Present: Andrew Williams (Chair), Andrew Barwell, Neil Larry, Martin Clarke, Geoff Appleton, Margaret Appleton, Chris Deverell, Solvieg Haywood, Linda Wright.

1) Apologies:

Jilly Lane, Neil Larry, Martine Clarke

2) Minutes Of Last Meeting

Approved and signed by Andy Williams.

a) Matter Arising:

Since the last meeting Kevin Sands has resigned as Secretary due to family commitments. Jane Roberts is also no longer to attend committee meetings but will be available if needed for advice.

Andy Barwell will continue to provide support and attend when possible A note will be made on the Supporters Page in the Saints Programme thanking them for their time on the committee and contribution they have made to the organisation of the new Supporters Club and their previous roles with the Followers and Friends of the Blues. Kevin, Jane and Andy have been instrumental in the transition to the new organisation and it is important to acknowledge them.

3) Coach Travel:

The Coach Travel Sub committee met in the afternoon on 26th Aug (AW SH MA CD attended - NL sent apologies).

Three main points were discussed:

1. Coach company

Marshalls have not responded to Margaret's queries concerning their T&C for hiring coaches, the sizes available Etc

The Sub Committee has therefore decided that Chiltern will be appointed at BBSC coach providers for 2025/26 season. Margaret will contact Chiltern Coaches to confirm this Andy Williams will have a conversation with Gareth to advise him on this decision.

2. Away Games

Due to cost, there will not be a coach booked for Pirates match. It was decided that due to small numbers normally traveling to Ampthill, no coach will be booked for this match either. However, we will explore alternatives for travelling to Ampthill. Andy Huns suggested that supporters could arrange car shares to travel.

3. Pricing for Coach Travel

The sub committee looked at historical numbers travelling to away matches and the prices of the various trips. They also took into consideration the subsidies contributed from Jackpot Draw sales and decided that all trips will cost £12 for BBSC members and £17 for non-members.

This price point should mean that travel will break even over the course of the season. This relatively low cost will hopefully encourage more people to travel on the coaches. In previous season, coach trips have been sponsored by various individuals at £100 per trip. Sponsors have the option of presenting the Man of the Match Award, they are named on the label on the bottle and their photo appears on the next home game programme. (those who wish to remain anonymous can opt out of this).

SH will contact previous coach sponsors to see if they wish to sponsor away travel this season prior to new potential sponsor being approached.

Geoff will purchase the champagne and arrange the labels for MOTM awards.

Travel to away trips will be covered in a newsletter to members as well as the potential opportunity to sponsor coaches.

4) Membership Update:

Martin was unable to attend the meeting this evening but has promised a full update at the next meeting.

5) Jackpot & Finance Update:

Chris has researched "Counter stands" as an alternative to selling jackpot tickets from the top of wheelie bins. It was agreed that, if costs are reasonable, this will look more professional and have our BBSC branding, as well as making the sellers jobs a more pleasant experience. The stands will be made stable by weighting them down with sand or water. We will need to purchase 3-4 stands and Chris will see if a discount can be negotiated on a bulk purchase.

Sellers will continue to wear the high vis jackets in the short term.

Solveig will contact ticket sellers to advise them on the stands and send them sample photos.

Chris is to confirm the final design of the tickets in order to get them ordered: 40,000 to be ordered printed in books of 10 with each ticket priced at 50p (£5 per book).

Current financial position:

Followers NatWest Account balance £ 5,611

Friends Barclays Account balance £5,943

The monthly direct debits generate around £2,000 per month Finances will be reported at future meetings. Chris is to be reimbursed for items he has already purchased on behalf of BBSC.

Geoff is currently the only signatory on the NatWest account until others can be added. Kevin is still a signatory and will be needed to provide the second signature on cheques until the mandate is changed. Expenses will be reimbursed from the NatWest account to run this down up to the point where the Barclays Account is the sole account for the organisation.

6) Sponsor & Prize Update:

Andy Huns has been contacting sponsors from last season to confirm that they will continue this season (Papillon, Devonshire Arms, New Bombay, Denmark St Fish & Chip shop, Santaniello's Also checking the prizes offered.

Andy is "following" sponsors on social media and reposting their posts. A list of current sponsors with contact details will be created for reference and to support ongoing communication.

Andy Williams commented that very few of the winners actually redeemed their prizes from the Sponsors.

7) BBSC Office:

Sophie has contacted us to say that the new BBSC Office has been painted and spruced up and will be available for us from 1st Sept.

By this time the exterior will also have been painted.

Chris is to obtain a quote to have the window replaced with toughened glass so that we can dispense with the cage that protects the current window.

The Club are letting us keep the furniture in the office. We will need a table by the window. We will need to put up photos, flags etc to make it look more "homely" as its currently cold & white Solveig asked if the door lock has been changed?

We will fit a "wrap" onto the exterior wall featuring the new logo Chris has several designs that the committee need to consider.

8) The next meeting will be Thursday 2nd October, venue to be confirmed.