It’s back to Plainmoor tomorrow as Gary Johnson’s men take on Bath City in the first of back to back home games.
United will be looking to get back to winning ways tomorrow as the Romans travel to the English Riviera, knowing a win for the Gulls will take them level on points with the visitors.
Who’s the boss?
Jerry has been in charge of Bath City since October 2017, a move which saw him return to the club he had made over 200 appearances for between 1990-1996. Gill’s playing career began at Trowbridge Town before he made the move to London, where he spent 18 months at Leyton Orient though never played a first team game for the O’s. Weston-super-Mare came next before his move to Bath in December 1990, and upon his departure from Twerton Park, the midfielder spent a season at Yeovil Town which then led to a move to Birmingham City.
During his five years at St. Andrews Gill helped the club to the League Cup Final as well as promotion to the Premier League, before he had a loan spell at Northampton Town which was then to be made permanent, although a serious knee injury limited his game time, and upon his return to fitness he joined Cheltenham Town, who in a four year stay he helped to promotion to League One via the Play-Offs.
A coaching spell at Forest Green Rovers came before he hung up his boots in 2009, and from there he got his first taste of management when he took over at Weymouth in January 2010, though this was short-lived and he left after 44 days due to financial issues at the club. Bristol Rovers, Birmingham City & Kidderminster Harriers have also had Gill as manager, as well as him being U18’s & U23’s coach at Norwich City & U18’s coach at Wolves before his return to Bath.
How have they been doing?
Bath started the 2023/24 campaign with a 3-3 draw away at Dartford before getting their first win of the season at home to newly relegated Maidstone 3-0, though their first defeat came in the next game when they lost 6-2 at home to Weston-super-Mare. However the Romans then went on an 11 match unbeaten league & cup run that included seven wins and four draws, before a 2-0 defeat at Worthing in the FA Cup ended this run. A 3-2 reverse at Tonbridge Angels followed, though then back on home turf came a 3-0 win against Taunton Town, but last time out at home it was again Worthing inflicting a 2-0 defeat, this time in the league, to leave Bath City with a record coming into this game of seven wins, four draws and three defeats, with 25 points from their 14 league games played so far this season.
Played for both
Robbie Cundy came through the youth ranks at Oxford United, though never made a first team appearance for the club, and while at the U’s he had loan spells at Daventry Town, Chesham United, Gloucester City, Oxford City and Southport, before returning to Gloucester City on a permanent basis upon leaving Oxford. A season at Gloucester and then Bath City, both times in the National League South, led to Cundy being snapped up by Bristol City where he went on to stay for three seasons.
During his time at Ashton Gate, the defender spent time on loan here at Plainmoor, where he played 28 league & cup games and scored one goal during the 2019/20 season, as well as spells at both Cambridge United and Gillingham. 2022 saw the 26 year old head to Barnsley where he currently remains.
Player to watch
Scott Wilson was a youth product of Bristol City before he joined Gloucester City in 2011 where he stayed for three seasons, while also having dual registration at both Cinderford Town and Yate Town in his time at Gloucester, as well as a short spell at Bath for the first time. Paulton Rovers, Weston-super-Mare and Eastleigh were next for Wilson, before a two year stay at Macclesfield yielded a return of 24 goals in 68 games.
Oldham and a loan spell at Notts County came before he joined the Magpies permanently in 2020 for their Play-Off games though never featured. Two years at Dagenham & Redbridge along with a short loan spell at Aldershot Town came before he signed for Bath City in the summer of 2022. The striker is the Romans top scorer so far this season with 11 league & cup goals to date.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 1 – 0 Bath City | National League South | Tuesday 7th August 2018
In their first home match in the National League South, United pipped Bath City to all three points through a powerful strike from left-back Liam Davis. Bath played well on the night but came up against a resilient United defence, and the Gulls turned on the late pressure to earn a victory.
Ticketing details for tomorrow’s fixture are available HERE, whilst live commentary of the full match will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.