In 1897, the year that Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, four men founded a
football club which they called Sneyd Park. Little did they realise that their enthusiasm
would be repeated in every decade up to the present day and that 117 years later their
club would still be in existence, one of the oldest, most respected and well established
clubs in the Bristol area.

Sneyd Park have always played their football in the unique environs of the Bristol Downs.
After their formation in 1897, they played friendly games until the formation of the Bristol
Downs League in 1905. In that year Sneyd Park were elected to Division One and their
Reserve Team to Division 2 of the Bristol Downs League, the league they have played in
ever since. They are the only club to have played in the First Division of the Downs
League continuously since it’s formation.

The early years of The Club saw considerable success, both within the Downs League and
in local cup competitions. In the 1921-22 season, the club achieved its best ever
performance in the Gloucester FA Cup Competitions, when the First Eleven reached the
final of the Intermediate Cup. This trophy, now known as the Senior Amateur Cup, was
played for at Eastville Stadium, home of Bristol Rovers, in front of a crowd of 5,364.

During the 1920’s The Club entered the FA Amateur Cup on a number of occasions and
had successful campaigns in the GFA Senior Amateur Cup and the Downs League
Norman Hardy Cup as well as in the Downs League Championships. During this period,
the club also supplied a number of County League players and Amateur Internationals.
The 1930’s were a decade of mixed fortunes before the Downs League was suspended
due to the Second World War. However, when the League began again in 1946, Sneyd
Park were there from the reformation.

The Club progressed satisfactorily and by 1953-54 season were running four sides. They
have fielded four sides, one in each division of the Bristol Downs League, ever since.
The 1950’s and early 60’s were successful years for The Club with them winning League
and Cup Competitions.

The last 25 years or so have seen the most successful period for The Club with numerous
Championship and Cup successes for all 4 sides with the First Team also achieving the
Downs League and Cup double on three occasions.

Since the early years of The Club the strength of its organisation has been in its strong
playing members together with it’s dedicated organising committee. This combined with a
successful social side, including annual club dinners since its early years, has meant that
The Club has been successful for a period spanning 117 years.

Despite winning the Downs League on numerous occasions, including ten 1st Division
Championships in the last 20 years, The Club has always chosen to stay within the Bristol
Downs League. They have their own changing rooms which they have run successfully
since the early 80’s. Although throughout their existence they have nearly always had
their own facilities for changing rooms and club house.

Season 2013-14 was very successful with the First Team achieving Runners Up in the 1st
Division and the Reserves becoming Champions of Division 2. The A and B Teams
achieved mid table positions and had some creditable cup successes. The Reserves also
contested the GFA Intermediate Cup for the second time in recent years but unfortunately
were narrowly defeated.

Season 2013-14 also saw history made with Sneyd Park First Team contesting the Downs
League Norman Hardy Cup Final against Sneyd Park Reserves for the very first time in
the long history of the Downs League. The Reserves were successful in the Final and
thus are currently holding the double of Norman Hardy Cup Winners and Division 2
Champions.

Sneyd Park AFC