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).
- Meeting started by CH who welcomed everyone to the AGM and introduced the current committee to those present.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The new position of Community Lead was created with EY voted in unopposed.
- CH moved onto any other business with Steve W enquiring on the current number of members in the supporters group. BR responded with 90.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- CH thanked everyone who attended and closed the meeting.