Milestones

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A lot has happened since the Supporters Club formed in 1949, the Supporters Trust was set up in 2005 and the two groups merged in 2012. Many aspects of a City fan’s everyday life today, like the club shop, CATS away coaches and the matchday lottery, were originally begun by the Supporters Club, while the list below shows some of the milestones achieved by the Trust and latterly the Supporters Club & Trust in more recent years.

November 2005

  • Official launch night featuring a parade of legends. Event compered by Jonathan Pearce and Angus Scott Attended by over 600 supporters.

February 2006

  • Hosted Q&A with Club Chairman Steve Lansdown in the Dolman Exhibition Hall. Attended by over 1,000
  • Took on responsibility for running, funding and moderating the fans’ Internet forum at www.otib.co.uk, which has over 4,000 registered users.
  • Sponsored home match against Brentford

April 2006

  • Held Wine & Cheesley event in the company of Trust Honorary President Paul Cheesley. Attended by 80 supporters.

May 2006

  • Club accepts the Trust’s Fans Representation proposals, which include a commitment to participate in an “Ask The Chairman” forum. (The Trust hosted the first such forum in October 2006.)
  • Held AGM event to elect a full Trust board in accordance with the Trust’s Constitution. Ten nominations were received for the ten different positions, and all standing were duly elected.
  • Held first Poker Night. Event proved popular and was repeated in various locations throughout June, July and August.

June 2006

  • Secured (non-voting) seat at BCFC board meetings, a vital breakthrough in terms of fans’ representation. (The Club also invites a representative of the Supporters Club to attend meetings.)

August 2006

  • Purchased 2,500 shares in Bristol City Holdings Limited for £5,000. Investment was used to facilitate improvements at the Club’s Abbots Leigh Training Ground.
  • 6,500, 32-page, full colour newsletters distributed before opening game of the season

September 2006

  • Conducted survey of all Trust members, canvassing opinion about the match-day experience among other issues.

October 2006

  • Held Sportsman’s Dinner at Cadbury House, Congresbury. Norman Hunter, Gary Johnson and comedian Mark Watson were our guest speakers. Steve Lansdown joined the guests on the top table. Event is attended by 160 supporters.

November 2006

  • 330 members recruited so far. Target at the start of the year was 440. 75% of the target has therefore been achieved with 25% of the year remaining before the AGM.

December 2006

  • Held first “Ask the Chairman” away from home at Rotherham for exiles. 25 supporters attended

January 2007

  • Hosted second Wine & Cheesely event in aid of Bristol City Women’s Football Club. 40 people attended.
  • Organised “Red & White” night for derby game against Bristol Rovers. Introduced the now infamous Basso “Always believe” foam hands. Also, the first time that “Jet balloons used at a football match in England
  • Challenged the football club over the distribution of tickets for Middlesbrough FA Cup tie and made recommendations for improvement

February 2007

  • Hosted a dinner to commemorate the historic actions 25 years earlier of the Ashton Gate Eight. 275 supporters attended
  • Produced “82 – The Year Bristol City Nearly Died” 40 full-colour A4 page limited edition booklet to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Ashton Gate Eight.

March 2007

  • Instrumental in the re-opening of the East End against Brentford after bringing together campaigning activists and the Football Club
  • Launched campaign to save the wedlock’s pub

May 2007

  • Football club approve Trust policy and procedures to run under 16 travel service to away games
  • Collaborated with the Football Club and Supporters Club to host the Player of the Year Awards with first ever “fan of the year award”

August 2007

  • 5000, 36-page, full colour newsletters distributed before opening game of the season and during annual club open day

October 2007

  • Hosted informal Q&A with the chairman

November 2007

  • Bristol City Holdings Ltd AGM – Called upon by Chairman to organise fans consultation process for proposed new stadium

January 2008

  • Organised “Ask the Chairman” at St George’s Tavern, Victoria before Crystal Palace match. 80 supporters attended

April 2008

  • Ran first “taster” surveys to assess fans opinions on new stadium, using fliers and inbound text messaging

May 2008

  • Collaborated with the Football Club and Supporters Club to host the Player of the Year Awards
  • Successfully lobbied for remaining Wembley play-off tickets to reach genuine City fans via direct sales
  • 2,800 fans complete first major survey, with 94% saying they are in favour of the new stadium

July 2008

  • Shaped the new membership scheme launched by the club, encouraging it to become loyalty focussed

August 2008

  • 4000, 24-page, full colour newsletters distributed before QPR game

September 2008

  • Hosted a forum with Evening Post Sports Editor to tackle the issue of balanced and fair reporting

October 2008

  • Launched an appeal to “Raise a Statue to Atyeo” by Summer 2011 in return for shares in Bristol City Holdings Ltd

February 2009

  • Organised “Ask the Chairman” at The Horse & Dray Pub before the Norwich match. 25 supporters attended

April 2009

  • Launch of “City ‘til I Die” book of fans memories in conjunction with the National Literacy Trust, Legends Publishing, Supporters Direct and the Football Club
  • Findings and recommendations published from the 2nd new stadium survey completed by 1,829 fans
  • Collaborated with Manchester United Independent Supporters Trust to replay the 1909 FA Cup Final at Crystal Palace

July 2009

  • Published Architect’s report for the new stadium, formally bringing to a close the consultation process

August 2009

  • Distributed 500 balloons during the Club’s annual Open Day promoting the Trust and the “Back Bristol” World Cup bid”

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000558.shtml

  • Launched supportcity.net, petitions, email campaigns and other initiatives to back planning applications for the new stadium

September 2009

  • Appealed to South Wales Police for the end of “Bubble Matches” when travelling to games at Cardiff and Swansea
  • Organised “Ask the Chairman” at the Brunswick Inn before the Derby game. 40+ supporters attended

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000573.shtml

  • Successfully launched a text service to vote for the Man of the Match at home games, raising money for the Atyeo statue

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000565.shtml

October 2009

  • Unveiled plaque commemorating the Ashton Gate 8

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000576.shtml

November 2009

  • Two Trust Board members speak at Bristol City Council’s planning committee in support of the proposed new stadium.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000582.shtml

  • Launched statyeo.org.uk website to support statue fund by selling online Christmas gifts

December 2009

  • Chaired a meeting to tackle the ongoing issue of “Bubble” matches between Bristol City and Swansea City. Also attended by senior representatives from South Wales Police, Avon & Somerset Police, Swansea City FC, Bristol City FC and the Swans Trust. Travel restrictions relaxed for upcoming visit of Swansea City to Ashton Gate.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000593.shtml

  • Launched offer to donors to the statue fund a unique opportunity to have their name indelibly recorded on the Atyeo statue plinth for eternity

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/waystohelp.shtml

January 2010

  • Launched “OTIB Supporter”, a premium access to the online fans forum and “OTIB toolbar” to help fund the site.
  • Distributed 600 City ‘til I Die books to local schools in conjunction with Bristol City Community Team

April 2010

  • Launched text service enabling fans to vote for City’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000617.shtml

May 2010

  • Hosted first ever online chat session with Steve Lansdown for “OTIB Supporters” to ask questions
  • Launched online World Cup 2010 prediction game to engage supporters and raise funds for the statue

http://www.statyeo.org.uk/home

July 2010

  • A diverse group of 20+ fans representing all stands around Ashton Gate met with Football Club officials in the pub to discuss ongoing fans’ initiatives and making best use of the East End.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000628.shtml

  • Following the decision by the Development Control (South & East) Committee of Bristol City Council to reject Sainsbury’s application for a relocated supermarket on the Ashton Gate site and the subsequent outcry, the Trust decided to organise a petition and a march.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000631.shtml

December 2010

  • Christian Roberts attends Q&A session in the Supporters Club bar to promote his book and talk about his time at Bristol City

March 2011

  • Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust throws its weight behind a national campaign in support of safe standing.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000638.shtml

  • The ‘Spirit of ’76 Red Tie Ball’ to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of City’s promotion to the old First Division

http://www.bcsct.org.uk/news/spirit-of-76-bristol-city-promotion-anniversary-dinner

June 2011

  • 30,000-strong petition for a new football stadium was hand delivered to the Bristol Council House

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000641.shtml

  • Special General Meeting to Vote on the Merger of Bristol City Football Supporters Club and Bristol City Supporters Trust

http://www.bcsct.org.uk/news/special-general-meeting-to-vote-on-the-merger

September 2011

  • The Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust Inaugural Hall of Fame event including the quiz “A Question of Bristol City”

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000643.shtml

February 2012

  • Free prize draw for members for under-16’s to have a ground tour with Scott Murray and meet current first team members for signatures

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000653.shtml

  • Marked the actions of the Ashton Gate Eight on Friday February 3rd 2012 recognising the 30th anniversary of a defining moment in the history of Bristol City Football Club.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000649.shtml

March 2012

  • Launched a design competition and fundraising campaign to acquire surfer flags for use at Ashton Gate and beyond.

http://www.bristolcitysurferflags.co.uk

April 2012

  • Offered up to 200 fans a free fiver to help with travelling costs to the crucial game at Nottingham Forest.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000654.shtml

July 2012

  • AGM held to finalise the merger with the Supporters Club and to agree financial accounts for preceding years

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000656.shtml

August 2012

  • Dynamic ticket pricing model proposed and subsequently launched by the football club for the 2012/13 season.
  • Marketing support and flag display organised to honour the legend Gerry Gow at his testimonial game.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000658.shtml

  • Launched match day programme service for subscribers to guarantee their copies, especially for away games.

September 2012

  • Launched Facebook page to complement existing web presence:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-City-Supporters-Club-Trust

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk

http://www.bcsct.org.uk

http://www.otib.co.uk

http://www.bristolcitysurferflags.co.uk

http://www.1909replayed.org/bcst

http://twitter.com/BristolCityST

October 2012

  • Called on MPs in and around Bristol to support Early Day Motion 573 calling on the government to permit limited trials of safe standing at selected football grounds.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000663.shtml

November 2012

  • Launch of Inaugural Bristol City Fans Parliament

December 2012

  • Gave away 480 Santa hats and raised voluntary donations for the surfer flag before the Wolves game

January 2013

  • First of a series of meetings with senior club officials to question the structure of the football club

February 2013

  • A competition to design a new logo for the merged Supporters Club & Trust ended with a version being chosen through a fans vote.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000665.shtml

March 2013

  • Majority shareholder Steve Lansdown conducts a Q&A session at the Walkabout pub before the Wolves game. 100 Supporters attended.

http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000666.shtml

April 2013

  • 3 new flags, including a second surfer arrive and are displayed at the 3 Lions Flag Day

May 2013

  • Awarded Louis Carey with an award for dedicated service to the football club

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/20130425-louiscareyaward-791237.aspx

October 2013

  • Launched Supporters Club & Trust Manifesto alongside a media article questioning the structure of the club

http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/158124-a-statement-manifesto-and-an-article

November 2013

  • Hosted a Q&A with Sean O’Driscoll at Bar BS3 pub. 60 supporters attended.

January 2014

  • Q&A with Steve and Jon Lansdown at Bradford in the New Beehive Pub. About 100 fans in attendance

February 2014

  • Launched banning order protocol to the club and met to look at a fairer process of appeal.
  • Event to celebrate the famous 1-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road on 19 February 74, in the presence of the FA Cup

May 2014

  • Ran the vote again for the player, young player and supporter of the season with presentations on the pitch and in the Supporters Bar

June 2014

  • Ran first in a series of online polls. This one to find out what keeps City fans coming back for more and fan representation generally

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-City-Supporters-Club-Trust/101250773363066

  • Chair started attending Ashton Gate Ltd board meetings to represent fans for the stadium redevelopment

August 2014

  • Golden Boot money raised and presented to Sam Baldock

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/golden-boot-sam-baldock

September 2014

  • In response to the request from Bristol Sport for input from supporters with ideas for the final look and feel of the redeveloped Ashton Gate, the Supporters’ Club & Trust submitted a proposal

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/ashton-gate-redevelopment-consultation

  • The Supporters Club & Trust started to attend Ashton Gate Ltd board meetings to provide feedback and input on all things related to the stadium re-development.
  • A new website was launched to complement active Facebook, Twitter and fans forum online presence.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/new-website-launched

October 2014

  • Six City legends were inducted on Saturday 11th October into the Supporters Club & Trust Hall of Fame.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/hall-fame-2014

  • Detailed report written by Jon Darch on behalf of Bristol Sport as part of renewed commitment to safe standing.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/renewed-commitment-safe-standing-welcomed

December 2014

  • Ashton Gate Stadium has been successfully registered as an asset of community value under the Localism Act

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/ashton-gate-asset-community-value

  • Q&A at Crewe with Steve Lansdown and John Pelling. Several hundred in the Royal Hotel bar.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/qa-crewe-said

January 2015

  • 1605 people voted for their choice of pose for the John Atyeo statue. 64% of the vote was big John with his hands in the air celebrating a goal.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/atyeo-statue-votes

  • Representation made to Bristol Sport following banning of “Ultra” Flag

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/atmosphere-bristol-city

  • 3,000 respondents, 1 in 4 of average home crowd, take part in biggest ever survey on stadium atmosphere

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/survey-results

February 2015

  • Proposals presented to Bristol Sport based on survey results having previously been passed by FAN

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/proposals-presented-bristol-sport

May 2015

  • End of season awards voted for by the fans online presented on the pitch before the final home game. Champagne moments video subsequently compiled.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/player-and-supporter-of-the-year-201415

February 2016

  • 350 fans attend the Q&A session with owner Steve Lansdown before the away game at Nottingham Forest.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/forest-qa-a-proper-football-club

  • Called upon Bristol Sport to look afresh at the appointment of an SLO and what the role is there to do

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/club-trust-call-on-bristol-city-to-appoint-slo-from-the-fan-base

April 2016

End of season awards voted for by the fans and presented after the last home game

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/flint-lands-player-of-the-year-award-3085186.aspx

August 2016

  • Reached agreement with Bristol Sport when ticket fees started to re-appear on all ticket purchases home and away.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/ticket-fee-changes-agreed-with-bristol-sport

September 2016

  • Legal papers filed against West Midlands Police claiming false imprisonment and a breach of Article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights for fans dispersed at Birmingham.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/see-you-in-court

October 2016

  • Final push to ensure the 180 names listed for inclusion on the Atyeo statue are correct before the unveiling

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/atyeo-statue-is-your-name-on-the-list

November 2016

  • John Atyeo Statue unveiled in front of hundreds of fans, friends and family.

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/atyeo-now-on-show-at-ashton-gate-3402059.aspx

December 2016

  • 262 names added to the statue plinth making it a total of 474 names at £100 each as contribution towards the statue

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/add-your-name-to-the-atyeo-statue-plinth

February 2017

  • Final batch of name plaques on the Atyeo statue sold out

April 2017

  • End of season awards voted for by the fans and presented after the last home game, with Tammy Abraham winning both Player of the Year & Young Player of the Year

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/abraham-makes-history-with-triple-crown-of-awards

May 2017

  • Next group of players inducted into the Hall of Fame

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-v-birmingham-city-sold-out

June 2017

  • Pleased to have been able to support the award in the Queen’s birthday honours for Marina Dolman, President of the Supporters Club

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-duo-receive-honours

July 2017

  • New Members Bar space identified within the stadium above the Sports Bar. Work commences to fit out and make ready for the new season

August 2017

  • Contributed to crowd-funding for Shrewsbury Town to create a safe standing showcase

December 2017

  • The ‘Supporters Bar’ officially opened by SC&T and BCFC President Marina Dolman
  • AGM held in Supporters Bar with 120 members in attendance. Financial position and round up of recent activity provided.

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/notice-of-sct-agm-2nd-december

January 2018

  • Board agreed to set aside £13,000 (in addition to an original £5,000) as a contingency to help the supporters involved fight the ongoing case against West Midlands Police

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/minutes-january-2018

March 2018

  • Secured reinstatement of U-12 and U-19 price categories initially removed by BCFC for some season cards and with FAN hosted special meeting to let BCFC explain price rises

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/minutes-march-2018

  • Working with FAN, secured partial refunds of season card prices for disabled fans and longer payment window for all, but remained dismayed by BCFC’s lack of empathy

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/reply-to-the-clubs-latest-statement-on-season-cards-201819

May 2018

  • Organised the vote and provided the trophies for the annual player and supporter of the year awards., awarded to Bobby Reid & Josh Brownhill respectively

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/player-and-supporter-of-the-year-2018

August 2018

  • Fundraising campaign launched asking fans from around the country to “Stand up to unjustified police interference in football”. This is in support of the legal campaign to support of 10 City fans unlawfully dispersed in September 2015 before the match at Birmingham City

http://bristolcitysupporters.org/1236-2/

January 2019

  • An event with Brian Tinnion to relive and mark the 25th anniversary of the famous FA Cup win against Liverpool in 1994 was held on Thursday January 24th 2019 in the Sports Bar. The evening raised over £850 for Bristol City Community Trust

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/reliving-that-fa-cup-win-at-liverpool/

May 2019

September 2019

  • Almost four years to the day and on the eve of court action, 10 Bristol City fans were vindicated. West Midlands Police climbed down and offered to settle the matter out of court.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/west-midlands-police-back-down

October 2019

  • September 2019 marked 70 years since the formation of the Supporters Club back in 1949, so to celebrate we had a special birthday cake made and invited our president, Marina Dolman, along to the Supporters Bar to cut it.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/happy-70th-birthday

May 2020

  • Over 2,000 fans took part in our survey during lockdown calling for refunds for those who had purchased 2020/21 season tickets and had subsequently suffered financial hardship. Other topics covered included the use of the furlough scheme and continuing to pay casual staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/fans-call-for-refunds/

June 2020

  • Over echoed the feelings of many fans who felt that the option to receive a cash refund for season tickets was a not transparent.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/doing-what-is-right-for-you

August 2020

  • The protracted recruitment process for a new manager led us to reflect and again remind the football club that timely, open and empathetic communication with fans is vital if the club is to keep supporters on board.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/communicating-with-fans

September 2020

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/well-done-bcfc

January 2021

  • Shahan Miah & D-M Withers joined the board to represent the interests of City Women fans.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/new-board-members

February 2021

  • We provided an in-depth review and explanation of Bristol City Holdings Limited accounts and for Bristol City Women.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/latest-accounts-analysed

  • Supporters Club & Trust returned to player sponsorship by sponsoring City Women club captain Jasmine Matthews for the remainder of the 2020/21 season

May 2021

  • Over 2,800 fans voted in our annual end of season awards that saw Dan Bentley crowned player of the year & Antoine Semenyo was young player of the year. City Women had their own awards for the first time, with Ebony Salmon scooping up both awards for the women. Nahki Wells won the golden boot for being top scorer.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/end-of-season-awards

  • We held our first ever fully online AGM, which was fully quorate and at which Bristol Sport presented data and research about the fan base.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/1819-2

July 2021

  • As part of our Fans Funding Fans for the Future programme, we again purchased a group of 8 season cards to make available to young fans and their parents/guardians free of charge for each home league game of the season.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/kids-be-our-guest-take-3

August 2021

  • We fully supported the players choosing to take the knee during the opening game of; and throughout; the new season

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/statement-taking-the-knee

September 2021

  • Bristol City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust as part of its commitment to keep fans informed and engaged.

https://www.bristolcitysupporters.org/city-sign-mou-with-supporters-club-trust

October 2021

November 2021

January 2022

February 2022

April 2022

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