AN INCREDIBLE century-old picture of Bristol Rugby Club players was discovered by a Thornbury man hidden inside the frame of a watercolour painting.

The picture of the club’s second team was taken way back at the end of the 1908-09 season when the team played at the County Cricket Ground, known today as the Brightside Ground.

Thornbury resident Michael Cousins came across the picture by chance, having bought a framed watercolour at a car boot sale four years ago for just £1.

With the frame looking a bit past its best, he had gone to remove the picture from the frame when he noticed the backing cardboard come away.

On closer inspection, Mr Cousins discovered the amazing photograph taped to the backboard.

“I couldn’t believe what was looking back at me,” he said, “a real piece of sporting history.

“I have always been interested in local sport, so to come across this was brilliant.”

The 1908/09 season was a good year for the Bristol second XV, with their playing statistics above the picture - 17 wins from 28 matches, with 10 losses and only one draw, as the team scored 298 points but conceded 166.

Beneath the picture are the names of the team:

Top row: H Mayell, A.E. Suller, F.E. Parsons, A.H. Kingscote, W Allen.

Second row: F Adams (Trainer), A.B. Gibaud, H.V. Tiencken, G. North, E. Hartnell, J. Oates (Assistant Honorary Secretary).

Seated: W.H. Boddie, S. Shipp, D.I. Llewllin (Captain), A.G. Stradling, E. North.

Floor: B.A. Shute, C.W. Boddie (Assistant Honorary Secretary).

Are you a relative of someone in the picture, or know someone who is? If so, email asims@gazetteseries.co.uk.