City to take on Hengrove in Community Match

For the past three years City have begun pre-season with a friendly match against a local amateur team, and all profits from the games are split evenly between the Community Trust and the host clubs.

Ashton & Backwell United, Portishead Town, Keynsham Town and Brislington have all benefited in recent seasons, and Hengrove are the latest to host City’s first team in the now annual Community Match.

Hengrove play at Norton Lane in Whitchurch, where the capacity will be set at 1,909. They lifted the Les Phillips Cup in May, having beaten three Western League Premier clubs en route, including fellow finalists Willand Rovers.

Hengrove’s squad is packed full of City fans, so this will be a dream come true for the squad, who all play voluntarily.

Hengrove chairman Mike Greatbanks said: “This is fantastic for our football club and a great reward for the players who have put so much into the 2015/16 campaign, culminating in winning the Les Phillips Cup.

“The opportunity to host Bristol City’s first team in a pre-season friendly is a real honour and the money raised from the fixture will set us up for the next five years – that’s how important it is to our club.”

The club’s Community Trust team will be at the stadium from midday to engage with kids, offering free five-a-side football and skill challenges for youngsters.

Amy Kington, director of Bristol City Community Trust, said: “For generations, an individual’s community served a vital role in offering camaraderie and acting as a support mechanism.

“With society moving at a faster and more detached manner due to technology, busy schedules and job pressures, it has become tougher to feel that sense of community.

“This is why this fixture is so important to us and the football family. Bristol City Community Trust continues to organise this annual event in order to ensure people of all ages feel a sense of belonging.”

Head coach Lee Johnson added: “It should be a great day for the community and it’s a fixture we’re looking forward to kicking off our pre-season campaign.”

Tickets will be priced at £7 for adults and £5 for under-16s. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Previous Community Matches have always proved popular among City supporters, who are encouraged to pre-book their tickets online to avoid disappointment.

Parking options are available on Norton Lane for £4 on a first-come, first-served basis.