Page 19 - Avonmouth FC v Ruardean Hill Rangers 130424

Remembering Avonmouth Clubs from the past.
Although Avonmouth FC was formed in 1919 under the name of Avonmouth St Andrews there have
been five sides playing under the village name, Rovers, Athletic, St Andrews and most recently Village
and Rangers. We are pretty sure that many of the Rover's side joined St Andrews after the First World
War (WW1) given that many new teams were formed with strong links to their local church, whilst
remembering those lost during the horrors of the Great War.
The Bristol & Suburban League (B&SL) centenary booklet (published in 1994) has provided us with the
first mentions we have of an Avonmouth football team gaining success in their league by winning the
Division 1 title over two seasons, 1904/5 and 1905/6, although exactly which club is not confirmed.
Although it is thought to be Avonmouth Rovers, perhaps the forerunner of the St Andrews side? Further
research is needed!
Avonmouth Athletic reserves was the next club to feature in the Suburban League records when they
won the Division 4 title in 1926/27 and then the top Division 1 title in seasons 1927/28,1928/29 and
1935/36. The Athletics star player was Ernie Brinton who went on to play 249 games for Bristol City as
a half back, finishing his playing days at Newport County just after the Second World War. Avonmouth
Athletic had very strong sides as their reserves also won the Suburban League Division 2 title in seasons
1924/25, 1926/27, 1929/30 and 1930/31.
After WW2 and a spell in the Bristol & District League, Avonmouth St Andrews returned to the Suburban
League winning the top Division 1 in 1953/54. Although the junior teams won the Church of England
youth leagues on several occasions, the first and reserve teams struggled, mainly due to the growth in
stature of other local clubs, including Bristol Manor Farm, Hallen (formerly Lawrence Weston) and
Shirehampton Sports, who all attracted the best young players. Despite having our West Town Road
ground taken by the Ministry of Transport in 1967 for the M5 River Avon motorway bridge the club
continued through difficult times with the prospect of an imminent return to the village that eventually
happened in 1986. Things were looking up with the reserves winning the Suburban League Division 4
title in 1983/84 and then Division 1 in 1991/92 and the first team again winning the Premier Division in
2006/07.
More recently, another club was formed and known as Avonmouth Village FC. They achieved success in
the Bristol & District Leage by winning Division 2 in 2003/4, Division 1 in 2005/6, and the Senior Division
in 2006/7, and playing at the King George's Field ground in Barracks Lane before disbanding. Finally,
there was Avonmouth Rangers who also played in the Suburban League, winning Division 5 in 2005/06
and Division 4 in 2006/07.
Dave Rowley
Avonmouth FC - Vice President and Archivist daverowleyl53@gmail.com

On a blustery afternoon at Hillside Gardens a dominant display from Rockleaze Rangers saw them
inflict champions elect Avonmouth to only the second league defeat in two seasons. Both keepers
were joint top of the “golden gloves” award before the game, but it was Tom Bradley in Avonmouth’s
goal who had the busier start. Sam Bailey had a decent chance for Rockleaze on 8 minutes but couldn’t
get enough on a cross from Jenson Beard and at the other end the dangerous Matt Groves curled a shot
wide. Rockleaze thought they had taken a 31st minute lead but Drew Sawdon’s effort was ruled out for
an earlier offside. Just before the break, Bradley scrambled to keep out Nick Jones’ curling effort. The
second half was a much better affair with the wind dying down a bit. Just into the half Tasman Rooke
flashed a great cross along the six-yard line but no-one was there, and on 49 minutes Dan Webb’s effort
was just wide from 20 yards. On the hour Avonmouth’s Groves swivelled and hooked the ball goal bound
but Jordan Dunning tipped over. Rockleaze made a few changes and one change, James Goulden, had
presentable chances on 68 and 70 minutes both well saved by Bradley, and a few minutes later Webb
flashed a shot wide with Bradley stranded. On 76 minutes the huge Avonmouth contingent was silenced
when Brandon Boontam lobbed Bradley from 25 yards for 1-0. The move of the game came on 82
minutes with Sawdon, Rooke, and Boontam all involved to create a chance for Kacper Kalkowski whose
effort was saved by Bradley. Rockleaze were pushing for a second and got it with the last kick of the
game, Marcus Williams crossed to the back post where Boontam headed back across for Goulden to
smash into an empty net to take the points 2-0. Rockleaze deservedly won the game just as Avonmouth
will win the League over the next game or so.