Bristol, a city with a rich sporting heritage, is renowned for its love of both rugby and football. Located close to Wales, with the Bristol Channel acting as a connecting bridge and the M4 as a link, it’s no surprise that rugby is just as popular as football in this vibrant city. In addition to these two sports, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has also established its headquarters within Bristol’s borders.
In terms of football, Bristol has much to offer. Aside from the well-known professional clubs, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, there are also several smaller clubs that contribute to the city’s strong association with the sport. For instance, Clifton United is a thriving club that focuses on junior players and has achieved Charter Standard recognition from the Football Association. Similarly, Ashton Football Club, formed in 1994, incorporates the senior side of Ashton & Backwell United. While these clubs may not be in the spotlight, their presence underscores Bristol’s passion for football.
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Football Stadiums in Bristol
Bristol Rovers – Memorial Stadium (2.11 Miles to Bristol Castle)
Image Source: Chris clements at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bristol Rovers, originally known as Black Arabs Football Club, was the first major football club to originate in Bristol back in 1883. The club’s name was derived from a combination of a local rugby club called the Arabs and the fact that they played in all-black shirts. However, the name only lasted a year, and in 1884, the club rebranded itself as Eastville Rovers. Initially, they only played friendly games at an amateur level until they joined the Gloucestershire Cup in the 1887-1888 season. Five years later, they became one of the founding members of the Bristol and District League, later renamed the Western League, in 1892. In 1899, the club dropped the ‘Eastville’ from its name, becoming known as Bristol Rovers, and joined the Southern League later that year.
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Throughout its history, Bristol Rovers has experienced both ups and downs. The club has had limited success in terms of league standings, with its highest achievement being sixth place in the second tier of the Football League in 1956 and 1959. However, they have only been relegated from the Football League once, in 2014.
Known for its intense rivalries, the Bristol derby between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers is considered one of the fiercest in English football. The club also has rivalries with other West Country teams like Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, and Yeovil Town. Additionally, matches against Cardiff City are highly anticipated, leading to the creation of the Severnside derby. Bristol Rovers’ home ground, Memorial Stadium, was opened in 1921 and is dedicated to the memory of Bristol Rugby players who lost their lives in World War I.
Bristol City – Ashton Gate Stadium (1.76 Miles to Bristol Castle)
Image Source: Martin Thirkettle / Ashton Gate, Bristol
Eleven years after the formation of Black Arabs Football Club, another team called Bristol South End was established in a different part of the city in 1897. Just three years later, they turned professional and adopted the name Bristol City. In their early years, Bristol City achieved significant success, finishing as runners-up in the Southern League three out of four times. As a result, a decision was made in 1900 to merge with Bedminster Football Club, another local team, to further their progress. This move allowed Bristol City to become the third team south of Birmingham to join the Football League, alongside Luton Town and Woolwich Arsenal.
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Bristol City’s early victories foreshadowed a successful future. In the 1905-1906 season, they became the first club ever to win thirty games in a single season, securing the Second Division title. The following year, they finished as runners-up in their inaugural First Division campaign. However, the club faced setbacks, such as losing the FA Cup final to Manchester United in 1909 and getting relegated from the top-flight in 1911. It took until 1976 for Bristol City to regain their place in the top divisions, spending much of the intervening years moving between the Second and Third Divisions.
The Bristol City and Bristol Rovers rivalry has been fueled by the former’s consistent success compared to the latter. Although Bristol City has a stronger record against their rivals, Bristol Rovers can claim a moral victory due to the financial troubles Bristol City faced in 1982, leading to bankruptcy. Despite these rivalries, Bristol City also shares a heated rivalry with Cardiff City, despite Ashton Gate Stadium being over 25 miles away from Cardiff City Stadium.
FAQs
Q: How many times have Bristol City and Bristol Rovers played against each other?
A: The two clubs have faced each other 105 times, with Bristol City winning 43 of those fixtures.
Q: Who are Bristol City’s major rivals?
A: Bristol City has intense rivalries with Bristol Rovers and Cardiff City.
Q: What is the Severnside derby?
A: The Severnside derby refers to matches between Bristol Rovers and Cardiff City.
Q: When was Memorial Stadium opened?
A: Memorial Stadium was opened in 1921.
Conclusion
Bristol’s football scene is rich and diverse, with both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers representing the city’s love for the sport. These clubs have a storied history, with memorable victories and rivalries that evoke passion among supporters. Whether it’s the exhilarating Bristol derby or clashes with other West Country teams, football in Bristol is more than just a game.
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