Bradford City Supporters Board (SB) Public Minutes– Monday 03rd June 2019 Valley Parade – 7pm 1.0 ATTENDANCE 1.1 Adam Baker (SB Chair), Carl Smith (SB Vice-Chair), Iain Hardcastle (East Bierley Bantams), Ian Raper (Bingley Bantams), Tony Sykes (Remembrance Panel), Alan Carling (Remembrance Panel), Sally Thackray (Bradford City Women’s FC & Remembrance Panel), Lou Lawrence, Matthew Groves-Hemmingway & Nick Kitchen (Bradford City Disability Supporters Group), Manny Dominguez (BCST), Michael Shackleton (BCAFC), Ryan Sparks (BCAFC), Glenn Ackroyd (BCAFC) 2.0 APOLOGIES 2.1 Matt Sugden (Skipton Bantams), Rob Swithinbank (Independent Supporter), Emma Tillotson (Friends of Bradford City), Ian Taylor & Keith Taylor (Bingley Bantams), Steve Gorringe (Shipley Bantams), Andy Hindle (White Abbey Branch), Mark Hird (Bradford City Women’s FC). 3.0 MINUTES OF MEETING (29th APRIL 2019) 3.1 Agreed as previously circulated and issued via SB website 4.0 MATTERS ARISING (NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE) 4.1 N/A 5.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS a). Feedback from Independent Advisory Group (IAG) with West Yorkshire Police a.1 The Bradford City SB had representation from Adam Baker, Steve Gorringe and Manny Dominguez at the launch of the West Yorkshire Policy IAG which took place 21st May 2019. This provides a platform for Supporters’ to provide views on Football Policing to Senior personnel within West Yorkshire Police’s Football Unit. The Group comprises fans groups from Bradford City, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town as appropriate. a.2 The IAG will meet bi-monthly - we will advise Supporters in advance, take items for discussion and provide feedback where possible. The next IAG meeting to take place 17th July 2019. b). 20th Anniversary of Bradford City in the Premier League b.1 The SB had been contacted regarding the Club’s intentions to mark the 20th Anniversary of Bradford City’s promotion to the Premier League. b.2 A discussion took place regarding ideas for an appropriate event, with the Club likely to host an evening to mark the anniversary in December. Arrangements currently focussed on support of two events in aid of the Darby Rimmer Motor Neurone Foundation which is being formed by Stephen Darby (see c below) c). Darby Rimmer Motor Neurone Foundation c.1 Contracts to be finalised (as at the meeting date) however Bradford City to host pre-season friendly with Liverpool at Valley Parade in support of the Foundation. c.2 Thanks expressed to those at the Club involved in organising. c.3 A discussion took place regarding the arrangements for the game. Liverpool Supporters to be situated in the Midland Road with City season ticket holders to be able to obtain on a 1 ticket per season ticket basis. c.4 Blocks EXK & EXJ of the Main Stand to be reserved for hospitality guests. c.5 The SB offered support with any fundraising activities planned for the day including bucket collection if ratified. c.6 This will be billed as a first team pre-season friendly rather than exhibition event, the latter to be arranged for later in the year. d). Main Stand Suite Changes d.1 Tony Sykes raised a general query with regard to those supporters using suites on matchday’s. Tony provided feedback regarding instances where changes to those Suites available for home games had been made without being communicated in advance (other than social media). d.2 A discussion took place regarding how such changes could be made clearer in the future for the purposes of those supporters’ with Suite upgrade in particular to assist with access. Practicalities to be reviewed and brought to the next meeting. e). Fan Zone Update/Singing Areas within the Ground e.1 Following the launch of the Family Stand in the lower tier of the North West Corner, the Club had received requests to look into incorporating a singing section within the ground. e.2 K-Block of the Kop has done a lot to contribute to and add to the atmosphere on a matchday (particularly in adverse circumstances last season). With many season tickets already renewed for other areas of the ground, it is difficult to officially locate other specified areas (often this may be seen in a lower tier at other club’s). e.3 Glenn Ackroyd also provided an update on proposed Fan Zone (please see minutes of April 2019). Looking into feasibility of aligning with road closures around the ground (Head of Operations Paula Watson leading from a safeguarding perspective). e.4 Bingley Bantams offered to assist with any such zone. f). Supporters’ Liaison Officers (SLO) f.1 One area recently addressed in the Club’s review, was the role of Supporter Liaison Officers (which Club’s are mandated to appoint). This can be a voluntary role primarily to assist and be a face of the Club on matchdays to direct supporters as appropriate (home and away fans), to assist and support fans with problems which may occur & as they arise on the ground. f.2 There are many volunteers who assist the Club operationally however the role does require a level of commitment and reliability to work with stewards, supporters, police and others as appropriate. If an issue arises, presence may be required during a game, and report to the Club Board. f.3 SB agreed to support the recruitment of an SLO (this may include an SLO present on away games), with full role description to be advertised. g). SB Applications Further applications had been received from White Abbey Branch and Thornton Rooters. Agreed to be invited to the next meeting. h). Supporters’ Board Terms of Reference h.1 The first 3 months since the re-launch has focussed on engaging with recognised Supporters’ Groups to form an SB with as wide a reach as possible. h.2 It was agreed now the group is off the ground to formalise with a Terms of Reference available for all Supporters’ to refer to and to be placed within the SB Website. h.3 This includes appointment of SB members, review of existing members, roles of Chair/Vice Chair/Secretary, number of representatives permitted from any one group and a code of conduct. h.4 Adam Baker had circulated a proposed Terms of Reference. A number of amends were tabled and to be re-circulated for approval. This will then be posted to the website prior to the next meeting. 6. CLUB ISSUES 6.1 Michael Shackleton and Ryan Sparks updated the SB with regard to Priority Cards which will go on sale later next month. A points system has been acknowledged and is being considered – practicalities raised by SB members including capability to apply such points where purchasing tickets for friends and family “linked” on the online system. 6.2 The Club had picked up on Reports in the local press regarding Valley Parade being considered to host Rugby Challenge Cup Semi-Final. Nothing confirmed but SB considered that as a one-off this would not present concern (other than potential impact on the pitch). Concerns expressed by SB regarding wider non Bradford City FC related fixtures at Valley Parade in pre-season period, to be considered against financial impact. 6.3 It is the time of year where the Club consider Charity Partners for the coming season. The SB noted last year partners had been widely sought via Social Media votes. The SB agreed this was not necessarily the best route to ensure maximum exposure for a Charity Partner, rather than providing an explanation of how the relationship with the Club can benefit that Charity. A number of ideas expressed which could be supported on an ongoing basis and for a focussed strategy. 6.4 The Club have had approval for Heritage Numbers to be displayed on players kit – The SB supported this idea, which had been put together by Bantams Heritage, and thanks expressed to those involved. 7. SUPPORTERS GROUP NEWS & EVENTS 7.1 Alan Carling confirmed the annual Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit collection had raised £3,384.88. Thanks expressed to the SB Remembrance Panel for organising, to those who participated and fans who contributed.. Another great total, especially so given the low-key final game on the pitch from a City perspective. 7.2 Bingley Bantams have a number of events planned including members taking part in a Charity Bike ride June 21-23rd, 127 miles in 3 days supporting One in a Million. Beer and Gin bash also taking place Saturday 29th June 2019. 7.3 East Bierley Bantams End of Season Social – 22nd June. 8.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS 8.1 Covered above 9.0 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING 9.1 Monday 01st July 2019 to take place 7pm at Valley Parade. Agenda items would be requested in advance. .