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First County Visit:	Saturday 30th April 1994
Competition:	Endsleigh League Division 2 – (Tier 3)
Result:	Bristol Rovers 1 – 1 Stockport County
Attendance:	4,189
Away Trip:	66
Away Day:	280
County Line-up	1 John Keeley; 2 Sean Connelly; 3 Lee Todd; 4 Dave Miller; 5 Mike Flynn; 6 Bill Williams; 7 Jim Gannon; 8 Mick Wallace; 9 Kevin Francis; 10 Darren Ryan (14 Chris Beaumont); 11 Andy Preece
Scorer:	Own goal
Manager:	Danny Bergara
County Visits:	3

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THANKS FOR MAKING THE EFFORT … NOT

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But in all my trips out as a student it was generally to the south of Exeter, rather than heading north.  And even to this day in May 2020, I still haven’t been there to have a look round. My university days were centred around cricket; the taverns of south Devon; a spot of studying Economics & Statistics; and seeing as many bands as possible. And in pursuit of some musical entertainment, Nigel Joyner and myself headed towards Bath on one foggy evening in February 1975, (a couple of weeks after I had seen County collapse to defeat at St James Park). 

It was held at the University, which is on the outskirts of the city and featured Robin Trower.  A founder member of Procol Harum, he had left them and formed his own band, centred on a style very redolent of Jimi Hendrix. We’d seen him previously in Exeter and were sufficiently impressed to make the trip. 

In a small theatre, he blew the place apart.  We’ll worth a hairy drive back through thick fog.  Music is always subjective, and down to personal taste, so I can heartily recommend having a listen if you get the chance.  45 years later and he’s still doing the rounds.  Five months from now he is due to play at the Holmfirth Picturedrome, (a venue heartily recommended).  If this Coronavirus emergency has cleared up by then, and I get medical clearance, I will be there.  If not, I’ll have to keep dipping into the album collection to listen to him!!

Twerton Park is of course the home of non-league Bath City.  I’ve been there three times to watch County, but only one of those, and it was the last, featured the landlords.  The first couple of visits were to see us face Bristol Rovers. 

‘The Gas’ had previously played at Eastville, a stadium rented from the landlords, who also promoted greyhound racing.  The Stand had burned down in the early 80’s, and with Rovers tumbling into a financial abyss, as gates fell, they left there and moved in with Bath in 1986.  Twerton Park had been there home for 8 years or so before our first visit.  Our paths hadn’t crossed in league action since 1970, so it was with the prospect of a ‘new’ ground, and a vital game in the promotion race that a pretty large County following for those days made it down to Somerset.  (Quite possibly many of the travellers fancied a long weekend as the May Bank Holiday fell 2 days later when we were at Exeter!  After all the south west is a great place, as my 3 years there bear adequate testimony).

I think that it’s fair to say that Twerton Park isn’t located in the tourist traps of Bath.  If it is then the attractions aren’t what they are purported to be!!  Approaching the ground, the first thing seen is what seems to be a very impressive tall stand.  It had been built into a slope though, and once inside the Stand itself is far less imposing.  It was quite low, and with a standing paddock in front and extended around 20 yards either side of the halfway line.  To the right was a small construction, the Family Stand, with seating for not many more than 200, which had been erected in 1990, presumably to increase the seating capacity whilst Rovers were tenants.  We were positioned on the Bristol End, or to be truthful half of it, as it was split by segregation fences.  It afforded a decent view, but on that first visit was so well occupied that any movement, (or more importantly the acquisition of refreshment), was difficult if not impossible. 

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On the far side from the Main Stand was the Covered Enclosure which ran the length of the pitch.  A traditional cover, and it was complemented behind the Bath End, a few steps of terracing, open to the elements. With a huge mesh netting to catch any errant and wayward shots.

All in all, I liked it as a ground.  It was of course a non-league ground in which Rovers were but tenants, but my fairly broad experience of non-league grounds, (after all there are 6 in Tameside where I live), and plenty more within easy reach told me that this was an impressive arena for its status in the football hierarchy.

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View from the Bath End. On the left the Covered Enclosure; on the right the small Family Stand and in the distance the Bristol End, (for visitors)

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Seven days before the game at Twerton County were in pole position for an automatic promotion spot.  There were 6 games left, and we were a point behind the Vale with a better goal difference.  When Cardiff turned up at EP we knew it was going to be a vital week, and a demanding one.  After the Cardiff game, we were due at Valley Parade on the Tuesday, followed by a home game against Reading on the Thursday, and then the trip to Twerton Park.  That would be followed by an away game at Exeter on the Monday.  Five games in the space of 218 hours.  A schedule that would bring the likes of Guardiola to tears these days.  And sadly the demands told. 

The two home games were drawn, and there was a decent win at Bradford.  By the time kick-off arrived at Twerton Park we had risen to 2^nd but still knowing that both Plymouth and Vale were in the race for promotion.  By then Reading looked to have sewn the title up. Including the Bristol game we knew that 3 wins would take us up.  The first of those never looked likely.  Exactly the same XI had started each of the games that week, and weariness must have set in.  We scraped a 1-1 draw, and with both Vale and Argyle winning we fell to 4^th.  Automatic promotion was out of our hands.  Despite a win at Exeter 48 hours later a dismal draw against Hull on the last day consigned us to the play-offs.  We know what happened in those don’t we, Mr Elleray……

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Rovers moved to the Memorial Ground three years later, (I did see a 2-2 draw with them at Twerton Park four months or so after the initial trip).  But it was to be another 17 years before I returned.  By that time we were in the Conference, and it hadn’t been a good start, especially for those who thought that an automatic return to the League was just a matter of time.  By the time we went to face Bath, we had played 16 games, and won only 2. 

Didi Hamann was in charge, and those of us who had raised eyebrows at his appointment, (especially in the context of the involvement of that charlatan Tony Evans), were coming to realise that Hamann’s complete lack of knowledge about the non-league scene was not going to have a happy ending. Some of the players he had introduced were quite frankly poor both in terms of ability and probably just as importantly attitude. 

It would be only a further month before Hamann disappeared with a record of three wins in 20 games, leading to the return of Jim Gannon, who quickly worked out what he had inherited.  The famous ‘social loafers’ comment was made; the players effectively went on strike at Grimsby, as we went down 7-0, (one of the most shameful displays I have ever witnessed), and there than began a clear out of the detritus that Hamann, and allegedly contacts of Evans, had brought in.

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Two incidents stand out for me.  In the 16 games before this one we had seen 25 players, hardly a sign of a consistent team. But climbing the steps into the Bristol End, and seeing the players warming up, Mark, my youngest son, and I looked at each other, and said, “That’s Lynch”.  Mark Lynch had been at the Club the previous season and had arrived with a track record of having turned out for Manchester United, and played them, (albeit only once), in a UEFA Cup game. 

After fairly inconsequential stints at a range of Clubs he pitched up at EP in time for the 2010/11 season.  He had featured in well over 30 games, but never convinced us that there was much to offer.  Presumably he must have been on a two-year contract because he was still at EP.  Her wasn’t one of the 25 players we had seen that season, becoming the 26^th in the game at Bath.  Phil Brennan in one of the Dark Days 3 podcast recounts that Hamman was looking for a right back and didn’t know what to do. 

Phil suggested Lynch, and Hamann purportedly replied that he wasn’t good enough.  He then enquired as to how the Manager knew, and Hamman stated that ‘he’d been told’!!  The bloke didn’t even know his own players.  To cut a long story short Phil suggested he give him a chance.  He did and Lynch’s performance that night at Bath was outstanding, being involved in both goals as we won 2-0.  The whole episode is illustrative of the complete shambles that had unfolded before us that season.  (Lynch never showed that form again and six weeks later played against Gateshead and was never seen again).  He lasted longer than Hamann however.  He was gone 3 weeks later!

The second goal that evening was scored by Nick Chadwick.  He had hit the target at Forest Green providing us with our first goal in the Conference and had added another 4 before the Twerton Park game.  Now, one of the things about watching County is that the players in general over the years have had a reasonably good rapport with the fans.  It’s one of the features.  (There have been odd exceptions when players for whatever reason are identified as ‘whipping boys’.  Sometimes with reason and sometime not.  The post on Cressing Road Braintree describes the treatment of Tom Elliott as one in the latter category).  But there was little rapport with the team in the Hamann days and it showed that night. 

There was a reasonable following, maybe 120, possibly a few less, but Bath on a Tuesday night isn’t the easiest place to get to.  So, you’d think that the players might have been glad of the effort put in, and the money spent, by those who had made the trip.  His goal was at the Bath End where we were.  The fans celebrated and then stood open-mouthed as Chadwick turned, promptly stuck two fingers up at us, and turned away.  Thanks for the support … not.  Gannon soon saw through him, never picked him once, and with weeks had shipped him out on loan. 

It was the last time we played at Twerton Park.  I wouldn’t mind another trip there, and if it ever arrives then hopefully in FA Cup rather than league action!!

May 2020

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VISITS

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Day	Date	Competition	Tier / Round	Opponents	Res	F	A	Crowd	Away Day
Sat	30/04/94	Endsleigh League Division 2	Tier 3	Bristol Rovers	D	1	1	4,189	280
Sat	03/09/94	Endsleigh League Division 2	Tier 3	Bristol Rovers	D	2	2	4,245	284
Tues	18/10/11	Blue Square Bet Premier	Tier 5	Bath City	W	2	0	919	686

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ON MY JOURNEY WITH COUNTY AROUND 180 GROUNDS

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Previously – UNDERHILL Next stop – McALPINE STADIUM