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A couple of recent initiatives at Ashton Gate have been very successful, and it's always a pleasure to get positive feedback from supporters.
Following the installation of our new bike park in the old Hirerite building I had this e-mail from Paul Mundy, the supporter who first asked if we could provide covered parking.
He wrote: "I would just like to say that the new cycle parking provision is excellent. I made full use of it at the Sheffield united game on Saturday and was very impressed with it. When I arrived I rode straight into the warehouse which was dry and warm. The racking is sensibly laid out and was easy for me to fit my locks securely. It was also nice to know that the security were in the building for extra peace of mind. When the game finished I wandered back over and collected my dry bike in a relaxed manner and not getting soaked fighting off surrounding bikes to get the locks off. I then rode the 25 minutes (up hill mostly) back in the pouring rain, which was much better than crawling out in traffic. I got back to my house at pretty much the same time I normally would have if I had taken the car."
Last night we also hosted a City Redz Christmas Party for our young supporters in association with Jump at Cribbs Causeway.
Lewin Nyatanga, Liam Fontaine, Louis Carey, Ivan Sproule and Alvaro Saborio came along to support the evening, along with CBeebies star and City fan Sarah Jane Honeywell.
The players really threw themselves into the fun of the event - quite literally in Alvaro's case - at one point he found himself at the bottom of a pile of happy children. Scrumpy was also mobbed by the children who really enjoyed the evening, as did their parents.
I received this e-mail from James Baker: "'I would just like to say a big 'THANK YOU' for organising the City Redz party evening for the children. My boys thouroughly enjoyed it and I thought the players were great with the children. Please could you pass on my appreciation. It is events like this that make me proud to be a season ticket holder. Have a great Christmas and a happy New Year!"
While another fan posted on the Supporter's Trust website: "I have met Ivan, Louis, and Liam at open days before and they are always great with the kids but it was nice to meet Saborio and Nayatanga tonight. Two great blokes who really got involved with the kids, they got a right pasting in the soccer area!! They were a real credit to the club. Nights like this mean so much to the kids and they will remember it for years to come. My two did not shut up about the Saborio pile on!! On Saturday we will be back on the terraces cheering on the boys against Ipswich and last week will be a distant memory. The kids however will see the lads they were rolling around with, playing on the pitch. Bristol City Football Club - you can be proud of yourself tonight (that includes you Scrumpy, what a tough job!!). Well done to everyone who was involved."
You can see pictures of the night by visiting bcfcpics.co.uk
David Lloyd
E-mail questions, requests and dedications for David to david.lloyd@bcfc.co.uk. Alternatively write to Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Ashton, Bristol, BS3 2EJ.
