Bristol Aeroplane Company Rugby Football Club was established in 1921 as a works team. With the advent of aeroplane production
on a large scale the work forces of the associated companies expanded and B.A.C R.F.C grew. After the Second World War
the manufacturing of aircraft increased further in volume and this helped the club by attracting numbers of skilful players from throughout
the British Isles (this is a feature of the clubs recruitment which prevails to this day).
As player numbers grew so did the fixture list, the strength of opposition befitting the quality of the side. Fixtures were played against
the likes of Cheltenham, Cinderford, Risca, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Blaenavon, Lydney, Bristol Supporters Club, Weston, Newport Utd.,
Gloucester Utd., Cardiff Athletic and Bristol Utd.
The season 1945-6 proved to be most fruitful with home and away victories over Ebbw Vale, Weston, Gloucester Utd and even Cardiff
Athletic played at the Arms Park. During this period B.A.C was recognised for their attractive running rugby.
As the aeroplane companies workforce were reduced in the early 1950s so B.A.C struggled to field two teams, with one A.G.M.
attended by only seven people. In the face of adversity players rallied and two leaders emerged, Jack Pearce and Brian Callow.
The latter captained the side for seven seasons. He had joined the club two years prior to his captaincy from Horfield Athletic
and continued to play for thirty years, and, for who knows how many games. Jack held the club chairmanship for over twenty years
with Brian as secretary.
The club grew in strength during the 1950s to become one of the top clubs in the Bristol Combination until the end of the decade
when due to cut backs in defence contracts, recruitment at Rolls Royce and Bristol Aeroplane Company suffered and a decline started.
During the late 1960s and early 70s due to the Concord project, recruitment in the aerospace companies rose again, and B.A.C
benefited with increased membership. One new recruit was a player who had played for Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset (Southern
Counties) against the touring All Blacks. Stuart Crabtree joined B.A.C and his experience seemed to rub off on other players
culminating in B.A.C’s finest hour in their recent history, a Combination Cup Final against St. Mary’s Old Boy’s in April 1981 which,
unfortunately, St. Mary’s won 7 points to 3. This appeared to be the pinnacle of B.A.C’s achievement. Sadly the club sank in to
decline again shortly after this as the majority of the 1st XV retired from 1st team rugby after this final. The club thereon struggled with a
hard fixture list inherited from previous successes until league rugby began in 1987.
One of B.A.C.’s finest games since the start of league rugby was a 23 points to 10, victory over Old Patesians in 1989. Old Patesians
were at that time in Gloucester Division 1 whilst B.A.C. languished in Gloucester Division 4.
B.A.C had never been relegated (or promoted) – unless league restructuring required a move – until in the season 2004-5 they won
Gloucester Division 3 South at a canter, achieving promotion early in January. With the success of work at Airbus industries and the
influx of new workers to this company, along with the club’s newly won promotion, new recruits have enabled the club to increase
its fixture list in strength and number. All players are looking forward to the club’s 85th season playing in Gloucester Division 2
with optimism for continued successes.
B.A.C R.F.C are affiliated to the Bristol Combination, Gloucestershire and England R.F.U.
