Following the retirements of our Chairman, Jim Chappell, and our Vice-Chairman and Match-day Organiser, Phil Draper, changes have had to be made to our Committee’s structure. Our Treasurer, Sue Williams, who also has experience at the upper levels of the Supporters Club going back many years, has indicated that she too will be stepping down at the end of the year.
Bristol Rovers Supporters Club are delighted to announce that David Thomas has been appointed as our chairman. David joined our committee in 2014, serving as our Secretary for the last four years and has an intimate knowledge of how the Supporters Club runs. In that time he has been responsible for our website and social media content as well as being our link person for our successful sponsorship of the Gas Girls. He has built up a wealth of contacts both inside and outside of our football club.
David will be assisted by Helen Wigmore, who steps up to become Vice-Chair. Helen has been responsible for our Share Scheme administration and was a prolific seller of 50/50 tickets in the West Stand and the Boxes.
Keith Brookman becomes our new Secretary filling the void left by David’s promotion. Keith has a wealth of experience at this football club and through his media work and we will no doubt rely on his wise counsel in the future.
David says, “I am very proud and honoured to be asked by the Committee to succeed Jim and I promise to do everything in my power to make my tenure a successful one. Jim is a person I hold in the highest regard and I thoroughly enjoyed serving under him. Following him will be no easy task!
“It is no secret that relations between the Football Club and the Supporters Club have soured to an unacceptable level and I will work tirelessly to put that right. I have already been in contact with senior figures at the Football Club and the early signs are promising.
“Bristol Rovers Supporters Club is and always has been an independent organisation and under my leadership it will remain so. I truly believe that Bristol Rovers Supporters Club exists to serve every supporter of Bristol Rovers and I welcome dialogue from all supporters. If you have an idea or believe that you have something to offer the Supporters Club then please get in touch. We have to modernise I know that. Attracting the younger fan to our membership is something else I would like to address too, we know that some see us as stuffy. Let’s change that!
“Appointing new fans directors is a priority, they are a bridge between the board and the fanbase and we have been without a presence in the boardroom for too long. Two supporters have put themselves forward for these roles and their names were passed to the Football Club yesterday. The Share Scheme Agreement provides for two directors and I sincerely hope that is what will be allowed.
“Completing our Committee is another priority. We had vacancies before Jim, Phil and Sue’s departures and we have identified some of the people we would like to join us. As I mentioned previously if you would like to join us too please get in touch. You will not be turned away”.