Board Meeting online using Teams
Wednesday 4th February 2026, 7:00pm
PRESENT
Board: Stuart Rogers, Mark Newman, Miles Hendy, Marie Day, Shahan Miah, Jon Watts, Jon Darch, Nathan Riddiough, Terry Hamlin
Supporters: Wendy Rowland, Tracey Carter, Chris Chard, Paul Hunt, Alan Payne, Kim Way, Dax Atkins
Bristol City/Sport: Jerry Tocknell (SLO), Amy Beard (DLO)
Ashton Gate Stadium: Mark Kelly
Avon & Somerset Police: Tom Williams
Apologies: James Nicholls, Jake Clough
1. Welcome
Chair Stu Rogers opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. Stu confirmed that the meeting would be transcribed for ease of minute-taking.
2. Minutes and Matters Arising
The minutes of the January meeting were confirmed as a correct record.
Updates were given on matters arising:
Stu Rogers said that these matters were all ongoing,
– misogynist chanting
– Lansdown concourse
– Multi-faith prayer room
Matters regarding board member recruitment campaign & improved member communication would be deferred to the next meeting
3. SLO & Police Update
3.1 Ashton Gate Stadium
Mark Kelly introduced himself; after working over the years for the club, the Chairman and Ashton Gate, his focus now is the stadium and its evolution. His remit includes the Sporting Quarter; most of the hurdles have been overcome and it is anticipated that demolition of the existing buildings will start by the end of summer, with completion of the arena and hotel in 2028.
Marie Day asked Mark about the potential for expansion of the SC&T bar, which is too small in its current location. Mark promised to look at this and consider the potential for expansion in the existing stadium.
Alan Payne queried the reasons for the club’s consistently large losses and asked whether Bristol Sport on-costs contributed to this. Mark said that whilst others were better placed to go into financial detail, it was clear – and one of his priorities – that we need to be better at generating revenue across a range of activities from sponsorship to concerts.
Terry Hamin asked a subsidiary question about concerts and Mark said that, whilst he would love to see more happen, we need to attract a minimum of 28,000 people to be profitable and many acts who might potentially achieve that are now seeking larger venues.
Shahan Miah asked whether it was feasible that the overall stadium might have different ownership to the club if this were to change in the future. Mark said that this was possible but would not be ideal: at the very least there would need to be significant co-ordination to achieve best value for both.
Stu Rogers referred to proposals to extend rail seating into the South Stand. Mark confirmed that this remained on the agenda, but we need to be sure there is an appetite. Jon Darch suggested that there is anecdotal evidence to support an extension (eg greater demand for tickets close to the existing rail seating) and that a survey should be conducted to provide more objective evidence.
Finally, in response to a question from Jerry Tocknell, Mark said that the need for an expanded Bristol Sport store was recognised.
3.2 Disability Liaison Officer
Amy Beard introduced herself to the meeting and said that she had been in post since October and would be happy to attend any future SC&T meetings. Her focus currently is identifying and completing lots of small ‘quick fix’ issues which would make a real difference to some people. She gave as an example the provision of stoma friendly toilets.
Responding to a question from Marie Day, Amy said that she was aware of the recent problems caused by the inappropriate use of disabled spaces as storage and that she was confident an internal meeting had gone a long way to resolve this.
Shahan Miah asked whether Amy could help with any issues raised in connection with City Women supporters. Amy confirmed that she is employed by Bristol Sport, so this is within her remit (despite most of City Women now acquired by Mercury13).
3.3 Police
Tom Williams provided an update from the police. He said he was pleased that there was little to report.
Two arrests – for pitch encroachment v Millwall and racist language being used at the Middlesbrough home game – result in forthcoming court appearances.
There is likely to be enhanced police presence at Port Vale and Swansea but no remaining home games that are considered a high risk.
3.4 SLO
Jerry Tocknell began his update by thanking Amy Beard for her support, noting that he had had to deal with a number of issues relating to disability and accessibility at away games which highlighted just how well we do at Bristol City.
Jerry noted that a number of forthcoming fixtures have the potential for late changes due to TV schedules and – dependent on our progress – FA Cup commitments.
There was a brief discussion about the transport issues before the Derby County match. Jerry said that there had also been some disappointing problems with buses at several games recently. The final AG1 bus to depart the Brislington Park & Ride didn’t arrive before the Sheffield Wednesday game. First Bus acknowledged they had made a scheduling error.
Jerry reported recent meetings with the new ticketing provider Fever and said that these had left him more confident than had been the case after earlier meetings. In response to a question from Jon Darch he said that he would anticipate Fever having the capability to offer a ‘sell back’ option for unused season tickets.
Stu Rogers asked whether the club was aware of the repeated phone notifications being received by season ticket holders; many reported receiving two or three daily, all with the same message that their digital ticket had been updated. Jerry said that the club was aware, that the cause was known, but that there were problems persuading the external provider to fix it. The club will continue to press for a fix.
4. Bristol City Women
Shahan Miah confirmed that he and Stu Rogers had met with interim CEO Lowri Roberts, Emma Jolliffe & Mario Malavé (new City Women board member & Mercury13 co-founder). Stu commented that the meeting had been very positive and reflected recent events: new sponsorship deals with national brands like Guiness along with ambitious signings all suggested that the new owners had real ambition.
Shahan said that the Fans Forum meeting was due to take place the following Wednesday evening and that the coach to the Crystal Palace away game was being well supported.
5. Other Supporter Groups Updates
David Clarke reported that the first formal meeting between the Fan Advisory Board (FAB) & the club had taken place and been successful. The FAB had proposed creating it’s own branding and on-line presence, in part to demonstrate it’s independence from the club, and the club were relaxed with this.
David said that by the next meeting the FAB aimed to have identified key objectives to align with it’s strategic role.
Jon Darch commented that one of these would be ensuring that fans’ interests were protected in the event of a change of ownership, and with that in mind the FAB meeting had given the green light to a working group seeking legal protection of heritage assets of the club (name, location, colours, crest) in that event.
6. Recent meetings
6.1 AGM
All present agreed that the AGM had gone well and there was unanimous agreement that the format be retained for next year.
6.2 Bristol City
Stu Rogers confirmed that the meeting had taken place with Jerry Tocknell, Michelle Dring (Head of Strategy, Fan Engagement & Partnerships) & Amelia Griffiths (Fan Engagement Manager). They had visited the new multi faith prayer room; the SC&T contribution has been sent and will be formally acknowledged.
The previously proposed end of season event at Ashton Gate is unlikely to happen so we will need a plan B for the end of season awards presentations.
6.3 Finance & Compliance
Stu Rogers said that the 2023 accounts were now complete. 2024 in the final stages of completion and that the 2025 accounts would hopefully be submitted on time.
He said that a draft job profile for an SC&T secretarial/admin role has been drafted; this will be circulated and offers or ideas for people to do some or all of the role will be welcome.
7. AOB
Stu Rogers invited views on recent events at the club which had ignited significant discontent among some supporters.
Views on the transfer window business varied; there was some disappointment with some of the departures whilst others were satisfied with the business.
Most discussion focused on the Steve Lansdown interviews with BBC Radio Bristol and with Robins TV, just before the Derby County game. There was a consensus that the interviews had been injudicious and ill judged. Members agreed that the timing had been odd and that they gave the impression that SL didn’t take advice that might have urged a more sensitive approach to the issues raised.
Shahan Miah felt that the club CEO had been thrown under a bus based on comments made in the BBC interview and others agreed. Nathan Riddiough went further and noted Lansdown’s comments about staffing more generally.
It was agreed that a formal, critical, statement by the SC&T would be unhelpful but that we should feedback the views of the meeting to the club.
Actions
· Stu Rogers to ensure that deferred matters arising are carried forward to March agenda
· Mark Kelly to follow up on Bristol Sport store, rail seating, extension to SC&T bar
· Stu Rogers to circulate secretarial/admin job profile
· Stu Rogers to feedback views on Steve Lansdown interview to club.
· SC&T to prepare contingency plans for end of season awards
· SLO to pursue solution with ongoing issue of ticketing update notifications
· Club and SC&T to scope survey on expansion of rail seating
Minutes recorded via transcript, reviewed and written up by: Dave Clarke on 4th February 2026
Next meeting: Wednesday 4th March 2026