Paterson says thanks after five ‘enjoyable’ years at City
OFTEN the court jester, but also Bristol City’s magician on the field, Jamie Paterson departs Ashton Gate after five years and, more so than any other of the 11 players departing, seems aligned with the Lee Johnson/Mark Ashton era that is now almost over in BS3.
On Friday, Paterson was named among the long list of first-team players who will be leaving the club with their contracts not renewed as manager Nigel Pearson looks to impose significant and tangible change on the Robins.
The new boss, who agreed a three-year contract shortly before the end of the season, is said to want to change the overall culture of the dressing room with a belief that things have been allowed to drift for too long.
The publication of the retained list also coincided with the arrival of Richard Gould as new CEO, to replace Ashton, while the manager that brought Paterson to Bristol City left last summer, Lee Johnson, while the coach that helped him prosper, Dean Holden, followed in February.
Paterson signed for City in the summer of 2016, making him the second-longest serving player at the club after Callum O’Dowda who arrived a month before him.
He’s experienced, true to his playing style, an up and down time at Ashton Gate; from being a vital and influential member of the 2017-18 vintage to his rather strange loan to Derby County at the start of 2019-20, a kick-up-thebackside move by Johnson who then recalled him in January for Paterson to produce some of his best displays in a City shirt over the next 12 months.
Unfortunately for him injuries have gone against him this season after he’s suffered calf and groin trouble which has meant he’s been unable to showcase his talents to Pearson, with the manager only to
analyse based on reputation. For fans, he may well retain semi culthero status due to a combination of how aesthetically-pleasing he is to watch, with a lovely balance in his movement and weight of pass, plus that personality which has been regularly broadcast via the club’s media channels.
With reported interest from across the Championship, Paterson is sure to remain in the division and will hopefully earn a chance to come back to Ashton Gate for a proper farewell. In the meantime, the 29-year-old, who finishes with 26 goals and 20 assists in 144 games, penned this message on Twitter, emphasising his love for the club, the city and its supporters.
“Where do I start? First would like to thank all the friends I’ve met over the five years of helping me and making my time at Bristol City such an enjoyable one,” Paterson wrote.
“I will forever miss the family feel that was first at the club when I arrived and that’s what this club is about and hopefully gets back too.
“Bristol is a home away from home and I will always keep one eye on Bristol City! The fans have always been great with me through the good and the bad and I always gave 110 per cent effort every time I played. There has been some great memories from staying up in my first season to the cup run! This is the time for me to move on with a fresh start and fresh challenge which I’m excited about! Thanks for the support, Pato.”