| The Bristol Rovers Heritage Society. |
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The Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy.
2016.
The once-coveted trophy passed down through the generations to Bristol’s most esteemed professional and amateur footballers mysteriously disappeared for over 40 years. The Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy takes its name in honour of the former Bristol Rovers full-back who was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident in 1958 aged 38.
After his death, the trophy was created in tribute to the Gas icon and was awarded to Bristol’s most respected footballer every year until its disappearance in 1973. It resurfaced in 2014, having been found in a dusty box full of trophies at the Memorial Stadium and has since been restored, polished and back to its former glory thanks to the efforts of football enthusiast Steve Sutor. The awards date back to 1959 and Steve, from Kingswood, has worked tirelessly over the past two years to ensure Bristol’s prized footballers receive the acclaim they deserve that they missed out on over the 40-year spell.
“40 sportsmen were awarded the trophy who, had it still been going, would have won it,” he said. “I decided to give 13 nominations to Rovers, 13 to City and the other 14 to local club players.”
Since the resurrection, the likes of Gary Mabbutt, Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister have received awards from the Pirates, while the Robins have included Scott Murray and Louis Carey among others on their honours list. Elsewhere, Chipping Sodbury’s Mike Fox and Longwell Green’s John Gibbs head the list of local club recipients.
“I’m just hoping, through the work everyone has put in, that we can keep the trophy going as it’s a very popular prize that a lot of people have fond memories of,” Sutor, 65, added. “It’s also a great testament to Harry Bamford, who was a legend at Bristol Rovers.” A Junior Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy will also be awarded to a player aged between 17 and 19.
The once-coveted trophy passed down through the generations to Bristol’s most esteemed professional and amateur footballers mysteriously disappeared for over 40 years. The Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy takes its name in honour of the former Bristol Rovers full-back who was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident in 1958 aged 38.
After his death, the trophy was created in tribute to the Gas icon and was awarded to Bristol’s most respected footballer every year until its disappearance in 1973. It resurfaced in 2014, having been found in a dusty box full of trophies at the Memorial Stadium and has since been restored, polished and back to its former glory thanks to the efforts of football enthusiast Steve Sutor. The awards date back to 1959 and Steve, from Kingswood, has worked tirelessly over the past two years to ensure Bristol’s prized footballers receive the acclaim they deserve that they missed out on over the 40-year spell.
“40 sportsmen were awarded the trophy who, had it still been going, would have won it,” he said. “I decided to give 13 nominations to Rovers, 13 to City and the other 14 to local club players.”
Since the resurrection, the likes of Gary Mabbutt, Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister have received awards from the Pirates, while the Robins have included Scott Murray and Louis Carey among others on their honours list. Elsewhere, Chipping Sodbury’s Mike Fox and Longwell Green’s John Gibbs head the list of local club recipients.
“I’m just hoping, through the work everyone has put in, that we can keep the trophy going as it’s a very popular prize that a lot of people have fond memories of,” Sutor, 65, added. “It’s also a great testament to Harry Bamford, who was a legend at Bristol Rovers.” A Junior Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy will also be awarded to a player aged between 17 and 19.
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1959.
Geoff Bradford, Bristol Rovers.
First winner Geoff Bradford.
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1960.
Colin Mitchell, Clifton St Vincents.
First winner Geoff Bradford hands over the trophy to Colin Mitchell of Clifton St Vincent's.
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1961.
Bob Anderson, Bristol City.
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Bob Anderson.
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1962.
Bert Britton, Avonmouth.
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1963.
Albert Allen, Parson Street.
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1964.
John Atyeo, Bristol City.
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1965.
Ray Mabbutt, Bristol Rovers.
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1966.
Jack King, Hanham Athletic.
Jack King of Hanham Athletic and City Legend Jack Connor.
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1967.
Jack Connor, Bristol City.
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Jack King of Hanham Athletic and City Legend Jack Connor.
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1968.
Burt Biggs, St Phillips Marsh AS.
City star Jack Connor hands over the trophy to Burt Biggs St Philips MAS.
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1969.
Harold Jarman, Bristol Rovers.
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Harold Jarman who found the trophy after 40 years in a dusty box!
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1970.
Terry Bush, Bristol City
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Terry Bush.
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1971.
John Honeyfield, St Aldhelms.
John Parker with winner John Honeyfield.
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1972.
Bobby Jones, Bristol Rovers.
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1973.
Ray Bean, Soundwell.
Ray Bean the winner of the trophy before it was lost for 40 years. Gets his hands on it in the house it was in for a year 45 years later.
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1974.
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Ray Bean Soundwell Legend and the last holder of the trophy before it got lost for 40 years. Hands it over to Doug Hillards son Gary.
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1975-2015.
Alan Warboys, Bristol Rovers.
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1975-2015.
Alan Walsh, Bristol City.
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Alan Walsh.
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1975-2015.
Terry Hardwell, Backwell.
Terry Hardwell RIP.
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1975-2015.
Alfie Biggs, Bristol Rovers.
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Alfie Biggs certificate.
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Rovers Legend Alfie Biggs's two daughters.
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1975-2015.
The Ashton Gate 8. Geoff Merrick, Chris Garland, Trevor Tainton, David Rodgers, Gerry Sweeney, Jimmy Mann, Peter Aitken and Julian Marshall.
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--------------------------------------------------Geoff Merrick--------------------------------------------------
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One of the Ashton Gate 8. City Legend Geoff Merrick.
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--------------------------------------------------Chris Garland--------------------------------------------------
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One of the Ashton Gate 8. City Legend Chris Garland with the trophy today in his nursing home Newport. He is being well looked after by the wonderful staff.
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--------------------------------------------------Trevor Tainton--------------------------------------------------
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---------------------------------------------------David Rogers---------------------------------------------------
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David Rodgers one of the Ashton Gate 8.
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---------------------------------------------------Gerry Sweeny---------------------------------------------------
City Legend Gerry Sweeney.
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Don Veale, Gerry Sweeney and Tony Hardwell.
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---------------------------------------------------Jimmy Mann---------------------------------------------------
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---------------------------------------------------Peter Aitken---------------------------------------------------
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-------------------------------------------------Julian Marshall-------------------------------------------------
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1975-2015.
Jeff Meacham, Brislington.
Jeff Meacham receives his award at Brislington FC with Chairman Phil Rex and Hilary Lewis.
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1975-2015.
Bruce Bannister, Bristol Rovers.
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1975-2015.
Brian Tinnion, Bristol City.
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Brian Tinnion.
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1975-2015.
Phil Brake, Brislington.
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1975-2015.
Dick Sheppard, Bristol Rovers.
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Dick Sheppard's family.
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1975-2015.
Bryan Drysdale, Bristol City.
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Keith Swift hands the trophy over to Brian Drysdale.
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1975-2015.
Terry Mitchell, Cadbury Heath.
Terry Mitchell.
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Doug Hillard, Bristol Rovers.
1975-2015.
Jantzen Derrick, Bristol City.
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Congratulations to Bristol City Legend Jantzen Derrick who will be engraved on the trophy. Jantzen Derrick. Pictured here in the Coopers arms with his lifelong friend Colston Clemente with the Woodcock Shield.
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Bert Brown 89 this week and Jantzen Derrick 80 years young!
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1975-2015.
Mike Fox, Chipping Sodbury.
Mike Fox.
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1975-2015.
Frankie Prince, Bristol Rovers.
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Frankie Prince.
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1975-2015.
Louis Carey, Bristol City.
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Louis Carey.
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1975-2015.
Kenny Phillips, Dundry Athletic.
Dundry Afc Legend Kenny Phillips.
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The late Kenny Phillips and City Legend Brian Drysdale.
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1975-2015.
Gary Mabbutt, Bristol Rovers.
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Gary Mabbutt.
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1975-2015.
Mike Gibson, Bristol City.
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City Legend and greatest keeper in the clubs history Mike Gibson with his award from Harry Bamfords daughter Hilary.
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1975-2015.
Keith Swift, Highridge United.
Highridge United Legend Keith Swift.
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1975-2015.
Geoff Twentyman, Bristol Rovers.
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Rovers and BBC Legend Geoff Twentyman.
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1975-2015.
Scott Murray, Bristol City.
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Scott Murray.
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1975-2015.
George Phillpou, Lebec Tavern.
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1975-2015.
Ian Holloway, Bristol Rovers.
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1975-2015.
Peter Aitken, Bristol City/Bristol Rovers.
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1975-2015.
Owen Smith, Lebec Tavern.
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1975-2015.
Mickey Barrett, Bristol Rovers.
Rovers Legend Mickey Barrett.
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Mickey Barretts presentation to his son Liam and family.
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1975-2015.
Steve Phillips, Bristol City/Bristol Rovers.
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1975-2015.
John Gibbs, Longwell Green.
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1975-2015.
Paul Randall, Bristol Rovers.
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Paul Randall receives his award from Nick Higgs.
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1975-2015.
Trevor Jacobs, Bristol City/Bristol Rovers.
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Trevor Jacobs the late City and Rovers defender was remembered at Ashton Gate tonight. His wife Mary and Grandson Lee were awarded the Harry Bamford Trophy for Outstanding Sportsmanship RIP.
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1975-2015.
Bob Fudge. Nicholas Wanderers.
Nicholas Wanderers Legend Bob Fudge.
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1975-2015.
Phil Kite, Bristol Rovers.
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Phil Kite.
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1975-2015.
Tony Rickets, Bristol Rovers/Bath City.
Tony Ricketts with his award.
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1975-2015.
Steve Yates, Bristol Rovers.
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Rovers Legend Steve Yates
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1975-2015.
Roy James, Old Georgians.
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The late Roy of the Rovers Legend Roy James. His wife Jill accepted the award with Kelvin Grainger who was on the pitch with him when he passed away in his arms!
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1975-2015.
Stuart Taylor, Bristol Rovers.
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Rovers Legend Stuart Taylor.
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1975-2015.
Rusty Jacobs, Parson Street OB.
Sir Bobby Robson and Parson Street Obs Rusty Jacobs.
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Parson St OB's Legend Rusty Jacobs.
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1975-2015.
Tony Mattocks, Plough & Windmill.
Tony Mattocks.
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Congratulations to Tony Mattocks, who will be engraved on the trophy for outstanding Sportsmanship.
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2016.
Josser Watling, Bristol Rovers.
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Josser Watling gets his hands on the trophy aged 93.
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2017.
Roger Kirby, Clifton St Vincents.
This years winner of the trophy is Roger Kirby! Congratulations to Roger who has been with Clifton St Vincents for 70 years. 40 nominated clubmen were put to the previous winners to choose from!
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2018.
Paul Cheesley, Bristol City.
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2019.
Des Beresford, Lebeq.
Lebeq Legends Jim Brown and winner the late Des Beresford.
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2020.
Joe Davis, Bristol Rovers.
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2021.
Graham Edgell.
Graham on the left.
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2022.
Pete Hayes. Bristol City, Bath City, Robinsons, Highridge United and St Aldhelm’s
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2023.
Marcus Stewert. Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Sunderland, Bristol City, Yeovil Town, Exeter City,
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2024.
Marcus Stewert. Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Sunderland, Bristol City, Yeovil Town, Exeter City,
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2025.
Congratulations to Ian Alexander who is the winner of the Harry Bamford Memorial Trophy this year. A Sportsman, Clubman and a Gentleman. Well deserved Jocky.
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