Star hopes to give back to hometown with football deal
BBCThe co-founder of pop band Tears for Fears says he wants to give back to his hometown by buying part of the local fan-owned football club.
Bath City FC could be sold to an investor group if a proposed £6m sale goes ahead.
Musician and lifetime football fan Curt Smith, who grew up in Bath and now lives in the US, is part of the group.
"Here in Twerton, where I spent most of my youth, it is slightly under-served. For me it's exciting we can do something for the community around here," he said.
Bath FC's board and supporters' society have both recommended the sale to the group of 50 investors.
"If I can lend my name and make people a bit more comfortable in investing and coming to the club, then I'll do that," Smith said.
"At times you have to give back and this time I'm giving back to my home town," he added.
The investor group is led by Andrew Stalbow, co-founder and CEO of a mobile entertainment company. Stalbow would become the new chairman of Bath FC if the sale went ahead.
Stalbow has worked on mobile games such as Angry Birds and productions including Avatar and the Simpsons.
He said this would prepare him well for a role with the football club.
"You have to create a good fan experience and have to be good with data on what people are enjoying.
"We really want to improve the fan experience, we want to make sure it's really accessible, the beer is cheap, the food is good.
"If we're doing our job really well, in a few year's time people will talk about Bath as a rugby and a football city," Stalbow said.
A shareholder meeting about the buy-out took place on Thursday. Most members will vote online by the end of the month.
Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
