roydo
in memoriam - 1965-2024
First proper post, but this has intrigued me for ages, and interested in other views.
I left the Wirral aged 7. In 1972. As part of a commited evertonian family, to live near Bristol. The nearest team to go watch was Bristol City, so off me and me dad went. Really weird, crap ground, played in red, but not a bad team, apparently, (i was 7!). So my really formative years as a regular footie follower was at a second divison, average side, miles from Goodison. As the months passed, I started to really feel an affinity with City, which was fine, because they were 2nd Div, and Everton were in a different league, literally. My school mates took the piss out of my love for EFC, (Leeds, Chelsea were the "in" clubs), but my affection for Bristol City continued as we became regular home gamers.
But then they, (Bristol), got good! Beat THE Leeds side at Elland Road 1-0 in the cup, then got promoted to Div 1, with a team of mainly local players, (their star striker, Tom Ritchie, is my postman), and then.....a problem. CITY WOULD HAVE TO PLAY EVERTON. FOR REAL!
Imagine your favourite blood brother, having to have a punch up with an admired step brother, and you start to get the idea. It was horrible. I never lost my love of EFC, but Bristol City, all rubbish, and crap, with cack all history, had wormed their way into my affections, and there is nothing you can do about it. City never got a result against EFC in Div 1, seemed to be mainly draws, so that was fine, indeed, they got some amazing results against the RS, Man U, (3 1 win AT OT! Mabbut hat trick). and Arsenal, but eventually, back down to their natural habitat they went.
But not before, as has been mentioned before on here, Big JR joined City and scored 4 on his debut, (middlesborough, i was there), then John Bailey pitched up, and was an Ashton Gate legend. THEN, early 80s, we are in a Wembley final, for the first time. EVER. Ok, Freight Rover Trophy, where if we win, we get a............van.
City win versus Bolton. 3.0. King of the defence, and considered amongst most Bristol fans as the most under rated CH of all. David Moyes.
I know everone has a second team, especially in certain parts of the world, but Bristol City are more of a second team to me. And it still feels weird, after all these years.
I left the Wirral aged 7. In 1972. As part of a commited evertonian family, to live near Bristol. The nearest team to go watch was Bristol City, so off me and me dad went. Really weird, crap ground, played in red, but not a bad team, apparently, (i was 7!). So my really formative years as a regular footie follower was at a second divison, average side, miles from Goodison. As the months passed, I started to really feel an affinity with City, which was fine, because they were 2nd Div, and Everton were in a different league, literally. My school mates took the piss out of my love for EFC, (Leeds, Chelsea were the "in" clubs), but my affection for Bristol City continued as we became regular home gamers.
But then they, (Bristol), got good! Beat THE Leeds side at Elland Road 1-0 in the cup, then got promoted to Div 1, with a team of mainly local players, (their star striker, Tom Ritchie, is my postman), and then.....a problem. CITY WOULD HAVE TO PLAY EVERTON. FOR REAL!
Imagine your favourite blood brother, having to have a punch up with an admired step brother, and you start to get the idea. It was horrible. I never lost my love of EFC, but Bristol City, all rubbish, and crap, with cack all history, had wormed their way into my affections, and there is nothing you can do about it. City never got a result against EFC in Div 1, seemed to be mainly draws, so that was fine, indeed, they got some amazing results against the RS, Man U, (3 1 win AT OT! Mabbut hat trick). and Arsenal, but eventually, back down to their natural habitat they went.
But not before, as has been mentioned before on here, Big JR joined City and scored 4 on his debut, (middlesborough, i was there), then John Bailey pitched up, and was an Ashton Gate legend. THEN, early 80s, we are in a Wembley final, for the first time. EVER. Ok, Freight Rover Trophy, where if we win, we get a............van.
City win versus Bolton. 3.0. King of the defence, and considered amongst most Bristol fans as the most under rated CH of all. David Moyes.
I know everone has a second team, especially in certain parts of the world, but Bristol City are more of a second team to me. And it still feels weird, after all these years.
