Bristol City’s current window is polar opposite to hectic January in 2016 - including manager sacking

A managerial sacking, a raft of loanees and the eventual appointment of a fan favourite, January 2016 was quite something
For most of January, City had the interim management team of John Pemberton and Wade Elliot. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)For most of January, City had the interim management team of John Pemberton and Wade Elliot. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
For most of January, City had the interim management team of John Pemberton and Wade Elliot. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Bristol City have so far been quiet in the January transfer window and that isn’t expected to change much.

The Robins have had a few players linked but nothing concrete whilst the emphasis instead feels that contract renewals is the biggest thing on the agenda.

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All that has been spoken about is some possible departures with Kasey Palmer the most likely to leave after spending the last few months frozen out of the first-team picture.

Palmer has a host of Championship clubs vying for his signature with Birmingham City’s interest the strongest with it suggested that a player swap could be on the table.

As City fans keep an eye on BristolWorld and City’s official feeds, we take you back to a time where you couldn’t put your phone down in what was a busy month for the club.

Steve Cotterill began the window as Bristol City manager but wouldn’t be there at the end. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Steve Cotterill began the window as Bristol City manager but wouldn’t be there at the end. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Steve Cotterill began the window as Bristol City manager but wouldn’t be there at the end. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

If you go back six years, City fans might remember how busy it was back in January 2016 with three management teams and a flurry of loan transfers.

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This was a hectic window as at the middle part of it, Steve Cotterill was axed as City boss with John Pemberton and Wade Elliot taking over.

City were 23rd in the Championship at the time of his sacking and had just lost to Preston North End, courtesy of a goal from former full-back Greg Cunningham.

They had to ride the storm and do some dealing to equip the squad for survival with Lee Johnson taking over just after the window shut.

Cotterill’s first signing of the window was Paul Garita who was signed from French outfit Chateauroux for a reported fee of £50000 but failed to make an appearance, instead playing for the club’s U23 side.

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Announced on the same day as his final game, Richard O’Donnell had joined on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic.

O’Donnell had fallen out of favour to Jussi Jääskeläinen and was brought in to cover for Frank Fielding, making his debut in the defeat to the Lilywhites.

He would have just one game with Cotterill as on the same day, the manager was let go and in came John Pemberton and Wade Elliot.

With a search for a new permanent manager underway, the Robins needed some reinforcements which hopefully would bed in with the new boss.

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After beating Middlesbrough, we saw Ben Gladwin and Alex Pearce come in on loan from Queens Park Rangers and Derby County. Defender Pearce was until the end of the season whilst Gladwin was on a 96-day loan.

Still in search for a new boss two weeks after Cotterill’s departure, more players came in, first came Lee Tomlin on loan from AFC Bournemouth then Scott Goulbourne from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Then to conclude the window, O’Donnell who had arrived in the same month was signed on a permanent contract.

After six players came through the door, as well as two management teams, a successor was found.

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Former midfielder Lee Johnson, son of Gary, had been in charge of Oldham Athletic and then the rest was history.

Johnson guided the Robins to safety as they finished 18th in the Championship following a difficult period.

Lee Tomlin was signed on loan from Bournemouth and made a huge impact. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)Lee Tomlin was signed on loan from Bournemouth and made a huge impact. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)
Lee Tomlin was signed on loan from Bournemouth and made a huge impact. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

What happened to the players that came in the January window back in 2016?

As this was one of the busiest periods for the club in this month, it’s interesting to see how everyone fared.

Out of the six signings, Lee Tomlin was probably the most successful. Tomlin got six goals and two assists in just 18 league appearances and then followed it up the year after by scoring the same amount of goals but earning six assists.

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He controversially though joined Severnside rivals Cardiff City in the summer of 2017, starting off a trend of former Robins who made the move across the Severn Bridge.

O’Donnell became the number one choice following his arrival but once Fielding was fully fit, the experienced goalkeeper had to take his place up on the bench.  He was sold to Rotherham United, before moving on to Northampton Town and then Bradford City where he is captain.

Golbourne, who had began his career with City and was in his second spell spent two years back in his hometown but in between that was loaned to MK Dons. He announced his retirement last summer after two seasons with Shrewsbury Town.

Out of the two loanees, three-month loanee Gladwin, he made just one league appearance. Pearce went one better and made six further appearances but both had a small stint and were not kept on by Johnson.

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