Championship start is a source of pride for club
Former Bath City centre-back Robbie Cundy made his long-awaited first Championship start for Bristol City on Saturday.
Cundy represented the Romans 48 times in the 2018/19 campaign, scoring six goals. He was voted Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Year.
His one season at the club earned a move to Ashton Gate, where his first league start at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday earns Bath an undisclosed fee as part of his transfer in May 2019.
“I was told before the game he was starting and nothing makes me prouder than that,” said Jerry Gill after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Welling United.
“There’s always a bigger picture with Bath City Football Club. We brought a young lad on a free transfer from Gloucester City and we’ll gain financially from this.
“He developed quicker than I’ve seen from any other player and deservedly got his move.
“He’s had a horrific time with injuries and had to work hard to get himself into a position to start. It’s not a sympathy vote from Nigel (Pearson, Bristol City manager) there, he’s earned the right to be in that first team.
“Congratulations to Robbie. We’re really pleased for him as a Football Club.”
Bristol City earned a 1-0 win at the home of the 1995 Premier League champions on Saturday but Cundy’s second start wasn’t as memorable as they were beaten 2-0 at struggling Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Cundy started alongside Antoine Semenyo, who was substituted by Tommy Conway, both players formerly on loan with Bath. Goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-richards was an unused substitute, he progressed through the Bath City Academy and made four league outings in 2019/20.
“Anyone who comes to this Football Club has an opportunity to move on,” said Gill. “We’ll never stand in their way.
“We enjoy developing these players.”