History
The Bristol Bears were the first Australian rules club in England's west country, formed in 1991 in the British Australian Rules Football League. Their first match was against fellow newcomers the Sussex Swans at Shoreham-by-Sea, the Bears running out 119-point winners. The Bears often struggled against the London clubs, although in some seasons difficulties in travel for the Londoners (forfeiting the long road trip west) meant the Bears performed well on paper without actually taking the paddock.
The Bears changed their name for the 1997 season to the Dockers, continuing on in the BARFL premiership, then becoming part of the BARFL Regional series upon inception of this competition in 2003. They won the inaugural Regional premiership in this year, the first flag in their 13-year history.
With the creation of the Aussie Rules UK regional leagues in 2007, the Dockers elected to play in the BARFL's London Social League (now the Social Division of the AFL London). In 2010 the Dockers again made it to the Semi Finals in AFL London Social league, unfortunately coming undone in the last half of the game and conceding defeat.
In 2011 The Dockers will move to the 9-a-side format in the Welsh Australian Rules Football League, which will mean a change in home ground from Aretians Rugby club to a new home ground, yet to be decided.
The Bristol Dockers have an allegiance with the Western Gaels Gaelic Football Club, with many of their players from both clubs crossing over sports and playing for the Bristol Dockers or the Western Gaels.
Read more about this topic: Bristol Dockers
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