Post by Cantankerous Gas on Nov 26, 2019 16:16:28 GMT
Exclusive: Why Bristol Rovers want to forge closer links with Bristol City
........One major resource he feels the Gas are not making the most of, lies just five miles to the south of the Mem and a subject he knows full well some supporters will find hard to accept.
Bristol City are one of the most prolific loaning clubs within the Championship, with 10 players on temporary hire around the EFL including, most notably, midfielders Liam Walsh at Coventry and Joe Morrell with Lincoln City plus goalkeeper Max O'Leary at Shrewsbury.
Relations between the clubs have been tense since Matty Taylor's departure from the Mem to Ashton Gate in January 2017 but Widdrington believes bridges need to be built for the betterment of Bristol Rovers.
Relations between the clubs have been tense since Matty Taylor's departure from the Mem to Ashton Gate in January 2017 but Widdrington believes bridges need to be built for the betterment of Bristol Rovers.
As the former Southampton midfielder admits, City would surely be appreciative of the opportunity to send some of their best talent to a League One club in an area that is easily accessible for them to monitor, while for the Gas, the benefits are obvious.
"Whether the fans like to hear this or not, I'd like to see there be a little more of a cordial relationship between the clubs - we can help them and they can help us," Widdrington told Bristol Live.
"I can't comment on that [the Matty Taylor transfer] because I wasn't here, but certain people at this club will say the right thing wasn't done on one or two occasions.
"Whether the fans like to hear this or not, I'd like to see there be a little more of a cordial relationship between the clubs - we can help them and they can help us," Widdrington told Bristol Live.
"I can't comment on that [the Matty Taylor transfer] because I wasn't here, but certain people at this club will say the right thing wasn't done on one or two occasions.
"I have no problem with anybody at Bristol City, I know a lot of the staff there including (loans manager) Brian Tinnion. Our knowledge of them is as good as their knowledge of us, because they come and watch our games every week.
"We don't necessarily watch their games because we're fishing in a different pond but there might be people who they want to get out on loan to develop and they could improve us.
"I come from Newcastle, so I completely get the rivalry and the politics but, ultimately, we want to improve as a football club and get better on the pitch and I want to do that in any which way we can."
Graham Coughlan has been seen regularly at Bristol City Under-23 matches and he and his staff have a good relationship with Lee Johnson and his coaches.
"We don't necessarily watch their games because we're fishing in a different pond but there might be people who they want to get out on loan to develop and they could improve us.
"I come from Newcastle, so I completely get the rivalry and the politics but, ultimately, we want to improve as a football club and get better on the pitch and I want to do that in any which way we can."
Graham Coughlan has been seen regularly at Bristol City Under-23 matches and he and his staff have a good relationship with Lee Johnson and his coaches.
As Widdrington says, there is absolutely no reason why stronger lines of communication cannot exist - beyond the political and tribal divide between supporters that many would say is paramount in terms of importance.
From City's point of view, it is a prospect they would undoubtedly be open to but, based on Johnson's comments in August, a thaw in relations is required.
"I know there has been interest in our young players from Bristol Rovers - I don't know what the historic feeling about that would be," Johnson said.
From City's point of view, it is a prospect they would undoubtedly be open to but, based on Johnson's comments in August, a thaw in relations is required.
"I know there has been interest in our young players from Bristol Rovers - I don't know what the historic feeling about that would be," Johnson said.
