kids encyclopedia robot

Bristol City F.C. facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Bristol City
Bristol City crest.svg
Full name Bristol City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Robins, Cider Army, Red army
Short name BCFC
Founded 1894; 131 years ago (1894)
Ground Ashton Gate
Ground Capacity 27,000
Owner Steve Lansdown
Chairman Jon Lansdown
Head coach Gerhard Struber
League Championship
2018–19 Championship, 8th of 24
Third colours

Bristol City Football Club is a professional football team from Bristol, England. They play in the Championship, which is the second-highest league in English football.

The club started in 1894. They played in local leagues before joining the Football League in 1901. Bristol City won the Second Division in 1905–06. The next season, they finished second in the top league. In 1909, they reached the FA Cup final but lost to Manchester United. The team has moved between different leagues over the years. They have won the Football League Trophy three times. Since 2015, they have been playing in the Championship.

Bristol City's home stadium is Ashton Gate. They have played there since 1904. The team wears red and white. Their nickname is The Robins, and a robin has been on their badge for many years. Their main rivals are Bristol Rovers and Cardiff City.

Club History

Early Days and First Wins (1894–1922)

Bristol City started in 1894 as Bristol South End. Three years later, they became a professional club and changed their name to Bristol City. They joined the Southern League. In 1900, they joined with another local team, Bedminster F.C..

In 1901, Bristol City joined the Football League. They were one of the first clubs from the south of England to do so. Their first game in the Football League was a 2–0 win against Blackpool.

The team won the Second Division in 1905–06. They set a record by winning 30 games in a season. They also won 14 games in a row. In 1906–07, they finished second in the First Division, which was their highest league finish ever.

In 1909, Bristol City played in their only FA Cup final. They lost 1–0 to Manchester United. After five seasons in the top league, they were relegated in 1911. It took 65 years for them to return to the top flight. After World War I, they reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1920. In 1922, they were relegated to the Third Division South.

Moving Up and Down (1922–1965)

BristolCityFC League Performance
Chart of yearly table positions of Bristol City in the Football League

The 1920s were a time of change for Bristol City. They moved between the Second Division and the Third Division South. They won the Third Division South title twice, in 1922–23 and 1926–27.

In 1934, they won the Welsh Cup. However, in the same year, they had their biggest league defeat, losing 9–0 to Coventry City. During World War II, part of their stadium, Ashton Gate, was damaged by an air raid.

In 1946–47, City had a record league win, beating Aldershot 9–0. In the late 1950s, the club spent five years in the Second Division. They returned to this league in 1965.

Back in the Top League (1966–1980)

In 1967, Alan Dicks became manager. The team improved and earned promotion to the First Division in 1976. This ended their 65-year wait to be back in the top league.

Between 1975 and 1981, City played in the Anglo-Scottish Cup. They won the trophy in 1977–78, beating St Mirren in the final. Their best finish in the top league during this time was 13th place in 1979.

Tough Times and Comeback (1980–2000)

In the 1980s, Bristol City faced financial problems. They were relegated three times in a row, ending up in the Fourth Division in 1982. The club went bankrupt, but a new club was formed. Some senior players, known as the 'Ashton Gate Eight', agreed to end their contracts for less money to help the club.

City spent two seasons in the Fourth Division. They won promotion in 1984 under manager Terry Cooper. In 1990, under Joe Jordan, they were promoted from the Third Division. Sadly, striker Dean Horrix died in a car crash during this promotion season.

In 1993, Andy Cole, who had joined City, was sold to Newcastle United. He later became a very successful player for Manchester United. In 1994, City had a famous 1–0 FA Cup win against Liverpool at Anfield. Joe Jordan returned as manager in 1994, but the team was relegated to Division Two.

In 1998, under John Ward, City were promoted again. However, they struggled in Division One and were relegated in 1999. Danny Wilson became manager in 2000.

21st Century Successes

In the early 2000s, Bristol City often challenged for promotion from Division Two. They won the Football League Trophy in 2003. In 2004, they reached the play-off final but lost.

Gary Johnson became manager in 2005. In the 2006–07 season, Bristol City finally won promotion to the Championship. They finished second in the league, securing automatic promotion.

Ashton Gate invasion
Pitch invasion at Ashton Gate after securing promotion in 2007

In their first Championship season (2007–08), City did very well. They reached the play-off final at Wembley Stadium but lost 1–0 to Hull City. After a few more seasons in the Championship, Gary Johnson left in 2010.

After several manager changes, Steve Cotterill joined the club in 2013. He led the team to a fantastic season in 2014–15. Bristol City won the League One title, their first league title since 1955. They also won the Football League Trophy for a record third time.

Despite this success, the team struggled back in the Championship. Steve Cotterill left in January 2016. Lee Johnson, a former player and son of Gary Johnson, became the new head coach. The team managed to stay in the Championship.

In the 2017–18 season, City had a great run in the League Cup. They beat several Premier League teams, including Manchester United, to reach the semi-finals. They finished 11th in the Championship that season.

In 2019–20, the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee Johnson left in July 2020. Dean Holden and then Nigel Pearson took over as managers. Pearson left in October 2023.

On November 7, 2023, Liam Manning became the new head coach. City finished the 2022–23 season in 11th place. In the 2024–25 season, the club reached the play-offs for the first time in 17 years. They had a strong home record, losing only three home games. However, they lost to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-final.

On June 3, 2025, it was announced that Liam Manning would leave. On June 19, 2025, Gerhard Struber was appointed as the new head coach of Bristol City.

Club Identity

Bristol City has worn red and white kits since the 1890s. Sometimes, black is also included. Their away kits change more often, but are usually white, black, or yellow.

  • The club's current badge is a modern version of a robin, which has been a symbol for the club and its fans for a long time.
  • The club's mascots are Red and Robyn.
  • The local band The Wurzels has a strong connection with the club. Their song "One for the Bristol City" is played at Ashton Gate, and "Drink Up Thy Zider" is played after home wins.
  • Fans often sing "Johnson says bounce around the ground" during matches. This chant started when former manager Gary Johnson encouraged fans to make the stadium "bounce."

Shirt Sponsors

Period Kit supplier Kit sponsor
1976–1981 Umbro None
1981–1982 Coffer Sports Park Furnishers
Feb 1982 Hire-Rite
1982–1983 Lynx
Aug–Dec 1983 Umbro
Dec 1983–1990 Bukta
1990–1992 Thorn Security
1992–1993 Nibor
1993–1994 Dry Blackthorn Cider
1994–1996 Auto Windscreens
1996–1998 Lotto Sanderson
1998–1999 Uhlsport
1999–2000 DAS
2000–2002 Admiral
2002–2005 TFG Sports
2005–2006 Bristol Trade Centre
2006–2008 Puma
2008–2010 DAS
2010–2011 Adidas
2011–2012 RSG (Home)
Bristol City Community Trust (Away)
2012–2014 Blackthorn
2014–2016 Bristol Sport RSG
2016–2018 Lancer Scott
2018–2020 Dunder
2020–2022 Hummel MansionBet
2022–2023 Huboo

Digital NRG

2023–present O'Neills

Stadium

Bristol City's home ground is Ashton Gate Stadium. It is located in the south-west of Bristol. The team moved there from St John's Lane in 1904. The stadium can hold 27,000 fans, and all seats are covered.

Over the years, there have been plans to make Ashton Gate bigger or build a new stadium. In 2007, the club announced plans for a new 30,000-seat stadium in Ashton Vale.

The stadium has been updated recently. A new South stand opened in 2015. The Williams stand was replaced by the Lansdown stand in 2016. A new Desso pitch was installed, and the Dolman stand was improved. In 2021, a special "safe standing" area was added for fans.

In 2020, a modern training facility called the Robins High Performance Centre opened. It is located near Ashton Gate.

=Images for kids

Rivalries

Bristol City has two main rivals:

  • Bristol Rovers: This is the traditional local derby. The teams have played 105 times since 1897. Bristol City has won 43 of these matches. However, the clubs have not been in the same league for many years. They last played each other in a league cup match in 2013.
  • Cardiff City: This is known as the Severnside derby. It's a unique rivalry because it crosses the border between England and Wales. The two clubs have often been in the same league, leading to many exciting games.

Other clubs sometimes seen as rivals include Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle.

Club Records and Statistics

Here are some interesting facts and records for Bristol City:

  • Biggest League Win: 9–0 against Aldershot (1946)
  • Biggest FA Cup Win: 11–0 against Chichester City (1960)
  • Biggest League Loss: 9–0 against Coventry City (1934)
  • Highest Home Attendance: 43,335 against Preston North End (1935)
  • Most League Appearances: 596 by John Atyeo (1951–66)
  • Most League Goals: 314 by John Atyeo (1951–66)
  • Most Goals Overall: 351 by John Atyeo (1951–66)
  • Most Goals in a Season: 36 by Don Clark (1946–47)
  • Record Transfer Fee Paid: £8 million for Tomáš Kalas (2019)
  • Record Transfer Fee Received: £25 million for Alex Scott (2023)
  • Longest Winning Streak: 14 league wins (1905)
  • Longest Unbeaten Streak: 24 league matches (1905–06)
  • Most Points in a Season: 99 points in 2014–15 Football League One

Most Appearances

# Name Career Appearances
1 England Louis Carey 1995–2004; 2005–2014 646
2 England John Atyeo 1951–1966 645
3 England Trevor Tainton 1967–1982 581
4 England Brian Tinnion 1993–2005 551
5 Scotland Tom Ritchie 1972–1981; 1983–1985 504
6 Scotland Gerry Sweeney 1971–1981 490
7 England Rob Newman 1981–1991 483
8 Scotland Gerry Gow 1969–1981 445
9 England Geoff Merrick 1967–1982 433
10 Scotland Scott Murray 1997–2003; 2004–2009 427

Most Goals

# Name Career Goals
1 England John Atyeo 1951–1966 351
2 Scotland Tom Ritchie 1969–1981, 1982–1984 132
3 England Arnold Rodgers 1949–1956 111
4 England Jimmy Rogers 1950–1956, 1958–1962 108
5 England Alan Walsh 1984–1989 99
6 Scotland Scott Murray 1997–2003, 2004–2009 91
7 England Tot Walsh 1924–1928 91
8 England John Galley 1967–1972 90
9 England Brian Clark 1960–1966 89
10 Scotland Sam Gilligan 1904–1910 87

Players

First-Team Squad

No. Position Player
1 Republic of Ireland GK Max O'Leary
2 Scotland DF Ross McCrorie
3 England DF Cameron Pring
5 England DF Robert Atkinson
6 England MF Max Bird
7 Japan FW Yū Hirakawa
8 England MF Joe Williams
9 France FW Fally Mayulu
10 England MF Scott Twine
11 Albania MF Anis Mehmeti
12 Republic of Ireland MF Jason Knight (captain)
13 England GK Joe Lumley
14 England DF Zak Vyner
No. Position Player
15 Republic of Ireland DF Luke McNally
16 England DF Rob Dickie
17 Republic of Ireland MF Mark Sykes
19 England DF George Tanner
20 England FW Sam Bell
24 England DF Haydon Roberts
26 England FW Josh Stokes
27 England FW Harry Cornick
30 Republic of Ireland FW Sinclair Armstrong
32 Wales GK Lewis Thomas
Denmark FW Emil Riis Jakobsen
England MF Adam Randell

Under 21 Squad

No. Position Player
31 England MF Elijah Morrison
33 England DF Josh Campbell-Slowey
34 England DF Joseph James
35 England FW Leo Pecover
39 England MF Billy Phillips
Wales GK Josey Casa-Grande
England GK Joe Duncan
England GK Isaac Finch
England GK Jack Witchard
England DF Zach Ali
Germany DF Raphael Araoye
England DF Max Davies
England DF Jack Hooper
No. Position Player
Canada DF Jamie Knight-Lebel
England DF Archie Taylor
England MF Tom Chaplin
England MF Charlie Filer
England MF Calum Hewlett
Wales MF Zac King-Phillips
Republic of Ireland MF Adam Murphy
England MF Raekwan Nelson
Wales MF Ruebin Sheppard
England FW Jack Griffin
England FW Luke Skinner
England FW Olly Thomas
Italy FW Ephraim Yeboah

Players on Loan

No. Position Player
England GK Ben Clark (On loan at Weymouth until 31 May 2026)
England DF Taine Anderson (On loan at Cheltenham Town until 31 May 2026)
England MF Jed Meerholz (On loan at Aldershot Town until 1 January 2026)

Player of the Year Awards

Year Winner Position
1970–71 England Gerry Sharpe Forward
1971–72 England Geoff Merrick Defender
1972–73 Wales John Emanuel Midfielder
1973–74 Scotland Gerry Gow Midfielder
1974–75 England Gary Collier Defender
1975–76 United Kingdom The whole squad
1976–77 England Norman Hunter Defender
1977–78 England Norman Hunter Defender
1978–79 Scotland Gerry Gow Midfielder
1979–80 England Geoff Merrick Defender
1980–81 England Kevin Mabbutt Forward
1981–82 No award
1982–83 England Glyn Riley Forward
1983–84 Wales Howard Pritchard Midfielder
1984–85 England Alan Walsh Forward
1985–86 Scotland Bobby Hutchinson Midfielder
1986–87 England Rob Newman Defender
1987–88 England Alan Walsh Forward
1988–89 England Keith Waugh Goalkeeper
1989–90 England Bob Taylor Forward
1990–91 England Andy Llewellyn Defender
1991–92 England Martin Scott Defender
1992–93 England Andy Cole Forward
1993–94 England Wayne Allison Forward
1994–95 England Matt Bryant Defender
1995–96 England Martin Kuhl Midfielder
1996–97 England Shaun Taylor Defender
1997–98 England Shaun Taylor Defender
1998–99 Nigeria Ade Akinbiyi Forward
1999–2000 England Billy Mercer Goalkeeper
2000–01 England Brian Tinnion Midfielder
2001–02 England Matt Hill Defender
2002–03 Scotland Scott Murray Midfielder
2003–04 Northern Ireland Tommy Doherty Midfielder
2004–05 England Leroy Lita Forward
2005–06 England Steve Brooker Forward
2006–07 England Jamie McCombe Defender
2007–08 Brazil Adriano Basso Goalkeeper
2008–09 Nigeria Dele Adebola Forward
2009–10 England Cole Skuse Midfielder
2010–11 Ghana Albert Adomah Midfielder
2011–12 England Jon Stead Forward
2012–13 England Tom Heaton Goalkeeper
2013–14 England Sam Baldock Forward
2014–15 England Aden Flint Defender
2015–16 England Aden Flint Defender
2016–17 England Tammy Abraham Forward
2017–18 England Bobby Reid Forward
2018–19 England Adam Webster Defender
2019–20 Senegal Famara Diédhiou Forward
2020–21 England Dan Bentley Goalkeeper
2021–22 Austria Andreas Weimann Forward
2022–23 England Alex Scott Midfielder
2023–24 England Rob Dickie Defender
2024–25 Republic of Ireland Jason Knight Midfielder

Top League Scorer Awards

Year Winner Goals
1996–97 Bermuda Shaun Goater 23
1997–98 Bermuda Shaun Goater 17
1998–99 Nigeria Ade Akinbiyi 19
1999–2000 England Tony Thorpe 13
2000–01 England Tony Thorpe 19
2001–02 England Tony Thorpe 16
2002–03 Scotland Scott Murray 19
2003–04 England Lee Peacock 14
2004–05 England Leroy Lita 24
2005–06 England Steve Brooker 16
2006–07 England Phil Jevons 11
2007–08 Jamaica Darren Byfield 8
2008–09 England Nicky Maynard 11
2009–10 England Nicky Maynard 20
2010–11 Jersey Brett Pitman 13
2011–12 England Nicky Maynard 8
2012–13 England Steve Davies 13
2013–14 England Sam Baldock 24
2014–15 England Aaron Wilbraham 18
2015–16 Ivory Coast Jonathan Kodjia 19
2016–17 England Tammy Abraham 23
2017–18 England Bobby Reid 19
2018–19 Senegal Famara Diédhiou 12
2019–20 Senegal Famara Diédhiou 11
2020–21 Bermuda Nahki Wells 9
2021–22 Austria Andreas Weimann 22
2022–23 Bermuda Nahki Wells 11
2023–24 Scotland Tommy Conway 9
2024–25 Albania Anis Mehmeti 12

Club Officials

Management

  • Head Coach: Gerhard Struber
  • Assistant Head Coach: Bernd Eibler
  • Assistant Head Coach: Curtis Fleming
  • Goalkeeping Coach: Pat Mountain
  • Head of Medical: Paul Tanner
  • Head of Communications: Sheridan Robins
  • Head of Sports Science: Andy Kavanagh

Managerial History

Name Period
England Sam Hollis 1897–1899
England Robert Campbell 1899–1901
England Sam Hollis 1901–1905
England Harry Thickitt 1905–1910
England Frank Bacon 1910–1911
England Sam Hollis 1911–1913
England George Hedley 1913–1917
Scotland Jock Hamilton 1917–1919
England Joe Palmer 1919–1921
Scotland Alex Raisbeck 1921–1929
England Joe Bradshaw 1929–1932
England Bob Hewison 1932–1949
England Bob Wright 1949–1950
England Pat Beasley 1950–1958
Northern Ireland Peter Doherty 1958–1960
England Fred Ford 1960–1967
England Alan Dicks 1967–1980
England Bobby Houghton 1980–1982
England Roy Hodgson 1982
England Terry Cooper 1982–1988
Scotland Joe Jordan 1988–1990
Scotland Jimmy Lumsden 1990–1992
England Denis Smith 1992–1993
England Russell Osman 1993–1994
Scotland Joe Jordan 1994–1997
England John Ward 1997–1998
Sweden Benny Lennartsson 1998–1999
Wales Tony Pulis 1999
England Tony Fawthrop 2000
Northern Ireland Danny Wilson 2000–2004
England Brian Tinnion 2004–2005
England Gary Johnson 2005–2010
England Steve Coppell 2010
England Keith Millen 2010–2011
Scotland Derek McInnes 2011–2013
Republic of Ireland Sean O'Driscoll 2013
England Steve Cotterill 2013–2016
England Lee Johnson 2016–2020
England Dean Holden 2020–2021
England Nigel Pearson 2021–2023
England Liam Manning 2023–2025
Austria Gerhard Struber 2025–

Bristol City Women's Team

The women's team started in 1990. They reached the semi-finals of the FA Women's Cup in 1994. In 2004, they were promoted to the Premier League. In 2008, the senior women's teams were disbanded. Many players moved to the University of Bath and formed a new team.

Honours

Bristol City has won several trophies and titles:

League Titles

Cup Wins

  • Associate Members' Cup / Football League Trophy
    • Winners: 1985–86, 2002–03, 2014–15
  • Welsh Cup
    • Winners: 1933–34
  • Anglo-Scottish Cup
    • Winners: 1977–78

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bristol City Football Club para niños

kids search engine
Bristol City F.C. Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.