Tears for Fears Star Curt Smith Invests $8 Million in English Soccer Club
LA-based consortium led by the 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' singer aims to replicate Wrexham's success.
Curt Smith, co-founder of the 1980s band Tears for Fears, is part of an Los Angeles-based investment group that has acquired English soccer club Bath City FC for approximately $8 million (£6 million). Smith, who grew up in Bath, will serve as the club's celebrity ambassador.
The investment group, led by British-born LA technology and entertainment entrepreneur Andrew Stalbow, aims to transform the club into a global brand, drawing inspiration from the success of Wrexham AFC under the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Stalbow, who previously helped turn "Angry Birds" into a global franchise and co-founded the mobile gaming company Seriously, sees parallels between the LA entertainment industry and the potential for revitalizing a lower-league soccer club.
"The ability to build a brand that is interesting globally, raise venture capital and tell stories in an interesting way — that’s Los Angeles," Stalbow stated. He plans to document the club's journey through daily behind-the-scenes videos, similar to the documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham."
Smith expressed a desire to give back to his hometown, stating, "You can’t take it away from the community and just be doing this for profit. You have to give back to them. We can leave an area of the city in a better space than it is now."
Bath City FC currently competes in the seventh tier of English soccer, the Southern League Premier South, after being relegated from National League South in the previous season. Stalbow noted that the club has "all the foundations to be amazing" and that the group sees itself as "custodians" and "partners with the club, the city and the community."
Stalbow cited his experiences attending sporting events in Los Angeles, such as LAFC and LA Galaxy games, as inspiration for creating a more engaging fan experience. He contrasted this with traditional English football match attendance, where fans often arrive just before kickoff and leave immediately after.
The deal was finalized on September 10, with Stalbow announcing, "Our role is to unlock Bath City’s potential and transform the club. Our work starts today."
Smith, a season-ticket holder for LAFC since its inception in 2018, has often compared the atmosphere at LAFC games to English football matches due to the fan engagement.
