Gill excited for return of fans to see season curtain-raiser
Supporters will be back at Twerton Park for National League South football for the first time in 525 days this Saturday.
Bath City commence their 2021/22 season against Billericay Town in their first league outing since 19 January – a 2-1 win over Havant & Waterlooville. Eight of that 16 man squad have moved on and seven could make their debut on Saturday.
Jerry Gill can’t wait for it all to begin.
“We’re really excited to play our first game at home,” he said. “We know there are a lot of fans who haven’t been able to watch pre-season because of circumstances. It’ll be great to see some familiar faces and some new faces.
“The players feed off it. That’s what football is all about. We need some vocal support to get behind this group to push us towards some sort of success.
“That’s why we are here. It’s why I signed a new contract, why these boys are playing for us. They want to try and achieve something.”
Supporters were temporarily allowed back to football matches in December last year but instructions from the Bath & North East Somerset Safety Advisory Group meant fans were not able to attend three of Bath City’s matches that month.
Pre-season friendlies have been played in front of crowds ranging from 482-830 following work from Gill and volunteers to carry out maintenance in Twerton Park between April and June.
“A lot of work has gone on at the stadium to try and prepare and make sure the council pass it,” said Gill. “I hope it’s a good statement from Bath City Football Club off the field and we hope to put a good statement on the field.
“I hope we get a big crowd. There’s going to be some entertainment before the game which will be great and hopefully it’ll help build up that atmosphere inside the stadium.”
On entry, everyone can pick up a free fixture card and the first 200 kids will get a free footie clapper or mini football. Charlie’s and an outside bar will be open along with an ice cream van.
Supporters will be entertained inside the stadium by local duo Jiggidy, who’ll get the singing started with a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, before professional opera singer Anthony Flaum brings the final touch of class with what’s sure to be a rousing performance of “Nessun Dorma”, the evocative theme of Italia 90.
Jiggidy is a multi-instrumental duo from Bath with roots in the folk songs and tunes of Ireland and the rest of the British Isles, and now embracing a wider repertoire of popular music. Formed of Rachel Barrett on fiddle and backing vocals and John Sandford on keyboard and lead vocals, they are regular performers at pubs in and around the Bath area and have also appeared at musical festivals in the west country and south of England.
Anthony Flaum is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music & the National Opera Studio. He has sung principal roles with many of the UK’S major opera companies. He has also sung with many celebrated orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic and recently made his acting debut to much critical acclaim in King Lear alongside Sir John Tomlinson & Sir Thomas Allen at The Grange Festival.
On the pitch, Billericay Town will be trying to spoil the party. The Blues were also the opponents for Bath City’s first home league game last season where a Tommy Conway double helped seal three points for Gill’s side in a 2-0 win.
Since then, the Essex outfit have replaced manager Jamie O’hara with Kevin Watson and they were in 15th place when last season was curtailed, two points ahead of Bath but having played four games more.
Jake Robinson will be a big miss for Town. The lethal striker scored 12 of their 26 league goals last term and plundered 123 in 161 appearances across two spells in four seasons but has moved to promotion contenders Dartford.
They appear to have found a handy replacement in Toyosi Olusanya, who signed last year from Cheshunt. The 23-year-old didn’t find the net until their final league match of last season when he was drafted back in after the squad’s contracted players were placed on the furlough scheme. He’s been prolific in pre-season, scoring eight times including two hat-tricks.
The former AFC Wimbledon man fired in the winner against Dagenham & Redbridge in their final friendly. The 3-2 success last Saturday was Billericay’s third win in pre-season, coupled with three draws and two defeats.
Watson has strengthened his side at the other end too, bringing in goalkeeper Bailey Vose from Margate plus centre-backs Charlie Lee and Marvel Ekpiteta from National League sides Yeovil and Dover respectively.
“Nothing is going to be won at the end of 10 to five this Saturday,” reminded Gill. “We want to try and get off to a good start if we can. We’ve put ourselves in a good position confidence wise.
“We need to manage this week properly and make sure they’re ready for three o’clock this Saturday.
“I’ve got every confidence in this group.”