The Williams Stand - capacity 5,553 home fans. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

In 1905-06 City won the Division Two Championship and the following season were runners-up to Newcastle United in Division One, to date the high point in the club's history. Since to improve on that they would have to take the Premiership title one suspects it might remain so for at least another hundred years. The Pre-Great War era also saw their finest effort in the F.A. Cup, losing finalists to Manchester United in 1909.

In 1910-11 City were relegated from Division One and the decline continued after the war with another demotion in 1921-22. They were then up, down, up and down again into Division Three South, in the midst of which they bizarrely won the Welsh Cup.

After the Second World War the Robins took until 1954-55 to get back into Division Two, but 1959-60 saw them lose 26 games and go back down in last place. In 1964-65 they were promoted again and a couple of season's later the long reign of Alan Dicks began. Under Dicks there was a semi-final in the League Cup, silverware in the Anglo-Scottish Cup, and a return to the top flight for the first time since before the First War. They held on in Division One for four seasons, but when relegated in 1980 Dicks went and the club collapsed into three back-to-back demotions. As they hit Division Four the collapse on the pitch spread off and Bristol City only survived by scarpering from their debts and forming a new club : Bristol City FC (1982) Limited.

In 1984-85 City finished third and were on the rise again. There were winning, then losing, Finals in the Freight Rover Trophy in 1986 and 1987, a second Football League Cup semi-final in 1989, and a promotion to Division Two in 1990. There was a hiccup in the progress when then club chairman Leslie Kew was banned from football for nine months for misusing Football Trust grants.

In 1996-97 City got into the play-offs, but fell at the first hurdle. However the following season they were directly promoted as runners-up back to the second tier, only to be immediately relegated in the next campaign. Two more play-off failures in 2003 and 2004 saw chairman Lansdown, who had taken over in October 2002, run out of patience with manager Danny Wilson, who was sacked. Brian Tinnion was appointed from within, but in his first season city failed to make the play-offs. As the 2005-06 season got under way Tinnion was a departure waiting to happen, and a poor start added to the pressure. A 7-1 humiliation by Swansea City in September saw Lansdown looking for his third manager in sixteen months, and to the horror of Yeovil fans it was to Huish Park that he came calling. The shock was almost tangible as Gary Johnson, possibly the best loved, and certainly the most successful, Yeovil Town manager ever, went up the A37.

The Wedlock Stand - holds 5,500 divided between away and home fans. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Prediction Corner : We had little doubt that Johnson would be successful at Bristol, though whether the hyper-critical City fans will see anything less than the title as 'success' remains to be seen. This year's away derby comes at a time when the Robins have to determine whether it is automatic promotion or the play-offs for them this term, while the Glovers are looking to secure their play-off slot. Both sides have had an attack of the jitters recently, with the good form that put them in contention in the first place becoming a little ragged as the finish line approaches. This, plus the nature of derbies, makes any prediction a wild stab in the dark. Having beaten City at Huish Park this season (report) we susupect a reversal is on the cards........ oh sod it!, stuff the head, the heart rules....... the Glovers to pull off a shock and send the red part of Bristol into suicidal melt down.

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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name

LGE

FAC

FAT

LGC

CC

Total

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 0, vs ,
Lowest League Attendance: 999999, vs ,
Average League Attendance: Not Applicable

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	0
Games Without A Home Defeat:	0		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	0		Games Without A Score Draw:	0
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	0		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:
Away Results Sequence:			Overall Results Sequence:

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For those approaching Bristol on the M5, exit at Junction 18 and head along the Portway (A4) following the signs for Bristol Airport/Taunton (A38). Cross over the swing bridge into Brunel Way. By the time you reach the end of Brunel Way you should be closing in on the ground visually. Branch left into Winterstoke Road.

Exiles in the South-East will most likely be using the M4. Exit at Junction 19 onto the M32. As you come off the end of the M32 continue straight on along the A4032 (Newfoundland Road) until you meet the ring road dual carriageway. Turn left (going clockwise) onto Bond Street, which becomes Temple Way, which becomes Redcliffe Way........ At the third roundabout (just past St Mary Redcliffe church) take the first exit onto Redcliffe Hill. Cross the river, and take the last exit off the next roundabout on to the A370 (Coronation Road) - see above.

The Atyeo Stand - home end. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Parking

The car park at the stadium is permit holders only so it's find on-street parking. With a large crowd this may not be the easiest.

By Rail

Ashton Gate is around two miles from Bristol's main station, Temple Meads. For those planning an early arrival the 08:59 First Great Western from Pen Mill goes direct, arriving 10.35. The next direct service fits well for those pretty much going straight to the ground : departure 11.57; arrival 13.34. The return journey is not as convenient, with all services on Saturday evening requiring either one or two changes.

The closest station to Ashton Gate is Parson Street, a ten minute walk away. The services from Temple Meads takes five minutes and leave at twenty-five past the hour (First Great Western). Return times vary.

By Bus

Buses are supplied by Abus for a flat rate 50p or £1.00 depending which source one believes. Look for 'Service A' on the front. Pick-up is one hour before kick-off from the following places - Temple Meads, Old Market (Temple Way), Haymarket, Centre, Anchor Road, Hotwells. The buses return to all those destinations after the match, leaving Ashton Road from the Greville Smyth Park.

By Air

If any one is flying in for the match Bristol International Airport is a ten minute taxi ride from Ashton Gate. Call 01275 474444 for flight times.

By Taxi

A selection of Bristol taxi companies can be found here.

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The Dolman Stand. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Club Bar :

There is no alcohol sold in areas open to away fans.

Local Pubs :

Coronation: A Hop Back Brewery pub just over a mile from the stadium. Beers are from the brewery's own stable - Hop Back GFB, Best Bitter, Crop Circle and Summer Lightning on draught, plus four bottle-conditioned ales - with an additional guest and a farmhouse cider, Westcroft's. The pub has specialised in serving its own pizzas made on the premises from 6.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. each evening. Opening times are Monday - Friday 4.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m., Saturday 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m., Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Coronation, 18, Dean Lane, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1DD. Tel: 0117 940 9044. Map: Click Here.

Good location, good pub. © Martin Baker Cottage Inn: Down in the waterfront area just over a mile from the ground. There's a plethora of pubs, bars and eateries around here. This one is worth paticular mention because it stocks output from the Bristol Beer Factory (see above): Bristol Beer Factory Sunrise, Bristol Beer Factory No.7, Bristol Beer Factory Red, Bath Ales Festivity, Bath Ales Gem, Flowers Original all on hand pump; on keg are Boddingtons Bitter, Flowers Best Keg Bitter, Guinness, Castlemaine XXXX, Staropramen, Stella Artois and Gaymer's Olde English Cyder. Visited it after last season's match and found it very pleasant and welcoming if on the pricey side - as you might expect in such a nice location. The quality of the beer was excellent. Also child friendly. Has tables outside for warm days, with good views of the Baltic Wharf and Clifton. Food is served Monday - Saturday 12.00 noon - 9.30 p.m., Sunday 12.00 noon - 9.00 p.m.; opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 11.00 a.m. - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Busy if (or because?) a little pretensious. Cottage Inn, Cumberland Road, Baltic Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6XG. Tel: 0117 921 5256. Map: Click Here.

Merchants Arms: Just over a mile from the stadium. Small two room Victorian street-corner local saved from closure by Bath Ales (see above) in 2000. Carries the range of beers from that brewery - Bath Spa, Gem Barnstormer and Wild Hare plus a guest ale. There are two ciders: Ashton Press and Westons Organic. Also Guinness, Budvar, Foster's, San Miguel and a range of continental bottled beers including Budvar Dark. Food is confined to bar snacks of the pies and toasties variety. Opening Monday - Thursday 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m., 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 12.00 noon - 11.30 p.m., Sunday 12.00 - 10.30 p.m. For those looking for parking pre-match it may be worth noting there is a small free council carpark fifty yards away. Merchants Arms, 5, Merchants Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4PZ. Tel: 0117 904 0037. Map: Click Here.

Simple straight forward pub. Can't go wrong; doesn't go wrong. © Martin Baker Nova Scotia: Another venue on the 'island' between the Avon and the docks - this one at the very western end. Smallish one bar pub that generally has local ales including examples from the Bristol Beer Factory: Bass and Courage Best were the house beers, which aren't to my taste, but the guests looked better; the keg beer was John Smith's Extra Smooth; also Guinness, Foster's and Kronenbourg 1664. Ciders were Blackthorn Cider, Thatcher's Dry and something else out the barrel that was absolutely excellent but I'm ashamed to say I can't recall what it was. Homecooked basic but good food menu available lunchtime and evening 12.30 p.m. - 3.00 p.m., 6.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Traditional unpretentious pub that got packed pre-match on our visit. Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Place, Hotwells, Bristol, BS1 6XJ. Tel: 0117 929 7994. Map: Click Here.

Orchard Inn: Nearby to the Cottage Inn (above), just off Cumberland Road, and also close to the SS Great Britain. Around 30 pubs still serve traditional 'scrumpy' in Bristol, and this has one of the best reputations for quality and is essentially a cider pub. Thatchers Dry and Thatchers Gold, Kingston Press, Moles Black Rat and Blackthorn are usually available, and there's often an additional guest. The house beer is Bath Gem and there is one changing guest, mostly of West Country origin. Other stuff on draught is Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold, Budweiser, Foster's and San Miguel. Lunches available weekdays 12.00 noon - 2.00 p.m., but not at weekends. Opening hours are 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. on Sunday. A change of ownership a few months ago is recent enough to still be unclear whether the new landlords intend to keep the pub the same. Orchard Inn, 12, Hanover Place, Bristol, BS1 6XT. Tel: 0117 926 2678.

Robert Fitzharding: Around a mile (15 minutes) walk from the ground. A Wetherspoon outlet. Allows children and smoking. Opening times : Sunday – Thursday 9.00 a.m. – midnight; Friday - Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 a.m. Robert Fitzharding, 24, Cannon Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1BN. Tel: 0117 966 2757. Map: Click Here.

Salt: Pub that's gone through four revamps and name changes in about a decade - which is never a good sign. The owning chain's Theme Team has most recently come up with a stainless steel and soft furnishings look. Currently it's Caffreys Irish Ale, Guinness Extra Cold, Carling, Grolsch, Stella Artois and Blackthorn Cider on draught. There's big-screen TV showing all major sporting events, and a pool table in a separate roon to the rear. Good largish beer garden. Food served 12.00 noon - 9.00 p.m. from a Bistro style menu; opening Monday - Thursday 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 12.00 noon - 12.00 midnight, Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. About a mile from the ground. Salt, 4, North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1HT. Tel: 0117 953 1446. Map: Click Here.

Ship & Castle: No guarantees from us, but this may be the closest pub to the stadium extending a welcome to away fans so we've included it for that reason. Ship & Castle, Ashton Vale Road, Bristol, BS3 2HA. Tel: 0117 902 0059. Map: Click Here.

The Reckless Engineer: For those taking the train: when arriving in Bristol by rail this has usually been my first port of call, but recently it's been undergoing a massive - and seemingly never ending - refurbishment. Well it has now ended. Bareboard single bar pub opposite Temple Meads Station. Live music (new acts and tribute) every Saturday and most Friday nights, jazz on Sundays. The real ale is Otter Bitter, Butcombe Bitter and a changing guest. Serves Addlestone's Cloudy Cask Conditioned and Blackthorn ciders. Also Guinness, Carlsberg and Stella Artois. Does food from 12.00 noon - 8.00 p.m. everyday. Opening hours 11.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight Monday - Saturday, 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Sunday. There's wheelchair access and children and pets are welcome. Hugely preferable to the Temple Meads Railway Station Bar! The Reckless Engineer, Temple Gate, Bristol, BS1 6PL. Tel: 0117 9220487. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Yep, no problem. They'll pretend to consider us country-bumpkin second cousins with straw in our hair, but don't be fooled. They may be more urban, but they're yokels too.

Top-Tip :

If you want a good view grab your seat early.

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There's a lot to do and see in and around Bristol, but most Yeovil fans will have seen and done it all already given it's just up the road. This time it's all about ruining some bloke's day. Gary who?

[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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