Thrissell Nomads are aiming to become champions of Division II of the Bristol & Suburban League for the third time in their long history, having previously won the title in 1964 and 1993.

The team have made a good start to the current campaign in a promotion position, with only one defeat in the opening eight League games.

The club was set up in 1953 as the works team of the Thrissell Engineering Company and entered the Suburban League that year, playing on their own ground at Frenchay Road, Downend.

The changing room was an Army hut but, when it was burnt down, a purpose-built bar and changing rooms were built and the ground was developed to include two football pitches, two tennis courts and a cricket square.

With the facilities proving popular, a function room containing a hall and two skittle alleys was later added during the mid-1970s.

Unfortunately, the Thrissells company was then taken over and the ground sold for building development in 1982.

Since then, Thrissells have been, literally, "nomads", playing on council pitches at Eastville Park, Oldbury Court, Muller Road, Filwood and Elm Park, Filton, the club's present home venue.

Thrissell Nomads have enjoyed spells when both a first and second team were fielded on Saturdays, when early honours included winning the Division II championship in 1964 and 1993, while the reserves took the Division VI title in 1998.

The 1962-63 season was the most successful in the club's history, when the team took the Division III crown, then won both the Bosley Cup and the GFA Junior Trophy, after a memorable 5-2 victory against Georges Brewery at Ashton Gate. There have only been two secretaries since the club was launched, starting with Ernie Prickett, who held the post from 1953 until 1989 and still regularly attends home and local away games.

He is now a life member of the Suburban League, having been presented with Slater Stone secretarial efficiency awards in 1979 and 1986.

He was succeeded by Ian Carr, who later received the Tom Pitts award as the Suburban League's top secretary in 2005 and is continuing in the post.

Others who have made notable contributions over long periods include John Coles, who joined the club in the later stages of his playing career in 1975, then was later the manager of both the first team and reserves.

During his spell in charge in the 1990s, he led the first team to a run of promotions from Division IV to Premier Division II, only to later drop back, following a lean spell for the club.

Other players of note are Chris Veira, who has been with the club since 1985 and can still be coaxed into an occasional cameo performance, having previously served as manager.

The Burgess family also made a big contribution between the 1970s and 1990s when Ray, Dennis, Steve and Alan all played regularly, while Denzil Williamson used to make his mark as a striker.

Since the 1990s, the club has enjoyed a strong and cordial relationship with the Irish community, and players from that background have been regulars.

Joint managers Matt Evans and Kevin Adams have had a settled squad, which includes goalkeeper Barry Mendez, behind a sound defensive line of Dave Bailey, Ben Thomas, Ollie Flaherty and Ryan Bennett.

Danny Moore is joined in midfield by Dan Campbell and Kevin Adams to create openings for attackers Danny Hedges, Matthew Evans and Niall O'Loughlin, while Jordan Campbell, Adrian Kennedy, Chris Viera, Luke Welling, Kyle Cullen and Jason Miskella provide the back-up.