br />

Ashton Gate for a third time – as Add a bubbly personality, with by manager Danny Wilson.<br />

their new kit manager. It's a move a genuine relish for mixing with Continuing where he left off,<br />

894<br />

seldom made in football<br />

1894<br />

but<br />

1894 1894<br />

fans of all ages and it is no Murray spent a further five<br />

seasons as a player at <strong>City</strong>.<br />

89418941894<br />

Scott also boasts<br />

1894<br />

one of the<br />

most iconic goal celebrations<br />

by a <strong>City</strong> player, racing down<br />

the touchline, hand cupped<br />

89418941894<br />

behind his left ear, 1894<br />

at Cardiff<br />

<strong>City</strong>'s Ninian Park after scoring<br />

Murray's iconic<br />

one of two goals in a 3-1 away<br />

celebration at<br />

Cardiff. Above, win in December 2001. Rarely<br />

89418941894<br />

has the exhilaration 1894<br />

with <strong>City</strong> supporter<br />

of scoring<br />

Oskar Pycroft. against arch-rivals been better<br />

demonstrated.<br />

894189418941894<br />

28 | T HE ROB NS Cardiff <strong>City</strong><br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

MIKE ADAMS CONTINUES<br />

HIS LOOK BACK AT<br />

TERRY COOPER'S SPELL IN<br />

CHARGE OF THE ROBINS<br />

TERRY'S WEMBLEY<br />

WONDERS<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

1894<br />

<strong>City</strong>’s first appearance at Wembley saw<br />

the biggest mass exodus from <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

for many a year. As well as special<br />

trains, there was a procession of 250<br />

coaches and countless private vehicles forming a<br />

red-festooned convoy on the M4 – scarves flying,<br />

horns blaring, bodies waving.<br />

Coming just four seasons after relegation to the Fourth<br />

Division, reaching the Freight Rover Trophy final was<br />

tangible proof of <strong>City</strong>’s progress under Terry Cooper,<br />

whose personality shone through on the day.<br />

He handed his assistant since 1982, Clive Middlemass,<br />

the honour of leading the team out onto the hallowed<br />

turf. Wanderers made the better start and had some<br />

good chances. Keith Waugh had to save from George<br />

Oghani and Tony Caldwell hit the bar. But after 20<br />

minutes the tide began to turn; Rob Newman headed<br />

wide left, Glyn Riley shot wide right and keeper Simon<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

189<br />

Farnworth had to hold Howard Pritchard’s header. Two<br />

minutes before the break Keith Curle’s floating cross was<br />

fumbled by Farnworth under skipper Bobby Hutchinson’s<br />

challenge and the ball fell for Riley to side-foot home.<br />

After the break <strong>City</strong> were pumped up but it took until<br />

the 73rd minute to grab the all-important second goal.<br />

Farnworth parried a Steve Neville shot but Howard<br />

Pritchard was well placed to fire the loose ball into<br />

the net. Thirty thousand fans in red were rocking and<br />

roaring <strong>City</strong> on. Neville was again the instigator as he<br />

provided the perfect cross for Riley to head powerfully<br />

past Farnworth for the coup de grâce.<br />

Interviewed after the match with the trophy in his arms,<br />

Cooper admitted he had been emotional throughout<br />

the game saying: “I can’t believe it…I’ve played for<br />

England…I can’t talk to you mate” as he turned away<br />

from the astounded interviewer. No one could doubt<br />

Cooper’s dedication to the cause.<br />

THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 29


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8941894189418941894189418941894<br />

894 CITY 1894 IN CARTOONS 1894 1894 1894 YOU 1894 CAN 1894 1894<br />

with club historian David Woods<br />

8941894189418941894<br />

QUOTE 1894 ME 1894 1894<br />

This evening the work of Bob Bennett<br />

in the <strong>Bristol</strong> Evening Post is<br />

ON THAT<br />

featured appertaining to the start<br />

894of <strong>City</strong>’s 1894<br />

FA Cup run in 1962/63 1894 1894 1894 1894 1894 1894<br />

which took us through to the Third Round and two<br />

meetings, interrupted by a seven week hiatus caused<br />

STEVE SMITH CONTINUES HIS LOOK<br />

by the ‘big freeze’, with First Division Aston Villa.<br />

8941894189418941894<br />

BACK AT AN INTERVIEW<br />

1894<br />

WITH THE<br />

1894 1894<br />

LATE CITY LEGEND JOHN ATYEO WHO<br />

WAS BORN 90 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK<br />

894 4 18942<br />

1894 1894 1894 1894 1894 1894<br />

In the Charles Buchan’s 3-3. There would be one more as a part-time professional and<br />

Atyeo 34, 62<br />

Russell 13<br />

Soccer Gift Book 1954/55, first-team outing for young continue to live at home and carry<br />

Etheridge 65 (pen)<br />

Rodgers 87<br />

Derrick 73<br />

23-year-old <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong> John, against Arsenal, before on my job at Westbury. That made<br />

of his goals, and thereafter it is easy for <strong>City</strong>.<br />

forward John Atyeo<br />

he pondered about life as a the decision for me. I could not<br />

894<br />

Saturday, November 3rd 1894<br />

1962 1894 1894 1894 1894 1894 1894<br />

recalled his debut for Portsmouth professional footballer.<br />

afford to let such a chance to slip<br />

FA Cup First Round<br />

<strong>City</strong>: Cook; Briggs, Thresher; Etheridge, Connor,<br />

and signing for the Robins.<br />

me by. My employer, as I have<br />

Casey; Peters, Clark, Atyeo, R Williams, Derrick.<br />

“Many people cannot understand said, is an old footballer himself.<br />

Ex-<strong>City</strong> skipper Jack White returned to Ashton Gate Wellington: Brown; Whitehouse, Rodgers; Timmins,<br />

8941894189418941894<br />

“I agreed to sign for Portsmouth<br />

1894<br />

why I decided to throw<br />

1894<br />

in my lot He has always been<br />

1894<br />

most cooperative<br />

in helping me to fit in<br />

as boss of Wellington (now known as Telford United), Dunn, Davies; M Jones, Cocker, Deakin, Russell,<br />

as an amateur, and within a with <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong>, a Third Division<br />

but is unable to inspire a shock victory, despite his Laverty.<br />

week of signing my name on the club, instead of staying with football with my work, and I am<br />

side taking a surprise lead with the goal of the game. Referee: Ken Aston (Ilford)<br />

bottom of the form, found myself Portsmouth – on top of the world greatly indebted to him for the<br />

Gary Brown’s mishandling presents Atyeo with both<br />

89418941894<br />

Attendance: 9,379 (£1,620.7s.6d)<br />

1894 1894<br />

in Portsmouth’s reserve 1894<br />

team to after twice winning the 1894<br />

League interest he has taken 1894<br />

in me and<br />

play Southampton reserves at the Championship (1948/49 and my two careers.”<br />

Dell. And what a baptism of fire it 1949/50) and promising a much<br />

was! I played alongside that grand more ‘glamorous’ future.<br />

Big John ends on an optimistic<br />

894 2 18941<br />

1894 1894 1894<br />

pair, Duggie Reid and Cliff 1894<br />

Parker. 1894<br />

note: “At Ashton Gate 1894<br />

we have<br />

Clark 7, 32<br />

Peters 60 (og)<br />

They helped me all they could, “When I left Trowbridge School, I a loyal following of fans who<br />

Saturday, November 24th 1962<br />

but I was never in the game. The entered a firm of builders to learn deserve a better class of football.<br />

FA Cup Second Round<br />

Saints really ran us off our feet quantity surveying, and received It is my aim to bring that better<br />

8941894189418941894189418941894<br />

and won 5-0.”<br />

great help, not only in my job with football to them. To my mind that<br />

Against one of the best amateur sides, occupying<br />

the firm but also in my footballing is not a lack of ambition, that is<br />

top spot in the Isthmian League, <strong>City</strong>’s first-half<br />

This was in December 1949 life, from the managing director, loyalty. All we need, I believe, to<br />

894<br />

display is crisp and 1894<br />

penetrative. Unfortunately, 1894 1894 1894<br />

when John was a few months 1894<br />

Mr Jack Holdaway, who 1894<br />

himself achieve our aim, is 1894<br />

a smile from<br />

it is different after the break, as the Dons make<br />

away from turning 18 and it played football for Westbury. Lady Luck.”<br />

a spirited comeback, aided and abetted by an<br />

would be another year before<br />

amazing own-goal by Peters – his best-ever strike Wimbledon: McAlpine; Rudge, Coote; Hamm,<br />

he made his Football League “I was still working for the firm, At the end of the 1954/55<br />

894<br />

– as he attempts to 1894<br />

put the ball out for a corner. 1894<br />

Law, McArdrey; Brown, Martin, Reynolds, 1894<br />

Moore, 1894<br />

debut for Pompey when 1894<br />

he faced and continuing my studies 1894<br />

as a campaign her smile 1894<br />

was a<br />

N Williams.<br />

Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park surveyor, when the time to turn broad grin as the Robins were<br />

<strong>City</strong>: Cook; Briggs, Thresher; Etheridge, Connor, Referee: Jim Finney (Hereford)<br />

on November 11th 1950 in a professional came. <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>City</strong> crowned Division Three (South)<br />

Low; Peters, Clark, Bush, R Williams, Derrick. Attendance: 13,778 (£2,454.6s.6d)<br />

top-flight match that finished offered me the chance to sign champions.<br />

8941894189418941894189418941894<br />

32 | T HE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> THE ROB NS <strong>Reading</strong> | 33


Football is a game of many opinions, but<br />

there is one that we must all share. There is<br />

no place for discrimination in our game. If<br />

you do not agree, then you are not welcome.<br />

If you see or hear discrimination in this<br />

stadium, please report it to the nearest<br />

steward or via the Kick it Out App.<br />

Because we are all<br />

#TogetherAgainstDiscrimination<br />

Download the Kick it Out app for free from your app store.<br />

EFL.com


TONIGHT'S<br />

SQUADS<br />

Wednesday February 9th, 7.45pm kick-off | Ashton Gate | Sky Bet Championship<br />

BRISTOL CITY<br />

v<br />

READING<br />

TONIGHT'S<br />

FIXTURES<br />

Blackburn v N Forest<br />

Bournemouth v Birmingham<br />

<strong>City</strong> v <strong>Reading</strong><br />

Cardiff v Peterborough<br />

Preston v Huddersfield<br />

QPR v Middlesbrough<br />

Sheff Utd v West Brom<br />

Played yesterday<br />

Coventry v Blackpool<br />

Derby v Hull<br />

Fulham v Millwall<br />

Luton v Barnsley<br />

Stoke v Swansea<br />

MANAGER<br />

Nigel PEARSON<br />

1 Dan BENTLEY<br />

2 Danny SIMPSON<br />

3 Jay DAS I LVA<br />

5 Rob ATKINSON<br />

6 Matty JAMES<br />

8 Joe WILLIAMS<br />

9 Chris MARTIN<br />

10 Andy KING<br />

11 Callum O’DOWDA<br />

12 Max O'LEARY<br />

14 Andreas WEIMANN<br />

16 Cameron PRING<br />

17 Nathan BAKER<br />

18 Antoine SEMENYO<br />

19 George TANNER<br />

21 Nahki WELLS<br />

22 Tomas KALAS<br />

26 Zak VYNER<br />

33 Sam BELL<br />

34 Ryley TOWLER<br />

36 Alex SCOTT<br />

HOME<br />

KIT<br />

37 Tommy CONWAY<br />

38 Ayman BENAROUS<br />

42 Han-Noah MASSENGO<br />

45 Kasey PALMER<br />

MANAGER<br />

Veljko PAUNOVIĆ<br />

3 Tom HOLMES<br />

4 Michael MORRISON<br />

5 Tom McINTYRE<br />

7 Alen HALILOVIC<br />

8 Andy RINOMHOTA<br />

9 Tom INCE<br />

10 John SWIFT<br />

11 Yakou MÉÏTÉ<br />

14 Ovie EJARIA<br />

15 Danny DRINKWATER<br />

16 Dejan TETEK<br />

17 Andy YIADOM<br />

18 Lucas JOAO<br />

19 Tom DELE-BASHIRU<br />

20 Felipe ARARUNA<br />

21 Baba RAHMAN<br />

22 Luke SOUTHWOOD<br />

23 Junior HOILETT<br />

24 Scott DANN<br />

26 Karl HEIN<br />

HOME<br />

KIT<br />

28 Josh LAURENT<br />

32 Mamadi CAMARÁ<br />

39 Jahmari CLARKE<br />

48 Tyrell ASHCROFT<br />

49 Kelvin ABREFA<br />

LEAGUE<br />

TABL E<br />

Not including yesterday's<br />

matches<br />

P GD Pts<br />

Fulham 28 48 58<br />

Blackburn 30 14 53<br />

Bournemouth 28 20 52<br />

QPR 28 13 51<br />

Huddersfield 30 6 48<br />

West Brom 29 10 45<br />

Middlesbro 28 6 45<br />

N Forest 29 8 43<br />

Luton 28 7 42<br />

Sheff Utd 27 4 42<br />

Preston 30 -1 41<br />

Coventry 27 4 40<br />

Blackpool 29 -2 40<br />

Stoke 28 3 39<br />

Millwall 28 0 37<br />

Swansea 28 -6 35<br />

CITY 30 -15 34<br />

Birmingham 30 -13 33<br />

Hull 29 -7 32<br />

Cardiff 28 -17 29<br />

<strong>Reading</strong>* 28 -22 22<br />

Peterboro 27 -32 20<br />

Derby** 29 -2 15<br />

Barnsley 28 -26 14<br />

*deducted six points<br />

**deducted 21 points<br />

MATCH OFFICIALS<br />

N EXT AT<br />

ASHTON<br />

G ATE<br />

Match<br />

Referee<br />

Oliver<br />

LANGFORD<br />

Assistant<br />

Referee<br />

Paul<br />

HODSKINSON<br />

Assistant<br />

Referee<br />

Andrew<br />

FOX<br />

Goalkeeper Defender Midfielder Forward<br />

Fourth<br />

Official<br />

Andy<br />

WOOLMER<br />

MIDDLESBROUGH<br />

Ashton Gate<br />

Saturday February 19th,<br />

3pm kick-off<br />

Sky Bet Championship<br />

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