Bristol City acknowledge need for improvement as BBC commentator is appointed new head of comms

Bristol City have acknowledged the need to improve their public dialogue with supporters after naming BBC Radio Bristol commentator Sheridan Robins as their new head of communications. Robins succeeds Dave Barton, who moved into a new role within the wider Bristol Sport group last December.

Robins has been commentating for BBC Bristol and BBC Somerset since 2019, having covered City home and away, after previously focusing on Yeovil Town where she had worked as stadium announcer. She has also spent the last four years as communications officer for former Conservative politician James Heappey, who stepped down as MP for Wells in March and will not contest the upcoming General Election.

“I am so excited to be joining Bristol City and be part of a club which has an exciting future,” said Robins, who starts work on July 1. “Having covered both Bristol City men's and women's games over the past few years, I know what this club means to so many, and it is a privilege to now be a part of it. I - like so many - cannot wait for the upcoming season to get started.”

City’s communications in the wake of Nigel Pearson’s dismissal in October were widely criticised by supporters who felt elements of the reasons stated behind his sacking were either confused or aspects were deliberately kept from them.

The tension between club and fans has been recognised by senior figures within Ashton Gate, as Jon Lansdown - in a number of post-season interviews conducted by the chairman - has touched on the need to rebuild bridges.

Based alongside first team staff at the High Performance Centre, Robins' role involves managing City’s communications team and coordinating media content for the men’s, women’s, and academy sides.

"We’ve worked with Sheridan for several years in her journalistic capacity and are delighted that she will lead our communications team within Bristol City,” Sporting Group Director of Communications Lisa Knights said.

“Sheridan has established herself in corporate communications within the high-pressure world of politics and has always managed to combine that with her love of football, working as a freelance journalist and commentator for BBC Radio Five Live and Radio Bristol.

“Sheridan will be focused on both internal and external communications for the club and responsible for driving improved communication with our fans.”

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