Cantona joins campaign to save Bath City
As unlikely as it would seem, renowned actor, sociologist and philosopher Eric Cantona (we think he may have dabbled in football at one point, too) has publicly pledged his support to a campaign launched by Bath City fans to save the cash-strapped club.
City, who currently play in the National League South (England’s fifth tier), have been on the brink of financial ruin, and as such, their supporters are rallying in an attempt to raise the money required to purchase the club outright, and then run it as a community-owned asset.
As such, The Big Bath City Bid (BBCB) campaign has been launched with the aim of raising £750,000 to buy the club and clear its urgent debts. So far they have sold over £120,000 worth of shares, but still have a long way to go.
And they have set up an additional crowd-funding initiative — aimed at those who can’t afford the minimum share purchase, and fans of other clubs who want to help. Entitled “Pitch In,” it seeks donations of £10-250 to sponsor a section of the club’s Twerton Park pitch.
Cantona counts film director and Bath City fan Ken Loach among his friends. Loach, who directed the film “Looking For Eric,” which starred Cantona, is very much part of the campaign to save the club from oblivion.
MUST SEE: Eric Cantona has backed the @BigBathCityBid! https://t.co/gaZgdskRbB #BigBathCityBid pic.twitter.com/dbH0wZIrdG
– Bath City FC (@BathCity_FC) July 29, 2015
Speaking in a video produced by the BBCB campaign, Cantona states that he thinks City are a “great club” and that it is “great news” they are doing all they can to raise the money to keep it going.
“It’s a big challenge to raise the money but don’t be scared,” said Cantona, who once visited Twerton Park in 2009. “It’s a great club — I saw it for myself — now we can make it even greater.”
The former Manchester United and Leeds United forward also promised to buy a share in the new, supporter-owned club when the takeover is completed.
Actor Ricky Tomlinson — famous for “The Royal Family” and “MIke Bassett, England Manager” among other projects — has bought £1,000 worth of shares.
With that kind of celebrity support, how can the BBCB campaign possibly fail?
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