Page 32 - Keynsham Town FC v Bitton 260322
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Bitton AFC was founded in 1892. It plays at the Recreation Ground, which is on the
outskirts of the village of Bitton, on the A420 between Bath and Bristol. This has
been their home since the club was formed. There is very little history of the club
before the Second World War. From 1945 up until 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. After winning promotion two years in succession the
1st team started the 1991/92 season playing in the Premier Division of the Bristol
Premier Combination. 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 Combination, achieving promotion 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.
After 7 seasons in the First Division, the Club achieved its highest position during
the 2003/04 season, when finishing Runners Up and gaining promotion to the
Western League Premier Division.
Upon becoming an established Western League Premier Division Club, Bitton 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, Bitton were unable to gain promotion, as the ground facilities did not
satisfy Southern League standards.
Over the last decade the club has matched its playing performance with many off
the pitch developments. A stand seating 50 was built. Covered accommodation for
150 was erected. In February 2001 floodlighting 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 multiple use games area.
During the summer of 2011 Chairman John Langdon invested significantly into the
clubs facilities to ensure they met Southern League standards should Bitton qualify
for promotion in the future. The wooden clubhouse was demolished and a new
building erected, whilst arrangements were made to accommodate turnstiles
required for the next level. This investment continues to demonstrate the clubs
drive and ambition to push for promotion to the Southern League.
The Reserve Team play in the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combination
whilst the 'A' team (3rd's) play in Division 1 of the Bristol and District League. Bitton
Ladies were formed at the start of the 2007/2008 season and play in the
Gloucestershire County Womens Football League.
Bitton 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 Bitton have a magnificent run in the Buildbase FA Vase,
reaching the semi-finals for the first time in the Club’s history. Unfortunately, the
World Pandemic caused the competition to be truncated somewhat and the semi-
final against Consett was played as a one-off match instead of the usual two legs,
consequently denying Bitton the chance to stage a big semi-final tie on their own
ground. The 1-0 defeat saw them miss out on a trip to Wembley Stadium.