Board Meeting online using Zoom
Wednesday 8th January 2025, 7:00pm
Minutes
PRESENT
Board: Stuart Rogers SR (chair), Miles Hendy MH (vice-chair), Mike Adams MA (minutes), Jon Darch JD, Marie Day MD, Terry Hamlin TH, Shahan Miah SM, James Nicholls JN, D-M Withers DM
Supporters: Chris Chard CC, Paul Hunt PH, Neil Palmer NP, Wendy Rowlands WR, Matt Seaward MS
Bristol City: Jerry Tocknell SLO
Apologies: Mark Newman MN, Alan Payne, Romaney Pinnock RP (Head of Women’s Football), Diane Rowlands DR, Jon Watts JW, Katrina Watts KW, Tom Williams TW (Avon & Somerset Police)
1. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING (all included in main items)
2. SLO
A person in toilet at last match using cocaine was reported to authorities. He has been banned by the Club and his season card blocked. The last two games have been ‘police-free.’
Players have had to pay for their FA Cup tickets; many of their families are coming to the game. Twine bought 12 and Yu 11.
3. BRISTOL CITY WOMEN
A Fans Forum is expected soon, possibly in February.
‘Drink in the bowl’ pilot starts at game v London Lionesses on Sunday 19th January and is due to operate for the rest of the season.
Coach to Arsenal heading for a loss. [KO subsequently put back; coach was set to leave at 10:30].
Eve Ralph & Leah Case from #HerGameToo were part of a fans’ networking event before the Durham game in December. DM attended.
SR added that the meetings with the football club organised by SM & DM were well run.
4. SUPPORTERS BAR
Following an initial meeting with Ross Wormald, our list of things to attend to is being worked through. A revolutionary bar using canned drinks from Australia is going to be trialled in our room.
Our connection to the staff wi-fi has meant we now have a reliable signal.
Space in the stadium will be released when the Sporting Quarter is built – the latest expectation is a start to the development will be made by autumn.
5. IMPROVING THE ATMOSPHERE MEETINGS WITH TOM RAWCLIFFE
A figure of £100-150k has been mooted to provide new safe standing space. We could possibly oil the wheels by offering to make a financial contribution. This was said to have worked at Shrewsbury [ACTION JD to investigate]. This sparked a discussion about other pssible projects to support. A memorial garden has been planned for some time [ACTION SLO to investigate].
6. FANS ADVISORY BOARD (FAB)
Tom Rawcliffe & Michelle Dring have been very appreciative of our contribution and the final draft constitution is imminent. The purpose is to involve a new set of individual fans acting alongside the traditional groups. One of the conditions is that participants will be required to align themselves with Club values. SR will learn or need to investigate these values at future sessions. Currently there is not a move to formally include the Former Players Association, but to recognise and include their work much more generally, which often extends outside of match days..
6. AGM 2024 DEBRIEF
This was a routine meeting. A discussion on affordable ticket prices arose. SLO said the Club is competitive with other clubs except for Gold matches. Many season ticket holders are not turning up to games, often amounting to thousands. A cap on away ticket prices is expected next season but meanwhile:
AGREED We should propose that there should be no increases in ticket prices next season. [ACTION SR to put on agendas]
7. AOB
Website – AGREED to list board members with photos and details for easy contact (if permission given by individuals) on matchdays.
FSA – agreed £250 donation in appreciation of their value (there are no regular fees)
Additional flags for women’s games – AGREED donation of £50
Honours boards – production going ahead after one amendment discovered in final review.