Peter Aitken
Encyclopedia
Peter Gerald Aitken is a Welsh former footballer who played nearly 300 games in the Football League
.
Aitken began his career as an apprentice with Bristol Rovers
, making his debut in the 1972–73 season. He joined local rivals Bristol City
in 1980, and two years later, with the club in danger of folding, Aitken was one of the "Ashton Gate Eight", eight players who agreed to terminate their contracts in order to save the club. The others were David Rodger, Geoff Merrick
, Julian Marshall, Chris Garland
, Jimmy Mann
, Trevor Tainton
, and Gerry Sweeney
. While at Rovers he was the club captain, and after joining City he became the only player to captain both Bristol Clubs.
Aitken joined York City
, playing 18 times before the end of the season. In July 1982 he joined non-league Bath City
, although also played once for Bournemouth
on non-contract terms the following season. He remained with Bath until June 1985 when he left to join Trowbridge Town
. He later joined Forest Green Rovers
before rejoining Bath City in February 1988, although was released at the end of the season.
He returned to Bath for a third time in the 1991 close season, as assistant manager under Tony Ricketts
. However, he was released as part of a cost-cutting process before the end of the season.
He later returned to Bristol Rovers to work in their Community Department, taking up the post of Community Manager in 2000, a post he still held in 2010.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
Aitken began his career as an apprentice with Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, making his debut in the 1972–73 season. He joined local rivals Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in 1980, and two years later, with the club in danger of folding, Aitken was one of the "Ashton Gate Eight", eight players who agreed to terminate their contracts in order to save the club. The others were David Rodger, Geoff Merrick
Geoff Merrick
Geoff Merrick is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender, making over 300 career appearances.-Career:Born in Bristol, Merrick played for Bristol City and Caroline Hill.-References:...
, Julian Marshall, Chris Garland
Chris Garland
Christopher "Chris" Garland is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Bristol City, Chelsea and Leicester City between the 1960s and 1980s. He was capped once by England at under-23 level....
, Jimmy Mann
Jimmy Mann (footballer)
Jimmy Mann is an English former footballer.Mann began his career at Leeds United but failed to establish a regular place in the first team. He joined Bristol City in 1974 and gained renown as a skillful attacking midfielder who played a role in the Robins' promotion to the First Division under...
, Trevor Tainton
Trevor Tainton
Trevor Keith Tainton is a former footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League between the 1960s and 1980s for Bristol City....
, and Gerry Sweeney
Gerry Sweeney
Gerry Sweeney is a Scottish former footballer and manager. Sweeney spent the majority of his time in football with Bristol City.-Playing career:...
. While at Rovers he was the club captain, and after joining City he became the only player to captain both Bristol Clubs.
Aitken joined York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, playing 18 times before the end of the season. In July 1982 he joined non-league Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
, although also played once for Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
on non-contract terms the following season. He remained with Bath until June 1985 when he left to join Trowbridge Town
Trowbridge Town F.C.
Trowbridge Town F.C. are a football club based in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, and they play at Woodmarsh on the southern edge of the town. They are currently members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West.-History:...
. He later joined Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
before rejoining Bath City in February 1988, although was released at the end of the season.
He returned to Bath for a third time in the 1991 close season, as assistant manager under Tony Ricketts
Tony Ricketts
Tony Ricketts is a former semi-professional football player.As a player, at 24 years old, he was offered a 2 year contact with Bristol City, which he refused.In 1979 he joined Bath City, where he became first a coach and then manager, spending seven years at the club in all...
. However, he was released as part of a cost-cutting process before the end of the season.
He later returned to Bristol Rovers to work in their Community Department, taking up the post of Community Manager in 2000, a post he still held in 2010.