Bath City FC reveal new Chairman

Wed 3rd Aug 2011 | Football Club Management

Blue Square Bet Premier club Bath City have announced Manda Rigby as their new chairman.

Rigby, a successful businesswoman and former UKI managing director of global IT firm Netgear, will take over the chairman’s duties from Adie Britton with immediate effect.

Britton, who has combined the role of interim chair and team manager for the past four months, will now concentrate on managing the first-team and preparing the players for the new season.

“This is a great announcement,” said Britton. “Manda is a successful businesswoman, both in the City and IT sector, in addition to starting and selling her own business. She is a mad keen, passionate football fan, her father was a professional player and she has been to matches in all divisions throughout the country. I look forward immensely to working with her.”

Manda Rigby, who is also a councillor for Bath and Northeast Somerset will bring business acumen, drive and a wealth of commercial connections to her role at the club, as well as a fervent supporter’s voice in the stands.

“I am incredibly excited at the opportunity to work at Bath City,” she said. “The club has great ambition, a strong vision, and some incredibly talented and professional people. I hope that the experience, commitment and passion I bring, will enable me and the rest of the Board, to ensure that the ambitions on the pitch are matched by the success off it.

“The timing of this is perfect,” she added. “I can’t wait to start working with everyone to build on the club’s commercial plans. It’s important that we match the ambition of the playing staff and build a platform on which the club can flourish. I would like to thank Adie and Geoff Todd for their great work in taking the club forward. “

Ken Loach, member of the Bath City FC Supporters Society commented: “Recent success has given the club a great chance to progress. I am sure the new chairman will make sure we seize the opportunity and put the club right at the heart of city life. I want to wish Manda all the best. She has our full support.”

There are not that many women in football club management, and possibly no other woman chairmen in all of English football. “In some ways I think it makes no difference,” she said. “My business acumen and knowledge of football are the equal of any man. However, my style may be slightly different, and certainly I want to be as inclusive as possible. I have asked to meet with the supporters groups and will have regular `Meet the Chairman` sessions.

“I intend to watch the first half of home matches in front of the tea bar and go to the directors’ box for the second half. At the end of the season, I want the finances to be healthy, the team to be successful, Bath to be proud of its football club, attendances growing because of the exciting brand of football we play…and everyone connected with the club to be and feel part of the exciting journey.”

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