Meeting attended by: Barry Ross (Chair), Claire Barrett (Social Secretary & Safeguarding), Lynda Courts (Treasurer), Darren Harris (Head of Social Media) and 10 other members (names withheld for privacy).
Apologies: Kerys Harrop (Patron) and Ellie Yates (Community Lead)
Barry Ross (Chair) opened the AGM with a welcome and an introduction to the current committee members.
BR then gave an overview of last year’s activities.
Attended Open Day Training Session in August
Had a social get together in the Globe & Ball with Hope Powell & Amy Merricks joining us for a Q&A.
Coach travel was organised, in conjunction with Kaylie Jennings, Blues Women Marketing Manager, for the away games at Bristol City, Sheffield United & Southampton.
Darren Harris bought the 1st season ticket and was invited to watch the team train in September.
Held a social in the Globe & Ball with a Q&A with Christie Harrison-Murray in November.
Organised a social get together at the Son Caney Bar in June.
Filled two tables at the Supporters Awards night again for the 2024/25 season.
Presented our first Supporters Group Player of the Season Award to Neve Herron at the Player Awards.
Our social media following increased to over 1,800 on Facebook and over 1,200 on Twitter/X.
We continued to send out our monthly newsletters to our members.
Helped Sadie the Bluenose increase her YouTube subscribers from 30 to over 200.
Supporters Group flag was at every home and away game; when our U21 Academy won the PGA Cup Final and across the Euros in Switzerland.
A number of members were interviewed by numerous national and local radio programmes during the Euros.
We continued to work alongside Blues 4 All to increase attendance, inclusion and diversity at our games.
We have continued to be active with the Football Supporters Association (FSA) Women’s Network.
Attended the FSA AGM in Manchester.
Shared an invitation to see the Women’s Euro Trophy before it left for Switzerland.
Consulted on discussions about league increases and suspension of relegation from WSL.
Started consultation with Rochdale Supporters Trust to help them engage more local girls into
playing football.
Group membership has increased to almost 200 now.
BR announced that Blues legend Kerys Harrop had agreed to become the group’s patron.
Next BR provided an update regarding the Women’s Official Supporters Group and thanked the members for their support over the past year.
Became part of the OSC in July 2024.
Struggled to organise anything as we had to go through the OSC leaders who had no contacts with our Women’s team.
Decided to leave the OSC set up in January due to differences in values.
Brought back our Supporters Group in February after requests from our members.
Lynda Courts then provided an update of the 24/25 accounts.
£6.07 was refunded to former chair CH for the drinks they provided for the previous AGM.
£53 was spent on the new Blues Women Supporters Group flag which featured across the season.
£40 was spent on the player of the season award, which was given to Neve Herron.
Our current funds stand at £900.88
BR returned to give an overview of the objectives for the upcoming season.
Build on all of our previous activities.
Work closely with Blues Marketing and Social Media contacts.
Investigate ways to increase our attendance at away games.
Increase number of social get togethers.
Investigate merchandise opportunities.
Continue to help those who need our help.
Continue to increase our membership.
Stay true to our values.
BR then opened the floor for any ideas for the coming season.
CH asked if there was any plans to release any of the content from when the women’s team celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. LC/BR explained it would be worth talking to Debbie Fletcher (former player and author) who still regularly attends games about this.
LC also mentioned that it was worth speaking to the Blues Matters team who organised the Blues Antique Roadshow event last month to see if they can assist.
We then moved onto the committee elections where the following positions were up for election: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Safeguarding Lead, Head of Social Media, Treasurer, Social Secretary, LGBTQ+ Lead, Youth Representatives and general Committee Members.
Barry Ross was re-elected as Chair
Claire Barrett was elected as Vice-Chair, Secretary and Safeguarding Lead
Lynda Courts was re-elected as Treasurer
Darren Harris was re-elected as Head of Social Media
Andrew Whitlock was elected as Social Secretary
Ellie Yates was elected as LGBTQ+ Lead
Sadie Milner and Riley Barrett were elected as Youth Representatives
Lynn Anderson, Peter Milner and Anthony Linford were elected as Committee Members.
BR asked if there could be a round of applause for our newly elected committee members.
Any Other Business
Safeguarding issues surrounding the last home game of the season (vs London City Lionesses)
Concerns were raised as parents were seen taking their children home/away from the stands due to foul language and behaviour. An LCL fan also reported homophobic and racist chants from Blues fans to the club.
We discussed that we would definitely benefit from having a designated area for Away Fans especially in light of the fact that we may have a home tie vs Aston Villa in the cup where mixed seating will not be able to go ahead.
Lynda suggested block 32 as a suitable area for the away fans to be housed and it would be made easier if a note could be added advising where to purchase as an away fan on the club’s website. Lynda/Claire/Barry to action talks with the club.
Coach Travel
Members agreed that it may be worth looking into offering a coach service again. £15 per head was thought a reasonable price.
Lynda explained that if travelling longer distances and with families toilets are a necessity and may drive up the price.
Barry explained that we may be eligible for some funding from the FSA. Barry/Claire to action next steps.
Social Media Promotion
Sadie Milner offered to promote the Supporters Group via her YouTube channel.
BR explained that we will add a separate section in the Supporters WhatsApp Community for Lionesses matches. This will enable us to coordinate group purchases of tickets to games which may access a discount.
Barry has since created this.
Ellie Yates via Barry Ross queried the new ruling/guidance about Trans people using toilets at the ground. What are the club doing to address this? Also the point was raised about how the club will manage any possible protests around Trans Women playing football.
Claire to contact the clubs EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Lead.
Rainbow Laces Campaign
The group has previously taken part in this campaign. Members were keen to take part this season but were unsure where to enquire. Ellie Yates may have a contact from her work with Chesterfield Football Club.
Birmingham Pride
Members suggested having a stall or taking part in the parade. The LGBTQ+ OSC will be able to assist with this as they took part this year.
Barry/Claire/Lynda to contact the relevant parties.
BR then gave a closing statement thanking members for attending and expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.
