Bath City sale completed as new owners begin ambitious era

Bath City have been given a huge shot in the arm with their new ownership officially confirmed – and the club’s ambitious era starts now.

The sale of the Southern League Premier Division South club to a 50-strong investor group led by entrepreneur Andrew Stalbow was completed on Thursday, alongside a seed investment of more than £6million.

Stalbow becomes Bath City’s new executive chair, with the investment set to support the men’s and women’s teams, improve Twerton Park and build infrastructure capable of supporting the club’s long-term Football League ambitions.

The deal brings to an end a year-long process which saw football advisory firm Carteret introduce the investor group to the club.

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‘Our work starts today’

Stalbow says the new ownership group want to repay the faith supporters, shareholders and the board have put in them.

“This deal happened because of the incredible backing we’ve received from the fans, the shareholders, the Supporters Society, the Supporters Club and the board,” he said.

“We hugely appreciate you putting your faith in us. We will strive to be the custodians you believe we can be.

“The partnership that we will build between the supporters, the city, the community in Twerton, the players, the coaching staff, the operating team and the investors will set us apart.

“This is a unique opportunity.

“Our role is to unlock Bath City’s potential and transform the club. Our work starts today.”

Outgoing chairman David McDonagh will remain on the new board as the supporters society representative.

He said: “Many people have worked diligently behind the scenes to make sure that this deal is the right one to take our club forward.

“We know how excited our supporters are and that they share our belief in Andrew and his team.”

‘Transformational’ investment

The scale of the investment makes the deal a significant one at this level of English football.

Carteret CEO James Powell, whose firm advised Bath City throughout the process, believes the investment could transform the Romans.

“Andrew has assembled an exceptional group of investors around a very ambitious plan for the club,” he said.

“The scale of investment is remarkable at this level of English football, and we are delighted to have brought the parties together and helped complete a transaction which we believe can be transformational for Bath City.”

Bath City suffered relegation from the National League South last season but have made an immediate promotion push a priority under manager Scott Bartlett.

The new owners’ ambitions, however, stretch well beyond simply returning to Step 2.

The new board and several members of the investor group will attend Saturday’s trip to Chippenham Town for the A4 derby.

Stalbow and fellow new board members Richard Rivlin, Abdallah Yafi and Ivan Hindshaw will be meeting supporters before the game.

They will buy a drink for Bath City fans wearing the club’s colours or sporting a Bath City tattoo at Charlie’s Bar between 12pm and 1pm.

Club ambassador Curt Smith, who co-founded English pop rock band Tears for Fears, will also be present as the new ownership group begins its first weekend in charge.

READ MORE: Bath City move closer to potential £6m investor group deal