BOBBY ZAMORA has joined the fight to save non-league football club Bath City.
The former England international credits the Vanarama National League South club with setting him on the path to an impressive career.
Bobby Zamora is joining Bath’s fight against extinctionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the club are fighting for their future – they are hoping to get a planning application to develop their Twerton park ground approved by the Bath & North East Somerset council.
If it doesn’t, club chiefs fear that £100,000 losses per year will see the club fold.
Zamora joined Bath on a one-month loan from Bristol Rovers in 2000, and scored 11 goals in just eight games.
It led to the striker making a move to Brighton where he became one of the most-feared finishers outside the top flight.
Bath City are desperate to re-develop their Twerton Park groundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Inevitably the top flight was where Zamora would end up, taking in spells with Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham and QPR before returning to the Seagulls.
He retired from football in September 2016.
And now he is focusing his efforts on trying to help Bath, based in a city that is known more for its rugby, to avoid extinction.
Speaking to The Times, the 38-year-old said: “Bath gave me a chance of men’s football.
“It was a baptism of fire, the Dr Martens Prem at the time, getting lumps kicked out of me.
“I’ve great memories of Bath. The fans were great, a real hardcore set, always vocal.
“I was there six weeks, played eight games, scored 11 goals and could go back to Bristol Rovers and look Ian Holloway in the eye.”
BATH HOSTING WAKES
Zamora explained how The Romans are doing everything possible to raise more money – including renting the car park out and turning areas into a gym.
Incredibly, the club, second in their division, are even marketing themselves as a venue to host WAKES such is their close proximity to Haycombe Cemetery and Crematorium.
Partnering with Greenacre Capital, the plan is to increase capacity as high as 5,000 as well as turn the ground into a community hub including a 3g pitch.
Student accommodation would also be built on the land that would bring in revenue to fund the project.
Zamora added: “I’d like to think the council will back Bath.
“They have an opportunity to save the club. It’s going to be some nice student accommodation [356 ‘cluster bedrooms’]. It’s not luxury homes for the ultra-rich
“Bath are a community club, a big part of Bath. It would be a shame to see it go.”
The club will be raising awareness of their campaign during this weekend’s home game against Hemel Hempstead Town.
YOU can show your support for Bath City’s vision of the future by clicking THIS LINK
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
