Bristol Bears

Bristol Football Club was formed in 1888 when the Carlton club merged with rival club Redland Park to create a united Bristol team.[https://books.google.com/books?id=KsV8CgAAQBAJ&dq=bristol%20rugby%20history%20-wikipedia%20carlton&pg=PA151 Rugger - The History, Theory and Practice of Rugby Football] Wakefield, W. 1928 Westbury Park having refused to merge then folded and many of its players subsequently joined Bristol. The County Cricket Ground at Nevil Road was leased for home matches.

The first match was a heavy away defeat to Cardiff and although the first season was relatively successful the second was not with only three games won. The club went from strength to strength over the next few years under the captaincy of W. Tommy Thomson. It turned the corner and in 1891–92, now wearing the more familiar navy and white hooped shirts, the Bristol team won 20 games out of 24.

Over the ensuing seasons the fixture list went from strength to strength, consisting of most of the top English and Welsh sides. In 1900 J. W. Jarman became Bristol's first England cap. Two major touring sides played Bristol during this period. The first New Zealand All Blacks defeated the club 41–0 in 1905 and in 1909 a combined Bristol and Clifton RFC team, captained by Percy Down, lost to Australia 11–3.

The club was beginning to bring on a new generation of players when the First World War halted all rugby. After the war a Bristol United side was formed to provide rugby for returning servicemen and this led to the rebirth of Bristol in 1919. The County Ground was no longer available for home games so the club rented a field at Radnor Road,[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/228425.html The End of the Line] ESPN, Huw Richards, 04/06/14 Horfield although occasional matches were staged at the Bristol City and Bristol Rovers grounds. The Radnor Road seasons were good ones for the club and a new crop of stars appeared.

The Memorial Ground stadium was built on an area of land called Buffalo Bill's Field which was previously occupied by allotments in 1921. Bristol defeated Cardiff 19–3 in the opening match in front of a large crowd.

The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated in 1938 but the next few years saw a fall in performances and the final inter-war season was a poor one. During World War II a Bristol Supporters team kept rugby union going in the city. Thus Bristol had readily available players when peacetime rugby union resumed in 1945.

The playing record in the early fifties was mixed, but there was a huge improvement under the captaincy of first Bert MacDonald, and then Dick Hawkes. Records were broken in 1956–57 and even better was to follow in what has been called 'The Blake Era'.

Fly half John Blake became captain in 1957 and under his leadership the club developed an entertaining running style of rugby involving backs and forwards, which was years ahead of its time. The Bristol club set and broke new records for wins in a season and points scored and goal kicking forward Gordon Cripps rewrote the individual points scoring records.

The 75th anniversary was celebrated in 1962–63 and floodlights were installed in the following season. Club form peaked in 1965–66 under Derek Neate's captaincy when 39 games were won, and again in 1971–72 under Tony Nicholls. This was the club's best ever season with a thousand points being scored for the first time and the team being crowned unofficial English and Anglo-Welsh champions.

Under Mike Rafter's captaincy, the club won the John Player Cup in 1983, defeating Leicester 28–22. During this period Alan Morley established a world record of 479 tries in senior rugby. The centenary season with Nigel Pomphrey as captain was celebrated in style with a game against the Barbarians and a narrow defeat in the cup final.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

In 1996, Bristol Rovers moved into the Memorial Stadium as tenants of Bristol Rugby, and later took over ownership of the stadium through the Memorial Stadium Company.

1998–99 (Premiership Two)

Relegation to Premiership Two in 1998 was not the worst of Bristol's problems. Only an eleventh hour rescue by Malcolm Pearce saved the club from potential oblivion. Bristol also lost control of the Memorial Stadium Company to Bristol Rovers and were tenants thereafter until their eventual departure from the stadium at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season. Bristol's first season outside the top flight brought with it a number of first-time visits to clubs. Bristol went on to win the Premiership Two title and promotion back to Premiership One, sealing the win with a 22–11 victory over Worcester.

File:BristolRugby.jpg

The World Cup disrupted the early part of the 1999–00 season, with a number of players missing the first few games. Under the captaincy of Dean Ryan the team finished sixth, just missing out on European Cup qualification. At the end of the season Dean Ryan took over as head coach from Bob Dwyer. After an opening day victory over newly promoted Rotherham, Bristol had a disappointing 2000–01 season finishing ninth. Off the field, Jack Rowell became managing director, and successful community initiatives saw the attendance figures rise. Chief Executive Nicholas de Scossa was involved in debates about top clubs separating from the Rugby Football Union and forming a new Premier League.{{cite news |last1=Ackford |first1=Paul |title=De Scossa blunder proves costly |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/4773705/De-Scossa-blunder-proves-costly.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/4773705/De-Scossa-blunder-proves-costly.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2018 |work=Telegraph |date=15 October 2000}}{{cbignore}}

The 2001–02 season brought a new name, Bristol Shoguns, following a five-year £2-million sponsorship deal with Mitsubishi Motors. The Shoguns finishing the season with the most bonus points in the Zurich Premiership, three players in the top try scorers chart, a place at Twickenham in the final of the play-offs (the year before winning the play-offs constituted winning the English title), and also a place in the Heineken Cup for the 2002–03 season. In the close season head coach Dean Ryan moved to Gloucester, Jack Rowell resigned as Director of Rugby whilst skipper Jason Little retired. Peter Thorburn took over as coach. League results were mixed, but there were more wins than defeats including a first ever league win away at Bath. At Christmas 2002 owner Malcolm Pearce announced that he would quit at the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/3027509.stm|title=Bristol boss quits club|date=14 May 2003|work=BBC News}} Rumours circulated that Bristol could be sold to Firoz Kassam and play out of Oxford, and a merger with rivals Bath had been mooted.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/may/02/rugbyunion.bath|title=Bristol and Bath hold merger talks|date=2 May 2003|work=The Guardian}} Neither event came to pass, but Bristol were relegated at the end of the season as off-field distractions took their toll.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2404179/Former-players-could-save-Shoguns.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2404179/Former-players-could-save-Shoguns.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Former players could save Shoguns|date=16 May 2003|publisher=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}

Before the start of the 2003–04 season Martin Haag and a week later Richard Hill joined as first team coach and head coach respectively. While the board were raising money to stabilise the club Haag and Hill implemented a 'three-year plan' to rebuild Bristol and put them back in the Premiership. They won National League One the following year and were promoted.

The club's deal with Mitsubishi expired in July 2005, and the club started 2005–06 in the Premiership as Bristol RFC. Bristol elected to play two 2006–07 Guinness Premiership games at Ashton Gate, home of football side Bristol City. The local derby against Bath and the game against Leicester were moved from the 11,750 capacity Memorial Stadium to Ashton Gate's 21,500 capacity to allow more fans the chance to watch the team. The precedent for this was established for a crucial relegation fixture against Bath in May 2003. Bristol finished third in the league, securing a Heineken Cup place for only the second time, and then reached the semi-finals of the play-offs, losing 26–14 at Leicester. Martin Haag was released as Bristol's forwards coach in June 2007 and replaced by John Brain.{{cite news|last1=Gallagher|first1=Brendan|title=Haag axed as Bristol use Brain|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2315333/Haag-axed-as-Bristol-use-Brain.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2315333/Haag-axed-as-Bristol-use-Brain.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=9 September 2017|work=Telegraph|date=16 June 2007}}{{cbignore}}

Bristol could not replicate the success of the previous season and ended the 2007–08 season in 9th place. They also failed to progress from their Heineken Cup group, despite a home win against Stade Français. The following season Bristol struggled, winning only two games, and were relegated from the premiership.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/7976274.stm|title=London Irish 38–21 Bristol |date=4 April 2009|publisher=The BBC|access-date=5 April 2009}} Richard Hill stepped down as coach in February 2009, with two months and eight games of the season remaining.{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/6127.php|title=Richard Hill leaves Bristol Rugby|date=27 February 2009|publisher=bristolrugby.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302135206/http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/6127.php|archive-date=2 March 2009}} Paul Hull took over as Bristol's head coach.

Following a failed attempt to immediately return to the Premiership, losing to Exeter Chiefs in the final of the play-offs, a number of first team players quit the club and financial pressures caused significant worries at the club once more.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/01/bristol-rugby-cut-players-staff|title=Bristol Rugby to cut players and staff after Exeter defeat|date=1 June 2010|work=The Guardian}} With a more modest squad of players, Bristol struggled to find winning form in the 2010–11 season finishing eighth in the championship and failing to reach the playoff finals. In 2011, following a lack of success Paul Hull in mutual agreement with club left Bristol Rugby and was replaced by academy coach Liam Middleton.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9414505.stm|title=Head coach Paul Hull to leave Bristol in the summer|date=4 March 2011|work=BBC News}} In Middleton's first full season in charge Bristol finished top of the championship table but failed to progress to the play-off finals, losing to Cornish Pirates in the semi-finals.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/07/cornish-pirates-bristol-championship-play-off|title=Newcastle breathe easier after Pirates scupper Bristol in play-off|date=7 May 2012|work=The Guardian}} From the 2008–09 season businessman Stephen Lansdown financed Bristol Rugby, this only became public knowledge when Lansdown formalised his ownership of the club in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/07/steve-lansdown-bristol-rugby-city|title=Steve Lansdown adds Bristol Rugby to ownership of Bristol City|date=7 February 2012|work=The Guardian}}

In the 2012–13 season Bristol missed out on the play-off finals, finishing fifth in the championship. At the end of the 2012–13 season it was announced that former Ospreys head coach Sean Holley would join Bristol Rugby as the first team coach.{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/8716/sean-holley-named-as-first-team-coach/|title=Sean Holley named as first team coach|date=23 April 2013|publisher=Bristol Rugby}} Andy Robinson joined Bristol Rugby as director of rugby in March 2013,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21496687|title=Andy Robinson: Bristol name ex-Scotland boss as director of rugby|date=18 February 2013|work=BBC News}} at first working with head coach Liam Middleton but following a poor run of results Middleton was sacked by the club following an internal review later in March 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21832487|title=Liam Middleton: Bristol sack head coach after internal review|date=18 March 2013|work=BBC News}}

The 2013–14 season brought a return to form with Bristol Rugby finishing top of the championship table. However, Bristol failed to secure promotion to the premiership, losing both legs of the play-off finals to London Welsh. In the close season a number of players were signed to the club in expectation of promotion for the 2014–15 season, including Samoan Internationals Anthony Perenise Jack Lam & David Lemi, Welsh internationals Matthew Morgan, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26717035|title=Ryan Jones: Bristol sign Wales forward from Ospreys|date=24 March 2014|work=BBC News}} and Dwayne Peel{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/07/wales-dwayne-peel-bristol-sale|title=Bristol hail signing of Dwayne Peel from Sale as 'a major coup'|date=7 January 2014|work=The Guardian}} and Wing George Watkins return from Cardiff Blues mid season. Further signings for the 2014–15 season would feature Gareth Maule, Jack O'Connell, Darren Hudson and Gavin Henson.

Bristol Rugby moved from the Memorial Stadium to Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of Bristol City Football Club. Ashton Gate Stadium had a capacity of 21,497. In the run-in to the end of season play-off's the club signed high-profile players in Hooker Ross McMillan, Italian Centre Tommaso Benvenuti and Welsh international Gavin Henson. End of the season saw the departure of Forwards Coach Danny Wilson to Cardiff Blues. The Club again failed to earn promotion to the Premiership for the 2015–16 season losing by one point to Worcester Warriors in the Play-off Finals. At the end of the season Wales international fly half Nicky Robinson leaves the club to take up a fresh challenge in France with Oyonnax.

Much of the squad from the previous season remained with Andy Robinson bolstering his options for the new campaign by signing ex-England winger Tom Varndell. On 4 February it was announced that New Zealander Mark Bakewell would replace Borthwick. The new year saw the announcement that Matthew Morgan to further his international chances was to be leaving the club at the end of the season and joining Danny Wilson at Cardiff Blues. However, Bristol were able to clinch promotion to Aviva Premiership with a 60–47 aggregate win over Doncaster.

February 2016 saw the signing of Wales International scrum half Rhodri Williams from Scarlets for the 2016–17 season. Tusi Pisi signed for the club from Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby franchise in March. Head coach Sean Holley resigned from his position at the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36619796|title=Sean Holley: Bristol first-team coach leaves promoted club|date=24 May 2016|work=BBC News}} Former Welsh internationals Jonathan Thomas appointed as first team defence coach and Dwayne Peel as backs and skills coach. Further signings include USA international centre Thretton Palamo from Saracens and Tongan international prop Soane Tongaʻuiha from French side Oyonnax.

November 2016 saw the sacking of Director of Rugby Andy Robinson due to poor results and 'lost confidence' from the board. Club stalwart and top points scorer Mark Tainton was appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Further signings announced by club included Siale Piutau from Yamaha Jubio, Irish international lock forward Dan Tuohy, All Black international scrum half Alby Mathewson and Shane Geraghty from London Irish.

On New Year's Day, 2017, Varndell equalled Mark Cueto's premiership tries record of 90 tries by scoring against Sale Sharks. This followed a hat-trick in the previous week against Worcester Warriors. On 10 February Varndell became the leading try scorer in the Aviva Premiership when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate.

Ultimately, Bristol finished bottom of the Premiership in their returning year, having been relegated with 2 weeks to go after a 21–36 loss against Wasps at Ashton Gate. They finished 12th with only 3 wins and 20 accumulated points, 13 behind 11th placed Worcester Warriors. Their three victories involved beating Worcester 28–20 at Ashton Gate, beating Sale 23–24 at the AJ Bell, and dramatically defeating longstanding rivals Bath Rugby 12–11 at home. Following their relegation, several notable signings moved away from the club, including Jason Woodward to Gloucester Rugby and Gavin Henson to Newport Gwent Dragons.

On 5 December 2016, it was announced that Pat Lam would become the new head coach for Bristol Rugby after leaving the Irish province Connacht ahead of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/05/pat-lam-leaveconnachtand-take-new-bristol-head-coach/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/05/pat-lam-leaveconnachtand-take-new-bristol-head-coach/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|publisher=Telegraph|title=Pat Lam announced as Bristol Rugby Head Coach|date=5 December 2016|access-date=25 March 2017}}{{cbignore}} Notable signings ahead of the new season were Australian International Luke Morahan from Western Force and All Black Steven Luatua from Blues.

Bristol secured promotion in the 2017-18 RFU Championship with two games to spare on 7 April 2018 and ultimately finished top with only one defeat at the hands of Jersey Reds on 4 March 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/matchday-centre-jersey-reds/ |title = Report: Bristol Rugby 34-38 Jersey Reds {{!}} Bristol Bears}} Bristol finished 20 points ahead of Ealing Trailfinders and a further 15 points ahead of third placed Bedford Blues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/fixtures-and-results/standings/2017-2018/|title = RFU}} The scrapping of the promotion playoffs that season meant that the team at the top of the table after the regular season was promoted. This greatly played into the club's hands as the playoffs have dramatically turned against them in the past; in the 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons, Bristol finished first in the table, only to be eliminated by Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates, London Welsh and Worcester Warriors respectively, three of whom secured promotion instead.

On 1 June 2018, Bristol Rugby was re-branded as the Bristol Bears following their return to the Premiership.{{cite press release | url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/club-to-enter-exciting-new-era-as-bristol-bears/ | title=Club to enter exciting new era as Bristol Bears | publisher=Bristol Bears | date=16 April 2018 | access-date=1 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601150355/https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/club-to-enter-exciting-new-era-as-bristol-bears | archive-date=1 June 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all}}

The club announced a raft of new signings including the All Blacks full back Charles Piutau from Ulster Rugby, former All Blacks Prop John Afoa from Gloucester Rugby and Hooker Harry Thacker from Leicester Tigers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/who-bristol-rugbys-new-signings-1255650|title = Who are Bristol Rugby's new signings for 2018/19?|date = 23 February 2018}}

The opening match of the 2018–19 Premiership Rugby season was against fierce rivals Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate. A crowd of over 26,000 watched Bristol Bears run out 17–10 victors over their old foe. The winning try was scored by Alapati Leiua with four penalties scored by Irish International fly half Ian Madigan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/08/31/bristol-bears-vs-bath-gallagher-premiership-live-score-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/08/31/bristol-bears-vs-bath-gallagher-premiership-live-score-updates/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Bristol Bears 17 Bath 10: Stirring win for Premiership new-boys on happy homecoming at Ashton Gate|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=31 August 2018|last1=Cleary|first1=Mick|last2=Morgan|first2=Charlie}}{{cbignore}} Bristol finished the season in 9th place including nine victories (one over Bath, Harlequins,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814358|title = Bristol v Harlequins - Rugby Union}} Northampton Saints, Gloucester and Saracens and two over Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814387|title = Bristol v Leicester Tigers - Rugby Union}}).

In Europe, Bristol were drawn in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup with the other teams being Stade Rochelais, Zebre and Yenisey-STM Krasnoyarsk. On 15 December 2018, Bristol recorded a surprise win over Stade Rochelais in a 3–13 at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre through a try by forward Jordan Crane and a dogged defensive display.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46526258 | title=Bristol win in la Rochelle boosts Euro bid | work=BBC Sport }} They finished second in their group before losing 39–15 to Stade Rochelais in the quarter-finals, ending their run in the tournament.

On 29 November, it was confirmed that the Bears would be signing Semi Radradra ahead of the 2020/21 season, joining on a 3-year deal from Bordeaux Bègles, creating one of the most dangerous back three in Rugby Union, alongside Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan.

Bristol signed England internationals Nathan Hughes and Dave Attwood in advance of the 2019/2020 season and also Henry Purdy from Coventry Rugby to bring a total of 15 new signings. Players released included Tusi Pisi, Jack Lam and George Smith.

Bristol started their second year in the Gallagher Premiership with a home tie against Bath Rugby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/fixtures/first-team-fixtures/2019-2020/|title = 2019-2020}} This resulted in a 43–16 win for the Bears and included a try on his senior debut for Ioan Lloyd who came on as a replacement at full back.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-43-16-bath-rugby/|title = Report: Bristol Bears 43-16 Bath Rugby}}

The season continued with a loss to Harlequin F.C. away before a home win against Sale Sharks and a memorable away win at Sandy Park against the eventual champions, Exeter Chiefs. December brought a dip in form on the domestic front with a home draw with London Irish and defeats to Saracens and Wasps. In the European Challenge Cup, Bristol were drawn against Zebre, CA Brive and Stade Français. Bristol won all but one of these fixtures home and away with the only non win being the 7–7 away draw with Zebre.

A return to the premiership resulted in back to back wins against Gloucester, Northampton Saints, Bath and Harlequins. However, the season was then interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and all rugby was suspended by the RFU on 17 March 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rugby-football-union-suspends-all-rugby|title=RFU}}

The season resumed on 15 August without any spectators with a home win against . By this time, the club had been joined by the new signings of Semi Radradra, England prop Kyle Sinckler from Harlequin F.C. and the Saracens loanees of Ben Earl and Max Malins. Eventually Bristol finished third in the Premiership meaning an away semi final against Wasps. Bristol lost this 47–24 to finish with a domestic record of 14 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses. A total of 561 points were scored and 457 conceded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/gallagher-premiership-rugby/league-table/|title = Gallagher Premiership Rugby Table}}

In the Challenge Cup, Bristol finished top of their group and were given a home quarter final against Welsh side Dragons. Bristol ran in seven tries to win 56–17.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-56-17-dragons-rugby/|title = Report: Bristol Bears 56-17 Dragons Rugby}} This set up a home semi final against Bordeaux Bègles which was won by the home side 37–20 after extra time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54235229 |title = European Challenge Cup: Bristol 37-20 Bordeaux-Begles (AET) - BBC Sport|work = BBC Sport}}

In the final they faced former European Champions, Toulon at [https://www.ultimaterugby.com/stadium/results/2698 Stade Maurice David] in Aix-en-Provence. Bristol scored the fastest try in European Rugby final{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/bristol-vs-toulon/96875|title = Bristol 32-19 Toulon: Bristol win first Challenge Cup trophy}} after just 15 second through a try from scrum half Harry Randall. A second try from Max Malins and points from the tee came from the two conversions and six penalties from the boot of Callum Sheedy to give Bristol the cup with a 32–19 win and their first ever major European title{{Cite web|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/report/blistering-bristol-bears-dominate-second-half-to-clinch-maiden-challenge-cup-crown/#report|title = Blistering Bristol Bears dominate second half to clinch maiden Challenge Cup crown}}

In December 2024, Bristol won 54–24 away to Leicester Tigers earning a record-breaking tenth consecutive away win the Premiership{{cite web |title=Bristol claim record away win at Leicester. |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c1lnejr8g03o |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 December 2024}} The following match they lost 0–38 at home to Sale Sharks, the first time since September 2016 that they had not scored a point in a Premiership fixture.{{cite web |title=Sale emphatically demolish in-form Bristol 38-0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn4xd99nwreo |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 December 2024}}

Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Pink background denotes relegated

• European Challenge Cup
• Champions: (1) 2019–20
• RFU Championship
• Champions: (4) 1998–99, 2004–05, 2015–16, 2017–18
• RFU Knockout Cup
• Champions: (1) 1982–83
• Runners–Up: (3) 1972–73, 1983–84, 1987–88
• British and Irish Cup
• Champions: (1) 2010–11
• EDF Energy Trophy
• Champions: (1) 2003–04 actually called Powergen Shield
• Anglo-Welsh Merit Table Winners
• Champions: (3) 1965–66, 1971–72, 1973–74
• RFU South West Merit Table Winners
• Champions: (3) 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82

{{for|player movements before or during the 2024–25 season|List of 2024–25 Premiership Rugby transfers#Bristol Bears}}

The Bristol Bears squad for the 2024–25 season is:{{Cite web |title=Men’s First Team |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/teams/mens-first-team/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |title=Bristol squad for season 2024/2025 |url=https://all.rugby/club/bristol/squad |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=all.rugby |language=en}}

{{rugby squad start}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=Will Capon}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=Tom Doughty}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=Gabriel Oghre}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=Harry Thacker}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=Zimbabwe | pos=PR | name=Lovejoy Chawatama}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Ellis Genge}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Sam Grahamslaw}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=George Kloska}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Max Lahiff}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Yann Thomas}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Jake Woolmore}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=Steele Barker}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=Joe Batley}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=Josh Caulfield}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=James Dun}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=Joe Owen}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=LK | name=Pedro Rubiolo}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=Kofi Cripps}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=BR | name=Benjamín Grondona}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=BR | name=Santiago Grondona}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=Fitz Harding}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=BR | name=Jake Heenan}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=BR | name=Steven Luatua}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=BR | name=Viliame Mata}}

{{rugby squad mid}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=Sam Edwards}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=IRE | pos=SH | name=Kieran Marmion}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=Harry Randall}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=Sam Wolstenholme}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=USA | pos=FH | name=AJ MacGinty}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=IRE | pos=FH | name=Harry Byrne}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=Jack Bates}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=CE | name=Kalaveti Ravouvou}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=RSA | pos=CE | name=Benhard Janse van Rensburg}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=James Williams}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=Deago Bailey}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=Noah Heward}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=Gabriel Ibitoye}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=WG | name=Ratu Naulago}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=FB | name=Benjamín Elizalde}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=Richard Lane}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=Max Malins}}

{{rugby squad end}}

{{notelist}}

The Bristol Bears Academy squad is:{{Cite web |title=Senior Academy Squad |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/teams/senior-academy-squad/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}

{{rugby squad start}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=HK | name=Tomas Gwilliam}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Andrew Turner}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name=Louie Trevett}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Jimmy Halliwell}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=Will Pearce}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name=Sam Scott}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=George Taylor}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=LK | name=Kenzie Jenkins}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=Ethan Surrey}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=Ed Harvey}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=Paddy Pearce}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=Aaron Tull}}

{{rugby squad mid}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=Sam Worsley}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=Jacob Cusick}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=CE | name=Gethin O'Callaghan}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=Toby Baker}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=Joe Jenkins}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=Harry Rowson}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=WG | name=Aidan Boshoff}}

{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=Sami Hamid}}

{{rugby squad end}}

Management

• Owner – Stephen Lansdown{{cite web|last1=Godwin|first1=Hugh|title=Bristol Rugby's billionaire owner on what the team can learn from football |date=9 September 2016|url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/sport/rugby-union/bristol-rugbys-billionaire-owner-team-can-learn-football/|publisher=iNews|access-date=2 October 2017}}
• Chairman – Chris Booy{{cite news|last1=Cotton|first1=Steve|title=Bristol Rugby chairman Chris Booy: Relegation would not derail our ambitious long-term plans|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bristol-rugby-chairman-chris-booy-6424|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Bristol Post|date=6 March 2017}}
• Chief Operating Officer – Tom Tainton{{cite web|title=Tom Tainton|url=https://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/team/operational-staff/tom-tainton/|publisher=Bristol Rugby|access-date=2 October 2017}}

First team coaching

• Director of rugby – Pat Lam
• Forwards Coach – Mark Irish
• Senior Backs & Skills Coach – Dave Walder
• Defence Coach - Jordan Crane
• Assistant Forwards Coach - Chris Morgan
• Assistant Backs & Skills Coach – Sean Marsden
• Kicking Coach - Dave Alred
• Mental Skills Coach - Tom Bates
• Head of Athletic Performance – Kevin Geary

Academy

• Senior academy manager – Gethin Watts
• Junior academy manager – Gary Townsend
• Academy transition coach – Danny Grewcock
• Academy transition coach – Glen Townson
• Senior Academy Coach - Brad Barnes
• Junior Academy Coach - Keith Leaker

Bristol Bears Women

• Head coach - Dave Ward
• Assistant coach - Tom Luke

{{further|:Category:Bristol Bears players}}

The following Bristol players have been selected for the Lions tours while at the club:

• Wallace Jarman (1899)
• Percy Down (1908)
• Maurice Edward Neale (1910 Tour to South Africa)
• Jack Spoors (1910 Tour to South Africa)
• Tom Richards (1910 Tour to South Africa)
• John Pullin (1968 & 1971)
• Alan Morley (1974)
• Mark Regan (1997 & 2001)
• Simon Shaw (1997)
• Kyle Sinckler (2021)

The following are players which have represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup whilst playing for Bristol:

Records relating to Bristol Rugby Club are held at Bristol Archives (Ref. 41582) ([http://archives.bristol.gov.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=41582 online catalogue]) and (Ref. 44624) ([http://archives.bristol.gov.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=44624 online catalogue]).

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website}}
• [http://www.brist.org.uk Bristol Rugby Independent Supporters' Trust] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803003520/http://www.brist.org.uk/ |date=3 August 2021 }}
• [http://www.bristolrugby.net Independent Bristol Rugby Online]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027055619/http://geocities.com/bristol_rugby_1888 Bristol Rugby Web Site Directory]
• [http://www.premiershiprugby.com Premiership Rugby Official Website]

{{Bristol Bears squad}}

{{English Premiership (rugby union)}}

{{European Rugby Challenge Cup}}

{{Original Courage League 1 clubs}}

Category:Premiership Rugby teams

Category:Rugby union teams in England

Category:Rugby clubs established in 1888

Category:Rugby union in Bristol

Category:Sport in Bristol

Category:1888 establishments in England