July 2026
Present:
Andy Williams (Chairman), Andy Hunns (Vice-Chairman), Geoff Appleton (Treasurer), Margaret Appleton (Members & Outing Sec), Martin Clark (Memberships), Chris Deverell (Social Media & Website), Solveig Haywood (Jackpot Sales Manager), Jillian Lane (Marketing), Neil Larry, Linda Wright, Kevin Sands, Alan Melrose, Gill Melrose, Jane Roberts, Jackie Markham, Terry Pope, Debra Rayer, Marie Davies, Michael Wright , Andy Cobley, Sue Cobley, Keith Deverell, Jane Mawson, Pat Lilley, Mike Lilley, Peter Woodward, Alice Day, Malcolm Cowley, Paul Ibbott, Gervase French, Ian Boyes, Linda Howell, Geoff Howell, Brian Harris, Andrew Keech, Dave Clare, Keith Deverell, Mark McKeaveney, Alison Flahey, Sheila Shaw, Mark Tibbetts, Andrew McGrorey, Debra McGrorey, Anne Thomas, Robin Thomas.
1) Welcome
Andy Williams welcomed everyone, on behalf of the President, to the 1» AGM of the Bedford Blues Supporters Club and what would have been the 76th for the Followers. He thanked everyone for their support and attendance this evening.
2) Apologies
Apologies were received from Sam Roberts
(President), Howard Travis, Keith Appleyard, Margaret Gillett, Sarah Howse, David Owen, Hunter Cain and Ryan Robinson.
3) Minutes Of Last Meeting
The minutes of the last AGM were accepted.
a) Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4) Chairman’s Report
I approached the start of the season with some trepidation. Firstly, for the team heading into a tough new season and for the new BBSC organisation as we looked to move forward with a new committee and perhaps new expectations Our goal was to establish the new organisation with a smooth transition, maintain what works and perhaps try something new. I hope that you can agree that we did a good job with those goals this year.
I would like to acknowledge all those who contributed to our success this year. The current committee and our predecessors, our sponsors, the Club and our members. All voluntary organisations rely on people willing to contribute their time, energy and enthusiasm. We are privileged to have such strong support and do not take it for granted.
I would like to focus now on some highlights which were included in the infographic included in the meeting pack.
Our membership has grown and we ended the season with 310 members. Over the course of the season we filled 631 coach seats for away games. We had 110 attendees at the Cambridge 'Big Day Out' who benefitted from a brilliant day, the highlight being back with the team at the Scrum Bar.
33,389 jackpot tickets were sold, and this is a testament to the efforts of Solveig and the jackpot team. The team provide a friendly welcome to Goldington Road which is noted by away supporters who are often persuaded to buy a ticket. A few have even won prizes, most notably with a member of the Worcester supporters club winning the jackpot earlier in the season.
For those social media fans amongst us, you will be interested in the 153,000 Instagram views we had in the last month of the season. This reflects the fantastic work on our social media by Chris and Andy who have increased our brand and profile.
Most importantly we continued to contribute to the Club with £20,000 already donated and another £10-15,000 to follow as we manage our accounts. It should also be noted that we make smaller contributions to the Bedford and wider rugby community over the course of the season as determined by the committee. An example being our contribution to the Ladies Day chosen charity.
There is however always room for improvement, and we will continue to evolve. At the moment membership is around 10% of the crowd average. I'd like to reach 10% of the ground capacity as a target (500) so we have some work to do. Member experience will always be a priority for us. Andy Hunns is working hard to increase prizes through sponsorship, and we have two new sponsors and prizes for next season. The Big Away Day was a success and replicating it in the new season whilst refreshing other events will be a focus.
Managing the overall management process and making it more efficient is also an area we'd like to make progress with. Lastly, I want to continue to be transparent with our members in terms of decisions and finances and will look at ways in which we can facilitate this. Offers of support and contributions are greatly appreciated.
It has been a year of success on the field and as supporters we are proud of the Club and team. I am also proud of what we have achieved together as the Bedford Blues Supporters Club and look forward with confidence to another season with you and this great Club.
5) Treasurer’s Report
Geoff distributed a copy of his report. He pointed out that keeping the cost of away trips to £12 and the facility to book away trips online had helped increase the number of travelling supporters last season.
Income come from coach raffles increased this year and he thanked supporters donating prizes as well as thanking the tickets sellers on the bus. Geoff a thanked Chris Deverell, Solveig Haywood, Neil Larry and the other Jackpot sellers for their hard work leading to the increase in income from the Jackpot Draw.
The Cambridge Away Day was successful, and we took 109 supporters on two coaches.
Geoff gave special thanks to Neil Larry for organising tickets to the Worcester Warriors game, enabling Bedford supporters to sit together and make their presence heard.
BBSC were able to donate £20,000 to the club last season. The finances are in good position and BBSC will look to make a further donation to the club before the start of the next season.
Robin Thomas proposed that the accounts be adopted and Alan Melrose seconded this proposal.
6) Life/Honorary Membership
No nominations were received
7) Appointment Of Officers & Committee Members
The Officers and Committee members were put forward for re-election:
President - Sam Roberts
Chairman - Andy Williams
Vice Chairman - Andy Hunns
Treasurer - Geoff Appleton
Secretary - *Vacant
Outings Secretary - Margaret Appleton
Members Secretary - Martin Clark
Social media & website - Chris Deverell
Jackpot Sales Manager - Solveig Haywood
Marketing - Jilly Lane
Committee Members - Neil Larry, Linda Wright
*Linda Wright has acted as Secretary since Kevin Sands stood down in August '25 and is available for election to fill the role of Secretary.
The re-election of the members of the Committee was proposed by Jackie Markham and seconded by Anne Thomas and carried by the meeting.
8) AOB
Andy Cobley asked if the coaches could pick up supporters from the car park behind the club now that the building work has been completed at Gilbert Hitchcock House. Debra Rayer said that this would not be possible due to the shuttering around the fire damaged building just outside the Club car park. Since the hospital runs clinics on Saturdays it is also not possible to collect supporters from GHH car park. Coaches will continue to pick up from Bushmead Avenue for the time being.
Jackie Markham asked if the Committee meeting minutes could be summarised on the BBSC website for members to see them as they used to be. Due to changes to the website during the last season, the minutes had not been added. It was agreed that these will be added to the website again.
Terry Pope asked if the text on the website could be made larger as he finds it difficult to read on his smartphone. It was agreed that this would be investigated.
Jane Mawson commented that some away grounds have poor access for disabled supporters. The CHAMP have set criteria for access and this is not always met.
One member commended the committee for the organisation of the Big Day Out, thanking everyone involved. The Chairman stated that we will look to arrange a similar event next season and this could be at Chinnor or Richmond.
The Chairman told members that away travel cost will need to be increased next season due to the increase in charges from the coach company. He pointed out that Coventry charge supporters £38 to travel to Bedford! Travel costs will be announced before the start of the season.
BBSC would like to produce branded merchandise for its members. This could cause a conflict of interest with the Club shop. Andy Williams will raise this subject with Gareth Aldred.
9) Date of next AGM
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 20.50pm.
The date of next AGM will be announced at a later date.