Join the BEDFORD BLUES SUPPORTERS CLUB
Present:
Sam Roberts (President), Jane Roberts (Chairman), Kevin Sands (Secretary), Geoff Appleton (Treasurer), Margaret Appleton (Members & Outings Secretary), Lesley Cornish, Solveig Haywood, Neil Larry, Andy Barwell, Jilly Lane, Chris Deverell, Linda Wright, Keith Appleyard, Andrew Williams, Brian Harris, Pauline Reuter, David Reuter, Jeff Williams, Peter Woodward, Ben Woodward, Terry Pope, Mark McKeaveney, Barbara Dainton, Andy Cobley, Paul Ibbott, Geoff Howell, Linda Howell, Gill Melrose, Jane Mawson, Martin Sharpe, Alan Melrose, Chris Tagg, Eirwen Tagg, Alison Flahey, Sheila Shaw, Margaret Gillett, Sue Cobley, Clare Harper-Smith, Brian Cornish, Lee Smith, Sarah Howse, Hunter Cain, Alison Barwell, Mike Lilley, Pat Lilley, Marie Davis, Chris Scullion, Anne Thomas, Robin Thomas, Jackie Markham, Debra Rayer, Andrew McGrorey, Debra McGrorey, Mick Wright, Matt Wright, Gareth Alred
1) Welcome
Sam welcomed everyone for coming and looking forward to a lively and constructive meeting.
2) Apologies
Apologies were received from:- Mick Meadows, Mel Grover, Peter Smith, Ryan Robinson, Andrew Keech, Colin Dainton, Mike Adamson, Leolin Boyes, Ian Boyes, Mark Tibbets, Alan Thompson, Phil Morre, Rex Elliott, Alan Harper-Smith, Mark Poxton, Matt Meadows.
3) Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last AGM were accepted and signed by the Chairman.
a) Matters arising
Item 9a) - The system of raffle ticket sales on the away coaches has been revised.
Item 9b) - The leaving times at away games will be decided on a fixture by fixture basis.
4) Chairman’s Report
I would like to welcome you all to our 75th AGM.
I think it’s only right to start with a moment of silence to remember all those we’ve lost this season and especially our own Chairman, Phil Novis, as well as Gareth Davies, Jim Beaumont, aka Cheeseman, Peter Neeves and most recently a past committee member, Barry Rylands, plus of course anyone I haven’t mentioned by name.
Losing Phil so suddenly at the start of the season was a huge shock to everyone who knew him and of course to everyone on the committee. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone on the committee who, despite dealing with their own personal grief, pulled together to get us through that incredibly difficult time. I would also like to thank every single member of the committee for their help and support to me – I wouldn’t have been able to take on the role of Chair for this season without them. Thank you all.
As we celebrated our 75th Anniversary it has been a very successful season for the Followers, again taking a coach to all but one of our away fixtures - many of those coaches being full.
We should reflect on and celebrate the changes and improvements that have been introduced over the last season –
• The introduction of taking payment by card which has made a big difference to the home game Jackpot takings as well as making it easier to pay for away trips;
• Our new website has a great new look and feel and special thanks must go to Chris and Jilly for all their hard work in making it happen and making the transition from the old to the new site, completely seamless;
• Of course as well as looking great, a feature of the new website is the ability to book away trips online – I know a number of people are making use of this already and it’s working really well;
• Keeping all away travel at £10 per seat for the season;
• Changing Jackpot prizes to a fixed amount for the 3 prizes.
We have been able to make two donations to the Club during the season – the first of £3,000 was made at the end of last year, and most recently we have given £10,000 which will go towards an enhanced project connected to the wheelchair shelter, and that is the provision of a new accessible toilet, thereby improving the facilities for all of our disabled supporters.
We also made a donation to each of the charity matches run by the Blues last season.
As well as my committee colleagues, there are a number of people to thank for their help and support over the season:
• Our coach seat sponsors – Blue Ballers and Eagle Travel
• All those, too many to mention individually, who have sponsored an away coach
• All of the volunteers who have turned out rain or shine, to help sell Jackpot tickets on home match days.
We couldn’t have done what we’ve done and had such a successful season without you all – thank you.
We’ve come a long way in the last season and think we can all agree, it’s been a great success. But now, it’s time to look forward to the next exciting phase for all supporters of Bedford Blues.
5) Treasurer’s Report
I am very pleased to be able to present my 24th report as Treasurer of the Association. The Committee regrets that the accounts for this year have not, as yet, been audited as we have been unable to find an auditor. In the past we have had auditors who have completed this task without asking for payment. If you know of anyone who could do this please ask them to contact a member of the Committee.
This season has been very successful with the full introduction of payment by card and also the facility to book away trips online. This is due to the new excellent website.
We have been fortunate to have another successful year financially despite the income over expenditure showing a loss of £4674. This is due to being able to donate £13000 to the Blues, for which they are extremely grateful.
We ran coaches to all away games except Cornish Pirates and were able to maintain the £10 seat charge for all coach journeys. We were encouraged by more people choosing to travel. The sponsorship of away matches/coaches continued, raising £1500 this year. The coach raffles were up by £300 on last year and we wish to thank all those people who very generously donated prizes. Special thanks go to Solveig Haywood, Lesley Cornish and Neil Larry for their hard work in selling raffle tickets and the sweepstake on the coaches. The sweepstake raised £416.
The Jackpot was very successful raising over £10000. Donations of £250 from the Jackpot were given to each of the charities on their match days. Many thanks to those Committee members and Followers who sold tickets.
Membership remined stable and we were able to give membership to Friends of the Blues members.
Margaret and I would like to thank the Committee for their support throughout the season. We would like to thank Jane Roberts for her help when Margaret was unwell and Chris Deverell and Neil Larry who helped with the raffle when I was unable to due to an operation and being car less for a while. We are indebted to them all.
We were blessed with some fantastic rugby this season and to finish second was amazing. Our thanks go to Mike and the team for all their efforts. The better the team plays, the ore supporters will wish to travel to away games.
6) Life / Honorary Membership
No nominations were received.
7) Proposed Merger of The Followers and Friends Of The Blues
Andy Barwell and Gareth Alred were invited to the table to assist with answering questions at the end of the presentation by Jane.
For nearly two years, starting when Phil was still with us, the committees of both Followers and FoB have been discussing what we each do, the fact that we’re both often targeting often the same people, that there is confusion in the marketplace with many people not realising there are two organisations, nor what each does. Also especially within the Followers, we have (with a couple of exceptions) an aging committee who won’t be able to go on forever and we need to look at sustainability for the future.
The relationship with the FoBs has continued to develop over that time and we have never been closer. There is a clear synergy between our two organisations and it makes complete sense for the viability of both organisations to create a strong platform that we can build on, and that we make the step to formally bring our two organisations together under one umbrella.
There have been initial discussions with representatives of Followers, FoB and the Club about what the future might look like. Nothing has been finalised – it can’t be until we discuss and agree at this meeting, but we’ve had some positive discussions about how best to move forward and ideas abound.
We believe a change of name is required to bring us into the 21st Century – after much discussion, the name BEDFORD BLUES SUPPORTERS CLUB was the preferred option. It does what it says on the tin – we’re all supporters of Bedford Blues so no confusion and anyone searching on the web will naturally search on Supporters.
We also think that to merge the Followers and FoB will give more clarity and any supporters who might have been unsure about what each one does, will have one clearly named organisation for all fans. Combining the two organisations will improve sustainability and resilience for both and give a stronger and more unified voice going forward.
Pooling resources will allow us to have a bigger impact, whether that be running larger events, offering better travel options or creating a bigger away support community.
It will also give us one well-organised supporters club thereby reducing any duplication of effort.
The new organisation will remain completely independent of Bedford Blues although we will work closely with them.
The aim of the merged organisation is to provide unwavering support for Bedford Blues, both on and off the field, by raising vital funds, providing transport to take as many supporters as possible to away games, fostering camaraderie and creating a sense of belonging amongst like minded fans.
There are lots of ideas coming from both committees and of course, we’d love to hear your ideas on how all aspects of a supporters community can be improved. Please have a think about it and send any ideas you may have to Kevin.
Before we take the votes, I’d like to open the floor to any questions. Please bear in mind that we have had initial discussions only so the detail needs to be worked on during the closed season – are there any questions?
There were a number of questions from the floor including any changes to membership fees. It was confirmed that there will be no change to the current membership fees for both the Followers and FoBs.
The meeting was then asked to vote on 2 proposals:-
1. To change the name of The Followers to Bedford Blues Supporters Club.
Jackie Markham seconded the proposal. 53 voted for and 4 against.
Therefore the proposal was carried.
2. To merge FoB into the Bedford Blues Supporters Club.
Terry Pope seconded the proposal. 53 voted for and 4 against.
Therefore the proposal was carried
