History
The league was founded as the Bristol Church of England Association Football League in the 1910–11 season. It had three divisions: Simons, St Werburghs and St Marks won the inaugural season's titles. Among the clubs that joined the league in those early years were Avonmouth St Andrews (now known as Avonmouth) and Backwell United.
In the 1960s the league had five senior and three junior divisions, in which the youth teams of local Football League clubs Bristol City and Bristol Rovers participated with success. The league obviously comprised many clubs from the city of Bristol itself but there was also solid representation from North Somerset with clubs such as Norton Hill Rangers, Harptree United, Blagdon, Dundry Athletic and Congresbury. There were also a few clubs from South Gloucestershire such as RWP (now known as DRG Stapleton),Henfield Youth and Pilning Athletic.
The league adopted its current name in 1973.
Records indicate that one former and four current Western Football League sides at one time played in the Bristol Church of England League / Bristol & Avon League, namely:
- Brislington
- Bishop Sutton
- Oldland Abbotonians – the Abbotonians section of the club
- Roman Glass St. George – the Roman Glass section of the club (originated as Wyndham Wanderers)
- Backwell United – now playing in the Somerset County League as Ashton & Backwell United.
In addition the reserve side of Longwell Green Sports F.C. played in the Bristol & Avon League. Sun Life (now known as Cribbs Friends Life) along with RWP (now known as DRG Stapleton) have progressed to the Gloucestershire County League.
Premier League and FA Cup Final referee Steve Dunn began his career in the league.
The league used to hold their meetings in the old Temple Colston School in the centre of Bristol. The meetings were presided over by the late Jack Jenkins, a charismatic and forceful Chairman. Their names live on in the form of the league's cup competitions – the Jack Jenkins Memorial Cup and the Temple Colston Cup.
The league's centenary dinner was held on 29 October 2010 at which Norman Hunter was the guest speaker. From 2002 until 2011 the league ran only one division but it was expanded again to two divisions for the 2011-12 season.
Read more about this topic: Bristol And Avon League
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