Page 19 - Avonmouth FC v Wick 160923

Avonmouth FC is justly proud of its heritage and in particular ensuring we never
forget the players and families that have been involved and supported the club over
the past 104 years.

In its first 75 years the club had just three secretaries, Arthur Rowley, Bert Britton
and Des Villis who later became the Bristol & Suburban League secretary and then
President. Bert was also the second winner of the Harry Bamford Trophy and often
selected for the Gloucestershire County side as centre forward. Players tended to
play throughout their careers for their local side unless they went into the
professional game and Avonmouth was the starting point for several including Ernie
Brinton (Bristol City), Roy Bentley (Chelsea & England) and Josser Watling (Bristol
Rovers 323 games).

Josser started his footballing life with St Andrews
Boys Club before the village senior side and then
joined the Royal Navy age 18 at the start of World
War 2, working on the Arctic convoys during the war.
This involved sailing in often treacherous conditions
to Russia to provide essential supplies. Josser only
ever played for Bristol Rovers 1945-1963 and sadly
passed away in June 2023 aged 98. Rumour has it
that Watling Way off West Town Road (Avonmouth
FCs home ground until 1967) was named after him.
Many local youngsters played for Avonmouth FC and worked in or around the docks
and back in the 1950s they stayed with one club and often joined the committee
when their playing days were over. Our oldest ex-player and committee man is Ken
McCullock (96) who was a hard tackling central defender and was an apprentice
coppersmith at Mountstuarts before joining the PBA. Ken was part of the 1953-54
Bristol & Suburban League Division 1 championship winning side and is pictured
below next to the trophy and attending a home game at the end of last season and
has many great memories of Avonmouth FC.