A consortium of investors, among them Curt Smith – famed 1980s pop star and co-founder of Tears for Fears – is close to completing a £6 million takeover of Bath City Football Club. The group is led by Andrew Stalbow, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur with experience in mobile gaming and entertainment, who is expected to assume the role of full-time chairman of the club.
Their ambitious plans include upgrading the Romans’ Twerton Park stadium to meet Football League standards. This development could inspire fans to dream of a rise through the divisions comparable to the recent success story of Wrexham.
Bath City, with a history deeply rooted in its community, currently operates under community ownership established in 2017. Presently, supporters hold more than half of the shares. The club faced relegation to the Southern League Premier Division last season and began their current campaign with an away match against Sholing.
READ MORE: Yeovil Town Held to Draw by Late Scunthorpe United Equaliser
READ MORE: Former Pupils Bid Farewell to Bath’s Culverhay School Ahead of Demolition
The proposed takeover has received strong support from the club’s board and the Bath City Supporters’ Society Committee. However, the final decision rests with the shareholders, who are set to vote on the bid.
David McDonagh, chairman of Bath City, described the potential acquisition as “an incredibly exciting moment in the club’s long history.” He acknowledged the dedication of those who have kept the club afloat, particularly during the challenges brought on by relegation. McDonagh emphasised the necessity of external investment to ensure the club’s survival and growth and recommended that shareholders approve the deal.
Andrew Stalbow expressed enthusiasm about engaging with fans and the wider community. Having spent considerable time in Twerton over the past year, he stressed their commitment to unlocking the club’s potential. In addition to investing in the men’s team, the new owners plan to support the women’s teams and invest in Twerton Park’s facilities, highlighting the importance of Bath City to its local community.
Shareholders will have the opportunity to meet the investor group at a town hall event scheduled at Twerton Park on Thursday evening.
Ian McKay, chairman of the Bath City Supporters’ Society, voiced confidence after meeting the investors, noting that they appreciate the club’s special community values. The group proposed a supporter group representative seat on the new board and agreed to issue a Community Share alongside a Protected Rights Deed. This deed grants the society prior consent rights over key club matters and enhanced consultation rights.
McKay remarked that the investment not only ensures Bath City’s short-term survival but also provides the financial backing necessary to begin essential upgrades to Twerton Park. Accordingly, the committee recommends members approve the proposed deal.
The intended new board will be headed by Stalbow, with communications expert Richard Rivlin as vice chairman. Also joining are president Abdallah Yafi and director Ivan Hindshaw, both venture capitalists. All proposed directors have successfully passed the Football Association’s Owners' and Directors' Test.
Among the notable investors, Curt Smith, a lifelong football fan born in Bath, will serve as a club ambassador, adding a unique connection between the club’s heritage and its future ambitions.