Bath City

Formation and early years (1889–1925)

On July 19, 1889 Bath City were formed as Bath AFC at the Christopher hotel in the city centre. The team commenced play at the North Parade Ground in Bathwick. Bath competed in their first ever recorded match on 10 October 1889, in which they lost 9–4 to Trowbridge Town. By 1891, Bath were struggling heavily financially. As a consequence, the club amalgamated with the local rugby club; Bath Football Club. For an entire nine years the team ceased play. Until, on 11 September 1900, Bath AFC was re-formed, led by cricketer William Hyman. Bath City FC, by name, was officially born.

Bath joined a multi-county division for the first time in 1908 , competing in the Western League Division Two. Charles Pinker was appointed manager the following year, and that season they moved up to The Western League Division One. Bath City remained in the Western League until 1921, in which they joined the English Section of the Southern League, regarded as the strongest division outside of the Football League League at the time. In 1921, manager Charles Pinker left the club after a successful twelve-year period. He was replaced by former Swindon Town player, Billy Tout who retained this role until 1925.

Large crowds and missing out on Football League (1925–1958)

The following year Bath City were on the brink of extinction. However, on 21 August 1926, there was a large meeting with the club's supporters and officials, and the club was "saved". The following season, under newly appointed Ted Davis, the team finished Southern League runners up. Being praised "the best in the club's history" by the Bath Chronicle, and they were runners up again in 1933. During this period, Bath were heavily being discussed for entry into the Football League Third Division. After over a decade at the club, Davis left Bath for Colchester United in 1937. Former Liverpool player, Alex Raisbeck acted as first team coach leading into the second world war.

Raisbeck left the position to a returning Ted Davis in 1940. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Bath City were accepted to join the temporary Football League North, competing with the likes of Bristol City and Aston Villa. That season the club competed in their highest attended game to date, playing Aston Villa at Villa Park in front of over 30,000. The team finished the eventual champions under Davis. In 1944, the club were, once again, in talks for entry into the Third Division. However, the FA refused Football League entry to non-League clubs. Davis left Bath in 1947, and was replaced by Vic Woodley, though he left in 1950 after four mid-lower placed finishes, and was replaced by Eddie Hapgood.

Glory, yoyo years and Nation wide football (1958–1996)

Bob Hewison, appointed in 1958, arguably built the strongest side in the club's history, signing players such as Alan Skirton, Stan Mortensen and Tony Book, captained by Charlie Fleming. The team went on to win the Southern League in the 1959–60 season, at Huish Park. In the same season, Bath played Brighton & Hove Albion at Twerton Park in the FA Cup third round, in front of a record crowd of 18,020, but lost 1–0. Two years after Hewison's departure, in spring of 1963, Malcolm Allison was appointed manager. That season Bath finished third, and reached the FA Cup third round. Two years later however, under Welsh manager Ivor Powell, Bath were relegated for the first time in their history.

From 1964 to 1974 Bath City became a yo-yo club, being relegated from, and promoted back to the Premier Division on six occasions. Two years into Brian Godfrey's reign, in the 1977–78 season, the team won the Southern League title for a second time, in front of "hoards of travelling fans." Under Godfrey, the club made it to two Anglo-Italian Cup finals In 1977 and 1978; They fell short of election to the Football League by three votes in 1978. As a result, the club became founding members of the Alliance Premier League, and played nation-wide football for the first time. Albeit, the attendances from 1984 to 1989 were some of the worst in Bath City's history, with seasonal gates averaging between just 500 and 600. In 1991 Tony Ricketts was appointed manager. They reached the third round of the FA Cup during the 1993–94 season, losing 4–1 to Stoke City at Twerton Park in the third round in front of 7,000 fans.

Decline and subsequent relegation (1996–2017)

Following decades of playing in the top division of non-League football, Bath were relegated from the Conference in 1997. In 2004, the club lost in the FA Cup second round to Peterborough United. John Relish was appointed manager on 22 June 2005. The subsequent year, they were promoted, winning the Southern League in 2006–07, finishing on 91 points. Under new manager Addie Britton, Bath beat League Two side Grimsby Town in the FA Cup first round in in 2009, only to lose to Forest Green Rovers in the second round. On May 9, 2010, Bath City beat Woking 1–0 in the play-off final, and returned to the Conference.

Bath finished tenth in the 2010–11 Football Conference. However, they had a poor season in 2011–12 and were relegated. A year later, Britton subsequently stepped down as first team coach. He was replaced by Australian manager, Lee Howells. "The Big Bath City Bid" was launched by Ken Loach in the summer of 2015, receiving support from former Manchester United player, Eric Cantona. On 5 May 2017, the club completed its transition to community ownership. On the field, they were poor again in both the 2014–15 and 2015–16 season, finishing fourteenth on 53 points. What little success the club had during this period was in the 2014–15 season, reaching the semi-final of the FA Trophy.

The Gill Era (2017–present)

On 5 October 2017, former player, Jerry Gill, was appointed first team manager. The first season under Gill saw the club finish in ninth. They improved the next season, finishing fifth, on 71 points, subsequently, they entered play offs to compete for a place in the National League, but lost 3–1 to Wealdstone on the first May 2019, and lost the play offs again the following year. Average attendances rose, from 612 in 2016–17 to 1,142 in the 2018–19 season. However, Bath were poor in both the 2020–21, and 2021–22 seasons, finishing 18th twice. They improved the following year, finishing 11th and lifting The Somerset Cup for a record 25th time in spring of 2023.