‘My City, My Shirt’ – Bath City FC’s portraits project to celebrate diversity

An exhibition of more than 30 portraits of fans sporting Bath City FC shirts at iconic locations in Bath is set to celebrate the diversity at the heart of the club’s supporters.

The My City, My Shirt project aims to promote loudly, widely, and permanently the message of inclusivity and local identity across the city.

Local photographer Nick Smith created the portraits for the project, a partnership between Bath City FC and anti-discrimination organisations Fans for Diversity and Kick It Out, with support from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The photos have been taken at significant Bath locations and convey what being part of Bath City FC means to the person in the photo. Vox pops with some of the subjects can be unlocked via a QR code next to their portrait, bringing their story to life.

Some of the fans’ comments included, “I love that all the players and the managers talk to you”, “It’s so inclusive”, “It’s so friendly” and “There’s a real sense of belonging”.

My City My Shirt will launch on Saturday 7 May at Bath City’s final home game of the 2021/22 season before touring other venues in the city.

The exhibition will then be placed on permanent display at Twerton Park to highlight the club’s inclusivity for all.

Joy Saunders, Bath City FC’s Community Director, said: “These portraits, and more importantly the stories that they represent, are a great celebration of all that Bath City FC has to offer in terms of being a welcoming, friendly club that celebrates the breadth and depth of all our community. We are thrilled to be able to share it.”

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, said: “This exhibition is an excellent showcase of the diversity that sport attracts regardless of ethnicity, age, disability or gender. The passion for Bath City really shines through in the supporter photos and conveys the positive message differences can be put aside to unite for a common interest. Through our Race Panel we have committed to increasing awareness of race issues and building a fairer community, so I look forward to My City, My Shirt appearing across the city.”

The council’s Race Panel aims to increase the visibility of issues relating to race and aims to address systemic inequality, racism and discrimination which disadvantage people in Bath and North East Somerset because of their culture, ethnicity or race.