Bristol City are an established Championship outfit who have failed to trouble the top of the table since Lee Johnson’s side flirted with the playoffs in 2019.
The Robins were last in English football’s top-flight during the late 1970s before suffering successive relegations. Since Steve Cotterill guided the club to the League One title in 2015, Johnson’s eighth-place finish is the best City have managed.
Liam Manning is now in charge at Ashton Gate and he is preparing for his first pre-season at the club. Optimism appears to be high around the red half of Bristol as the club announced impressive season ticket sales of more than 12,000 at this early stage.
At the turn of the century, Bristol City were preparing for their 1999-2000 campaign under the stewardship of Tony Pulis. The Real EFL spoke to Pulis about City’s chances of mounting a promotion push.
“I had six or seven months at Bristol City, John Laycock was the chairman at the time, he was a lovely fella. Keith Dawe and Steve Lansdown remain friends.”
“Steve has done an unbelievable job at that football club. He’s turned the stadium around, he’s built the infrastructure, and the training facilities now are absolutely first-class.”
“They are like a lot of teams in the Championship. I think if they got into the Premier League they’d sell out every week without a question of a doubt.”
Despite the financial power of those in the Premier League, Pulis believes City have the resources to compete.
“It’s just finding that season, that group of players who can actually deliver the golden goose. If they ever did get promoted, they have got the financial backing of Steve Lansdown to be given every opportunity they possibly could to stay in the Premiership.”
Despite his positivity towards the Ashton Gate outfit, the 66-year-old couldn’t resist confirming where his allegiances lie.
“It’s a big city, it’s a lovely city. My allegiances are more for Rovers than City but I would love to see one of the clubs eventually play in the Premiership.”
Tony Pulis was speaking to The Real EFL courtesy of OLBG.
Writer’s View
With the announcement of positive season ticket sales, the fans of Bristol City are showing their backing to the young manager and his team, who they hope will lead the club towards the top of the division.
The Robins appear to be looking to the future and building a squad that can eventually challenge. Their first team squad is made up of young talent and a sprinkling of experience. Perhaps with the backing of Lansdown and with the promising young manager in charge, the time for a Bristol City promotion push is just around the corner.
