Board Meeting online using Teams
Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 7:00pm
PRESENT
Board: Stuart Rogers, Marie Day, James Nicholls, Mark Newman, Miles Hendy, Shahan Miah, Terry Hamlin
Supporters: Wendy Rowlands, Dave Clarke, Tracey Carter, Matt Seaward, Paul Hunt, Alan Payne, Chris Chard, Nathan Riddiough, Leah Davis
Bristol City: Jerry Tocknell (SLO)
Avon & Somerset Police: Tom Williams
Apologies: Jon Watts, Katrina Watts, Jon Darch, Jake Clough
1. Welcome
Chair SR opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. He confirmed that the meeting would be transcribed for ease of minute-taking.
2. Minutes and Matters Arising
The minutes of the November meeting were confirmed as a correct record.
Updates were given on matters arising:
· Visibility of hotline number: the number had been displayed on the big screens at the Swansea game. Tom Williams said that the police has asked the club to consider using QR codes on seats, and Mark Newman suggested that the toilets were a good place to advertise such things.
· Concourse shelf: Stuart Rogers referred to an update he had received from the club which suggested that this was being taken forward as suppliers were being sourced.
· Stadium Wi-Fi: Members reported much improved access at recent games which suggests that improvements have been made.
· CEO event pre- Watford: James Nicholls reported that this had been a successful event, deliberately low key. There were a good number of supporters present, and it was refreshing to have a CEO willing to attend an event like this. James highlighted the goodwill generated by the club contributing to bar costs.
· Board recruitment: James commented that it is always difficult to get active members involved in all the activities the SC&T would like to undertake. A comprehensive analysis had been carried out of everything we do or want to do, and this identified over 50 such activities. James highlighted a particular need for someone with specialist knowledge or expertise on club ownership issues.
3. SLO & Police
Tom Williams provided an update on policing:
· The Swansea game had been identified as the highest risk home game of the season: from a policing perspective it was largely uneventful and there had been only one arrest. The forthcoming Millwall game is also classed as high risk so there will be an enhanced police presence.
· Both the Wrexham and Portsmouth away games had been free from all but minor incidents.
· Overall, incidents and arrests are both down this season.
· Tom highlighted the work that the force is undertaking, in conjunction with the club, to tackle violence against women and girls. A particular issue had been identified in Greville Smyth Park, which is very dark after evening games, and in collaboration with the Council there will be improvements in lighting and the use of CCTV. He said that there were plans to expand the use of specially trained officers and to carry out further surveys to identify areas of concern.
Leah Davis said that there had been further instances of misogynistic chants at the Portsmouth game. This has been a concern for some time and previously raised at these meetings. It was agreed that raising this with the Fan Advisory Board would be helpful and that it will be resolved only through education and collective action.
On the plus side, Leah said that when members of Robyns Round had called the hotline to report this the response had been positive.
Shahan Miah asked about the trial at the women’s games allowing alcohol within view of the pitch and Tom said that this had been seen as a positive trial.
Jerry Tocknell reported SLO updates:
· The Future Reds Collective’s second meeting had taken place the previous night and was a huge success. There had been a discussion about social media and Jerry said that he had been hugely impressed and encouraged by the involvement of the young people.
· The club had won the FSA’s Fan Engagement award which is a significant award and one that reflects well on the hard work of the past year.
· The WBA away game will be the first to use ‘digital only’ ticketing. Others will follow and it will become the norm. For the time being at least there will be a ‘print at home’ option.
· There will be no half season tickets on sale this year.
· Next season’s new ticketing supplier (Fever) have been working closely with the club, including spending several days on site learning about current processes, so that they can understand our requirements.
4. Other Supporter Group Updates
Leah Davis gave an update from Robyns Round. The trip to Stoke had been a success (off the pitch!) with 16 members making the first such event. Leah is working with Tom on the police Violence Against Women and Girls project
5. Bristol City Women
Shahan Miah provided an update and reported:
· Improved communications from the club on access and transport arrangements for home games.
· No further news on the meeting with Mercury 13 but anticipated that approval will be confirmed soon.
· New job posting for a CEO, indicating positive structural changes which the meeting welcomed.
· The sensory room is currently not open for women’s games due to supporters moving to the Dolman stand, and the club is looking at other options.
· Jerry Tocknell confirmed that previous Operations Manager Emma Jolliffe has returned from her maternity leave. Advised Shahan should find out if existing contact Tom Hambridge will still remain at the club
6. AGM & Finances
James Nicholls reported good progress with the accounts: 22-23 are with the auditor, 23-24 are ready for the auditor and 24-25 are being worked on and not yet due for filing.James said that a new high interest account had been opened so that non-restricted funds not needed for day to day spending would earn interest. Restricted funds are already in a separate high interest account.
Paperwork for the AGM on 24 January has been prepared. Stuart Rogers said that it was not an ideal date but in view of other Saturday games being moved to Friday nights it was the only feasible one.
On current funding projects, Stuart reported that the Capo Stand design is now with the Safety Advisory Board for approval. The club are going ahead with the prayer room: Stuart is awaiting a response to some questions raised at the last meeting.
7. AOB
· With the recent launch of Panini’s EFL sticker series, Shahan Miah referred to the existing display of City stickers/trading cards in the SC&T bar. It was agreed that
a) Shahan donate one set of WSL stickers he collected from the 2023/24 season to add to the display in the bar
b) An objective should be to have a set from the new series there too.
· Chris Chard reported inadequate maintenance of the women’s toilets in the stadium. Jerry Tocknell said that he would report this to the maintenance team.
· Stuart Rogers asked whether, in light of the AGM on the 24th January, we needed to have both of the usual monthly meetings in January and February. After some discussion it was agreed that we meet as usual in January but cancel the February meeting.
Minutes recorded via transcript, reviewed and written up by: Dave Clarke on 4th December 2025
Next meeting: Wednesday 7th January 2026