Figure 1 Bath has sporting attractions as well as historical
Although Bath is not home to a Premier League football club, there is hardly a lack of top sporting action to be found in the city. Bristol is not that far away if professional football is really your thing, with both City and Rovers representing that city. But every weekend sees scores of clubs and teams playing a wide variety of sports in Bath itself.
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We are home to one of the biggest rugby union teams in the country and have a thriving non-league football scene. Many of the teams from Bath are regularly featured on the best sports betting sites and are home to dedicated and passionate supporters. Here are just some of the sports clubs you should check out if you are spending any time in Bath.
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Rugby Rules
This area of the country is well known for its love of rugby union – and Bath is lucky enough to have one of the most celebrated teams on our doorstep. Established way back in 1865, Bath Rugby plays in the Gallagher Premiership – the top tier of the sport in England. The 1980s and 90s were a particularly successful time – but Bath is still a feared opponent for anyone.
One of four clubs never to have been relegated from the top division of English rugby, Bath also became the first English side to win the European Cup in 1998. Unlike other major cities, you will regularly see people around town sporting blue, black, and white hoops. This is especially on a match day, as the home stadium – The Recreation Ground – is conveniently found in the center of the city.
Football Fans
Without a league side to follow in the city, some fans make the trip further afield to get their football fix. But there is a very good non-league club in Bath City – and there used to be a record-breaking university team that made the headlines for reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup.
Team Bath has now returned to its university roots, but Bath City currently competes in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football. They used to play in the Southern League when it was the fourth level but it is still the case that Bath is one of the largest cities in the country never to have had a club that has played in the English Football League.
The Romans, as Bath City is known, have played on the European stage though. For two seasons in the 1970s, Bath City was one of six English sides to compete in the Anglo-Italian Cup. Although they were ultimately unsuccessful, they did come up against such famous names as Udinese, Parma, and Bari.
Figure 2 Non-league football is well supported in Bath
Cricket and Other Sports
Cricket fans have a choice of county sides, with Somerset playing not too far away in Taunton, and Gloucestershire’s home games staged in Bristol. Both clubs have long and successful histories and are a perfect day out for fans of all ages. For a more local cricket fix, there is also Bath Cricket Club. They play in the city itself and have a number of men’s, women’s, and youth teams.
For athletics fans, the Bath Half Marathon is held every year and runs a course directly through this historic city. It is always a great occasion and the runners are always very grateful for the support they receive from the locals.
Bath: A City for Sport
With so much natural beauty surrounding Bath, there is a lot of opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore on bikes as well as on foot. The city obviously attracts a lot of tourists and visitors for historical reasons, but hopefully, this guide has shown that sports lovers are well catered for too.
Whether it is rugby, football, cricket – or just about any other sport you can think of – Bath seems to be the place to be.