Bitton A.F.C

Bitton AFC is a football club based in Bitton, near Bath and Bristol, England. They are currently members of the Western League Premier Division. Bitton A.F.C.

first existed in 1892. They play at the Recreation Ground on the outskirts of the village of Bitton that lies between Bath and Bristol. They have played at this ground since 1920. 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 they started the 1991/2 season playing in the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combination. Season 1994/5 was to prove memorable, with the Club winning the GFA Senior Amateur Cup, finishing Runners-Up in the Bristol Premier Combination, and being promoted to the Gloucestershire County League. In season 1996/7 more success followed when the Club reached the GFA Trophy Final, losing narrowly to Mangotsfield United. They also finished Runners-Up in the Gloucestershire County League, and were promoted to the Western League First Division. Over the last decade the club has matched its playing performance with many off the pitch developments. A stand and covered accommodation were erected. In 2001 floodlighting was installed. In 2004 a new dressing room block was built, along with a floodlit multiple use games area. The Club has a junior section that runs teams from 6 years to 16 years for boys and girls, and also runs a Ladies team, a Youth team, and three Men’s teams. In season 2003/4, after 7 seasons in the Western League First Division, the Club achieved its highest ever status when finishing runners up and being promoted to the Western League Premier Division. In season 2005/6 the club were Runners-Up in the GFA Trophy Final, and in season 2006/7 were Runners-Up in the Somerset Professional Cup. Season 2007/8 saw the Club win the GFA Trophy for the first time by defeating Hardwick in the final held at the GFA Headquarters. Season 2008/9 was to be the most successful in the Club’s history when they became only the second Bristol based club to win the Western Football League Championship. They also retained the GFA Trophy, and equalled their best ever performance in the FA Vase by reaching the last 16 of the Competition. Season 2009/10 was all about rebuilding after several key players moved onto a higher standard of football and a change of management followed in March with the resignation of Andy Black the club looked to a young manager in the form of Rich Fey. Off the pitch and the club again improved by extending the current stand and enclosing the pitch with the er****on of a new fence. Rich Fey stayed as 1st Team manager for 2 seasons taking the 1st Team to runners-up spot in the 2011/12 season only to move on that summer to become assistant at Chippenham Town. This season we start the campaign under a new management team led by former player and assistant manager John Lester. Season 2012/13 seen club stalwart John Lester take the reigns and in debut management season the side finished a respectable 6th place. Season 2013/14 sees Paul Britton take over as first team Manager. Paul joins Bitton after a successful spell at near neighbours, Oldland, and were hoping his knowledge of youngsters in the area will give us a youthful looking squad for the forthcoming season.