History - History 1
Brief History
Olveston United was formed in 1926, and for the first few years of its
existence played in the Bristol and Suburban league. A successful move to
the Bristol and District league in 1932 saw the Club winning the Division 4
championship in its first season as well as the introduction of a 2nd XI to
Division 6.
League soccer ceased in 1939 and did not resume until after the Second World
War in 1945. Olveston were then placed in Division 2 and that season they
became joint champions, scoring 162 goals.
June 1946 saw the Club entertain a Bristol City side containing no less than
7 first team players. The game was a benefit match for the clubs leading
goalscorer (48) Cecil Neale, who had been seriously injured during the
season. There was no NHS in those days! Olveston included leading players
from both Thornbury and Tytherington in their team, and a newspaper report
at the time noted that the ground was circled several times by a crowd of
about 500 people. A similar benefit match was held in 1950 for another
injured player, but this time Bristol Rovers were the visitors. They also
fielded a strong side containing several 1st XI players and won the match
10-0. However, the most important result was the £144 (approx. 3 months
salary in 1950) raised for the player and his family.
Olveston played through the following years with varying degrees of success;
one highlight being a GFA Junior Cup Semi-final appearance against Bristol
City "A", at Saltford, in 1952-53 season that was lost 2-1. 1958 saw the
previous goalscoring record smashed by Grantley Browning. He scored 52 goals
that season, a record that still stands today.
Olveston have actually appeared in seven G.F.A. Cup Finals; winning the
Primary, Minor, and Intermediate cups in the 1980's & 90's, runners up in
the intermediate cup in 1993, twice runners up in the Junior cup, and
runners up in the 1992 Senior Amateur Cup Final, played at Ashton Gate.
However, the most significant event for Olveston Utd was gaining promotion
to the Bristol Premier Combination in 1991. The Club went on to win the
Division 1 championship in the 1992-93 season before dropping back to
Division 1 a couple of seasons later.
With excellent facilities both on and off the field, Olveston have a lot of
potential and it remains their long term aim for the 1st XI to achieve
County League status. Interestingly, the Club colours have always remained
the same. The Blue and Yellow you see today are the colours of the
"Gloucestershire Hussars". The regimental colours of Col. C.E. Turner the
first Club President.
Olveston United was formed in 1926, and for the first few years of its
existence played in the Bristol and Suburban league. A successful move to
the Bristol and District league in 1932 saw the Club winning the Division 4
championship in its first season as well as the introduction of a 2nd XI to
Division 6.
League soccer ceased in 1939 and did not resume until after the Second World
War in 1945. Olveston were then placed in Division 2 and that season they
became joint champions, scoring 162 goals.
June 1946 saw the Club entertain a Bristol City side containing no less than
7 first team players. The game was a benefit match for the clubs leading
goalscorer (48) Cecil Neale, who had been seriously injured during the
season. There was no NHS in those days! Olveston included leading players
from both Thornbury and Tytherington in their team, and a newspaper report
at the time noted that the ground was circled several times by a crowd of
about 500 people. A similar benefit match was held in 1950 for another
injured player, but this time Bristol Rovers were the visitors. They also
fielded a strong side containing several 1st XI players and won the match
10-0. However, the most important result was the £144 (approx. 3 months
salary in 1950) raised for the player and his family.
Olveston played through the following years with varying degrees of success;
one highlight being a GFA Junior Cup Semi-final appearance against Bristol
City "A", at Saltford, in 1952-53 season that was lost 2-1. 1958 saw the
previous goalscoring record smashed by Grantley Browning. He scored 52 goals
that season, a record that still stands today.
Olveston have actually appeared in seven G.F.A. Cup Finals; winning the
Primary, Minor, and Intermediate cups in the 1980's & 90's, runners up in
the intermediate cup in 1993, twice runners up in the Junior cup, and
runners up in the 1992 Senior Amateur Cup Final, played at Ashton Gate.
However, the most significant event for Olveston Utd was gaining promotion
to the Bristol Premier Combination in 1991. The Club went on to win the
Division 1 championship in the 1992-93 season before dropping back to
Division 1 a couple of seasons later.
With excellent facilities both on and off the field, Olveston have a lot of
potential and it remains their long term aim for the 1st XI to achieve
County League status. Interestingly, the Club colours have always remained
the same. The Blue and Yellow you see today are the colours of the
"Gloucestershire Hussars". The regimental colours of Col. C.E. Turner the
first Club President.
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