Features / Football
The unique residency giving Brislington FC a glow-up
Graphic designer Ken Borg and artist Jonathan Kelham are dedicating themselves to a three-season volunteer-run residency at the Brislington FC.
Foxes fans and locals are setting up ‘in residence’ at the home of football on Ironmould Lane, with the residency culminating towards the 2026-27 season, which will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the club who currently play in the Western Premier Division football club.
As the club’s presence grows the goal is to get more people involved and watching games – photo by Brislington FC
The project is running on the generosity of volunteers as well as sponsorship from the Wickes Community Trust, Proper Job and Bath Spa University, where Jonathon works.
is needed now More than ever
The residency is believed to be unprecedented in lower league football, and Ken and Jonathan are both still fizzing with ideas.
Having visited Ironmould Lane several times as fans, they quickly realised that despite it being “an amazing space and brilliant community”, the ground may not have always had a lot of love.
They wanted to help in any way they could and, from there, the idea for the residency was born.
The U18s squad gives young people in the area a foot in the door – photo: Brislington FC
Ken and Jonathan will be leading on several projects, supporting visual improvements throughout the ground alongside the implementation of other initiatives to promote the club across the BS4 community and beyond.
The pair’s first project was the refurbishment of the 150-capacity Colin Arnold grandstand, a bare breezeblock and corrugated structure that, beyond an extension in the 1990s, remained untouched.
Their next was applying their design skills to put a unique mark on official merchandise.
Through early conversations, Ken and Jonathan realised not many people are actually aware there’s local football just off the road – photo: Jonathan Kelham
These initiatives are the start of not only celebrating Brislington FC’s heritage but also modernising the club’s image, increasing local awareness of the club and broadening their appeal across the city.
Non-league teams like Briz all have to work extremely hard to keep their teams going, with a heavy reliance on volunteers to help keep the wheels turning on everything from matchday logistics to ground maintenance.
At one point the club made the decision to remove itself from the Western League Premier Division due to escalating travel costs.
This, however, proved fateful as the season saw many other teams leave as they also became unable to fulfill their fixtures. Sustaining a small club is tough to say the least.
The residency is utilising input from board members, fans and friends of Brislington – photo: Brislington FC
But the club are utilising the support of board members, fans, friends of Brislington and many more.
Most of Brislington FC’s core following are directly connected to the club. It is often the case that someone’s family member once played on the team or came up through the under-18s.
Because of this close connection, many fans are invested in ensuring its survival.
Jonathan adds: “It’s a world away from the kind of Premier League massive money thing. Maybe there’s a little bit more interest in non-league because it has that level of authenticity.”
He also highlights that the barriers to access are so much lower too, enabling locals to get more actively involved.
And the teams are talented, with the under-18s men’s side winning the 2023/24 Roger Stone Memorial Cup in their first year.
It looks like the ball is rolling in the right direction.
Loyal fans are at the football ground all year round – photo: Brislington FC
To find out more about the residency, and buy Brislington FC merchandise, visit brislingtonfc.net/residency-project.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 edition of Bristol24/7 magazine
All photos: Brislington FC
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