The Supporters Club & Trust recently held their annual structured dialogue meeting with Bristol City Women FC on Friday 6 December 2024, with the minutes now available
This meeting was due to take place earlier in the 2024/25 season but was delayed following the arrival of Head of Women’s Football, Romaney Pinnock, at the Club in September 2024.
These meetings follow the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the football club and the Supporters Club & Trust back in 2021.
PRESENT
Supporters Club & Trust (SC&T): D-M Withers DM, Shahan Miah SM, Stuart Rogers SR
Bristol City: Gavin Marshall GM, Romaney Pinnock RP
Football Supporters Association (FSA): Deborah Dilworth DD
1. WOMEN’S FOOTBALL STRATEGY
Question about missed opportunity to engage supporters and how to engage going forward. Club brought along everyone internally in the consultation, however, didn’t bring supporters along, so apologies for that. SR stated that it is important that supporters are seen as internal, rather than external to the Club. The mix of external consultants, new staff & timing led to missed opportunities by the Club. RP reiterated that SC&T will be involved as strategy evolves. Recognition that better communication between all parties is needed so that negative reaction is not pushed into the online space.
2. AWAY TRAVEL
Bumpy start & numbers slightly down compared to last season, but still a worthwhile initiative. SC&T thanked the Club for engaging in this. As for any commercial sponsorship, RP will pass on to the [Bristol Sport] Commercial team and be aware in her conversations. Club need to market it better and make it work commercially. DD suggested SC&T reach out to certain supporter groups in FSA who run their own away travel; they maybe good to talk to. Also, consider incentivising fans with discounts initially, and consider pickups on route. Bristol City are geographically disadvantaged in the Championship & have no nearby away games in the region
3. AWAY TICKETS
Easier in WSL for clubs to get an away allocation of tickets. Now our fans always must buy away tickets direct from the opposing team, and vice versa when away fans come to Ashton Gate. Small attendances in Championship don’t warrant allocating blocks and fans tend to find each other anyway; the Club sees this as not really viable or necessary. DD advised that it is an issue across the Championship where there are many inconsistencies that cause confusion. GM advised that not all clubs in either league engage in away ticket allocation. FSA and the Club can feedback to the league/WPLL on this.
4. PROMOTING & PROTECTING HERITAGE
All on board with inviting player back to celebrate achievements, but there’s not always hospitality at women’s games this season to invite former players to. Club acknowledged that it would be a good thing to do if more players are available. GM advises there are plans to produce some sort of mural for the Barcelona game from 2014. DD mentioned the FSA have funding streams available, e.g. Fans for Diversity, that can help support initiatives like said mural, GM to follow up.
DM is worried about retaining archives from the Bristol Academy era. Suggestion to create a shared Google drive (or similar) including key dates in Bristol Academy and Bristol City Women, so that RP can integrate this knowledge into public communication and storytelling. SR to also get more of a commitment from the Heritage Archive board.
GM to follow up and investigate the status of Bristol Academy WFC records, and report back.
5. FANS FORUM 2025
GM & RP aim for date in February 2025. SM asked if a player can also be on the panel (depending on availability), much like men’s team captain Jason Knight was in the men’s team fans forum in November. GM said SC&T Bar will still work as an ideal location to host. Recording / broadcasting the event was not discussed due to time constraints (SC&T to follow up with Club, and to get them to confirm date)
6. MERCHANDISE
Question about who decides on behalf of Bristol Sport the merchandising options. RP can influence; however, it is Bristol Sport that runs the retail. Good if SC&T understand the process. DM suggested LGBTQIA+ community (and supporters) should be engaged and views sought, especially over Pride related merchandising. DM made reference to the LGBT pin badge in the Bristol Sport store; which was 50% more expensive than all other enamel pin badges, and also did not contain all the “Pride Progress” colours that fully represent all LGBTQIA+ groups).
GM assured that DM has been heard over merchandising. RP will review range, albeit not directly in remit; but aims to have more specific merchandising available in future e.g. kits with corresponding women’s team sponsors, which aren’t always available for supporters to buy. The Club will confirm what the shop intends to develop for Pride merchandise in the future will see where scope might exist for further discussion/input.
7. SEASON TICKETS/HALF-SEASON TICKETS
GM has advised that there are no plans for half season tickets sales due to likely low demand, with existing season ticket numbers already down from last season. Any planned costs in organising half season ticket sales can go onto other things like away travel etc
SM pointed out lack of proper consultation last season, other than Dave Barton (Bristol Sport head of communications) in existing conversation with SR that club were planning to announce season ticket renewals after Man City home game (when the team were eventually relegated). The football club doesn’t usually consult with fans on prices but would be good to give them advance notice as partners. It works well on the men’s side. DD suggested that there should be consultation if “radical changes” are made e.g. cost change or if supporters are moved e.g. from one stand to another.
8. DATE OF NEXT STRUCTURED DIALOGUE MEETING
Overall agreement that a meeting during pre-season – end of July, ideally – would be best in order to prepare effectively for the season to come.