May 2015

Artus added to summer signings (28/5/15)

City have announced the latest player to commit to the club for another season with Frankie Artus completing the paperwork this morning. On signing Frankie said “I enjoyed my first season at the Club and we were unlucky not to get to the Trophy final. I am enjoying my football and looking forward to the new season as I think we have a good chance of moving on to better things”. The 27 year-old joined City from Hereford United last summer, making 39 appearances and scoring four goals, and was named managers player of the season.


Trio to depart Twerton Park (27/5/15)

A month after the end of the season and with four signings made to date, City have announced details of the players leaving the Club this summer. After two seasons at the Club Ross Stearn has left us to sign for Sutton United, Naby Diallo has been offered the chance of a pre-season trial at a Conference Premier club and Jason Mellor’s contract has not been renewed. All three players have given excellent service to the Club and will be remembered, in particular, for their part in the FA Trophy run last season. We wish them well for the future.

Offers have been made to the rest of last season’s squad and negotiations are currently taking place. Further details of signings will be released as they are completed.


Exiles announced as first pre-season match (20/5/15)

City have confirmed their first 2015 pre-season match against League Two side Newport County at Twerton Park on Tuesday 14 July (ko 7.45pm). Further matches and admission prices to be announced shortly.


Nick McCootie latest to sign new deal (19/5/15)

We are pleased to announce another signing for the coming season. Following his successful debut season at City after joining from Paulton Rovers, Nick McCootie has agreed to return for 2015/16. On completing the paperwork, Nick said “I am pleased to sign and I am looking forward to getting started again in pre season”. Nick netted 14 times in 28 starts and nine substitute appearances, and was on target in both legs of the FA Trophy semi-final against North Ferriby United.


Top scorer Pratt back for 15-16 season (18/5/15)

We are pleased to announce that top scorer for the past two years, David Pratt, has committed himself to the Club for another season. On completing the paperwork David said “I am happy to sign again and am looking forward to the coming season”. The 27-year old joined City from Maidenhead United in July 2013 and has scored 40 goals in 94 appearances.


McClennan makes switch from Seagulls (14/5/15)

The Club is pleased to announce the signing of winger Joe McClennan from Weston-super-Mare. Joe was a regular member of the Weston team last season and we welcome him to the Club for the coming season. Director of Football, Adrian Britton said “We have been tracking the progress of Joe for several years back to his Bristol City academy days. Our interest became particularly keen two years ago following a recommendation from Lee Phillips when they were playing together at Chippenham and we have watched him closely since. He has become an accomplished player on either flank and has the ability to open sides up with his one on one capabilities and comes with a good work rate and an unquestionable work ethic. He is hungry to succeed and will augment the forward options we have particularly effectively”.


2015-16 Shirt Sponsors draw information (12/5/15)

This summer we will again be looking for a new shirt sponsor via a draw which will take place on Wednesday 1st July in the TR Hayes Premier Lounge at the Club. Following the successful draw last summer, with Tilleys Bistro being the winner drawn from the 53 companies that entered, the Club are again looking to attract local businesses to support this initiative. Entry costs £250 plus VAT and more information about the draw can be found in the link on the front page of this website or by contacting commercial executive, Bob Chester on 07786 092836.


Ashley Kington first 2015-16 signing (9/5/15)

Negotiations are ongoing with the 2014-15 squad and the Club is pleased to announce that Ashley Kington is the first to sign on for season 2015-16. The midfielder joined the Romans from Weston Super Mare last summer, making his 50th appearance in the final match of the season against Staines Town, where he also netted his fifth goal. Terms have been agreed with other members of the squad and news will appear here as signings are completed.

Boreham Wood joined champions Bromley in winning promotion to the Vanarama Premier division this afternoon, beating Whitehawk 2-1 after extra-time to win the Vanarama Conference South play-off final.


Chief Scout Roy Pitman passes away (6/5/15)

It was with great sadness that the Club learned yesterday of the death of chief scout, Roy Pitman. Roy has been a great servant to the Club for many years assisting six managers with his scouting reports on teams and individual players. He will be missed by all at the Club and our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this time.


Big Bath City Bid clears first hurdle (5/5/15)

Community ownership of a sustainable Bath City football club took a big step forward today. A large debt, owed to previous Chairman, Manda Rigby, and payable in full on 30 April 2015, has been partly paid, and partly renegotiated.

Jon Bickley, chair of BBCB said ‘We are very grateful to Manda for allowing the club an extension on the repayment date of half her loan. This has bought us the time to launch our share prospectus, and raise the money we need over the Summer. Getting funds in before the launch of the prospectus has been tricky as we are fundamentally about completing the club purchase through the community share offer, so we are also grateful to those who have pledged money early on.’

Paul Williams, chair of Bath City FC added ‘Manda has had the right to have all her loan repaid at any stage during the past 16 months, and was due final repayment in full on April 30 2015. If she had exercised her right to repayment during last season, the club would have found it difficult to have continued at this level, and possibly the successful Trophy run would not have happened. I am very grateful for Manda’s continued support, pushing her repayment date back, allowing the club time to refinance.’

Manda Rigby continued, ‘Although I had been promised repayment in full on the due date by the action group, I understand that they are behind where they had aimed to be by now, and so will give them the time they have requested of me to offer shares to the community. Were I to stick by the agreement in place for the past 3 years, which would be in my best interests, the club would be harmed, maybe irreparably. I look forward to seeing the prospectus and business plan for the Bid, hope that they form the basis for a long term sustainable Bath City, and am continuing to support the club financially in the interim.’

All three people emphasised the importance to the club of a successful fundraising drive to put the club on a more long term sustainable community based footing.