Captains Fantastic

Like many, I owe my football interest to my father Ron who took me to John Atyeo’s Testimonial Match in October 1966. That was it, the persistent asking to go again started..and so we went together. However, that was not entirely straightforward as Ron was wheelchair bound and we lived over 7 miles from the ground. His government issued “invalid carriage” (a blue plastic, three wheeled risk hazard) could fit either his wheelchair in or me, but not both..I won! We parked to the side of the “Open End” goal not ever thinking through what would happen if Ron ever needed to get out. My additional request was always that we arrived in time for Geoff Merrick’s leaping salmon warm up routine. Still my hero. 

And so now, almost 60 years on, the path of football nature has taken its course and I have “blessed” my five children , Jamie, Chloe, Paddy, Ned and Lara with CTID- a condition for which there is no cure, good days and bad, but elation at times like no other. When we travel to most home and many away games, it is in slightly safer transport. 

I have been going to watch Bristol City since my dad first took me down when I was 5 and have been hooked every since.   One of my best memories is watching local boys such as Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid playing against premier league teams like Man Utd and Man City.  My passion is being able to watch the city both at home and away and the feeling of scoring a last minute winner and celebrating with all your mates.

Being brought up in a council house in South Bristol in the early 70s with a grandfather and father who both followed the City I guess I had no choice but to become a city fan.

From that first division team and staying up,  to the 4th division with Beryls cats, the weasel free kick and  touching distance of the promised land with Johnson snr I can honestly say some of  the best days I’ve ever had, and the 2 players pictured played a huge part.

A pair of top footballers a credit to not only the club but also the community and fantastic human beings, it’s been a pleasure to of watched them play.

Neale Saunders was introduced to Bristol City by his father Peter in the mid 1960’s, when at the age of three, Neale was passed over the turnstiles at Ashton Gate. Peter then bought a season ticket for him and his love for the club became evident - Neale became a lifelong season ticket holder.

Through the ups and downs, Neale was always a proud supporter of Bristol City FC. He enjoyed a social life with friends and family due to his love for football and throughout his life there was a determination to involve his family with his greatest sporting love. 

There were often the explanations of Brian Tinnion scoring the winning goal against Liverpool FC and discussions about his football favourites: Tom Ritchie, Geoff Merrick and Paul Agostino to name a few. After 12 years, Neale’s wife became a season ticket holder after being invited to a hospitality day for Neale’s Birthday on Boxing Day. She also got hooked so they would take their three children to games from a young age to enjoy the atmosphere at Ashton Gate and later travel to many away games. Neale loved the occasions when he had the opportunity to play on the Ashton gate pitch with the ex city players and at the Ashton Gate 8 40th Anniversary was thrilled to sit alongside his hero Tom Ritchie.

Sadly age 60, Neale passed away peacefully in his sleep and as tributes poured in from across the country and the world, there was a common denominator which was football… Bristol City had built a platform for great relationships. 

Neale’s dearest friend Scott Davidson has dedicated his contribution to this art4fans initiative to his best friend. Whilst Neale will be greatly missed, the enjoyment of watching and following Bristol City will live in his memory through his family and friends.

The Patch family have always been avid City fans and that interest was first started by our parents Bill and Jean in the 1930's and continues to this day through my Brother Geoff and I . For us to be featured on this mural is very special to us as Geoff Merrick was a long time favourite with Mum and Dad.

Mums sister our Auntie Meg is a keen supporter of the reds and still lives on Avonleigh Road in BS3, where as youngsters messrs Merrick and Garland used to aim footballs at her windows! Well thats what she thought they were trying to do! We are not going to argue with her. 

Mum and Dad are already named on the Atyeo statue and this will be a lovely connection to two of our most loyal players.

Geoff and Steve Patch

Lifelong Bristol City fans

A Lifelong Bristol City Supporter

  I have seen my own transition from a Junior Red to now graduating to a Senior Red. 

My first match was against Hull City on 4th March 1967, a 1-0 Win, and the die was cast. As ones cultural influences grow from Family, Road, School, Pack, Team, Town to the Club that fulfils a wider need with initial away-days to Ninian Park (’68) & Boleyn Ground.

As a paperboy delivering Geoff Merrick’s Farmers Weekly then coach trips from the Rising Sun [Backwell] watching our young squad under Alan Dicks creating a momentum delivering First promotion Division in 76 created opportunities for memorable photography of players and fans.

A business career in messaging from electro-mechanical to electronic then collaborating with NHS Direct and the subsequent roll-out of electronic patient records firmly instilled in me the the patient approach to life and football. 

Today the players of ’76 and the AG8 attend BCFC Senior Reds Luncheons where we support the City Academy with discretionary funds.

 I’ve been friends with Louis for over 20 years having watched him as a youth team player to right up to the day he retired  practically becoming best mates speaking still day in and day out, what a legend.  Myself, I used to play for Bristol city under  12-s-13s-14s-15-s-16-s for which we were called West town harriers 

having had great success and playing with some great players who went 

on to have great careers before I eventually moved on to Exeter city. I 

think the paintings are a great legacy for the area around the ground 

and long may there be a load more for the people that are never to be forgotten for what they have done for Bristol city fc.

Entrepreneur, Publican and Owner of the Three Lions pub in Bedminster. Shaun is a legendary figure in fan folklore and has supported Bristol City all his life.