Bradford City Supporters Board (SB)

Public Minutes– Monday 04th November 2019

Valley Parade – 7pm 1.0 ATTENDANCE

Adam Baker (SB Chair), Justin Brett (SB Minutes Secretary & BCST), Lee Fergus (East Brierley Bantams), Steve Gorringe (Shipley Bantams), Christine Tarren (Shipley Bantams), Lou Lawrence (Bradford City Disability Supporters Group), Manny Dominguez (BCST), Emma Tillotson (Friends of Bradford City), Sally Thackray (Bradford City Women’s Football Club), Michael Shackleton (BCAFC), Ryan Sparks (BCAFC).

2.0 APOLOGIES Carl Smith (Vice-Chair), Keith Taylor & Ian Taylor (Bingley Bantams), Rob Swithinbank (Independent Supporter), Andy Hindle (White Abbey Branch), Tony Sykes (Remembrance Panel)

3.0 MINUTES OF MEETING 02/10/2019 – (Postponed)

4.0 MATTERS ARISING (NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE)

No Matters Arising

5.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS

5a. Kop Front Row Cordon

Front row cordon applied to Kop, with no further incursions. As part of Sponsorship deal, seats will be unavailable for next season also.

5b. Racial Incident v Port Vale

Following the report of a City fan being target of racially aggravated abuse walking to the ground (allegedly by fellow supporters), the Club have made contact with the victim to offer support. The difficulty for the Club in identifying those involved being the incident taking place outside of the perimeter of the ground (though other private sources of CCTV etc may be available). The issue has been brought up with the Police, who are investigating whilst the club would look to ban those found to be involved.

5c. Parking Restrictions

Parking restrictions around the ground found to be have been implemented without clear timeline of enforcement provided to Club. The Club contacted the Council and those who received tickets on the first weekend of enforcement should have had penalty notices cancelled. Unfortunately these will be enforced going forward. Discussion took place around disabled parking bays, for which access via hill to the rear of the TL Dallas Stand preventative for wheelchairs and many disabled persons.

5d. Lottery Solutions (held over from postponed meeting)

The first draw is going to be announced in November, with representative to be invited to a future meeting to present background of benefits for the Club.

5e. 2020 Season Tickets (Half Year Season Ticket Query)

The SB had received a question around half year season tickets. The Club confirmed there were no plans to provide half year season tickets this campaign. A discussion took place around procedure for 2020 season ticket planning/membership (confidential minute).

The Club did feedback that there were a number of supporters who contacted the Club regarding non- extension of deadlines last season. Lessons from prior years that one time-window only provided.

5f. General Club Contact Info and Response

SB had received feedback from fans who had encountered difficulties contacting the Club via phone- lines or Club email. Phone system is currently being upgraded, which will monitor call times and for occasions where the club may require extra staff on the phonelines.

The SB questioned previously dedicated Ticket Office social media page which could assist to ease speed of response and to help ensure certain queries don’t go unanswered. Ryan Sparks advised the Club have gone back to using one official account on social media platforms to help ensure that the information which goes out can be up to date and consistent without contradictions which previously had led to further confusion. Club can not respond to all direct questions but will look to do so where possible.

5g. Removal of Betting Company from the ground?

Betting kiosks are no longer present at Valley Parade on match-days. The company operating these found the kiosks were no longer viable, due to use of online services. The Club receive modest revenues from SkyBet provision via the Club website.

5h. I-Follow Commentary

Feedback received from those using i-follow that there continue to be some delays and synchronization issues. The Club advised the cost implication of moving away from the ISDN line, however not unique to City and the EFL are looking at options. In terms of content the i-follow package is improving with replays and bespoke features. The Club advised this is a revenue stream for the club and therefore continually reviewed.

5i. Maintenance Feedback

The SB had received feedback for re-direction to maintenance team. C and F Block (Main Stand) request for rows to be marked clearly. We also received a note that Block E seat numbers to be checked in order.

6.0 CLUB ISSUES

6.a Club Shop – Broadway

The Club have secured a unit within the Broadway in Bradford City centre until the end of January. Continuation of this unit would be reviewed beyond January, which could be influenced by league position.

6.b Darby Rimmer Fundraising Game (All-stars XI)

There had been a report of an “all-stars” game in aid of the Darby Rimmer Foundation. The Club clarified whilst it remains the intention (per previous minutes) this has not yet been confirmed pending discussion with all parties involved.

7.0 SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS

Updates provided by the following groups:

7.a Bradford City Women’s Football Club

The Club are in a similar position, whilst local club Guiseley have folded following no further financial backing, other rival teams still continue to pay wages. Discussion took place around commercial possibilities with fans groups and those previously agreed with Bradford City men’s team.

7.b Bradford City Supporters’ Trust

AGM to be announced in due course with guest speaker. BCST had also continued work around liaison with match-day authorities via the West York Police Independent Advisory Group (it was suggested to include Level-Playing Field in respect of matters relating to disabilities), and support of campaign for improved local radio commentary coverage. BCST developed regular discussions with Julian Rhodes on an ongoing basis around structured dialogue with supporters.

7c. Bradford Disability Supporters Group

Work undertaken to provide radio sets for visually impaired supporters. A number are now available on request from main reception.

The Club have also agreed with Bradford Disability Supporters Group to adopt Sunflower Lanyards – to assist Club staff to recognize potential for hidden disabilities, for example customer service at kiosks.

7d. Friends of Bradford City

FoBCFC membership is now available - £10 membership includes official FoBCFC scarf for the 2019/20 season. Also working closely with Darby Rimmer Foundation together with Club related good causes.

7e. Shipley Bantams

21st November AGM at Woodbottom Club, Shipley – an evening with Greg Abbott as guest speaker.

8.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8a. Friends of Bradford City have been approached by Supporters at their stall on Midland Road concourse looking to purchase match-day programmes (sellers only seem to be outside the ground). FoBCFC offered to have a small number of programmes on their stall for supporters who miss the sellers outside of the ground.

8b. Feedback provided regarding half-time scores appearing in very small font on big screen. Club agreed to increase font size to make this easier to read.

8c. Fanzone Update – This remains in the planning process but does continue to be persued. With permissions required, it is expected that a Junior Fanzone will be trialed in April 2020 with a view to broadening this out.

10. NEXT MEETING

7pm Monday 02nd December 2019