Mike Fry, arguably the greatest prop forward in the history of the club, was Bristol’s captain for two seasons. Although a strong, abrasive loose head, Fry went on to become captain of Bristol and achieved the remarkable feat of appearing in all 95 games during his captaincy.
Mike Collins was one of Bristol’s most consistent players throughout the 1960s. Fast and powerful, he was a prolific try scorer regarded as one of the finest wings never to be capped, and achieving 146 tries in his ten years of play.
John Broad was one of the most popular Bristol players in the 1950s. A fanatical rugby enthusiast, he was a founder member of Thornbury RFC. He became a regular player in his second season, scoring ten tries in his 23 games for the club.
Reg Quick was one of the most prolific try scorers in the history of the Bristol club. His 33 tries in the 1920/21 season was a club record until Mike Ellery beat it over forty years later, and he scored a grand total of 190 in 261 appearances.
Austin Sheppard, a long-serving tight head prop for Bristol, won two England caps.
The first of these was in 1981 when he replaced hamstring victim Fran Cotton in the first half of the 21-19 defeat against Wales in Cardiff.
Jimmy Oates served the club as a player and administrator for over fifty years. A fullback, he received his first team cap in 1896/97, was vice captain from 1902 to 1904 and captained Bristol in the 1905/06 season.
Chris Williams was one of the most powerful and resourceful of all Bristol centres. A supporter of Bristol since the age of nine, he joined the club at 19 and played in the Bristol three-quarter line for nearly 13 seasons.
Derek Neate, a second row or number eight who captained Bristol in two separate spells, had an incredible record of service. Renowned for his lineout skills, powerful running and long passes...
Nigel Pomphrey was one of the most athletic forwards to have played for Bristol. Captain in the centenary year, he selflessly put the club before his personal rugby career and consequently missed out on the chance of an international cap
Jimmy Barrington was one of the most influential players to have worn the blue and white jersey of Bristol. He was the catalyst of all Bristol attacking moves and the local press described him as a “dashing runner able to bamboozle defences”.
Jack Gregory was a member of the 1948 4x100 relay team which won a silver medal at the London Olympics. He won his Bristol cap at the end of his first season and was vice captain in 1951/2.
John Pullin was undoubtedly one of the greatest of all Bristol players, yet his finest achievements were in the jerseys of England and the British Lions, with whom he toured both South Africa...
Percy Down was a commanding forward in the Bristol pack in the first decade of the twentieth century. He contributed greatly to play around the pitch, and in later life became an influential administrator of the club.
Peter Polledri was one of the most creative and under-rated of all Bristol players. One third of the back row that won the cup in 1983 and born in Bristol of Italian parents he was close to playing rugby for Italy.
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Jonathan Webb was one of the finest attacking full backs English rugby has seen. An accomplished goal kicker, he later held career points and appearance records for England. Webb was an elegant player possessing deceptive pace and his incursions into the line were completed with perfect timing.
John “Jack” Spoors, or "Midfield Wizard", was the catalyst of Bristol’s attacking play during the early years of the twentieth century. His silky skills had not gone unnoticed. He became club captain for 1910/11 and after retiring continued to serve the club on the committee.
Agustín Pichot is one of the most charismatic payers to have played for Bristol. An Argentinean, he was an unpredictable player possessing flair and vision, and is his country’s most famous rugby player of recent times and a true icon for the sport throughout the world.
Mike Rafter was Bristol’s captain for one of the most successful season in the club’s history. An inspirational player, he was a rugby philosopher and visionary who was cruelly treated by national rugby selectors.
Wallace Jarman was Bristol’s first ever international player, gaining his cap for England as a forward in the game against Wales on 6th January 1900.
This was in the pre Twickenham era...
John Blake was the most influential individual in the history of the Bristol club. During his four seasons of captaincy he encouraged a then revolutionary open style of fifteen man rugby in which attacks were launched from the most unlikely places
“Bunny” Chantrill was a small but immensely powerful man, he relished the physical side of the game. Tackling was his forte, and countless attacking players were “Chantrilled”, as the local press described his powerful tackling.
Alan Morley was the most prolific try scorer the sport of rugby union has seen. The world record try scorer, he took great pride in his Bristol career and was the holder of several club records.
Malcolm Baker, a versatile, supremely fit and often underrated back row forward played for local club Aretians for ten years, captaining the side from 1972-75. He attended Henbury School.
Jim Glover held together the Bristol defence during the 1960s. A modest man, he played rugby for fun, enjoyed himself immensely, and felt privileged to have played for Bristol. Glover was educated at Penzance Grammar School...
Andy Blackmore was Bristol’s principal source of ball from the lineout for ten seasons. An athletic forward, he contributed much to Bristol’s open game and was close to being capped by England. He previously played for the Imperial club...
Paul Hull was one of the most versatile and loyal players to have played for Bristol. A dazzling runner, he was an England international and now has a key role in the club’s future.
Ron Bridgeman played on the wing with distinction for Bristol for 9 seasons. A prolific try scorer, he was very unfortunate to have been plagued with injuries and was never able to achieve his full potential.
Mark Regan was always going to be a top rugby player. Coming from a rugby-loving family, he played the sport all his life. From Keynsham minis he progressed through junior rugby and played for Bristol Schools...
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