:Team Bath F.C.

In 1999, TeamBath, the sports department of the University of Bath, set out to establish a football club that played within the English professional league structure, but also allowed the players to continue their education with studies at the university.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/baths-warm-welcome-after-cold-shoulder-640872.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/baths-warm-welcome-after-cold-shoulder-640872.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bath's warm welcome after cold shoulder |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |publisher=Independent Print Limited |last=Hubbard |first=Alan |date=25 August 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} In the 2000–01 season, the club entered the Western League, the ninth level of the English football league system.{{cite web |url=http://www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-latest-club-news/814-team-bath-preview.html |title=Team Bath Preview |publisher=St Albans City F.C. |last=Watts |first=Tony |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=16 October 2011}} Paul Tisdale, a recently retired player who had appeared for Southampton and Yeovil Town was appointed as the team's head coach.{{cite web |url=http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10436~40509,00.html |title=Player Profile: Paul Tisdale |publisher=Exeter City Football Club |access-date=16 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225144342/http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10436~40509,00.html |archive-date=25 February 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The team won promotion from Division One to the league's Premier Division in their first season.{{cite web |url=http://www.toolstationleague.com/downloads/archive/FirstChamps.pdf |title=Western League – First Division Champions |publisher=Western League |access-date=16 October 2011 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614125432/http://www.toolstationleague.com/downloads/archive/FirstChamps.pdf |url-status=dead }} They continued to be successful in their second year, but missed out on back-to-back promotions, finishing fourth in the league in their first season in the Premier Division. They competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2001–02, advancing to the third round before being eliminated by Arlesey Town.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3027023/Baths-Cup-quest-turns-back-clock.html |title=Bath's Cup quest turns back clock |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Randall |first=Charles |date=2 May 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}}

File:The FA Cup Trophy.jpgIn their third season, Team Bath attracted global interest due to their involvement in the FA Cup. Playing in the competition for the first time, Bath beat Barnstaple Town 4–0 in the preliminary round to begin their campaign. They followed this up with victories over Backwell United,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2371637.stm |title=Meet Team Bath |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} Bemerton Heath Harlequins,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3035409/FA-Cup-Students-march-on.html |title=FA Cup: Students march on |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |last=Wigmore |first=Simon |date=1 October 2002 |access-date=16 October 2002}} and Newport County in the early stages of the qualifying rounds.{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/newport-county-fc/2002/10/12/county-taught-a-lesson-by-students-91466-12277668/ |title=County taught a lesson by students |newspaper=South Wales Echo |publisher=Media Wales Ltd. |date=12 October 2002 |access-date=16 October 2002}} They faced Horsham in the fourth qualifying round; a place in the first round proper awaiting the victors. The match at Horsham's ground finished 0–0, and the teams returned to Bath for the replay,{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/european/team_bath_pass_yet_another_exam_1_1378274 |title=Team Bath pass yet another exam |newspaper=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Press |date=27 October 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} which Bath won 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/team-bath-make-cup-history-615214.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/team-bath-make-cup-history-615214.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Team Bath make Cup history |newspaper=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print Limited |last=Metcalf |first=Rupert |date=29 October 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} Their victory meant that Team became the first university team to compete in the first round since Oxford University, who were runners up in 1880.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/25/newsstory.sport |title=Bath enjoy a wallow in deep waters |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Tallentire |first=Mark |date=25 October 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} Bath drew Mansfield Town at home, and despite the offer of reversing the fixture and playing at Mansfield's Field Mill stadium, the club opted to play the match at their home ground at the university, securing permission from the local police and the city council to erect temporary seating for the match.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid%3D42532.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016065726/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid%3D42532.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 October 2017 |title=University challenge for Team Bath |publisher=UEFA |date=15 November 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} The match, which drew a record home attendance for Team Bath of 5,469,{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/students-lose-still-make-history-1.520475 |title=Students lose, still make history |publisher=Independent Online |date=16 November 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}} was won convincingly by Mansfield, who were leading 3–0 by half-time. Despite two late goals from Carl Heiniger and Caleb Kamara-Taylor, Bath lost the match 4–2, and was eliminated from the cup.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2429761.stm |title=Team Bath 2–4 Mansfield |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 November 2002 |access-date=16 October 2011}}

The team was less successful in the FA Vase: after beating Fairford Town in a replay, Bath were knocked out of the competition by Lymington & New Milton in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/archive02-03/favase0203.xls |title=FA Vase 2002/03 |publisher=Tony's English Football Site |format=XLS |access-date=17 October 2011}} In the league, Team Bath won 27 of their 34 matches and were unbeaten at home to finish top of the Western League Premier Division and gain promotion to the Southern League.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/archive02-03/westp.htm |title=Western Premier Table 2002/03 |publisher=Tony's English Football Site |access-date=17 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/archive02-03/westpgrid.htm |title=Western Premier Results Grid 2002/03 |publisher=Tony's English Football Site |access-date=17 October 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.toolstationleague.com/downloads/archive/PremChamps.pdf |title=Western League – Premier Division Champions |publisher=Western League |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614125442/http://www.toolstationleague.com/downloads/archive/PremChamps.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Team Bath played the 2003–04 season in the Southern League Western Division, one of two divisions that fed the Premier Division. The team won 21 of their 40 matches and finished the season in sixth position.{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0304/westTable.asp?section=statistics |title=Final Western Division League Table 2003–2004 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=17 October 2011}} Despite their relative success, Team Bath struggled to attract spectators to their ground: their average home attendance of 103 was the lowest in the league,{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0304/westAtt.asp?section=statistics |title=Western Division Attendances 2003–2004 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=17 October 2011}} and their lowest attended matches were the 2–1 victory over Bedworth United, and their defeat by the same scoreline to Gresley Rovers, each of which had 55 recorded spectators.{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0304/westRes.asp?section=statistics |title=Western Division Results 2003–2004 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=17 October 2011}} For the 2004–05 season, the non-league structure was adjusted due to introducing a second division for the Football Conference.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/3634471.stm |title=Lower leagues face makeover |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2004 |access-date=17 October 2011}} As a result, Team Bath's sixth place in the Western Division was sufficient to "promote" them to the Premier Division of the Southern League.{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0405/premTable.asp?section=statistics |title=Final Premier Division League Table 2004–2005 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=17 October 2011}}

The team struggled in the next two seasons, winning just 14 of their 42 league matches each season, resulting in league finishes of 14th and 17th respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0405/premTable.asp?section=statistics |title=Final Premier Division League Table 2004–2005 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=22 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0506/table_premier.asp?section=statistics |title=Final Premier Division League Table 2005–2006 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=22 October 2011}} In 2004–05, the club had its most successful FA Trophy campaign, reaching the Third round before being eliminated 2–1 by Histon.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/archive04-05/fat3.htm |title=FA Trophy 3rd round |publisher=Tony's English Football Site |access-date=22 October 2011}} During the summer of 2006, head coach Paul Tisdale left the club to take up the vacant manager's position at Exeter City.{{cite web |url=http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10436~40509,00.html |title=Player Profile: Paul Tisdale |publisher=Exeter City |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225144342/http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10436~40509,00.html |archive-date=25 February 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} He was replaced at Team Bath by Andy Tillson, a former Grimsby Town and Bristol Rovers defender.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Weymouth-role-Team-Bath-boss-Tillson/story-11254886-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912063610/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Weymouth-role-Team-Bath-boss-Tillson/story-11254886-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Weymouth role for former Team Bath boss Tillson |publisher=This is Bristol |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=22 October 2011 }} The 2006–07 season brought success to both Bath clubs; Bath City won the Southern League, and Team Bath finished as runners-up.{{cite web |url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0607/table_premier.asp?section=statistics |title=Premier Division League Table 2006–2007 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=22 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911184809/http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0607/table_premier.asp?section=statistics |archive-date=11 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }} In the playoffs, Team Bath won their semi final against Hemel Hempstead Town 3–1,{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/southern-premier-play-offs/2006-2007/results/sf |title=English Southern Premier Play-Offs 2006–2007: Semi-Final |publisher=Statto Organisation Limited |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153302/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/southern-premier-play-offs/2006-2007/results/sf |url-status=dead }} and advanced to play Maidenhead United in the final.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7383461.stm |title=Team Bath promoted after play-off |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2008 |access-date=22 October 2011}} Maidenhead, who had been relegated from the Conference South the season before, won the match 1–0, consigning Team Bath to another season in the Southern League.{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/s/2010430_nonleague_soccer_telemaque_blasts_magpies_to_playoff_glory |title=Non-League Soccer: Telemaque blasts Magpies to play-off glory |work=Reading Evening Post |publisher=Surrey & Berkshire Media Ltd |date=8 May 2007 |access-date=22 October 2011}} Team Bath repeated their league form the following season, and once again finished as runners-up, this time behind King's Lynn.{{cite web |url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0708/table_premier.asp?section=statistics |title=Premier Division League Table 2007–2008 |publisher=Southern League |access-date=22 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911204841/http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/statistics/stats_0708/table_premier.asp?section=statistics |archive-date=11 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }} A 4–1 victory against Bashley in the playoff semi-final, aided by a hat-trick from the league's top-scorer Sean Canham, saw Bath reach their second successive playoff final.{{cite web|url=http://www.bashleyfc.co.uk/0708/teambathvsbash2008playoff.htm |title=Team Bath 4 – 1 Bashley |publisher=Bashley FC |date=29 April 2008 |access-date=22 October 2011}} Team Bath improved on the previous season, beating Halesowen Town 2–1 in the final, Canham once again providing Bath with a decisive goal in the 89th minute. The win secured the team a place in the Conference South.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7383461.stm |title=Team Bath promoted after play-off |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2008 |access-date=22 October 2011}}

For the 2008–09 season, Team Bath played at the highest level they achieved in their history. Competing in the Conference South, the club were two promotions away from The Football League.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/history.php |title=History |publisher=The Football Conference |access-date=22 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916192508/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/history.php |archive-date=16 September 2010 |df=dmy-all }} Early in the season Bath were competing for a play-off berth, but failed to maintain their form, eventually finishing 11th in the table with 16 wins.{{cite web|url=http://www.worcestercityfc.co.uk/FirstTeam/200809/Leaguetable0809/tabid/870/Default.aspx |title=Blue Square South final table 2008–09 |publisher=Worcester City F.C. |access-date=22 October 2011}} Towards the end of the season, the Football Conference notified Team Bath that as they were not a limited company they would be ineligible for further promotions,{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Team-Bath-s-future-doubt-resignation/story-11307939-detail/story.html |title=Team Bath's future in doubt after resignation |publisher=This is Bristol |date=10 April 2009 |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505100127/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Team-Bath-s-future-doubt-resignation/story-11307939-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }} and would no longer be allowed to compete in the FA Cup;{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7991750.stm |title=Team Bath resign from Conference |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2009 |access-date=22 October 2011}} the club opted to resign from the Conference at the end of the season rather than restructure.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/TeamBath-FC-resign-Conference/story-11338623-detail/story.html |title=TeamBath FC withdraw from non-league pyramid |publisher=This is Bath |date=9 April 2009 |access-date=22 October 2011}} Team Bath had at the time been discussing the possibility of a merger with Bath City, with the aim of getting the merged team into the Football League.{{cite news |title=TeamBath merger discussed |date=16 April 2009 |newspaper=The Bath Chronicle }}

Team Bath were managed by University of Bath director of sport Ged Roddy. Although the "nucleus" of the team was made up of students, they were supplemented by semi-professional players.{{cite news |title=Roddy's full-time future |date=15 June 2007 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14490672.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409201754/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14490672.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 April 2016 |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |access-date=24 October 2012}} The team was supported financially by the University of Bath, which according to an article published in the Bath Chronicle has declined to make detailed accounts publicly available, citing section 43 of the UK's Freedom of Information Act. In the 2005–6 season £48,510 was paid to players on sports scholarships, although no figures have been released for the amount paid to those not on scholarships. Neither has it been revealed how much was paid in rent for the use of Bath City's Twerton Park stadium, nor the remuneration received by the club's coaches.{{cite news |title=So who pays for Team Bath FC? |date=23 June 2007 |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14492323.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409201801/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14492323.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 April 2016 |access-date=24 October 2012}}

• Best league finish: 11th out of 22 in Conference South, 2008–09{{fchd|id=TEAMBATH|name=Team Bath}}
• Best FA Cup performance: First round, 2002–03, 2007–08, 2008–09
• Best FA Trophy performance: Third round, 2004–05
• Best FA Vase performance: Third round, 2001–02

• Southern League Division One
• Runners-up: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Western League Premier
• Champions: 2002–03
• Western League Division One
• Champions: 2000–01
• Somerset Premier Cup
• Champions: 2006–07
• The FA Cup First round
• 2002–03, 2007–08, 2008–09

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Category:Association football clubs established in 1999

Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2009

Category:Defunct football clubs in England

Category:Southern Football League clubs

Category:National League (English football) clubs

F.C.

Category:University and college football clubs in England

Category:1999 establishments in England

Category:2009 disestablishments in England