Big Bath City Bid hits £300,000 target

By Anita Jaynes on 3 October, 2016

The Big Bath City Bid has succeeded in reaching the £300,000 needed to allow the Bath City FC Supporters Society to take a majority stake in the club and move Bath City FC towards community ownership. The target was reached a couple of days before the deadline of September 28.

“This is a great day for Bath City FC and hopefully we can also make a difference for the city,” explained Nick Blofeld. “The Big Bath City Bid has been driven by passionate group of supporters of the club and also those who believe we can make a difference via sport in the local community. We all want the best for the club and have a vision for taking Bath City FC forward as a real community asset.

“The effort put in by a wide group of people to get support and encourage people to buy shares has been extraordinary, and thanks must go to all those individuals, businesses and organisations who have responded by listening to us or reading about us and who have generously contributed.”

“However, this success is just the first stage of an exciting project for Bath City FC, Twerton and the city. As we move the club towards community ownership we need to continue to encourage people to support the club by coming down to watch as well. It’s a great club with a rich heritage and grass roots football is quite an antidote to some elements of the upper echelons! We are especially keen to further develop the club as somewhere families can come and enjoy a game and also for use outside matchdays.”

Amongst the high profile club supporters who have been busy encouraging contributions is award winning film director and lifelong Bath City fan Ken Loach. “Community ownership means the club will be a hub for lots of different activities in the community, from young mothers with kids to older people taking part in things like Walking Football, with a centre for community activity. With the Bath City Foundation already very successful, we think there is still a lot more we can do, to transform the club and the area.”

Ben Howlett MP for Bath was one of the first to congratulate the Bid, saying “Many congratulations to the Big Bath City Bid and all who fundraised to reach the target. This money will really help to deliver high quality facilities to one of Bath’s top sporting venues. However, the job is not finished and I hope even more people can come forward and support the Bid.”

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