Bristol football fans need to stop moaning

Why is it that this great adopted city of mine is polluted with groups of different people who spend their lives protesting and moaning about progress, thereby stopping the city of Bristol becoming one of the top cities in the UK.

When my club Bristol Rovers tried for a new stadium, I went to look at the plans.

I was so excited to be getting away from houses and I wouldn't have to upset people with parking. But no, the begrudgers won the day.

They haven't gone away. I say this with every hope that Bristol City FC fight with everything they have.

Why wouldn't you sell to Tesco, and go and build a new stadium fit for the Premiership? Because that's the only way you are going to go.

I would wish my club was in the same position, but our team at the Mem are doing a fine job. Mr Trollope is a wonderful manager, as is Mr Johnson at Bristol City.

When me and my late wife Phillomena arrived in the 1962-63 football season, I went to both Rovers and City matches every week. Like most Irish people, we love our sport.

When Bristol City got into the old First Division, out one Saturday night with friends, right in the pub with City and Rovers fans, she said "Close your eyes". She handed me a season ticket for the Dolman Stand and did so for the next few years.

I still watched my boys in blue. I got some stick from Rovers' fans. And the City fans couldn't figure me out either.

Bristol City had a great team back then. But with a good football chairman and manager they need the fans of Bristol City to do a lot more to get a new stadium.

Don't let a handful of no-hopers stop your progress. You fans owe it to your club, you owe it to the next generation to build for a new home.

I haven't got a laptop or computer etc, but thousands of City fans have. Stop sending out silly messages to your friends and have a big say in the future of your club.

Remember 1982? I do well. Bristol City nearly went out of business. Eight good players had to rip up their contracts.

That great City player, Geoff Merrick, one of my favourites who came to Bristol Rovers, was greeted like a lost son.

I was sitting in the Dolman Stand. Merrick kicked the ball, it took off and went for the top corner. But the goalkeeper jumped up with our hand, pulled the ball out of the air. That man was the great Pat Jennings. I've supported Arsenal since 1952.

I, like all people in Bristol, want the Premiership here, but the stay at home supporters aren't doing their club any favours. City gates should be 20,000 every home game.

I have spoken to many City fans and they amaze me. The chairman, they tell me, is one of the richest chairmen about, meaning he should go and give his hard earned money to the club.

I'm lost for words when I hear things like that. These fans have been telling me for the past 47 years, "We are the big club" but what are they going to do about their new home? Moan about how rich the chairman is and let him put his money in?

I am a Gashead at heart, my first love. When I went to my first game at Eastville, when Rovers was awarded a corner, the ball came into the penalty area, one head popped up, the ball flew into the net, the player known as the Baron of Eastville – my all time favourite, the wonderful and great Mr Alfie Biggs.

J Murphy St George