AGM – 21st June 2023

• Meeting attended by: Craig Hadley (Chair), Carol Smith (Vice-Chair), Barry Ross (Secretary), Lynda Courts (Treasurer), Ellie Yates (Community Lead) and five other members (names withheld for privacy).
• Introductions, Achievements, Financial Report, Objectives, Committee Elections, Any Other Business & Special Guest: Darren Carter (DC).

1. Meeting started by CH who welcomed everyone to the AGM and introduced the current committee to those present.
2. CH listed off what the group had been up to over the last 12 months.
   • CH attended the first in-person meeting of the Women’s Game Network (a sub-group of the Football Supporters Association) alongside Bik of Blues 4 All. They discussed the impending review into the women’s game that Karen Carney is now a part of.
   • We launched Pre-Kicks (our pre-game meet-up events) to bring the group closer together. In a fan survey we conducted a big percentage of supporters wanted this and we were happy to do so. We worked together with AccessiBlues to ensure they felt welcome at these events.
   • Our email newsletter has been a big hit this year. After initially being started by CH, BR has made it his own and packing it full of information on a regular basis.
   • As a result of a big helping hand from Steve Portman and AccessiBlues we were able to sponsor goalkeeper Lucy Jones this season. CH took a moment to acknowledge just how grateful they all were to him for that assistance. The group raffled off her signed shirt at the final game of the season to raise funds for sponsorship next season. The raffle raised £378.73.
   • A number of our members appeared on the popular evening TV show ‘The One Show’ to react to the Women’s FA Cup draw. They all did a great job representing the group on prime time television.
   • CH praised the efforts of fans to travel to away games this season despite being unable to raise funds for coach trips.
   • CH gave special thanks to the staff at Birmingham City Football Club who has allowed us open communication to discuss issues and queries with the club. CH gave special mentions to Sam Ward, Kyle Adams and Sarah Westwood.
   • CH gave special thanks to Steve W and others who regularly attend the Academy matches to give them the same level of support the group does for the first team.
3. CH passed over to LC who went over the accounts for the supporters group.
   • £65 had been spent on registering the group for its raffle with the local council as well as supplies for advertising materials.
   • £378.73 had been raised through the player shirt raffle to take the current funds to £590.73.
   • LC explained it was the group’s intention to use the money to sponsor another player next season.
4. CH went over the objectives the group set at last year’s AGM and spoke on the progress of each of them.
   • He noted attendances had remained steady in comparison to the previous season at St Andrew’s.
   • He noted that we had been unable to get enough interest for away coaches but praised those that made the trips and drove others.
   • He noted the success of the newsletter and meet-ups.
   • He noted the need to chase up the club about organising twice yearly meetings with the supporters group to air any issues that may arise.
   • He noted in terms of merchandise they had created a few t-shirt designs but it is something to do more of going forward. CS suggested they look at potential ideas at the next available home match.
5. CH went on to list the objectives for the upcoming year.
   • Help to attract more fans to matches.
   • Gauge interest in carpools for next season.
   • Aim to do at least one away coach trip.
   • Continue to produce a newsletter.
   • Sponsor a player.
   • Continue to run meet-ups.
   • Work with the club to setup twice yearly meetings.
   • Create more merchandise.
   • Organise a supporter’s group table at the player’s awards.
   • Push for representation at every Blues forum as we are often forgotten about in lieu of focus on fans of the men’s side.
6. CH opened the floor to ideas on what the group would like to see them do in the next year.
   • He suggested their own end of season player award and a Christmas toy drive at the last home game before the winter break to give toys to those that cannot afford any. Similar to what Real Betis do every year.
7. CS suggested minibuses to away games instead of multiple cars.
   • LC responded by asking about the financial viability of the idea depending on if a driver needed to be supplied by the minibus company or not.
   • BR used an example of a recent trip of his that cost around £25 each for them to travel by minibus and believes it’s still cheaper to go in separate cars for the time being.
   • EY suggested asking the FSA about potential funding for away travel.
8. BR suggested a supporter’s group flag to take to matches and the need to fundraise for that and other projects going forward.
   •  He also told the group he’d spoken to the club’s commercial department and is hopeful for a good price on player sponsorship for next season.
9. CH explained how the committee election process would work. CH, CS, BR and LC all stood for their current roles with no one oppose them so were voted back in.
10. The new position of Community Lead was created with EY voted in unopposed.
11. CH moved onto any other business with Steve W enquiring on the current number of members in the supporters group. BR responded with 90.
12. BR suggested the committee meet on a more regular basis to get things moving. It was agreed that every two months would be reasonable going forward.
13. CH invited DC to give his thoughts on the season just gone.
    • DC thanked the fans for inviting him once again.
    • He thought after the defeat to Sunderland they were out of contention for the league title.
    • He went onto praise the players and staff how they responded after that to go nine unbeaten and an excellent FA Cup run.
14. DC said after their strong end to the season it’s been a lot better for him when it comes to retention of players and getting transfer targets. He stated there is an abundance of players who want to play for this team.
15. DC told us there are a lot of positive things coming out from the takeover involving the women’s side. But believes actions are louder than words so will wait and see.
16. CH asked DC how Siobhan Wilson is doing in her recovery and her mind-set after missing out on the World Cup. DC responded Shiv is doing really well but did possibly the most damage she could have done to her knee. Told us she’s making a lot of progress and is determined to get back as soon as possible.
17. CH asked about potential short-term replacements for Wilson while she’s out. DC says he was looking for more left-sided players anyway and has managed to do that. DC did not name any player in particular but said at least two left-footed players were coming in.
18. CH asked about the potential for more loan signings this season. DC responded by saying he would prefer permanent deals this time around and leave loans as an option later in the season if needed.
    • DC praised those who were on loan with the club last season.
19. CS asked about Kerys Harrop. DC responded by saying he has spoken to her but believes she’s undecided on what the next step for her will be.
20. CS asked when will we know about players who have been retained. DC said they have pretty much agreed deals but the takeover is delaying things. He said retaining Lucy Thomas was crucial with a number of WSL clubs interested. Hopeful we will see some contracts announced within the next few weeks.
21. BR asked about one-year contracts and if that is going to change. DC believes times are changing and he is pretty confident every contract signed this summer will be two-year deals.
22. BR asked about the sister club programme and if it might return to bring pre-St Andrew’s crowds back. DC told us it’s been spoken about and thinks there is a lot more they can do to increase attendances.
23. Steve W asked about Academy players making the step up to first team football. DC said he was big on that being a player to come through the club himself. He is consistently speaking to the Academy staff and rewarding those that are doing well.
    • Praised Layla Banaras for how well she adjusted to first team training and believes sending Delphi Cole on loan in the Women’s National League was getting the best of both worlds whilst still training with Blues.
    • DC also praised Abbi Jenner who has really stepped up in the first team setup.
24. Steve W asked about the news that Academy players being poached. DC spoke about the news that clubs will have to pay compensation for young players for the time spent at academies. He believes it needed to happen given the number of players that have gone to rival clubs in recent years.
25. EY asked about kick-offs in which Blues often kick away from the home fans in the second half, sitting behind the away team dugout and having the players train away from the fans before the game.
    • DC said the warmup is how it was when he came in but is something they can change.
    • On seating arrangements, he said he is uncertain how things might change once The Kop reopens.
    • On the kick-offs DC said he gives players license on which way to kick towards in the first half.
26. John L asked about pre-season friendlies. DC isn’t sure if he can reveal who they are playing but believes the final friendly will be at St Andrew’s. The other games will be at Wast Hills and needs to ask the club if fans can attend those ones too.
27. CH thanked everyone who attended and closed the meeting.

Written Constitution

1.0 Name
1.1 The name of the association shall be “Birmingham City Women Supporters Group”.
2.0 Objectives and Purpose
2.1 To organise the support and encouragement of Birmingham City Women Football Club.
2.2 To give our members a formal route of approaching the club via the Supporters Group
Committee.
2.3 To promote, maintain and value the history and identity of Birmingham City Women FC
and its supporters.
2.4 To set down and encourage the acceptance of a standards of conduct to be observed
by members of the Supporters Group.
2.5 To organise social events, competitions and fundraising to ensure the long-term future
of the Supporters Group.
2.6 To encourage friendly relations with supporters of all football clubs.
2.7 To give our fans a voice on a national level through our membership with the Football
Supporters Association.
2.8 To encourage closer links between players and supporters.
2.9 To be a positive, inclusive and representative organisation, open and accessible to all
supporters of the Club regardless of their age, income, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality
or religious or moral belief.
3.0 Membership
3.1 Membership of the Supporters Group will be open to all ages.
3.2 Membership of the Supporters Group will be free of charge.
3.3 Members’ personal details share be stored securely and shall not be passed to a third
party without the member’s written consent, unless there is a local requirement for
Birmingham City Women Supporters Group to do so.
3.4 Membership records shall be kept the Secretary, on behalf of the Supporters Group and
shall be available to all members of the Committee.
3.5 Should the Committee reject an application for membership, the applicant shall be duly
notified and have the right of appeal at the next Committee Meeting.
3.6 Any member bringing Birmingham City Women Supporters Group into disrepute and/or
violating the code of conduct shall render themselves liable to expulsion. A member may be
suspended and recommended for expulsion by a special majority vote of the Committee
but shall not be expelled until the person in question has received a full hearing before a
disciplinary panel established by the Committee. The member shall have a full opportunity
to answer all allegations against them before a decision on expulsion is taking by the panel.
Any member expelled shall have the right of appeal.
4.0 Code of Conduct
All members of the Birmingham City Women Supporters Group shall be committed to:
4.1 Supporting, promoting, and furthering the objectives of the Birmingham City Women
Supporters Group.
4.2 Rejecting violence, abusive behaviour, or discrimination in any form.
4.3 Making Birmingham City Women Supporters Group an inclusive and welcoming group
that represents Birmingham City Women fans from all backgrounds.
4.4 Recognising that decisions made by the Birmingham City Women Supporters Group are
reached democratically by way of ballot, and respecting the outcome of each ballot.
All members of the Birmingham City Women Supporters Group shall be prohibited from:
4.5 Making communications in the name of Birmingham City Women Supporters Group
without express permission.
4.6 Profiting from activity associated with Birmingham City Women Supporters Group.
4.7 Complicating or sabotaging the objectives, activities or communications of Birmingham
City Women Supporters Group.
4.8 Bringing Birmingham City Women Supporters Group into disrepute by any other means.
5.0 The Committee
5.1 The Supporters Group shall be governed by a Committee, which shall comprise of
current members of the Supporters Group.
5.2 The Supporters Group Committee shall comprise of at least three individuals who hold
the roles of: chair, treasurer and secretary; with a maximum limit of 10 members on the
Committee.
5.3 Committee members may hold their positions for a maximum term of one year, before
seeking re-election.
5.4 If a Committee member steps down or is removed from their position for whatever
reason, a new election will be held to name their replacement.
5.5 The Chair shall oversee all Birmingham City Women Supporters Group meetings at
which they are present, they are responsible for ensuring all views of those present are
heard and hold the casting vote in the event of a tie between members.
5.6 In the Chair’s absence, another member of the Committee members will oversee the
meeting.
5.7 The Secretary is responsible for circulating the agenda ahead of meetings as well as
producing minutes for previous meetings.
5.8 The Treasurer shall ensure that adequate financial records are kept, and shall be
responsible for the proper administration of Birmingham City Women Supporters Group
financial affairs.
5.9 The Treasurer shall submit a statement of balances, and an income and expenditure
account, to the AGM every year. The Treasurer is also responsible for ensuring the full
record of financial transactions is audited by two elected officials by the end of the financial
year.
6.0 General Meetings
6.1 An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Supporters Group shall be held every calendar
year.
6.2 The Secretary shall ensure that all members are sent notification of the date, time, place
and agenda for the AGM not less than fourteen days before it is due to take place.
6.3 The Secretary shall ensure that copies of the minutes of the previous AGM and a
Birmingham City Women Supporters Group Annual Report are available at the AGM.
6.4 The Annual Report shall contain statements on the work of the Birmingham City Women
Supporters Group during the year from the Committee members as appropriate.
6.5 The AGM is the time at which Committee members are voted in or re-elected for
another term.
6.6 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by a minimum of 10, or 50% of
adult members, whichever is the lower, of the Supporters Group to decide matters of major
importance.
6.7 Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by any member of the Supporters
Group.
6.8 Any proposed amendment from a member shall be submitted to the Secretary in writing
not less than seven days prior to the date of the AGM or EGM called for the purpose.
6.9 An amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of members present to pass.
7.0 Finance
7.1 The Supporters Group shall, at all times, ensure that proper books of account are kept
of all transactions connected with the activities of the Supporters Group and shall, once
established, open a bank account and all monies received by the Supporters Group shall be
paid into such account.
7.2 Accounts of the Supporters Group shall be prepared annually.
7.3 All purchases over £10 will need to be sanctioned by the entire Committee, with
purchases over £50 needing the approval of 75% of the Supporters Group.
8.0 Relationship with Birmingham City Women Football Club
8.1 Birmingham City Women Supporters Group is officially recognised by Birmingham City
Football Club.
8.2 The Supporters Group is administratively and financially independent of the football
club.
8.3 We will continue to encourage an active discussion between the Club and the
Supporters Group.
9.0 Establishment
9.1 The Birmingham City Women Supporters Group was formed on June 7, 2020.
9.2 The Supporters Group became members of the Football Supporters Association (FSA)
on June 9, 2020.
9.3 The Supporters Group was officially recognised as the official Supporters Group by
Birmingham City Women Football Club on June 19, 2020.