Kenyan defender Zak Vyner remains upbeat despite Bristol City’s failure to secure promotion to the Premier League, following a disappointing 6-0 aggregate loss to Sheffield United in the Championship Play-Off semi-finals. The heavy defeat ended City’s hopes of returning to the top flight for the first time since 1980.
Vyner, who has been an ever-present figure throughout the 2024/25 season, played the full 90 minutes in the second leg at Bramall Lane, where City suffered a 3-0 loss, replicating the scoreline from the first leg at Ashton Gate. While the result was a bitter disappointment, Vyner chose to focus on the positives of the season. Reflecting on the campaign, he said, “I haven’t really had too many chances to sit and reflect. We’ve played so much football this year that it’s just been a case of staying in that mindset of ‘what’s next?’ and keeping the momentum going. But yeah, when I do think about it, it’s incredible. Like I said earlier, 10 months ago we were in Portugal for pre-season. If you’d told us back then where we’d be on the first of May, we’d have snapped your hand off for it.”
Vyner’s resilience throughout the season is evident, as he was one of only six players in the Championship to feature in every single minute of the regular season. His fitness, consistency, and importance to the team were key factors in helping Bristol City reach the play-offs for the first time in 17 years. Alongside goalkeeper Max O’Leary and midfielder Jason Knight, Vyner played a vital role in the Robins’ impressive run, earning a spot in the play-offs despite challenges throughout the season.
Although the end of the season brought disappointment, Vyner remains optimistic about the progress the team has made. “We would not have expected to be here 10 months ago,” he admitted, acknowledging the unexpected success of reaching the play-offs after a challenging season. The 2024/25 campaign has shown that the team has made significant strides, even if the ultimate goal of Premier League promotion was not achieved.
Throughout the season, Vyner demonstrated his versatility on the pitch, which proved valuable for Bristol City. Primarily a right-footed centre-back, Vyner often had to adapt to different roles, including playing on the left side of the defence. He expressed that he was comfortable with both positions, appreciating the different angles and passing options the left side provided. “Naturally, I’m right-footed, so playing on the right does feel more comfortable. But I’m happy on the left too it opens up different types of passes and angles I can work with,” he said. Vyner credited the continuity of regular playing time for helping him adapt to the positional changes, making the transitions smoother and more natural.
City’s manager, Liam Manning, echoed Vyner’s sentiments, acknowledging the team’s overall progress despite the bitter end to their promotion dream. Manning was quick to praise the players, staff, and supporters for their efforts throughout the season. “I’m hugely proud of the lads for what they’ve achieved this year. Tonight must be a lesson for us,” he said, adding that the team had made significant strides over the past 18 months. Manning also highlighted the role of the fans, who supported the team throughout the tough season, helping to create an exciting atmosphere at the club.
While the dream of Premier League football may have been delayed, Vyner’s leadership, resilience, and ability to adapt will be crucial as Bristol City looks ahead to the 2025/26 season. With the team making notable progress, there is reason for optimism as they continue to build on the foundation laid in the past campaign.
