Jamal Campbell-Ryce has admitted he is relishing the prospect of being cheered rather than jeered by the more vociferous elements among Bristol City's support.

During his previous incarnation as a Barnsley player, the flying winger found Ashton Gate to be one of the less hospitable venues in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Although his performances for the Tykes against City were usually impressive and helped persuade Robins boss Gary Johnson to pay an undisclosed six-figure fee for his services, Campbell-Ryce had good reason to dread visits to BS3.

Certainly, Bristol City fans will recall the day, a little over two years ago, when he was unceremoniously sent packing by referee Keith Hill, who sent the Jamaica international off for a second yellow-card offence. Booked for an innocuous challenge in the first half, Campbell-Ryce saw red after 53 minutes when he was adjudged to have dived in a deliberate attempt to win a penalty.

As the incident occurred just in front of the Wedlock Stand, Barnsley's little winger was forced to endure a long walk of shame before he could take refuge in the sanctuary of the away dressing room.

Having been dismissed, he sought to escape down the tunnel into the Williams Stand, only to be pushed back and forced to complete his journey on the asphalt track which surrounds the playing surface, a walk which was accompanied by the raucous noise of a furious crowd.

Recalling one of the lowest points of his career, Campbell-Ryce revealed: "I had quite a few choice words to say to the referee that day.

"I couldn't believe it when he sent me off and I told him so. It wasn't a very nice experience at the time, because I had a long way to go to get back to the dressing room and the crowd were giving me a lot of stick. It was a lonely walk, that's for sure."

Campbell-Ryce is hoping previous misdemeanours will be forgotten now that he has penned a two-and-a-half year contract and committed what ought to be his best years to the cause of propelling City into the Barclays Premier League.

"That's all behind me now," said the 26-year-old. "I'm a Bristol City player now and I don't want to dwell on things that happened when I was here with Barnsley.

"Saying that, it will make a nice change for the crowd to cheer me rather than jeer me. I loved the fans up at Barnsley, because they were really good to me, but the supporters in Bristol are just as passionate and I share their ambition for the club."

Indeed, ambition is a word currently in common usage around Ashton Gate, a fact which has not been lost on the club's newest recruit.

He said: "Everywhere you look and everything you see suggests a club going places. I'm excited about the new stadium project and also by the determination of the people down here to make it to the Premier League.

"I'm ambitious and I want to play at the very top level, so it makes sense to join a club which wants the same."

Renowned as an old-fashioned winger who utilises pace and quick-footed trickery to unhinge full-backs, Campbell-Ryce is looking forward to forcing his way into the first team and winning over City fans with his direct running.

But he is less forthcoming when it comes to challenging new team-mate Ivan Sproule, arguably the fastest player in the Championship.

Bristol City's right winger has seen off all-comers in successfully defending his crown as the club's quickest player and Campbell-Ryce said:

"I'm not sure I'll be taking Ivan on in any race on the flat. I'd definitely fancy my chances against him if we both had a ball at our feet!"