Bristol City: The Modern Era 1967-2007

Volume Four of David Woods' four-volume history of Bristol City, from the club's beginnings to the modern age. Football supporters know ecstasy and despair in equal measure. Bad times invariably follow good times. Then, with luck, the good times return - until the next collapse. Bristol City knew the best of times in the 1970s, when they spent four seasons among the elite of English football. But the consequences of three successive relegations almost put the club out of existence. Bristol City are rare among English clubs in having spent time in all four divisions of the Football League. This provokes debate about their natural level. The 21st century initially saw them in the third level, desperately trying to get into the second. Twice they failed in the play-offs. Then, on an unforgettable day in May 2007, City beat Rotherham 3-1 to confirm automatic promotion. With 20 promotions or relegations since 1905-06, when the old Second Division championship was won with a record points-haul, it remains to be seen whether any future movement will be upward or downward. The highs and lows of Bristol City's rocky ride over the past 40 seasons are detailed in this encyclopaedic history.