Bradford City Supporters Board Board Meeting – 25th September 2013 1.0 Attendance Mike Taylor (Chair), Carl Smith, Kevin Wilkinson, Adam Baker, Manu Ahir, Mike Thompson, Phil Abbott, Tony Sykes, Ian Cooper, Mick Shackleton, Kate Eveleigh, Jonathan Forrest, Tom Mason, Dave Baldwin( BCAFC) , Ian Ormandroyd(BCAFC) 2.0 Apologies James McKenzie, Matt Sugden, Terry Armistead, Kevin Douglas, Alan Carling, Sally Thackray, Gerard Hollingworth, Eric Wallace, 3.0 Minutes of the Last Meeting 3.1 These were agreed as a true record 4.0 Matters Arising (not covered by Action Sheet) None 5.0 Action Sheet Update 5.1 Away Match Priority Card - David Baldwin advised that this was ready to launch for 1 October 2013 and requested comments on a final draft of the launch publicity by 5pm Friday 27 September 2013. The card is designed to add a ‘top layer’ to the process for allocating Away Match tickets to fans in a clear and fair manner and is an extension of the principle of giving priority to Season Ticket and Flexicard holders in situations where the availability of away tickets is less than the expected take-up. 5.2. Fans Version of Club and Disability Charters - These are now on SB Website 5.3. Half Time Competitions and Programme - Promoted on website and now fully operational with a lot of interest from individuals in participating in the competition. 5.4. SB Remit and Standing Orders- These have been posted on SB Website. 5.5. Suggestion Box Process - Volunteers have been briefed and equipped to deal with the process 5.6. Season Highlights DVD Clip - This has been placed on Club website 5.7. FOI request to Radio Leeds - This has been lodged in order to understand the value of the contract with Leeds United for radio match day coverage so the relative ‘fairness’ of the proposal made to the Club can be established. 5.8. Fans Fundraising request - Mike Taylor has made contact and agreed a framework for future action based on the Burns Unit rather than referring to ‘the 56’. 5.9. Vinyl Banner proposal - Mike Taylor has made contact and suggested an approach be made to the Council 5.10. Ticket Zone and Misuse of fans Credit/debit cards - Ticket Zone report that all affected fans have been contacted and results of their forensic investigation is expected in next four weeks. The other affected clubs are also awaiting the outcome. FL response is that it is up to Clubs to decide if and when to use Ticket Agencies and to select an appropriate Provider. 5.11. Car Share Scheme - deferred to next meeting 5.12. Ticket Office Disability Access Procedure - to be referred to Roger Owen for consideration. David Baldwin reminded the Board that the access and egress arrangements to the Carlsberg Stand itself on match days were fully compliant with the Stadium Safety requirements and that David Dowse would be happy to deal with any queries not covered by his recent email. 5.13. An updated Action Sheet is attached for information and action. 6.0 Presentation and Discussion from Community Department Ian Ormondroyd gave a presentation on the work of his Department explaining the Community Foundation Scheme run in partnership with Bradford Council sport and Leisure Services. Starting as a very small scheme, it has grown into mid-sized proportions compared with other League teams operating under the Football League Trust Charity. The scheme was awarded Charity status in 2007, opening up new opportunities and funding sources. A wide range of football and sports programmes are delivered to schools and clubs for boys and girls. A Disability Club operates on Fridays and Sundays and some 80 participants enjoy regular local, national and international events. A Btec 3 Sports Diploma is offered through a 2 year programme with 16 students in year 1 and 14 in year 2. This is based on Futsal and employs a full time teacher for the academic work. The Department also manages the Community Ticket scheme supported by Provident and a private sponsor through the Community development Programme. The aim is to introduce large numbers of school aged people and their families to the joys of supporting the Club and targets schools, junior clubs and other community organisations. Current numbers attending are in the range of 200-300 per game but this is expected to grow towards 1000 during this season. Other initiatives include the Second Half Project offering a Sports Leaders Qualification to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and National Citizen Services programmes for Year 11’s and 12’s taking place out of term time, leading to FA Level 1 Certification through a combination of physical, personal and creative development activities. Ian closed by inviting ideas and assistance from the Board in publicising activities and optimising benefits and opportunities for the Community and the Club through the work currently being done. Part A Items for Decision None notified Part B Items for Discussion 7.0 Update on Season Highlights DVD This is on target for 11 November 2013 launch. Following review by the Club, this has been editied into two parts, one showing a 45 documentary style overview of the season and the other a series of monthly chapters showing highlights of all games. A final review is scheduled for 26 September when full aproval is expected for production of a UK Region DVD and a limited number for other Regions. 8.0 Car Break-ins - Queens Road Kate Eveleigh reported on a number of recent incidents which had been reported by fans. Such matters are included in the Match Day Report and fed back to the Police. Kate will discuss this with David Dowse. 9.0 Manningham Together Kate Eveleigh reported that the Project Group had recently convened and was developing ideas along a number of themes about life in Bradford and Manningham in particular. These include ‘Born in’, ‘Living in’, ‘Playing in’ etc. Kate has advised the Group that the Board has no funding to assist in the Project. Next meeting is provisionally arranged for 6 November and Adam Baker will attend if possible. 10.0 FoBCFC Updates 10.1 Television Installation Initiative - David Baldwin and Mick Shackleton advised that this is on hold pending outcome of a Club review with the providers of the updated systems in the Box Level. 10.2 Young People’s Book - Phase 2 - Mick Shackleton presented a ‘final’ draft of the book, The League of Dreams, which is on target to launch in November 2013. It tells the story of a footballer who used to work in the Co-op and became involved in his local professional club’s amazing season which made history. It is hoped to include the book, which is targeted at Curriculum Reading Level 2b, in the package given to schools participating in the Community Development Programme. Waterstones and WH Smith are both interested in launching the book. David Baldwin agreed to ensure that individuals named in the book endorsed its release. 11.0 Fans Issues from Website/Facebook 11.1 Catering Issues - Carl Smith advised that issues about service in Bantams Bar and Hendrie Suites had been referred to the Community Group. Tom Mason was asked to raise these with Katie Jowett. 11.2 Tranmere Sunday Fixture Opportunities - It was very rare for the Club to play a fixture on a Sunday and this may present unique marketing challenges and opportunities.. Tom Mason was asked to email ideas to Gary Chadwick asap. 11.3 Half Time Programme - this is already booked up to mid October and is proving very entertaining for the crowd and successful for the participants. Part C Items for Information 12. Update on Club Issues 12.1 Tranmere Match - David Baldwin explained that after receiving a Police ‘request’ at short notice to assist in reducing Policing issues on Saturday 12 October, this game was moved to Friday night, 11 October for ‘football’ reasons. After considering representations from fans regarding inconvenience to fans (including travelling fans) and clashes with the England International fixture, the Club reviewed the position and, taking all things into account, decided to move the game to Sunday 13 October. It was understood that this decision would lead to some difficulties for some fans but in retrospect was the most suitable solution. 13.0 Reports of Working Groups 13.1 Communications Twitter and Webchat coverage of Board Meetings were still being considered. Tony Sykes confirmed that the Message Box system is now fully operational with a number of comments already received. These included catering matters and TV facilities in the Bantams Bar. Other issues concerned increased footfall in 2013 Suite leading to queuing problems before games and at half time. Suite users are currently allowed access to any of the Suites but future plans to differentiate services would ultimately resolve the problem. Michael Taylor is being interviewed pitch-side before the Shrewsbury match and will talk about the progress of the Supporters Board and fans opportunities to join in the debate through the various communications channels. He will also develop a summary sheet of fans queries and suggestions in a Q&A format. David Baldwin advised that Mark Harrison and Steve Hawthorn-Emmett could be contacted to include such information on the Club website and Twitter respectively. The Board website has received some 21,000 hits since launch. 13.2 Community Pre-match interviews and half-time competitions were both progressing well. 6 people from a growing list of applicants are invited to take part in the week before the game and details are given to David Dowse who arranges access to the pitch. So far there have been no problems with getting the participants prepared to take part. The commentary together with the impromptu drum roll from the Kop and the audience participation have all helped popularise the competition. Two Corner Competitions have been held to date and winners have been rewarded with Suite Upgrades. Kate Eveleigh volunteered to assist in the selection and organisation of participants. 13.3 Commercial The Group has met with Lindleys Catering Suppliers and discounted offers are to be made before 2.15 to encourage early attendance. Loyalty Cards will also feature. Mobile Services are to be considered for introduction so that refreshments can be supplied conveniently throughout the game. In future, issues can be emailed directly to Lindleys in the same way as those relating to Retail issues. 14.0 Forthcoming Events 14.1 Trust AGM - This will be held on Wednesday 13 November at 7.30pm in the 2013 Suite. A Fans’ Forum will follow at 8.15 with special guests David Baldwin and Phil Parkinson. There will be a cash bar and entrance is free. Everyone is welcome to both events although only Trust Members can vote on Trust Resolutions at the AGM. Doors open at 7pm. 15.0 Any Other Business 15.1 City Gent - A request to advise the Board of the circumstances surrounding the ending of the deployment of the City Gent Mascot has been received from Lenny Berry through Terry Armistead. The Board has reviewed this matter in the past and considers it to be a matter between Mr Berry and the Club. This will be conveyed to Mr Berry through Terry Armistead. 15.2 Capital One Cup Final Achievement - This does not appear in the Club Honours in the Programme. Luke Gallagher to be informed for inclusion asap. 16.0 Date of Next Meeting Wednesday 23 October 2013, 7.30 pm (Group Meetings 7pm) David Baldwin asked Members to consider moving the meetings in future from Wednesday to another day of the week.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 09:57:58 +0000
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