Club History | Brislington FC

BS4’S
FOOTBALL HEARTBEAT SINCE 1957

For generations, Brislington FC has been more than just a football club — it's been a cornerstone of the South East Bristol community. Since 1957, the club has provided a welcoming space for players, families, and supporters of all ages, fostering local pride, teamwork, and a deep love for the game. From youth development to matchday traditions, Brislington FC continues to be a vital community asset at the heart of BS4.

The Formative Years

Brislington Football Club was reformed in 1956 when an under 16 team was formed under the name of Brislington FC and entered in the Bristol Church of England League. The team was managed by one of the clubs pre war players, Bill Parsons, and they found a pitch at Arnos Court Park.

Brislington’s first major honour came in 1961-62 when they won the Somerset Intermediate Cup, which was retained the following year. In 1963-64 they won the Somerset Junior Cup.

The team had been steadily moving up through the leagues progressing to the senior division of the Bristol and Suburban League by 1965. In 1966-67 they ‘came of age’ reaching the final of the Somerset F. A Senior Cup, losing 3-1 to Chard Town.

Rising Up

During the 1970’s we moved up to the Somerset County League, winning the League Cup in 1976–77, and finishing as runners-up in the Premier Division in 1979–80, 1983–84 and 1984–85.

The club went on to win the Premier Division and the Somerset Senior Cup in 1988–89, and after finishing as runners-up and winning the Senior Cup in 1990–91, they were promoted to Division One of the Western League.

Brislington won the Somerset Senior Cup again in 1992–93, and after a third-place finish in Division One in 1993–94, they won both Division One and the Senior Cup the following season and were promoted to the Premier Division.

A New Era

After winning the Somerset Premier Cup in 1995–96, the club were Premier Division runners-up in 2002-03 and again in 2012-13.

Due to the escalating travel costs of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, which forced Odd Down take voluntary relegation, and with a sideways move to the Hellenic Premier ruled out the club decided to follow Odd Downs lead and take the step down to the Toolstation Western League Division one. This proved to be a decisive move as the 2022/23 Season saw the Foxes win the league Scoring 130 goals in the process, and reach the Semi Final of the Les Phillips cup.

Brislington were unable to return to the Premier division, although this was a blessing in disguise as that season saw the demise of Ashton & Backwell as a Western league club and Bitton who failed to fulfil their fixtures, pulling out midway through the season, both falling foul of the increased running costs.

The Rise of the Young Foxes and the Return to the Premier Division

The 2023/24 Season saw the reintroduction of an U18’s side as the club look to rebuild a pathway to adult football from within. The same season saw the First Team finish seventh in Division One and still qualify for the play-offs due third-place Bitton and Cribbs reserves being ineligible. After beating Radstock Town 1–0 in the semi-finals, they defeated Wincanton Town 3–2 in the final to earn promotion back to the Premier Division.