Monthly Meeting, Supporters Bar, Ashton Gate, Bristol BS3 2EJ
Wednesday 9 October 2019, 7.30pm
Present Board – Miles Hendy MH (vice-chair), Mike Adams MA (minutes), Jon Darch JD, Marie Day MD, Terry Hamlin TH, James Nicholls JN Members – John Croker JC, Diane Rowland DR, Wendy Rowland WR
The Club – Ryan Corrigan RC A&S Police – Julie Hayward JH, Dave Walker DW
Apologies Stuart Rogers SR (chair), Jon Watts JW, Trina Watts TW,
1. Minutes & actions from last meeting
Newsletter Not yet sent –survey, Atyeo statue, 70th anniversary – please send any other items.
Beakers Will be either purchase for £1 or deposit scheme – editions may feature players etc.
2. Ryan Corrigan, SLO
Official ways for fans to contact SLO Three only – twitter, email, matchday stand.
The meeting questioned the SLO role being part-time and the fact that the SLO appeared to be under instructions not to appear on OTIB fans forum. [action SR, if no satisfaction, matter to be publicised]
Away tickets Luton away tickets had gone on sale without prior notice; many long-standing away fans have been disappointed. The Club will guarantee 48 hours notice in future and to reintroduce a loyalty scheme. A survey of away fans will be conducted. New fans will be able to take part in a ballot.
The Club requested a beam-back of the Luton game, agreed by the police [subsequently granted]
The meeting requested that the Club try to retrieve complimentary tickets from players to be used by regular away supporters – 17 have been helped already. [action RC]
Attempted resale of tickets RC said such tickets had been cancelled with a refund.
Tickets by phone This needs to be reinstated for fans who are not on line. [action RC]
Mid-week ticket office Other clubs including Rovers have such a facility. [action RC]
Retail staff They will be trained in all systems to allow reallocation as necessary.
The meeting felt this could possibly be extended to stewards. [action RC]
Robins Redeem Scheme This needs advertising. [action RC]
Rugby Supporters Club They wish to have a meeting room on match days. [action RC]
3. Section 82 rail seating
Dave Storr has been to Wolves; he will make a recommendation to the Board and wishes to attend our November meeting, which we will specially publicise. [action MA]
4. Supporters Bar
Three lights are not working; the middle TV is out of action because it has not had its software updated; the pasty warmer door catch is broken. [action RC]
5. Legal and Police
The Legal Case West Midland Police have withdrawn their defence and will pay costs and compensation to the plaintiffs. The result has been widely publicised though it has not appeared on the BCFC website. [action MA]. The FSA had published Julie’s name against her expressed wishes. [action JD]
Julie Hayward was praised for her role, which we hope can be recognised. [action DW?]
Cardiff away game 2,300 tickets will be available with no restrictions.
The Police have arranged an extra two carriages for the return train effectively making it a ‘special.’
QPR away A flare was thrown in front of disabled fans; three needed treatment. The 16-year-old thrower was arrested and admitted the offence. He will be charged to court with an application for a banning order; currently he is banned from Ashton Gate.
Stoke away A firecracker was let off and missiles thrown; seg line was too small.
Swansea home Police units were brought from Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. One pub arrest was made.
Millwall (last season) Six pleaded guilty; the other five were found not guilty.
Reading home Only four police officers were on duty without any trouble.
6. Accounts, preparation for AGM
The 2017 accounts should be ready for the AGM and work will begin on 2018 shortly.
7. Heritage additions
MA reported a book signing before Reading match – ‘Match of My Life’ by Neil Palmer and another possible on October 27 for a book about Billy Wedlock.
8. 70th birthday report The event, attended by Marina Dolman, went well and was covered by BCTV.
9. Taking a fuller part in BCFC life MA requested we increase our profile by attending events such as quiz nights and this was agreed.
10. AOB
Hall of Fame Another set of inductions will be made with the End of Season Awards [action MA]
John Perkins (Sports Grounds Safety Advisory Authority) Will receive invitation to a meeting. [action MA]
11. Next Meetings Wednesday 6 November, AGM on Saturday 14 December at 1pm [action SR, MA]