Has it really been a year since our last AGM and my first report?
A lot has happened at the Supporters Club in that year mainly our new website which I hope you agree is an amazing asset to our members. The old website was approximately 5 years old and when we had it made for us at that time it was what we needed but as technology moved on it was no longer completely fit for purpose and at times caused more issues than it solved. You may have noticed that your membership did not auto renew in July so if you haven’t already you will need to join as a new member this year then it will auto renew moving forward. Our huge thanks to Elliott at Weblake for yet again building the site for us and listening to our needs. Without him we would never have got this far and we are all eternally grateful to him for doing this for us and being at the end of the phone when we need him
We continue to sell 50/50 tickets and the new monthly magazine on behalf of the Football Club. I know there have been many issues with the wifi around the stadium but I have been assured by the Club that this has now been upgraded and should now be working a lot better than it has been. Please be patient with our sellers if it takes slightly longer to sell you a ticket. They are all volunteers and it is not a pleasant job stood out in all winds and weathers selling the tickets. We always need new sellers to complement our existing ones and to enable us to cover more areas of the stadium. If you fancy joining us please make yourself known at our matchday cabin. You won’t be turned away! I want to thank each of our sellers for their continued support and also everyone who buys a ticket. I know that Byron and the Academy are very grateful for the addition to their funds
In February Steve Lamble, my fellow Supporters Club director resigned from his position. I would personally like to thank him for all the work he undertook on behalf of the Supporters Club. The position of director was advertised and 2 applications were received however one later withdrew his application. The remaining applicant will be verified by the members present at the AGM
We continue to run coaches to all away games apart from the Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches. Leanne manages the coaches and away travel online exceptionally well with help from Martin Hudd and Sheila Gulwell and we are all very grateful to them all for giving up their time to help fans get to away matches to support the team. All away matches can be booked on our website and there is a £5 reduction for our members
Our shop is open every match day for you to purchase merchandise, memorabilia, books, programmes and of course pick and mix! Jamie, Janet and James are always happy to help you and if there is something you would like to see us stock please speak to them and we will see if we are able to get it. My thanks to them for all their help this year. Janet also organises our quiz and skittles evenings and her raffle prizes are legendary!!
The Supporters Club cap initiative is still a work in progress. All members of last years squad were presented with their caps at the end of season awards and we will hopefully present this seasons squad with theirs before Christmas. We are working in conjunction with the Former Players Association to present as many as possible and we were very pleased to present 8 at the former players day held at our match versus Wycombe in September.
You will no doubt have noted that the Gas Girls are no longer sponsored by the Supporters Club. Understandably the Football Club wanted to take them ‘in-house’ with the mens teams. Due to the success of the team they needed more financial help than we were able to give them so this made good business sense. I’m sure you will join me in wishing the girls every success this season and in the future.
As we continue to work with the Community Trust we have donated money to purchase laptops for their students to help them with their studies. We are always happy to help with the work of the Community Trust if we are able.
Finally I would like to thank all of the Committee for all of their support and hard work this year, and to Keith and Clive for always being on the end of the phone when I need them. Hopefully we will have something to celebrate in May
Helen