Meeting attended by: Craig Hadley (Chair), Carol Smith (Vice-Chair), Barry Ross (Secretary), Lynda Courts (Treasurer) and six other members (names withheld for privacy).
Agenda: Introductions, Achievements, Objectives, Committee Elections, Any Other Business, Special Guests Sarah Westwood (SW) and Darren Carter (DC).
Meeting started by CH who welcomed everyone to the AGM and apologised for taking two years to finally sort one out. He expressed how important the group had been for many over the course of the pandemic.
CH listed off the series of achievements the group had managed to do since forming in 2020. These included: virtual meet-ups at the peak of the pandemic for mental health support, joining the Football Supporters’ Association, creating a hype video for the players ahead of the Second City Derby, working on improving communication with the club, organising our first away trip with help from Blues For All and Redditch Blues and liaising with the club in order for a group of fans to attend the Academy’s cup final which was invite only earlier this year.
CH then set out the objectives for the group moving forward. These were: to help increase fan attendances, organise more trips for away games, produce a regular newsletter for fans (especially those not on social media), create merchandise (including banners), and host regular meet-ups as a group and to set-up twice yearly meetings with the club to discuss any issues.
CH then opened up a discussion about what issues people wanted addressed by the group moving forward. MM urged for caution and to build slowly with the suggestion of moving fans more centrally in the main stand.
SH wished to get feedback from the players about what they want from the fans during a game. LC responded with an anecdote about Lucy Quinn and how important the players find hearing the crowd cheering them on throughout a match. LC also pointed out that while the atmosphere was better at Damson Park, the players prefer playing at St Andrew’s. She did however state we need to work on improving that atmosphere at their newer home.
SH then brought up the sister club programme which had been beneficial in bringing in young fans in the past. LC agreed it was something to bring back as soon as possible.
CS stated she believed that we needed to pick a specific area for supporters’ group members as we are often separated in the lower and upper tiers.
SS put forward the case that fans might actually prefer sitting in the Gil Merrick Stand instead of the Main Stand from next season. SH also pointed out that currently the home fans are situated to the side of the away dugout as opposed to the home one in the Main Stand.
BCFCW General Manager SM introduced herself and explained the challenge that St Andrew’s had been this year. Stressed the importance of fans cheering on the team. She also stated her preference would be for the fans to be in The Kop but unfortunately that is not possible at the moment. She explained they have discussed moving to the Gil Merrick Stand but is unsure if it could give opposing fans more of an advantage but is willing to consider it. She went on to explain the difficulties of the Main Stand due to the design of the structure and why the current setup allows for better access to facilities for home supporters. She urged us to go away and decide what from a fan perspective we wanted. CH has since sent out a survey to ask this very question.
CS emphasised how important the pre-match meet-ups were when Blues played at Damson Park which included the on-site bar. She went on to enquire if they could have Bar 8 open for all home matches. SW explained they delayed opening it earlier in the season due to cost and potential losses due to low numbers. She goes on to say they have since included more activities to entice more people in to make it more cost effective and maximise the whole match day experience. She is hopeful it will be open for all home matches next season with more family-friendly activities involved as well.
MM expressed her interest in a pre-match meet-up for fans and to advertise it widely to make the experience of match day the best it can be. She also reiterated the importance of a designated spot for the supporters’ group in the stands.
CH then opened up the voting for the committee for the 2022/23 season. As acting chair CH put himself forward for the position of chair and was elected in by the group. CS was then elected in as vice-chair, BR as secretary and LC as treasurer. All members were warmly received by the group.
CH then moved onto the constitution which outlines the code of conduct for all supporters’ group members amongst other things. If you would like a copy reach out to a member of the committee and we can provide you with one.
CH then opened it out for any other business. CS asked about car parking. SW explained that The Kop car park will be open to all fans from next season with the Main Stand car park reserved and dependant on other activities outside of Bar 8.
LC asked about supporters’ group promotion. She had the suggestion of flyers to give out as fans enter the stadium. MM suggested having a contact detail section on the flyer to collect in at the end to join the group immediately.CH added to the idea suggesting a QR code that linked to the sign-up page on the supporters’ group website. CH also posed the idea of a page in the match day programme dedicated to the group. CS suggested putting something in the men’s programme too. LC suggested putting something on the big screen at half-time too. BR suggested we get a mention on the BCFC website also.
CH then introduced the first guest SW, who thanked all for the invitation to speak to everyone and for their support for the club throughout the season. She stressed it was important to move on and look forward after a difficult season on and off the pitch. The ambition is to return to the Women’s Super League. She stressed the importance of the connection between the club and the fans. How different it has been since making the move from Damson Park to St Andrew’s. Opens up the room for questions.
CH asked how SW has found her job having come into the role in unusual circumstances and working through a pandemic. SW stated she feels more comfortable in the role now and the constant up and down on and off the field is hopefully something they can put behind them. Stressed how hard it is with so much change.
CS stressed the annoyance of fans finding out players were leaving on social media or from journalists before the club. SW explained that clubs usually agree a time with both or multiple parties but sometimes it’s out of their control. She cited the Becks Holloway transfer and how Racing Louisville had apologised after breaking the agreed timeframe to announce the departure. She will work with the club’s media team to ensure what they can control they will ensure it’s put out as early as possible and in the right way.
SW asked for more social media interactions from the club directly. He posed that if question is asked and it is not embargoed information then it would be beneficial to get a timely response. SW responded by saying she will speak to the media team about this.
MM bemoans the lack of local media coverage. He stated previous connections with BBC Radio WM and the need for publications like Birmingham Live to cover the women’s club. SW will look to investigate it further. CH added that with less televised coverage this season in the Women’s Championship, radio coverage could be even more important.
BR asked about outdated information on the club website. SW believed the transition to a new web platform has caused issues. They will look to update the website as soon as possible.
CH posed the question if Kerys Harrop could be inducted into the Birmingham City Hall of Fame for her services to the club. SW explained the Former Players’ Association is responsible for the hall of fame and they will chase it up.
CH then introduced the second guest BCFCW Manager DC who thanked everyone for the invite and the support of the fans has been invaluable since coming into the job. DC insisted how important the noise factor is at matches and would like to see fans on their side of the ground and not those noisy Chelsea fans. He also stated he will make the case for Kerys for potential hall of fame induction.
CH asked about the style of play planned for next season. DC believes it will change. Last season we were an out of possession team but would like to see us dominant the ball and better technically.
BR asked about contracts. DC joked he’s pestered SW since the last kick of the season. Recruitment well underway but didn’t want to pressure anyone into re-signing. He put across his vision and looks to have the group that he wants now ahead of the new campaign. He’s been in contact with his senior staff for weeks and is hopeful by the end of the week we will see some movement.
CS asked about Marcus Bignot. DC stated the situation was far from ideal and it certainly affected things. They are still awaiting the results of the appeal from the FA and the club will proceed accordingly.
CH asked about what kind of goalkeepers are they looking at. DC joked they are looking for one that keeps clean-sheets. He praised Emily Ramsey last season but believes Manchester United wish to keep her or send her on loan again in the WSL. DC also believes Lucy Jones has a good future but might not be ready to be the starting keeper at this point. He is also looking for players on the left side and in the centre of midfield.
EY asked about the impact of fans. DC believes the more fans that we can bring in the better. Knows the fan base and is driven to push the club back to where it belongs. The support doesn’t go unnoticed with special praise to the fans that made the trip to Durham last season. Coming over at the end of the game was the least he could do.
BR asked about the Academy. DC praises Paul Cowie and the Academy setup and loves to see so many coming through. Special mention for Gemma Lawley who deserves all the accolades she got and a right sign of the pathway the club can provide.
SW asked about season tickets. SW revealed that we will have news on the women’s season tickets within the next week or so.
CH thanked everyone for their contributions and closed the meeting.
Fantastic briefing and lots of good questions answered.
It would be good to have bigger away followings at matches to cheer them on and having Lynda Courts on board is a stroke of genius for that given the years of dedication she has given to organising the Redditch Supporters Club. She really is a legend and you’ll never find a more committed person for that.
I think having parking in the Kop and leaving the Main Stand car park to leave more space for activities planned in the old main stand car park like at the Chelsea game.
The stewards need to allow fans out during and at half times of the matches though as fans are complaining to me on their way out that they are not being allowed out during the match especially, even when the kiosks have sold out of food and drink and they then are grateful to me for staying over until the crowd has gone at the end as at least they can get something then.
They weren’t even allowed out at half time against Chelsea but they had been instructed to do so after complaints at previous games.
Could you send out reminders for future meetings please as I was gutted when I discovered this had taken place as I wanted to attend.
No problem Lee and thanks for the feedback. I’m pretty sure you are already on the mailing list with details of the meeting prior to Sunday. Double check it hasn’t been mislabelled as spam.
Fantastic briefing and lots of good questions answered.
It would be good to have bigger away followings at matches to cheer them on and having Lynda Courts on board is a stroke of genius for that given the years of dedication she has given to organising the Redditch Supporters Club. She really is a legend and you’ll never find a more committed person for that.
I think having parking in the Kop and leaving the Main Stand car park to leave more space for activities planned in the old main stand car park like at the Chelsea game.
The stewards need to allow fans out during and at half times of the matches though as fans are complaining to me on their way out that they are not being allowed out during the match especially, even when the kiosks have sold out of food and drink and they then are grateful to me for staying over until the crowd has gone at the end as at least they can get something then.
They weren’t even allowed out at half time against Chelsea but they had been instructed to do so after complaints at previous games.
Could you send out reminders for future meetings please as I was gutted when I discovered this had taken place as I wanted to attend.
No problem Lee and thanks for the feedback. I’m pretty sure you are already on the mailing list with details of the meeting prior to Sunday. Double check it hasn’t been mislabelled as spam.
Not sure I agree with the comment of the players preferring St Andrews when the majority of them had never passed a ball at Damson Park
I believe it’s more in relation to the facilities on match days. But fair comment.