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Bi on FC - A History

Bi on AFC were founded in 1892. They play at the Recrea on Ground, which is on the outskirts of
the village of Bi on, on the A420 between Bath and Bristol. This has been their home since the
club was formed. There is very li le history of the club before the Second World War. From 1945
up un l the late 1980's they ran teams in the Bristol and District Football League with limited
success.
In the 1989/90 season the club 1st team played in the Senior Division of the Bristol and District
Football League. A er winning promo on two years in succession the 1st team started the 1991/92
season playing in the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combina on. Season 1994/95 was to
prove one of the club's most memorable, winning the GFA Senior Amateur Cup and finishing
Runners-Up in the Bristol Premier Combina on, achieving promo on to the Gloucestershire County
League.
Season 1996/97 saw the club reach the GFA Challenge Trophy Final, losing narrowly to Mangotsfield
United. The club also finished Runners Up in the Gloucestershire County League and were promoted
to the Western League First Division.
A er 7 seasons in the First Division, the Club achieved its highest posi on during the 2003/04
season, when finishing Runners Up and gaining promo on to the Western League Premier Division.
Upon becoming an established Western League Premier Division Club, Bi on AFC were crowned
Champions in 2008/09, whilst Winning the GFA Challenge Trophy in the same season. Despite
winning the league then, and earning Runners Up in 2010/11, Bi on were unable to gain promo on,
as the ground facili es did not sa sfy Southern League standards.
Over the last decade the club has matched its playing performance with many off the pitch
developments. A stand sea ng 50 was built. Covered accommoda on for 150 was erected. In
February 2001 floodligh ng was installed which is up to Conference standard. 2004 saw the building
of a new dressing room block, including a kitchen and boardroom and also a floodlight mul ple use
games area. During the summer of 2011 Chairman John Langdon invested significantly into the clubs
facili es to ensure they met Southern League standards should Bi on qualify for promo on in the
future. The wooden clubhouse was demolished and a new building erected, whilst arrangements
were made to accommodate turns les required for the next level. This investment con nues to
demonstrate the clubs drive and ambi on to push for promo on to the Southern League.
The Reserve Team play in the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combina on whilst the 'A' team
(3rd's) play in Division 1 of the Bristol and District League. Bi on Ladies were formed at the start of
the 2007/2008 season and play in the Gloucestershire County Womens Football League.
Bi on AFC also run an impressive Youth structure for boys & girls, with teams ranging from Under
6's right through to Under 18's.
Season 2019-20 saw Bi on have a magnificent run in the Buildbase FA Vase, reaching the semi-finals
for the first me in the Club’s history. Unfortunately, the World Pandemic caused the compe on to
be truncated somewhat and the semi-final against Conse was played as a one-off match instead of
the usual two legs, consequently denying Bi on the chance to stage a big semi-final e on their own
ground. The 1-0 defeat saw them miss out on a trip to Wembley Stadium.