Being a Bath City Loner
I was first introduced to Bath City Football Club, by a friend of a friend. Owen lived in London, but was visiting his hometown of Bath. It was over a pint, one evening, that I was invited by Owen to join him and his Father, the following day, at Twerton Park – the home of The Romans.

My first match was against local rivals, Chippenham Town. Prior to that day, the only live football I had seen was following Leeds, plus one visit to Bristol City. Despite Twerton Park being hundreds of miles apart from Leeds’ home of Elland Road – both geographically and structurally – I loved the atmosphere, promising myself that I would return.

Return I did. The next time Owen was in Bath. We watched an FA Cup game. I managed to drag my good friend, Simon, along a couple of months later.

By this point, I was itching to attend as many home games as possible. The problem was, that I could not persuade any friends, colleagues or family to give up their time, alternate Saturday afternoons, to join me in standing on a cold terrace, watching 22 men chasing a ball around a muddy field, in what many would regard as amateur, compared to “what you see on the telly”.

I had fallen in love with Bath City and soon realised that the only way in which our relationship could grow and blossom, would be if I went to games on my own. I bravely started to go solo. I was a Bath City Loner.

So why do I not regret this? Besides making many friends, as well was witnessing two promotions and a memorable FA Cup run, I also met somebody very special…

Her name was Claire. We became close and it wasn’t long before Claire became my girlfriend. Almost 5 years later, I asked her to marry me. Luckily she said “yes”! Then, in 2015, while finally living together, we tied the knot, on the happiest day of my life.

That girl I first met in 2007, a fellow fan of The Romans, is now Mrs Kitson. We are very happily married, have bought a home together and own a little house rabbit named Roman… after The Romans.

Had I not been brave and made myself attend Bath City games alone, things would have turned out very differently. I certainly wouldn’t be married to the love of my life.

That is why I don’t regret once being a Bath City Loner.