2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Fourth Round vs Aston Villa (a) - lost 3-1. Carling Cup First Round vs Rotherham United (a) - lost 3-1. Football League Trophy Northern Section Second Round vs Hereford United (a) - lost 2-1 after extra time.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Leon Constantine (striker) - 12 goals.
Players In Jason Talbot (Mansfield Town - Free), Richard Walker (Crewe Alexandra - Free), Colin Miles (Yeovil Town - Free), Dan Whitaker (Macclesfield Town - Free), Akpo Sodje (Darlington - Free)
Players Out Micky Cummins (Darlington - Free), Hector Same (Walsall - Free), Jonny Brain (Macclesfield Town - Free).
After a shaky 2004/05 campaign, manager and Port Vale stalwart Martin Foyle defied the odds and made the Valiants a solid mid table team last season. He has been active in the transfer market to maintain the club's status at this level and maybe even push them a little higher up the table.
Foyle has signed defender Colin Miles on a free transfer from Yeovil Town and snapped up Crewe Alexandra's Richard Walker on similar terms. Jason Talbot, who spent time on loan at Vale Park last season, has signed on a permanent transfer from Mansfield Town.
Macclesfield midfielder Danny Whitaker, who wanted the chance to play in a higher division, joined the club in a deal which saw goalkeeper Jonny Brain move in the opposite direction to link up with ex manager Brian Horton.
Several members of the squad have pledged their futures to the Stoke-on-Trent club including former Bolton Wanderers winger Jeff Smith, who has signed a new one year deal after stalling over the initial offer. New captain George Pilkington and former Northern Ireland international midfielder Danny Sonner have also put pen to paper this summer.
Manager Foyle has insisted there is no truth in speculation surrounding Chris Birchall, the club's glamour player, that he is set to depart the club. The 22 year old midfielder represented Trinidad & Tobago in the World Cup and played in all of the group matches against Sweden, England and Paraguay. The player has made 78 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2001 and has been linked Championship club Ipswich Town.
Verdict Foyle will be pleased with another high mid table finish but the loss of Micky Cummins, who netted 11 goals from midfield last season, is a blow. New signing Whittaker needs to perform at League One level straight away while keeping hold of Birchall will also be a priority.
2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup First Round vs Notts County (h) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup First Round vs Barnet (h) - lost 4-2. Football League Trophy Southern Section First Round vs Barnet (a) - lost 3-2.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Steve Brooker (striker) - 16 goals.
Players In Phil Jevons (Yeovil Town - Free), Jamie McCombe (Lincoln City - Free), Liam Fontaine (Fulham - Free), Enoch Showunmi (Luton Town - Free), Chris Weale (Yeovil Town - Free).
Players Out Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente - Free), Steve Phillips (Bristol Rovers - Free).
After a dire start to last season which saw them exit all Cup competitions at the first hurdle, lose 7-1 at Swansea City and go on a seven match losing streak between October and December, Bristol City ended last season well and finished in ninth position.
This season, manager Gary Johnson wants to build on the solid form shown in the second half of last term and has set his side a target of 90 points. This figure should see the club claim automatic promotion to the Championship following several years in and around the play offs. The bookmakers make City second favourites to win the division outright behind Nottingham Forest.
Johnson has signed striker Phil Jevons who netted 45 goals in his two seasons at Yeovil Town and sees him as the ideal foil for last season's top goal scorer Steve Brooker. Brooker himself has signed a one year contract extension and is tied to the club until the end of the 2008/09 campaign, ending speculation he was a target of Championship outfit Norwich City
Goalkeeper Chris Weale is the second arrival from Johnson's former club Yeovil Town and after signing an initial one year deal, this will extend to two years once he has played 10 games next season. Other new faces arriving this summer ate Fulham defender Liam Fontaine, who had a loan spell at the club last season and Luton Town striker Enoch Showumni. Both players have agreed two year contracts at Ashton Gate. Showumni has started 40 league games for Championship side Luton Town and has scored 14 goals.
One player on his way out is Australian international Luke Wilkshire who represented his country in this summer's World Cup. The 24 year old joined the Robins from Middlesbrough in 2003 for ?250,000 and made 103 appearances for City.
Verdict If City can recreate the form that saw them win eight out of their last 12 matches last season then an automatic promotion spot is within their grasp. Johnson has plenty of fire power at his disposal but the Robins need to get off to a good start to avoid disappointment.
David Walker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Soccer, Recreation and Sports and Soccer. David Walker runs a and websites.. David Walker's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.