The Gas Girls prepare for their first home game for 14 years, here in Lockleaze

The newly formed Bristol Rovers Women’s FC aka The Gas Girls finally look set to play their first home game in 14 years when they take on Pucklechurch Sports at Lockleaze Sports Centre on Sunday, 10th November at 2pm.

This first home game should have already taken place earlier in October but opponents Forest of Dean Ladies cried off the evening before leading to mass disappointment from our girls.

The “Gas Girls” as they have always been known were initially formed in 1998, starting out in the South West League and in 2005 Bristol Rovers Women’s FC became known as Bristol Academy WFC under a new partnership agreement with South Gloucestershire and South Stroud College. In 2011 the club changed its name to Bristol Academy WFC and finally became Bristol City Women’s Football Club in 2015.

A successful application was made to enter two sides (a first team and a Development side) into the Gloucestershire County Women’s League, the seventh and lowest tier of the women’s Pyramid. The first team were placed into Division One and the Development side were placed into Division Two as the league expanded from two divisions to three. Bristol Rovers Community Trust are extremely grateful to their sponsors Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, the Brunel Group, Bristol 24/7, Crossed Swords and Lockleaze Sports Centre; their support has made this exciting project possible.

A very busy summer of recruitment followed. Firstly Nathan Hallet Young was appointed coach to the first team and Abbie Jones as coach to the Development side. A series of trials were held at their home, Lockleaze Sports Centre, as over 100 girls were put through their paces before two squads were finally put together.

On the pitch they have certainly hit the ground running. Both sides have won all five of the games they have played so far and sit proudly at the top of their respective leagues. The honour of scoring that historic first goal fell to Hannah Thompson who managed to better that feat by scoring the first hat-trick a week later beating team-mate Jen Atherton to it by a matter of minutes.

The girls look forward to receiving local support. All home games will be played at Lockleaze Sports Centre at 2pm on Sunday afternoons. Entrance is totally free and food and drink will be available.