Andrew Stalbow and his investor group are optimistic about taking control of Bath City Football Club within the next month. The group has secured approximately £6 million from around 50 individuals, which they intend to invest in the club subject to the finalisation of the deal.
All Bath City shareholders are invited to a ‘Town Hall meeting’ with Stalbow and members of the investor team tonight (Thursday 14 August) at 7pm, to be held at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.
Current chairman David McDonagh expressed strong support for the takeover, stating, “The Board have no hesitation in recommending that all shareholders vote to accept this deal.” This sentiment is echoed by the Bath City Supporters’ Society.
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“We believe Andrew and his team are excellent partners who not only bring vision and ambition to advance the club but have also already garnered an impressive level of investment at this early stage,” McDonagh added. “We look forward to collaborating with Andrew and the investor group in the coming months.”
Stalbow, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in mobile games and entertainment, shared his enthusiasm for the football club. “Bath City is an incredible club situated in a beautiful city with a fantastic community in Twerton, boasting some of the best fans in the world, who have played a crucial role in supporting the club,” he said.
Recognising the substantial capital needed to realise their ambitions, Stalbow explained, “Upon evaluating Bath City’s potential, it became clear we required significant investment to unlock it. Several other investors showed strong interest early on, reinforcing the project’s appeal.”
The proposed new Board will be led by Stalbow, accompanied by Richard Rivlin as Vice Chairman, Abdallah Yafi as President, and Director Ivan Hindshaw. Among the notable investors is Curt Smith, a Bath native and lifelong football fan, famed as co-founder of Tears for Fears, who will serve as a club Ambassador.
Stalbow confirmed the range of investments, stating, “Contributions vary from $15,000 up to $750,000. While confident of completing this transaction, we are mindful of all the steps needed.” The group hopes to finalise the deal by early September.
Stalbow expressed gratitude for the positive response from the community: “The level of enthusiasm and recognition of Bath City’s potential has been overwhelming. We acknowledge that some individuals have questions, but we believe the structure of the deal and the club’s protections will reassure them.”
He emphasised collaboration with the existing staff and outlined a mix of immediate and long-term priorities. Key long-term initiatives focus on the continued development of Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park, the club’s historic home since 1932.
“We have no intention to relocate. Twerton Park is ideally situated to become a multi-purpose stadium and community hub, which we plan to develop accordingly,” Stalbow said. “Securing our own dedicated training facility is vital, as effective training is essential for player performance.”
Another strategic focus is implementing advanced data systems to support player performance analysis and recruitment. Stalbow noted receiving advice from a friend who invested in Brentford, highlighting the importance of a robust football infrastructure backed by data analytics.
Speaking about manager Scott Bartlett, appointed in March this year, Stalbow was complimentary: “We regard Scott as a Football League-ready manager and are committed to providing him with the resources to strengthen and build the squad.”
He assured that Bartlett would receive a competitive budget for the current and future seasons, underscoring the ambition to make the club Football League ready. “While we are not committing to a timeline, having clear goals and the right infrastructure is key to our success.”
Investment in the women’s team is also a priority, with plans to develop that side of the club alongside the men’s team.
“The initial phase is about proving ourselves as responsible custodians of the funds entrusted to us. We intend to invest judiciously, earn trust, and grow both the club and our community of supporters.”
Members of the Bath City Supporters Society will vote on the acquisition proposal, with results due at a Special General Meeting on 21 August 2026. The final transaction remains subject to shareholder approval and any necessary regulatory consents.