Bath City

The club was originally founded as Bath AFC in 1889 before adopting the name Bath City in 1905. It began playing at North Parade Ground, later moving to Belvoir Castle Ground in East Twerton. Bath City competed in regional leagues like the Wiltshire League and the Bristol & District League before progressing to the Western League in 1908 and, eventually, the Southern League in 1921. By the late 1920s, under manager Ted Davis, the club enjoyed moderate success, including winning the Somerset Cup and becoming Southern League runners-up. In 1932, the team moved to its long-term home, Twerton Park, where it remains today. During World War II, Bath achieved its most notable accomplishment, winning the Football League North and competing against top-flight teams like Aston Villa and Manchester United.

In the post-war years, Bath City established itself as one of the leading non-league sides. They twice came close to Football League election in the 1940s and 1950s, while their record Southern League title wins came in 1960 and 1978. Memorable FA Cup runs saw the club defeat league opposition, including Cardiff City and Millwall. The 1950s and 1960s were among the club’s most vibrant eras, with stars such as Charlie Fleming and Tony Book contributing to success on the pitch, while Twerton Park attracted large crowds. Bath City was a founding member of the Alliance Premier League (now National League) in 1979 but missed out on several chances for Football League election during this period. The late 20th century saw the club fluctuate between the Conference and Southern League, with key moments like Bristol Rovers’ ground-sharing stint at Twerton Park from 1986 to 1996 and notable FA Cup performances.

The 21st century brought significant challenges and eventual resurgence. Relegation to the seventh tier in 2004 marked a low point, but promotion back to the National League in 2010 was a major milestone, though the team was relegated two seasons later. Under manager Jerry Gill, appointed in 2017, the club has seen a revival, reaching the National League South playoffs twice and significantly improving attendances. Despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bath has continued to rebuild and attract strong support, aiming for a return to the fifth tier. Twerton Park remains central to the club’s identity, and Bath City continues to play a key role in non-league football, combining a rich history with ongoing aspirations.