Multi-million-pound boost for Romans as takeover is completed

Pop star Curt Smith and his fellow investors are officially the new owners of Bath City, giving the club a multi-million-pound boost.

The multi-million-pound takeover of Bath City by an investor group including pop star Curt Smith has been completed, giving a massive boost to the Twerton-based club and their supporters | Photo © Simon Howe

The deal to transfer ownership of the Pitching In Southern League Premier South club, and its women’s operation, to an investor group including Tears For Fears founder Smith and headed by Andrew Stalbow was completed yesterday, Thursday 10th September.

City’s men are in the seventh tier of English football following relegation from Enterprise National League South in the spring.

They have not made the start to the 2026-27 campaign that supporters would have expected, sitting mid-table in the league – winning only two of their six matches – and bowing out of the Emirates FA Cup to lower-division Weymouth at the first hurdle.

However, the new era at the club is set to bring about a change in fortunes. Indeed Stalbow, the Romans’ new executive chair, said last month that he aims for Bath to be challenging for a place in the English Football League.

Following the takeover being finalised, Stalbow said: “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.

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

“We thank the outgoing board and we want to give a special shoutout to the club’s many volunteers who we are excited to work together with.

“And an additional thank you to our investor group for their commitment.

“The partnership that we’ll 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.”

City’s outgoing chair David McDonagh has a seat on the new board – as the supporters society representative.

McDonagh 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.”

The sale followed a year-long process during which the club’s advisers Carteret introduced the Bath City Holding Company – the 50-strong investor group led by Stalbow – to the Romans. The investor group raised a seed round of more than £6m.

James Powell, Carteret chief executive, said: “Andrew has assembled an exceptional group of investors around a very ambitious plan for the club.

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

The Romans’ new board and many of the investors will be at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park tomorrow, Saturday 12th September, when the club take on neighbours Chippenham Town in the league.

Stalbow and board members Richard Rivlin, Abdallah Yafi and Ivan Hindshaw, along with club ambassador Smith, will be at Charlie’s Bar at the stadium from noon tomorrow.

They are funding a drink for all City fans who, wearing club colours or sporting a club tattoo, come along to Charlie’s Bar between noon and 1pm tomorrow. The offer, which is to say thank you to supporters, is subject to the bar’s capacity.

Stalbow said: “Since the deal [sale] was announced, the fans have been brilliant.

“We’ve said that we want to do everything we can to enhance the fan experience at Twerton Park – and whilst there won’t be a drink on us for every match, we want to show our intent and to say thank you for the warm welcome.”

The match against Chippenham – who came down with Bath from National League South – will kick-off at 3pm.

Tickets, which will be discounted by 10% if purchased by 11.45pm tonight, are available here.