Key facts
- Bath City FC is set to be acquired by tech entrepreneur Andrew Stalbow in a £6 million deal.
- The investment is considered a record for non-league football.
- Tears for Fears co-founder Curt Smith is providing financial and ambassadorial backing for the bid.
- 96% of the Bath City Supporters' Society members voted in favor of the takeover bid on August 21, 2026.
- The deal requires 90% acceptance from all club shareholders to be finalized.
- The proposed owners plan to invest in Twerton Park to meet Football League requirements.
Bath City FC is nearing a significant ownership change as tech entrepreneur Andrew Stalbow leads a £6 million takeover bid, a sum described as a record investment for non-league football. The deal has garnered substantial support, with 96% of the Bath City Supporters' Society members voting in favor on August 21, 2026, following a recommendation from the current board. Tears for Fears co-founder Curt Smith is also involved, providing both financial and ambassadorial backing.
The club, founded in 1889 and currently playing in the Southern League Premier South after relegation last season, has a history of near-collapse and has been under community ownership since 2017. The proposed acquisition requires a 90% acceptance rate from all club shareholders to be finalized and must meet regulatory requirements.
If the deal proceeds, the new owners intend to invest in Twerton Park to bring the facilities up to Football League standards and support on-field success. Chairman David McDonagh highlighted the necessity of external investment for the club's survival and growth, while the Supporters' Society chairman, Ian McKay, noted the investors' commitment to community values and proposed structures to maintain supporter influence on the board.