December 2015

City sign Cheltenham striker Eliot Richards (30/12/15)

City have signed striker Eliot Richards on a one month loan deal from Cheltenham Town. The New Tredegar born 24-year old – who has represented Wales at both U19 and U21 level – began his career with Bristol Rovers before having spells with Exeter City and Tranmere Rovers. He joined the Robins in February 2015 but just under two months later was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He received the all-clear in September 2015 and will look to return to action during his time at Twerton Park.

The club can also confirm that Miles John and Ashley Yeoman have both departed Twerton Park. They are thanked for their efforts during their time with City.


Havant game off due to waterlogged pitch (28/12/15)

Today’s trip to Havant & Waterlooville has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. A new date will be announced in due course.


Wasteful City gift Truro Boxing Day joy (26/12/15)

City suffered a disappointing start to their festive fixtures this afternoon, going down 3-0 at home to in-form Truro City. Two goals in as many minutes late in the first half, the second following a dreadful mix-up between Steve Phillips and Dan Ball, and a strike a minute after the restart ensured the points would be heading back down to Cornwall. After a cagey opening City came desperately close to opening the scoring on ten minutes when Jack Batten’s header hit the foot of the post and Ben Adelsbury’s close range follow-up was blocked by keeper Rice. Truro’s no.1 also saved well from Nick McCootie moments later as City threatened again. However, after this it was the visitors who began to get on top and on 38 minutes a free-kick was turned back across goal for Green to slide home. This would probably have been a fair scoreline at the interval but two minutes later Ball’s attempt to shepherd a long pass back to Phillips saw the keeper miss it completely allowing Vassell to walk it into the unguarded net. Any hopes of a comeback disappeared a minute into the second half when Brett beat Phillips at his near post with a rising shot. City continued to battle, McCootie twice being denied by Rice, but Truro rarely looked like allowing them back into the game. In fact, they should have made it 4-0 with 15 minutes left when Sekani Simpson bundled Afful over in the box, only for White to produce as bad a penalty as you are likely to see, slicing the ball high and wide into the night sky. This gave City fans a small piece of Christmas cheer but it couldn’t disguise a forgettable afternoon for the Romans and one they will hope to bounce back from at Havant & Waterlooville in two days time.

Defender Jack Batten has extended his loan spell at Twerton Park to a second month.


Statement from Bath City Football Club (24/12/15)

Bath City’s main shareholder group and the Big Bath City Bid team met on Thursday 10th December and achieved agreement on four foundational items:

  • The Bath City shareholder Group committed itself to transitioning a debt-free club into a one man, one vote, community ownership club.
  • The Big Bath City Bid Group committed to supporting a partial development of Twerton Park as the primary solution to the club’s debt.
  • The Bath City Shareholder Group tabled and agreed a number of requirements demonstrating capability to take over the running of the club by the Bid Group, principally around provision of a business plan with detailed revenue growth plans, roles & responsibilities and provision of working capital.
  • The Bid Group tabled and agreed a number of criteria for support of developing Twerton Park prioritising resolution of debt, creating annuity revenue for the club and the consultation and participation of Twerton Park based community projects. The Bid team also expressed a desire to be involved in the development, subject to meeting their community provision requirements.
  • Additionally a communication plan was agreed, of which this notification is a part. In essence the vision that was shaped through that meeting enables the creation of:

  • A revitalised and renewed Bath City playing at Twerton Park.
  • A debt-free vibrant community club at the heart of its supporter base ready for community ownership.
  • Brand new, football league ready, main stand and hospitality facilities.
  • New and additional club revenue streams that safeguard Bath City’s future.
  • Currently, a development feasibility study is being conducted and is scheduled to be completed in late February 2016. Essentially, this study will determine whether or not our partners believe development is possible. We will be sharing more details as plans develop but we wanted to give you this flavour of our exciting vision for Bath City. We hope to be able to provide more detailed information by the end of March 2016.

    Compliments of the season.


    Last gasp Mohamed stunner downs leaders (19/12/15)

    A stunning stoppage time strike by Kaid Mohamed gave City a much-needed victory over Vanarama National League South leaders Ebbsfleet United at Stonebridge Road this afternoon. Having been on the wrong end of goals in added-time in their previous two outings the celebrations that followed Mohamed’s 25-yard effort where understandably exuberant for both the players, management and supporters. Given the timing of the goal, and City’s recent form, the result would suggest a smash and grab effort from Lee Howells men but they had matched big-spending home side, who still go into the festive period seven points clear at the top of the table, for much of the game and showed their intent by breaking forward that late in the game to find the winning goal. As early as the third minute Nick McCootie got in behind the home defence but a poor first touch spared Fleet’s blushes and later in the half Mohamed enjoyed a similar run on goal only for a Clark tackle to halt his progress, with penalty shouts looking somewhat optimistic. Ebbsfleet did show fleeting glimpses of why a Vanarama National League place next season is still very much theirs to lose, Steve Phillips pushing away Kedwell’s well-struck shot, Godden striking the outside of the post from a narrow angle and Clark heading a corner onto the roof of the net, but the game reached the interval goalless. With the wind more in their favour after the break City began to look a greater threat going forward, as Bradley Williams, Frankie Artus and Mohamed all had efforts on goal that failed to trouble Hall. Only as the game reached its closing stages did Ebbsfleet begin to show a sense of urgency but City continued to stand firm, with Dan Ball in particular producing a near faultless performance, and when Parkes fired a rare clear opening over the bar on 87 minutes it looked as if the points would be shared. However, five minutes later Mohamed had other ideas to turn a statisfying afternoon into a great one.


    Spaces available for Twerton Park blood donation (15/12/15)

    The next blood donation session at Twerton Park is on Monday 21 December (2.25pm to 3.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.45pm) and spaces are still available. You can book appointment by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting Blood.co.uk. Save A Life. Give Blood.


    Still time to get those City Christmas presents (12/12/15)

    Although City’s next home game is the Boxing Day Vanarama National League South clash with Truro City on Boxing Day you can still purchase a Christmas present for the Romans fan amongst your family or friends by visiting Twerton Park during office hours. Amongst the items available are Bath City mugs (£6), Bath City calendars (£5), Bath City scarves (£10), Bath City water bottles (£5), Bath City pens (£1.50) and Bath City badges (£3) available plus replica shirts. Bath City Christmas cards are also on sale. Each card costs 50 pence (with envelope). And copies of the Football Manager 2016 game for the PC, priced just £15, will be on sale.


    U18s in Twerton Park action this weekend (10/12/15)

    Despite the first team having no game this weekend you can still get your fix of City action with the U18 side facing Bristol Academy at Twerton Park on Saturday morning in a South West Counties Youth League match. Billy Clark’s side come into the game in 6th place, with three wins and three defeats from their seven league outings. In their last match they became the first side to beat runaway league leaders Forest Green Rovers, with a brace from Ryan Bole, who has already made three first team appearances, helping them to a 2-1 win. The game kicks off at 10.30am and admission is free.


    League raise over £17K with armband auctions (8/12/15)

    The National League combined forces with The Royal British Legion throughout November to raise the awareness of their annual Poppy Appeal and to encourage all 68 member clubs to contribute financially to the sterling work done to support members of our armed forces who need care in our communities at this time.

    The Royal British Legion came together to oversee collections and as part of this unique partnership, a specially produced ‘captains armband’ was worn by each respective club captain at all matches played in The National League on Saturday 14th November, after which each armband was auctioned off. The culmination of the partnership has now taken place and at a special ceremony in Birmingham on Friday 4th December, The National League handed over a cheque to representatives of the Royal British Legion totalling £17,775.45.

    Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League stated, “When we set out on this unique enterprise of partnership with the Royal British Legion, I commented upon the strong ties we have nationwide between our clubs and their respective communities. Each community is steeped in history, not only of their local football club but the many sacrifices which individual members of those communities have made over the decades spent in defending our civil liberties and every day way of life. We are more than pleased we can join with many like minded people who recognise that service personnel undertake roles which many of us would not relish. Our grateful thanks in this tangible manner is just one small part of the overall debt of gratitude which we all owe. We hope the funds we have been able to raise on this special occasion reflect our recognition of their difficult task, often with difficult outcomes to face in the years ahead”.

    Responding, Claire Rowcliffe, Head of Regional Fundraising with The Royal British Legion stated. “The Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been supporting today’s generation of Armed Forces families and veterans, whether living with an injury or illness, coping with bereavement or finding employment. The money raised through the Poppy Appeal goes directly to The Royal British Legion’s work providing through life support to anyone who is currently serving in the British Armed Forces, who has previously served, and their families and we are very grateful to those involved in fundraising efforts to help us continue delivering our services.”


    City suffer another last gasp horror show (5/12/15)

    City lost to an injury-time goal for the second successive week in a remarkable match against Hayes & Yeading United at Twerton Park this afternoon. Having allowed the struggling visitors to race into a two-goal lead City saw Frankie Artus miss two penalties either side of the interval before goals from Andy Watkins and Dan Ball looked to have earned them a battling point. However, with just seconds remaining of the four added minutes Benyon struck after Steve Phillips had produced a great save. Watkins had had the first effort on goal for City but a stunning solo goal from Jay on nine minutes put Hayes one up. Ten minutes before the interval Williams’ low shot made it 2-0 but when Watkins was bundled over in the box by McKain it looked like City had been gifted a way back into the game. However, Artus’ effort was too close to Lincoln which was also the case early in the second half following another foul on Watkins in the box. Despite these self-inflicted blows City did not let their heads drop and in the 54th minute Lincoln failed to deal with a cross under pressure from Dave Pratt and Nick McCootie allowing Watkins to stab the ball home. City were now well on top, although they were almost caught on the break a couple of times, and with nine minutes remaining looked to have saved a point when Dan Ball headed home Ben Adelsbury’s corner. However, there was still time for late latedrama as Jay’s initial shot was pushed away by Phillips only for Benyon to slide home the rebound.

    City now have a two week break before they travel to Vanarama National League South leaders Ebbsfleet United on Saturday 19 December (ko 3pm).


    Gifts aplenty for the City fan this Christmas (4/12/15)

    If you are looking for that special Christmas present for a Bath City fan then there are Bath City mugs (£6), Bath City calendars (£5), Bath City scarves (£10), Bath City water bottles (£5), Bath City pens (£1.50) and Bath City badges (£3) available plus replica shirts. Bath City Christmas cards are also on sale. Each card costs 50 pence (with envelope).

    And copies of the Football Manager 2016 game for the PC, priced just £15, will be on sale.

    All available from the club shop or supporters’ hut on Saturday, when City face Hayes & Yeading United in a Vanarama National League South clash, or the office on non-match days.