Board Meeting online using Teams
Wednesday 6th August 2025, 7:00pm
PRESENT
Board: Stuart Rogers (SR), Jon Darch (JD), Marie Day (MD), Jon Watts (JW), Mark Newman (MN), Miles Hendy (MH), Katrina Watts (KW), Shahan Miah (SM), Terry Hamlin (TH)
Supporters: Chris Chard (CC), Wendy Rowlands (WR), Neil Palmer (NP), Alan Payne (AP), Dave Clarke (DC)
Bristol City: Jerry Tocknell (SLO), Sheridan Robins (ShR)
Avon & Somerset Police: Tom Williams (TW)
Apologies: Diane Rowlands (DR), James Nicholls (JN), Paul Hunt (PH)
1. Welcome
Chairperson SR opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. He confirmed apologies received and noted that all action items from the July meeting had been completed.
2. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
· Door person for the supporters bar has been arranged & trialled ahead of the Real Valladolid pre-season game
· Digital photo frame installed in the bar and appeal for photos sent out.
· Email to members regarding bar access and membership reminders has been issued.
3. Police, Safety & Club Updates
· SLO reported on parking issues due to loss of Wickes site and efforts to secure alternatives. It hasn’t been possible to offer alternatives for all lost spaces; some unhappiness but most supporters are understanding.
· SLO confirmed that digital season tickets have been distributed, issues mostly due to incorrect email addresses. JD suggested brief video tutorials on ticketing; it was agreed this would be helpful, particularly with Fever coming in to do ticketing from next season.
· ShR updated meeting on comms: expect to see more of Tom Rawcliffe following appointment as CEO, and that recruitment in the media team is complete
· SR asked ShR about fan engagement plan: now published on the club website, the result of much work and more to follow. Suggestions from the meeting included having Steve Lansdown & Tom Rawcliffe attend away forum.
· TW updated on court cases: vape incident resulted in a fine and banning order; another supporter charged with intent to supply.
· Initiative launched to tackle violence against women & girls, promoting work of the club..
· Discussion on promoting CCTV capabilities as a deterrent.
4. Other Supporter Group Updates
· Robyns Round survey launched on women’s safety.
· Former Players Association planning events for upcoming anniversaries.
· Robins Memories events continue successfully, next session on 11th August.
· “Pride of the West” mural project completed and unveiled, with contributions from SC&T and Senior Reds.
· S82 gearing up for the new season and in discussions with the club and SC&T.
5. Bristol City Women
· Logistics discussed for season ticket holders to fit at RHPC for first home game against Portsmouth. SLO advised that over 500 season tickets sold. Club planning on organising HPC bus service for fixture
· SR previously spoke with team chairman Gavin Marshall; advised that club plan to recruit replacement for Romaney Pinnock who left as Head of Women’s Football in May. SR & SM plan to meet with Gavin & Operations Manager Tom Hambridge in September.
· Preseason friendlies mostly behind closed doors; one public match possible.
· Regular coach travel for away games unlikely due to financial losses last season. Possible for some services later on in season if promotion push is likely
6. Supporters Bar
· Bar access control now enforced with door person and guest pass system.
· JW reported that as a consequence several people identified without passes and he has had a number of emails from members checking membership status.
7. Meeting with BCFC
· SR, MN and JD to meet with club representatives (Men’s team) next Friday.
· To include items from this meeting: ticketing fees, away forum and video tutorials.
· SR asked for any other items to be sent to him before next week.
8. AOB
· Signed City Women poster from 2022/23 & drum skin to be framed and displayed in supporters bar
· Proposal to revert SC&T logo to original post-anniversary accepted.
· FSA’s “My City My Shirt” initiative discussed as a potential diversity campaign & as part of a future kit launch next season
· Ticket booking fees raised to £2; concerns expressed and to be raised with BCFC.
ACTION POINTS:
· Ensure door person is present at the bar entrance for future matches. (SR)
· Frame and display signed drum skin and women’s team poster in the bar. (KW/SM)
· Update SC&T logo to original version post-anniversary. (SM)
· Follow up with BCFC on ticketing fees and fan engagement forums. (SR/JD/MN)
· Confirm venue and speakers for upcoming away fans forum. (JT/SR)
· Continue coordination with media team for women’s team coverage. (SM)
· Meet with Gavin Marshall & Tom Hambridge in September (SM/SR)
Minutes recorded via transcript, reviewed and written up by: Dave Clarke on 7th August 2025
Next meeting: Wednesday 3rd September 2025