EFL Championship · Championship · Bristol, Bristol, England · Ashton Gate Stadium
Bristol City Football Club
A proud West Country club backed by the Lansdown family's sustained investment, Bristol City have established themselves as Championship regulars at their redeveloped Ashton Gate home, reaching the play-offs in 2024-25 for the first time in 17 years and harbouring genuine ambitions of reaching the Premier League.
2007–2017
The Lansdown Era Begins
Stability, promotion, and Ashton Gate's transformation
Steve Lansdown, the billionaire co-founder of financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, purchased Bristol City in 2007 and immediately set about professionalising the club. The early years of Lansdown's ownership saw the club compete in the Championship and reach the play-offs in 2007-08, losing to Hull City in the semi-finals.
A period of decline followed, including relegation to League One in 2013, but promotion was achieved at the first attempt in 2014-15 under Steve Cotterill, the Robins winning the League One title with 99 points. Meanwhile, Lansdown invested heavily in Ashton Gate, funding a complete redevelopment that transformed the stadium into a modern 27,000-seat venue completed in 2016, shared with Bristol Bears rugby.
Lee Johnson was appointed manager in 2016 and led the club on a memorable 2017-18 League Cup run that included victories over four Premier League clubs — including a famous win over Manchester United at Ashton Gate — before a semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
Key Facts
- Steve Lansdown purchased the club in 2007
- Won League One title in 2014-15 under Steve Cotterill
- Ashton Gate redeveloped into a modern 27,000-seat stadium by 2016
- Beat four Premier League sides in the 2017-18 League Cup run
2017–Present
Championship Establishment
Play-off ambitions and a long-awaited breakthrough
From 2017 onwards, Bristol City became one of the Championship's most consistent mid-table sides, never seriously threatened by relegation but often falling short of the play-off places. A series of managerial changes — Lee Johnson, Dean Holden, Nigel Pearson, and Liam Manning — reflected the challenge of taking the next step.
The 2024-25 season represented a genuine breakthrough. Under Liam Manning, Bristol City qualified for the Championship play-offs for the first time in 17 years, finishing 6th with 68 points. Although the campaign ended with a heavy 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United in the semi-finals, it demonstrated that the club's patient investment strategy was bearing fruit. Manning subsequently left for Norwich City, with Austrian coach Gerhard Struber appointed for the 2025-26 season.
Throughout this period, the Lansdown family's financial commitment remained remarkable, building a foundation they hope will eventually deliver Premier League football to the West Country for the first time in over 40 years.
Key Facts
- Finished 6th and reached the play-offs in 2024-25
- First play-off qualification since 2007-08
- Gerhard Struber appointed as manager for 2025-26
- Lansdown family have provided sustained financial backing