Football / Bristol City
‘This was a season of progress not regret for Bristol City’
There was no miracle comeback at Bramall Lane – but it was the conclusion of a season which has reignited hope among Bristol City fans.
The Robins’ dreams of reaching the Premier League for the first time were extinguished with a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday night. They exited the Championship play-off semi-final with a 6-0 aggregate loss.
Well beaten by a ruthless Blades side, there was a 22-point gap between the clubs in the regular season – the biggest ever between third and sixth place in Championship history.
is needed now More than ever
It was a brutal scoreline. But despite the defeat, few would argue that this season hasn’t marked major progress.
Turning a corner
In truth, most City fans would’ve bitten your hand off for a play-off spot back in August.
Liam Manning’s first full season in charge saw the Robins return to the play-offs for the first time in 17 years. A feat not achieved since Gary Johnson in 2008.
They’ve become a team built on spirit, work rate and unity – a team fans could genuinely connect with.
That’s a massive credit to those behind the scenes, especially given the circumstances the club found itself in.
Liam Manning punches the air after a 3-1 win over Preston in November – photo: Bristol City
“Naturally, going into it after the first leg, we knew how difficult it was going to be,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol after the play-off defeat.
“It’s such a difficult place to come but I’m hugely proud of the lads.”
There were no January transfers.
The squad is among the smallest in the second tier.
Manning himself endured a personal tragedy off the pitch. Despite all that, his team kept battling.
Punching above their weight
The sacking of Nigel Pearson was controversial at the time. In hindsight, it’s a move that has paid off.
Manning got the best out of what many considered a mid-table squad.
Beating sides like Middlesbrough and Norwich to a play-off spot – both with far greater budgets – was a monumental achievement.
City fans will be desperate to fend off interest and keep their manager.
The team gave the fans a season to remember – photo: Bristol City
Some might argue they overperformed.
But City earned their place on merit. And they did so without the benefit of parachute payments given to former Premier League clubs.
The gap to the automatic promotion spots, however, is obvious.
City collected just seven points from a possible 30 against the five teams that finished above them.
They scored 59 goals and conceded 55 – compared with champions Leeds, who finished with a 95-30 record, and fellow promoted side Burnley, who posted a 69-16 tally.
A season to remember
At times, fans may have been frustrated with the quality on the pitch – but there were moments to savour.
That last-gasp victory against West Brom.
That 90th-minute equaliser against Sheffield United in the league.
That hard-fought home win against Sunderland.
And some gritty professional displays – especially the draws away at Coventry and the Stadium of Light.
An elated Nahki Wells celebrates after scoring the winner against West Brom – photo: Bristol City
City fans may wish they could play every game at Ashton Gate. Only Burnley and Leeds lost fewer home games all season.
But away from home, it was a different story.
Only four wins on the road – just one more than relegated city rivals Bristol Rovers, who finished bottom of the League One away table.
If City are to challenge for automatic promotion in the future, they’ll need to find a cure for their travel sickness.
A Knight in shining armour
Bristol City’s Jason Knight has made the most ball recoveries in all competitions this season. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/YzPHEdu9mH
— JLA (@JLA_FC) April 22, 2025
Among the standout players of this season was Jason Knight.
The Irish international made 293 ball recoveries. At one point, he had the most of any player in Europe – not just the Championship or England.
Knight wrestles off Gustavo Hamer during the second-leg of the play-off semi-final – photo: Bristol City
“Overall, it’s been a really positive season for us – getting to the play-offs wasn’t easy so we don’t want to get too down about it,” Knight said after the second leg.
Keeping him at BS3 this summer will be a key priority.
What the fans said
The club’s official thank-you post on X drew a wide range of responses — from frustration at the heavy play-off defeat to pride in how far the team had come.
Some fans chose to focus on the positives:
The most memorable season in a long time. Thanks Manning and team ❤️
— Leah Davis (@leahbcfc) May 12, 2025
City fans were in full voice despite a 6-0 aggregate drubbing – photo: Bristol City
A club and a team of which I have been very proud this season.
— Drew (@TheKaiserBCFC) May 13, 2025
Thank you Liam Manning, thank you lads. We massively overachieved with a small squad, you gave us a reason to believe again.
Enjoy a break, recharge and let’s go again next season. Hopefully Steve opens the cheque book and we can keep building.
🎶LIAM MANNINGS CIDER ARMY🎶
— Jamie (@JamieBCFC20) May 12, 2025
What’s next for the Robins
City will want to ensure this wasn’t a one-off.
With smart summer recruitment – particularly in attack – and if they can retain Manning, they’ll feel they can go one step further.
Whatever happens next, they have given their fans a season to be proud of.
It wasn’t the fairy-tale ending anyone from the red side of Bristol wanted.
But maybe, just maybe, it has laid the foundation for something bigger.
Main photo: Bristol City
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