Sproule stars in Bristol City victory

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Wednesday, December 09, 2009
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This is Bristol

Flying winger Ivan Sproule today dedicated the best goal of his career to the Bristol City family.

Recalled to the starting line-up against Leicester last night, the Irishman produced a goal of stunning quality to inspire a notable 3-1 triumph at the Walkers Stadium.

And his first goal of the season represented a triumph of fortitude over adversity. Sproule and his family suffered terrible personal tragedy at the end of October when his wife, Janet, delivered a stillborn child in Bristol's Southmead Hospital.

Sproule spent nearly two weeks grieving in Northern Ireland before returning to Ashton Gate to pick up the pieces.

He made brief substitute appearances in home games against Sheffield United and Ipswich before being promoted to the starting line-up for the first time since featuring at Swansea on September 15.

And he fully justified his recall after 19 minutes at the Walkers Stadium, setting off on a searing run from 30 yards out, beating four defenders and shooting past former City team-mate Chris Weale to score a quite breathtaking goal.

"I'm just glad I've been able to give something back to the club," said an emotional Sproule.

"As everybody knows, my wife and I have gone through a pretty hard time and it's been difficult getting over what happened to us.

"But everyone at the club and all the supporters have been amazing. We've been looked after and received so many letters and messages of support.

"It's been an emotional time for me and my family and I think that all came out as I celebrated the goal. It means such a lot to me."

Team-mate Cole Skuse, who scored a spectacular second goal and then made a third for Evander Sno, afterwards paid tribute to Sproule.

He said: "No-one can imagine what Ivan and his family have gone through and we're all so pleased for him.

"You could see what it meant to him, the players and the fans. I don't score many from 30 yards with my left foot, but Ivan's was a far better goal."

City's first victory in six games lifted them to eighth place in the Coca-Cola Championship and Gary Johnson's team is now just one point outside of the play-off positions.

But the manager declined to meet the press after the game and sent out assistant Keith Millen to conduct the post match media conference.

Millen explained: "There has been a lot of pressure put on us from outside the club and Gary felt it might help if a different voice tried to explain what we are doing and trying to achieve.

"We couldn't really understand why we were being criticised to such an extent. But Gary is a very happy man right now and this win will do wonders for confidence.

"You could see the confidence come flooding back from the moment Ivan scored that opening goal.

"We have a tough game coming up at Doncaster on Saturday and this result gives us something to build on."

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  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 1:53PM

    “Chris

    Getting a bit dull now fella.

    I think we're going to have to agree to disagree mate as to be honest we're in danger of repeating ourselfs over and over again.

    Enjoy the match at Donny

    Marcus.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris, Bristol

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 12:17PM

    “Funny, i believe the first shot was fired b your generalisation of supporters you call "Johnsonites" or "Blinkered". So please check again when the name calling started...sweetie!

    The fact is Marcus, you claim to be this know it all fan, yet most of what you post is so vague its a bit like reading star signs, which means its easy to identify a certain situation should that arise but if it doesn't work..who cares as no one will care or remember anyway! I stress, all City fans knew change was coming, after all 2 defeats and a draw often signals a change in tactics and personnel its basic football management, but im sure you knew that already by playing computer games, as you say, its not rocket science so why do you boast about situations/formations and tactics that many many others, positive supporters or negative doom mongers were also discussing at the same time? Do you really think that much of yourself? It was a surprise to all City fans, you certainly didn't provoke the change on your own, if you believe that then you are more naive then i first thought.

    I actually don't think anyone is flawless, again that's just a shocking and rather inaccurate assumption you are making, everyone makes mistakes even those at the top of the profession in any profession maybe that's a point you need to digest before you post unwarranted and needless rants especially when you have the luxury of hindsight! As stated, its very easy running team from the comfort of your armchair but in reality, people who know the game are aware this isn't the case at all. You would do well to consider that in the future before you make yourself look stupid again!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 9:20AM

    “Chris...

    Don't play the victim numb nuts.You started with the name calling.

    Laughable you're taking comfort in the fact that some random person with the initials JP (Joke Poster) from Canada agrees with you. Feeling better after your Cyber cuddle all the way from North America!

    Just to add you really are missing the point. You say you have the best intentions of the club at heart, if that was the case you would not give a toss about Johnson and you would judge him honestly and factually and do away with this blinkered narrow minded view that hes flawless.

    What you do isn't support Chris it's Fanaticism.

    The two are very different I would suggest you look the two up and realies the difference.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 9:12AM

    “JP
    The fact you're in Canada I assume you don't watch any of the matches? Please correct me if Im wrong.

    It's always people like you who don't actually watch City and don't have to endure Johnsons recent nonsense that seem to support twonks like Chris.

    Of course you're entitled to your say but if you had an ounce of common sense you'd realise your not in the best position to call it and you'd keep your opinions to yourself.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris, Bristol

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 9:01AM

    “Thanks JP, at least we know there are many many BCFC supporters out there with best intentions for the club! Bob/Marcus..nice try with the childish put downs, that really shows a lack of substance to your arguments and goes some way to clarifying the kind of people that you may be, which given your comments is perfectly understandable! Bob, i assume you don't like 606 because you don't have the minerals for the intense knowledgable debate on there, so come on!" Join up...if you dare!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by James, Olde City

    Thursday, December 10 2009, 1:29AM

    “AND FINALLY

    Well done Ivan, that has been coming for you and the team especially away from home.
    Shame about the idiots in Weston Super Mare today who are completely out of touch with reality........does that sound familiar here to some of you?? or maybe your support for Bristol City FC sometimes gets carried away. Either way come on people our support is needed with the new stadium, lets all pull together and get it sorted.
    DO WE WANT A NEW STADIUM OR NOT!!!

    COME ON YOU REDZ”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by JP, Québec

    Wednesday, December 09 2009, 10:44PM

    “Marcus, you seem to believe that you are in the majority, just because more people write posts in agreement with your standpoint.

    Has it occurred to you that it is always the complainants that shout the loudest? To put it more simply, people do not complain when they are content. This also applies to reasonably content, before you get nit-picky.

    There are many many many of us who believe that GJ is doing a good job and, like Chris, are happy to support the team rather than pay the money and constantly complain. If you aren't happy, why go?

    Chris 'just turning up' is a good thing. It gives a balanced viewpoint in this board. He is representative of thousands of supporters (that's supporters) who think that GJ can do a better job than them. Also better than you can do.

    It is also laughable that you start your last post telling Chris that he is welcome to his opinion, then go on to insult him several times, just because he has a differing view.

    If you can't compile a sensible response, how could you have the intelligence to manage a football team?”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts.

    Wednesday, December 09 2009, 6:57PM

    “Chris.
    Your entitled to your opinion but you only have to look through the comment on here and OTIB to see more agree with me than you.

    Trying to single me as some kind of bitter Johnson hater is a very daft on your part as there are many who feel the same.

    I just call it I see it. As where I feel you will say the same dull things regardless of what players, foramtion or tactics Johnson decides to use....

    In a nutshell Im a Bristol City fan just airing his opinion good or bad. You come across as a love sick school boy getting up set because someone is having a pop at a loved one.

    Get a grip mate and stop over reacting you drama queen.

    What was it you said: 'you doom monger and preacher of hate! '

    Just a tad over the top don't you think sweetie!?

    Now take your hand bag and go and get some perspective .

    Assume your full name is Christine?”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by dolman bob, bristol

    Wednesday, December 09 2009, 5:08PM

    “The 606 board?
    I guessed that, especially as you copied the "man down the pub" line from a dull post on the 606 board earlier today.
    I rarely bother with that message board. why?.. because it is just full of posters who are not prepared to debate the ins-and-outs of football, whether it be good or bad.

    You lot are as bad as Johnson for not owning up when things go horribly wrong.

    The only thing most fans on the 606 board seem concerned with is who bounced the highest when garry Johnson clicked his fingers, or who bought the most giant Basso hands, rather than what actually took place on the pitch.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 09 2009, 4:44PM

    “I have been on here before, but not a regular due to the lack of knowledge. I prefer the 606 boards, there is clearly a better breed of football fan! Most people have "called for a change" not just self obsessed Marcus, but there is a way of doing so and negative slating everyone and everything isnt the answer. As i said, this formation has been used before by GJ its not a "Marcus discovery" I support the team through and through, and the management set up as i appreciate the hard work that goes in and yet despise the unwarranted bitterness than spills out of so say City fans mouths, it makes us as a club look pathetic! Thats why i choose to challenge the "know it all" on here, who clearly doesnt have a clue about managing men or a football club! We can all talk a good game, but putting that into practice is alot harder than people realise and support, not over the top criticism is always welcome! Gas...no way, but a positive Bristol City Supporter...indeed!”

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