WE WILL GET YOU SMILING AGAIN!
Football needed to entertain, says Gill
JERRY GILL says Non-League football will have a big hand in to play in putting smiles back on faces post-lockdown – and says his Bath City can’t wait to be a part of it.
While football takes a back seat because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Gill’s priority is naturally ensuring everyone connected to the Romans comes through the crisis.
And when the game is allowed to return he hopes it will be cause for a big celebration.
“I think we’ve got the best job in the world, I really do,” Gill, whose side sit fourth on goal difference in the suspended National League South, told The NLP.
“I never ever imagined we’d come into a scenario like we are now but I think we will play a massive part.
“Look at the frontline workers now – the huge effort and part they are playing in keeping our country going. We’re nowhere near that as footballers, managers and coaches. We’re privileged in what we do, we’re nowhere near that.
“But underneath all that, we will play our part. They’re out there helping us, aiding us, and putting their lives at risk.
“We’re going to get quite deep on it, but I think people will come back with a different mindset to life.
“When you see our country, when the chips are down we’ve got a great spirit. I think that will come through, sticking together and let’s try and put smiles back on people’s faces whether it be people going to the pub, going to football matches, the beach. I’m really looking forward to that. I want a big crowd in at Twerton Park and my team out there showing a good style of play and connecting with the fans as we have done so well.”
Of course, a coach wants to coach and Gill is missing that time on the grass.
“That’s the hardest thing,” he said. “Jim Rollo, my assistant, and me are lost because your routine is thrown and we love football.
Of course, there are a lot more important things out there and it’s important we focus on making sure everyone we know comes through the other side and we get it right before we go back.
Challenge
“But we love the game and you can’t stop thinking about it. Like any other lower league club we knew the financial problems were going to hit us. So I called every player and said April is going to be difficult. “By communicating with them they knew. Going through the government scheme has cushioned the blow a little bit.
“I’ve been doing some online FA courses, I’m booked into some webinars that I like to get involved with. I’m watching back some games to see how far we’ve come and trying to use my time wisely – the players likewise.”
Having lost in last season’s play-off eliminator to Wealdstone, Gill is pleased with how his squad – that kicked-off on the opening day with seven new players – mounted another challenge.
“A lot of people I spoke to expected a dip,” Gill, inset, added. “When I came in that October two-and-a-half years ago, we finished ninth and it was very much changing the style – not just playing but the feel around the club didn’t feel right to me.
“That’s no disrespect to who was there before. There were crowds of 500-600 and it felt like the club needed lifting.
“All we’ve done is add some continuity behind the scenes. Our staff has stayed the same, we’ve always talked about the process and the product. We’re interactive with the fans and everyone who works at the club. We’re all in it for the right reasons. That continuity has helped. Even though the playing staff has changed, any player who has come in has really brought into it. I’m really mindful of that and that I pick the right ones.
“If it’s a loan player, I’ve got to see him three or four times and, if it’s a contracted player, I’ve got to have a chat and a cup of coffee with them. It’s important I know they are the right characters. The attitude of the group has been great.”
Positive
On the pitch has been positive but there was a setback when the council rejected the planning application for a new ground and development that aimed to rejuvenate the Twerton area of the city.
“There’s never a good time but this has come off the back of our planning application getting turned down,” Gill, who thinks the club will appeal, said. “We were all bitterly disappointed with that. We didn’t think it would be an unanimous decision. I went along to the meeting – I’ve never been in that sort of environment and I was expecting more of a debate scenario but it never really seemed like that.
“In a perverse way, I wonder if this situation will strengthen our case. You need a feel good factor around any city, any country... alright I’m biased but we’d have a brand new stadium with a 3G pitch in the heart of Twerton which will generate money for the club and the community. It will be a facility kids and parents can use in a safe environment.
“I’m quite a positive person but in this time I’ve found myself having some tough days and I think, if everyone’s honest, we all have. When we come back we’re going to need to give a bit back to get the community going.”