Manda Rigby outlines plans for Bath City future

Rigby has spent most of her professional career in the business sector

Bath City chairman Manda Rigby says making the Blue Square Bet Premier club sustainable is her top priority.

Local businesswoman Rigby took over the role on Tuesday from Romans manager Adie Britton, who stepped in temporarily in April.

"My commitment is to make sure the success we get on the pitch we can fund and make sure we're a sustainable club," she told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I'm going into this season very confident about what we can achieve."

She added: "Part of what is going to make Bath City even greater is the partnerships that we intend to forge and that's been a key part of how I've run businesses."

Rigby found success as the UK director of global IT firm Netgear and, along with being a staunch football fan, she is a councillor for Bath and Northeast Somerset.

She is the only female chairman in the top five leagues of English football and is the first woman to be part of the Bath City boardroom in their 122-year history.

"I don't think it is an issue," said Rigby. "There's a little bit of a novelty factor but I like to think I've been to more football matches than some blokes.

"I've worked in business at quite high levels so I hope it's not that much of an issue.

"I do tend to be like a woman, I'm inclusive and I like to communicate a lot so hopefully that will stand me in good stead.

"I want to make sure I'm completely in touch with what the supporters and fans are thinking."

Bath won promotion back to the top level of non-league in the 2009-10 season after a 12-year absence.

And in their first season back in the Blue Square Bet Premier they finished in 10th to become the highest-placed part-time team in the English leagues.

Rigby is determined that the club carry on that momentum under her leadership: "It was the talented, passionate people [that brought me here] - football is in my veins and Bath City is really going places."