January 2026

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

1) Apologies:

None - all present.

2) Minutes Of Last Meeting

Approved and signed by Andy Williams.

3) Finance Update

Geoff reported the current position of our finances.

It is customary to make a mid-season contribution to the Club and Andy W suggested making a donation. The committee agreed to this.

Andy W will ask Gareth to provide three options as to where this contribution will be spent. Martin asked how the donation will be made as previously bought equipment and donated to the Club. Andy W said this will be a cash donation so that it is accounted for in the clubs books. The Club will appreciate the additional funding from BBSC to boost their cash flow.

Last season the contribution helped to fund the Disabled Stand. This will be recognised on a plaque the club have commissioned to be put on the stand, listing all the contributors who funded it. There has been very positive feedback this season from people who have benefited from the stand.

4) Coach Travel Update

Margaret told the committee that travel to both Chinnor matches had been well supported with a full 61-seater coach on 3rd January and only a few space left on the same coach on 17th January. Bookings for Hartpury trip currently at 53 while 14 have signed up for Doncaster on 14th February. Due to the first Chinnor match being cancelled, we had to pay an additional £800 for a coach for the rescheduled game. Income from seat sales and raffles helped to cover this as well as the sweepstakes meant we broke even on these trips.

Margaret mentioned the issues with the toilet door on the coach accidentally locking preventing it’s use. We will ensure we have access to the key so that the toilet can remain in service for the whole journey.

It was felt that we should remind all supporters to keep the journey enjoyable, respectful and welcoming for everyone on the coach.

5) Cabin Update

Following a discussion with Andy W, Gareth has agreed to sort out the issues with the handle and the step up into the cabin. The leak in the roof at the back of the cabin also needs to be addressed as the carpet is saturated each time is rains. Andy W will remind Gareth of this on-going problem. The Club promised to provide us with the cabin and undertook to make the repairs. The Club should honour their commitment to having the cabin properly refurbished.

Gareth has ruled out the replacing of the window as he feels the cabin will not be safe structurally. Jilly said her husband is a structural engineer and will be able to check this out.

People are having issues locating the cabin and if we can’t replace the window we need to go ahead with getting the BBSC branded wrap added to the cabin front wall. Andy W will ask Gareth to have this arranged and BBSC will foot the bill. We have had feedback that people don’t always hear the jackpot ticket draw announcement.

We need to broadcast these numbers in the ground:

i) Chris confirmed we have an a-frame blackboard and chalk pens in the cabin. We could write the numbers on this and place this where it can be seen but not cause an obstacle to free flow of movement in the ground.

ii) AH suggests the Club display the numbers on the screen at the far end of the pitch? AW will discuss with Club and if viable, ask Ryan to set up a template so that these can be fed in after the draw.

6) Cambridge - Big Day Out

Russell Beard has agreed to sponsor the Big Day Out with donation.

Mike Rayer is on board with our plans and is supportive: he’s agreed that some players, not directly involved in the match, will accompany the supporters on the coaches and interact during the journey.

The plan is to take up to three coach loads of supporters, and independent travelling supporters will also be able to participate. Margaret to talk to Chiltern to book coaches.

The basic plan is :

• to meet up at Goldington Road for bacon rolls before the coaches leave.

• arrive at Cambridge and socialise with their supporters before the match.

• Watch the match.

• Travel back to Goldington Road and have the Man of the Match presentation in the Scrum bar with supporters enjoying an included drink and pizza laid on in the bar.

• Some players will join supporters in the bar for a Q&A.

Provisional cost to participate will be £15 per head to include bacon roll, travel, drinks voucher and pizza.

There will be a raffle on each coach with raffle tickets sold in The Scrum Bar.

Andy W will organise numbered tokens to be given out so that we can check we have the correct numbers to bring back to Bedford and no one gets left behind!

Costings: Margaret says 49-seater coaches cost £700 each

Need to get Taylors Kitchen to quote and price for bacon rolls and also get a price for the pizzas plus talk to the club regarding the drink vouchers.

NB Chris Ashworth has agreed to sponsor a coach to Cambridge.

Only 9 weeks until the Big Day so we need to start promoting it on socials and on the website telling people to reserve their places by booking early as demand will be high.

Possibility to get Clubber involved to help promote the event and also local BBC stations.

7) End Of Season Soiree

Andy W advised the committee that we need to start planning for the soiree.

Due to the play-offs, the date if the event cannot be decided at present but we can start planning the various constituent parts that need to be organised

• Sam Roberts to be MC for the evening approx. cost £300.

• Organise raffle prizes (wine chocolates etc).

• Organise auction with up to 10 items eg signed shirts.

• Book guest speaker linked to Club: Jilly suggested Rich may be able to do this depending on the date?

• Look at players milestones during season and organise framed photos for presentations/prizes.

• Andy W to give speech on the first year of BBSC

• Organise catering: Taylors Kitchen to quote price per head

• Invite sponsors to event.

• Try of the Season

Members will attend this event for free/non members can by tickets @ £15each.

Get members to book online to get numbers for catering – is there a limit on numbers who can attend?

Invite Life Members to the evening FOC.

Last year’s event cost circa £2.5k.

8) Branded Items

Chris asked if we need to obtain further banners or flags branded with BBSC logo. Andy W says that the Club are quite sensitive about us going too far with BBSC branding, so we probably have sufficient for the time being. We could put the pop up banners on the stage in Scrum Bar on Big Day Out.

9) A.O.B.

a) Jilly suggested putting out a questionnaire asking members how they think BBSC is going. She has offered to create 5 questions that can be sent out to members via the WhatsApp channel.

b) Andy W said that he has connected with Ealing, Worcester, Coventry and Doncaster supporters Clubs. Other Clubs like the way BBSC is set up and want to build relationships between our organisations to promote the CHAMP clubs Andy H suggested setting up a CHAMP supporters Club podcast.

c) Solveig suggested contacting Worcester to find out where they will be putting the supporters who attend the match there. Andy W will check with them so that we can advise BBSC members where to book tickets.

d) It was pointed out that whilst the main sponsors are all name checked on our newsletters, the Blue Ballers are not. We need to review the sponsors so that all are credited and acknowledged.

e) Lesley Cornish decided to step down from BBSC committee at the end of last year. The Committee wish to record that we are all very grateful for her active participation over the years she served on the Followers Committee and her continued service with BBSC. Jilly has offered to organise this on behalf of the committee.

f) We need to advise away supporters of where the Man of the Match presentation will take place at each ground we visit. It has been agreed that these details will be added to the WhatsApp channel with the voting details at each match.

g) Solveig mentioned that Alison Flayey has been selling raffle tickets on the coaches on the recent trips that she has not been able to travel on. The committee agreed that we should name check her on the next home programme to thank her for her support on the away trips.

10) The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 19th February 2026. Venue to be confirmed nearer the time.