On May 14, Bristol City announced the clubs retained list for the new season, the list of players released from the club was as large as expected, with 11 players not having their contract renewed.
With it being Transfer Deadline Day, lets have a look at where all the former Bristol City players have ended up, and whether the players departure from Ashton Gate has worked out for both parties.
Nathan Baker
Bristol City
Lets start with the obvious, Nathan Baker may have been released in May but 45 days later, he had signed a new contract at the club, with news that the wage drop was significant enough to keep him in Bristol.
Baker has made four appearances already this season, bettering his tally of three from the previous season; showing a newfound versatility as the former Villa man has filled in a left back in the win over Cardiff City,
Rating 9/10:
Easily the best outcome for everyone (if he stays fit.) The club gets the most committed defender in the Championship with a solid record when on the pitch; whilst the player will get game time and the usage of a new medical team at the RHPC
Famara Diehiou
Alanyaspor
The club have to admit that they made a mistake with the departure of Famara Diedhiou; just using the knowing that the club are seeing none of the six-million-pounds that they payed to bring him to the club back in transfer fees. Obviously in these times of financial strictness and the clubs current “sell to buy” position; many will be thinking of why not sell the Senegalese forward last winter?
I mean that is one of the options that former “CEO” Mark Ashton told Sky Sports commentators before a game against Norwich last year,
So far, he has played twice, scoring and then getting sent off in his second match, a 4-1 loss to Altay SK.
Rating 6/10
It is a decent move for the big man, but the lack of financial possibilists have left City in the dark on this one.
Liam Walsh
Swansea City
Liam Walsh made the move to Swansea City at the end of last season becoming the second Bristol City centre midfielder to join the Swans in a year. He is yet to play this season for Swansea after sustaining a hamstring injury. During his time at Ashton Gate was always playing backup to the likes of Marlon Pack, Korey Smith and even Tyreeq Bakinson and Han-Noah Massengo. We have seen when he plays, he is good enough for the Championship but with injuries hampering him for the past season it may be more of the same for the young Scoucer.
Rating: 4/10
It is no change for Bristol City as he was not part of the first team furniture is a good move away for Liam Walsh although first team football will yet again be a struggle at his new club.
Jamie Paterson
Swansea City
It was not a big surprise to see Jamie Paterson not given a new contract at the end of last year. Even after coming back from injury he failed to make ,matchday squads let alone the starting 11.
‘Pato’ became the third player to make the journey across the M4 to Swansea in the past 12 months, following fellow midfielders Korey Smith and Liam Walsh after their contracts had ended. The Swans have had a troubled start to the season with their only win being unsurprisingly at Ashton Gate, where Paterson played the full 90 minuets. He did score on his debut; a opening day 2-1 loss to Blackburn.
Rating: 5/10
He is Championship quality so for him to move to a team that last year were so close to promotion is a plus; sadly in realistic terms, he has joint a rival, clearly making them stronger especially with the Swans selling some of their best players this window.
Jack Hunt
Sheffield Wednesday
Jack Hunt re-joins his old club Sheffield Wednesday as they attempt to gain promotion at the first time of asking after relegation last year. With Darren Moore in charge of the Owls, promotion is more expected than wanted. Back at the club he spent a few years with before his move to Bristol City; Jack hunt will fit in excellently on the right of the defence having played every minute of league football this season, Hunt is part of the defence that have kept clean sheets in their first four league matches
Rating: 8/10
Hunt struggled last year with Championship football and a move down the league will do him excellent at a club that he knows well. All-round it was a perfect fit.
Marley Watkins
Aberdeen
Watkins signed a short-term deal after leaving Bristol City with seven side rivals Cardiff City, having only played one match for the club in where he scored twice in the League Cup he was released and signed by former loan side Aberdeen. Watkins was on loan to the Scottish side at the start of last season before being recalled to Bristol City. He made his debut for the club on Saturdays 1-1 draw to Ross County as a 65th minute substitute.
Rating: 6/10
Clearly the move to local rivals Cardiff did not work out for Watkins, but the move to former club Aberdeen at a lower level should help him regain the form he had at Barnsley a few years ago. For Bristol City another player off the wage list is all that came from his departure.
Tommy Rowe
Doncaster Rovers
Tommy Rowe is another player who was found his way back to his old club. After two years in Bristol Rowe has gone back to Doncaster Rovers in League One. Despite Donny’s poor start to the season Rowe has started every league match and has played every minute playing in a range of positions on the left flank and even in a forward position in the most recent match against Rotherham.
Rating 8/10
With competition in his position Tommy Rowe’s only real option was to leave the club going back to his old team in Doncaster will be great for him in the same way Jack hunt has found himself back at Wednesday
Hakeeb Adelakun
Lincoln City
He has found himself at last season’s League One play off final losers Lincoln City. Another club that has found themselves in a tough position at the start of the season Adelakun has played every league match so far starting the last three matches on the right wing. He had injured troubles last year with his back that seemed to have disappeared and will hopefully be replicating his form whilst out on loan last year at Hull City.
Rating: 5/10
It never worked out Bristol City for Adelakun since his move from Scunthorpe United and like others a step down in level will hopefully provide a solid landing spot to restart what was a promising career.
Henri Lansbury
Luton Town
Having played 16 matches for Bristol City last year after joining from Aston Villa Lansbury’s time at the club coincided with the worst form the club has had in a very long time. He joint Luton Town at the end of his contract remaining in the Championship joining former midfielder Joe Morrell at Kenilworth Rd. He has played the first three league matches this season but it’s not been in the squad for the past two.
Rating 9/10
Let’s be honest even if he never plays for Bristol City again it will be too soon his time at Ashton Gate was terrible and hopefully with this move we can off move on and forget about it.
Adrian Mariappa
Without Club
Adrian Mariappa is yet to find a club after leaving Bristol City the 34-year-old has been rumoured to join the likes of Derby County as they struggled with their transfer embargo but besides that weak interest link nothing has been upcoming for the former Watford defender. He still however gets called up for the Jamaican national team.
Rene Gilmartin
Retired
Rene Gilmartin never played for Bristol City but held a helpful role as a he monitored and coached the younger goalkeepers at the club. He has since retired from playing the sport. Since leaving Ashton Gate, Gilmartin was appointed assistant manager at Swindon Town on June 1st, only to leave their positions at the club 24 days later June 25.
The Irishman’s joint statement on his departure involved
“legal proceedings involving the ownership has not allowed us to do so, making our positions at the club untenable.”
Mehdi Daley Sport 