Bristol City FC has formally submitted plans for its £65 million new stadium at Ashton Vale. The application, which will be considered by both Bristol City Council and neighbouring North Somerset Council, contains detailed designs for the proposed 30,000-seat stadium on a former landfill site bordering the Long Ashton park and ride and David Lloyd fitness centre. Confirmation that the plans were now with the local authorities was revealed last night. The stadium includes four separate stands with the potential to expand to 42,000 seats - the number required to host World Cup matches if England is successful in its bid to stage the competition in 2018.
Bristol Evening Post

Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley will have a medical on Friday and is expected to complete a move to Bristol City before the weekend. The 32-year-old's contract with Celtic has expired and Greek side Iraklis Saloniki had also offered him a deal. Hartley made 36 appearances for Celtic last season and was told by new manager Tony Mowbray he was free to move on.
BBC Sport

Paul Hartley will officially bid farewell to Celtic with a switch to Bristol City. The midfielder has agreed a two-year deal with Robins boss Gary Johnson. The out-of-contract Scotland star, 32, will join the Championship side after he passes a medical. Johnson was keen to tie up an agreement with Hartley soon after clinching an £800,000 move for Motherwell striker David Clarkson.
The Sun

Bristol City striker David Clarkson is determined to force his way in to the starting line-up at Deepdale on the opening day of the season by bagging the first goals of his Ashton Gate career during pre- season. Clarkson, 23, arrived from Motherwell on Monday in a deal expected to be eventually worth close to £800,000 - but insists that neither the price tag nor the pressure to score goals are burdens that weigh heavily on his shoulders. Nicky Maynard, Lee Trundle and John Akinde are all vying for one of probably two starting spots for the curtain-raiser against Preston on August 8, while Gary Johnson is also expected to add another striker to his ranks before the season starts. But Clarkson, who managed 14 Scottish Premier League goals in 37 appearances last season, is promising to show his worth during the pre-season games, which begin at Hereford on July 13. He said: "I don't put pressure on myself, but as a striker you know you are expected to score goals."
Bristol Evening Post

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson appears to have incurred the wrath of Roy Keane. City's manager said this week that Manchester United winger Lee Martin was likely to join Keane's Ipswich Town. The Robins had been keen on the wide man, who has featured on loan for a host of Championship sides. Johnson claimed that a move to East Anglia was likely as Keane and Martin were former Old Trafford team-mates. But yesterday Keane told Johnson to keep his nose out of Ipswich's affairs. "There's a long way to go (with Lee Martin) and it's none of his (Gary Johnson's) business," he said. "He should concentrate on signing his own players."
Bristol Evening Post

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has told Bristol City chief Gary Johnson: "Mind your own business!" The pair were rivals for the signature of striker Lee Martin, who has just left Manchester United after his contract expired. But Robins chief Johnson said: "He's very close with Roy Keane and I think he'll end up with him." Keane hit back: "He should mind his own business and focus on signing his own players."
Mirror

Scott Murray sees his long-term future at Bristol City, despite signing a one-year deal to play at Yeovil. The 35-year-old, who played 427 games in two spells with City, joined the Glovers on Wednesday. But the winger will continue to work at the Robins' academy, helping with the club's Under-16s. Murray said: "When I've parked (sic) up my boots and decided to stop playing I'm sure I'll be back at Ashton Gate in some capacity, definitely."
BBC Sport