This week, we had the pleasure of presenting legacy caps to two well known Bristol footballers who both represented the two Bristol clubs in the Football League, namely Tony Ford and John Watkins.
Born in Thornbury, England Youth international Tony turned professional with Bristol City in November 1962 and, after appearing in 171 league games during his time at Ashton Gate, he moved across town to sign for Rovers in December 1969 for a fee of £4,000.
However, his playing career was cut short when he suffered a ruptured spleen when playing for Rovers against Preston North End in August 1970, having made just 28 league appearances whilst at Eastville.
His career in the game continued, though; he was trainer coach and then coach with Plymouth Argyle, Youth Coach Assistant Manager and Caretaker manager with Hereford United, Assistant Manager and then Manager at Scottish club Herat of Midlothian before returning to this part of the world and taking on roles with Iron Acton, Thornbury Town, Devizes Town and Wotton Rovers.
Prior to his retirement he became a driving instructor and said that it was of the his enjoyable of the jobs after football.
Tony was presented with his cap at Avonmere Care Home, where his brother Bob, a huge Rovers supporter, now lives.
Supporters Club secretary Keith Brookman, along with Tony Mills and Mo Bell from the Rovers Former Players Association, presented Tony’s cap and certificate to commemorate his Rovers league debut against Fulham on 13th December 1969 when he became the 405th player to appear for the club in league football.
Tony, whose sporting interest nowadays is bowls, has been invited to attend a home game at the Memorial Stadium next season and we look forward to seeing him again then.
Our presentation party then visited John Watkins at his home in Bristol to present him with his cap and certificate.
John was also an England Youth international and was a very good cricketer He signed for Bristol City as a professional in June 1951 and scored 19 goals in 95 league games whilst at Ashton Gate.
In June 1959 he signed for Cardiff City and was a member of their promotion winning side in his first season at Ninian Park. He went on to score 17 goals in 65 league games for the Welsh side before returning to Bristol, to play for Rovers, in February 1961 in an exchange deal that saw Dai Ward join Cardiff.
There were 23 league games for Rovers before he continued his playing career in local football, with Chippenham Town, Welton Rovers and Bath City. He was also manager of Shirehampton Sports, where he signed Mike Barrett in 1976.
John was the 353rd player to appear for Rovers in league football and it was a pleasure to present him with his cap and certificate to commemorate his debut, against Luton Town, on 25th February 1961.
We believe that 93 year old John, who has also been invited to a future home game, is the oldest living player to have represented Bristol City and Cardiff City and that he is the second oldest living player to have turned out for Rovers.
The oldest Rovers living player is John Cook, who appeared in two league games for the club in 1946.
