IN FOCUS: BRISTOL CITY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Ahead of our return to the Sky Bet Championship, learn more about all 23 of our opponents

2024-06-28T08:00:00.000Z

IN FOCUS: BRISTOL CITY

Ahead of our return to the Sky Bet Championship, learn more about all 23 of our opponents

2024-06-28T08:00:00.000Z

Ticket details for our game at Ashton Gate

Like many clubs, Bristol City FC was founded with a different name. They were only known as Bristol South End for three years, however, before converting upon turning professional in 1897.

They started life in the Southern League and Western league before being elected into the Football League in 1901, adopting Ashton Gate as their home in 1904 and winning the Second Division two years later.

The time period before and after World War II proved difficult and the Robins dropped back down to non-league level.

However, a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s saw them climb back up to Division 2 and later Division 1 as they established themselves within the English footballing pyramid.

The Robins have won what is now known as the Football League Trophy on three occasions, the latest of which coming courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Walsall in the 2013/14.

Since the turn of the millennium, they have mainly competed in the Championship and that stability has enabled them to improve the facilities at Ashton Gate. Additionally, they opened a brand-new training centre in March 2021.

Bristol City recorded their highest league finish since 2018/19 last time out, finishing 11th in a season that started with Nigel Pearson in charge.

The veteran boss was dismissed in November 2023 and replaced by Liam Manning, and the Robins finished the season particularly strongly.

Stadium: Ashton Gate (27,000) – Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ

Nickname(s): The Robins

Manager: Liam Manning

2023/24 Finishing Position: 11th in Sky Bet Championship

2023/24 Top Scorer (All Competitions): Tommy Conway (12)

Played for both:

Wade Elliott – A midfielder with a wealth of experience to his name, Elliott was spotted by AFC Bournemouth while playing for non-league side Bashley. That’s where he made his name in the professional game, featuring more than 200 times in a five-year spell across various leagues. Then came a free transfer to Burnley in 2005 where Elliott became a club stalwart, missing just 18 league games in his first four seasons as a Claret. He was ever present in Burnley’s first ever Premier League season and scored four times, eventually leaving for Birmingham City in 2012. His time at Bristol City came on loan from the second city club in 2023/14, when the winger scored three League One goals before joining the Robins permanently.

Nakhi Wells – After moving from his native Bermuda, Wells’ first taste of English football came with Carlisle United. His spell there lasted just six months, but the striker bounced back to spend the next six years in West Yorkshire with Bradford City and later Huddersfield Town. Wells transferred to Burnley in August 2017, making nine Premier League appearances that season. He then spent one and a half seasons on loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers, scoring a combined total of 24 goals in all competitions. He was recalled in January 2019 and sold to Bristol City, where he currently still plies his trade. Wells has scored 38 times in just short of 200 appearances for the Robins, establishing himself as a Championship level striker.

Tom Heaton – Born in Cheshire, Heaton started as a trainee at Manchester United and was registered to the Red Devils for five years. During that time he had six loan spells away from Old Trafford. After permanently moving to Cardiff City in 2010, Heaton then signed for Bristol City where he made 43 Championship appearances in the 2012/13 season. Burnley is the Club where Heaton has spent the longest period of time, making 188 league appearances between 2013 and 2019. Recording 19 clean sheets in his debut campaign, the goalkeeper then played every Premier League minute in 2014/15 and would later be named club captain. His time in Lancashire came to an end in August 2019, with the ‘keeper joining Aston Villa.