Board Meeting online using Zoom
Wednesday 8th May 2024, 7:00pm
Minutes
PRESENT
Board: Stuart Rogers SR (chair), Mike Adams MA (minutes), Marie Day MD, Mark Newman MN, James Nicholls JN, Terry Hamlin TH, Miles Hendy MH (vice-chair), Shahan Miah SM, D-M Withers DM.
Supporters: Chris Chard, Paul Hunt PH, Neil Palmer, Alan Payne, Eve Ralph, Wendy Rowland WR, Diane Rowland DR, Matt Seaward MS
Bristol City/Ashton Gate Ltd: Mark Kelly MK, Jerry Tocknell JT.
Avon & Somerset Police: Dave Walker DW.
APOLOGIES: Paul Binning PB, Jon Darch JD, Jon Watts JW, Katrina Watts KW
1. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING
The April meeting minutes were accepted as a true record
2. WELCOME MARK KELLY
3. CITY WOMEN
Lauren Smith & Gavin Marshall participated in rescheduled Fans Forum in SC&T Bar on May 1st. SM, DM, MA all attended. Some topics discussed were:
Stadium – Most Championship teams will play home games in their main stadia. BCWFC already announced that all home league games will still be played at Ashton Gate
Away travel – expect a conversation in the summer between BCWFC & SC&T
Finances – BCWFC struggling to keep up level of investment compared with WSL teams backed by Premier League clubs. Similar issue expected for Championship with certain teams like Newcastle United & Southampton
4. SLO & POLICE OVERVIEW
Rotherham match – There was a ‘pitch invasion’ involving only one family, which is being followed up by the police, BCFC and social services.
Blackburn – national alert due to rising political tensions – Club tightened their security. One person refused to co-operate and was refused entry.
Huddersfield – home staff abused when they scored. One person fought with stewards and is being charged with affray.
Men’s Season Tickets – 13,500 sold, down on 15,000 at this point last season.
New EFL TV Deal – Clubs like it because there is more income. Fans will be inconvenienced by the long weekend Friday to Monday and the varying kick-off times – away fans especially
5. END OF SEASON AWARDS
Men’s award presentations took place at half-time at last home match of the season. Not entirely satisfactory as our representatives (MA & SM) did not have photos taken including our Chairman Marina Dolman. Various media staff from the club appeared to be in charge and there was no proper appreciation of the occasion from the Club. Hopeful that women’s award presentations will be handled better
6. FINANCE & GOVERNANCE REVIEW
We are in the process of adopting a new constitution including added objectives.
7. AOB
Physical season tickets – Leicester City are charging £25 for a physical card; Blackburn Rovers £15. BCFC will not be issuing new cards next season though current ones will be renewed one more time..
Transaction fees – continue to be a bone of contention with multiple fees charged for several items in one transaction e.g. away match tickets & coach tickets.
Next meeting is scheduled TBC.