|
Post by gashead1981 on Aug 17, 2021 8:44:31 GMT
The share scheme organised by the supporters club raised many hundreds of thousands of pounds towards helping the club. They paid players wages Andy Rammell and further back Steve Yates in our Twerton days. Raising money at events quizzes social functions over the years as well as the highly successful 50 50 draw which has been going since 1996. If fans want representation and an avenue to discuss such things as disabled facilities or tickets then the sc used to take forward their ideas to get things done. Current owners are unaware about the fabric of a club is through fans involvement. You can't alienate supporter volunteers who sale 50 50 write in what was one an award winning matchday programme. Herein lies the problem. Whilst all of those things were helpful and noble at the time, it was under an ownership that passed over in 2007 and then again in 2014. The SC has continued to trade on those past glories instead of reinventing and creating new ones which generate a real income stream that could be regularly used by the club. Yes they have created gasgirls and supported the academy with one off payments but so much more can be achieved with a little more thought and reinvention. Trouble is, no one at the SC knows what to do. Dinner dances and raffles is the limit of their creativity. The SC hasnt in the last 2 years at least been a viable source of any communication for fans as they have never replaced KM on the board, despite the clubs invitation to do so. The only real communication they have been interested in (look at their announcements) are ones that attempt to undermine the club and its ownership, to cause division, spread misinformation and generally appear to be doing nothing to represent the fans in voice, only the egos of the ones in control. It seems that in all of this action that is creating the civil war, that the SC forget who they represent (their members or the wider fan base depending on the narrative) and caught in the cross fire are really honest, helpful and well meaning people, which are the volunteers. Put it this way, this forum alone gets a good cross section of opinion on all things to do with the club. Hardly anything positive is mentioned about the SC. Phrases such as irrelevant, obsolete, pointless and other terms have been used. People have questioned what they actually want to do or achieve. Now if I was the chairman or fans director reading that, I would take it as feedback that there need to be some major improvements to the way the SC is run, percieved by potential members and the message it puts out. But instead of addressing such things, they bury their heads, ignore everything that is said, believe everything is perfect because of what they did in 1986 and that everyone else is the problem.
|
|
|
Post by gashead1981 on Aug 17, 2021 9:15:05 GMT
Supporters Club Statement on 50/50 by Sam Parsons | Aug 16, 2021 | 50:50, News As you will be aware, if you attended Saturday’s match, there were no 50/50 draw tickets on sale at the Memorial Stadium. The reason for this is that the Club’s Commercial Director informed the Supporters Club that he didn’t want us selling tickets because he wanted to take the draw in house, despite the fact that the draw has never been anything other than a Supporters Club initiative since its inception on the Rovers return to Bristol in 1996. The Supporters Club has always provided sellers and workers (all volunteers), and paid for the tickets, programme trolleys and all necessary equipment under our City Council Licence throughout. The draw now provides our main source of income but the entire profit goes to the Football Club in the formof donations made regularly to the Youth Academy, the Development Squad and the Ladies teams operated by the Community Trust, all at no cost to the Football Club which would become responsible for these expenses should the 50/50 draw be taken over. In addition to taking over the 50/50 Draw the Board has demanded a payment of £50,000 from the Supporters Club “to support and sustain the training ground”- The Quarters at Almondsbury. This money was raised by us from the sale of our Kingswood shop that we had to close when all ticketing and souvenir sales were taken away leaving it economically unviable. With this money the Committee had intended to purchase spectator facilities and dugouts on a No.1 pitch, played on exclusively by the U-18’s and Development teams, for supporters who attend these matches. The equipment was to remain the property of the Supporters Club so that it could be transferred to another pitch if necessary. Informal discussions regarding this arrangement took place with the then Supporters Club Director and the Football Club, though no formal agreement was ever put in place. The Committee’s reaction to the Club’s demand for £50,000 was one of shock, as it came with no formal discussion taking place, simply a request to pay the money immediately. It should be said, at this point, that the money, if agreed, would go towards the specific items listed above, for the Bristol Rovers Training Ground, not a training ground owned by a third party. To the best of my knowledge neither the U-18 side or the Development side have yet played any matches at that venue. The Supporters Club’s decision, as a gesture of goodwill, was to offer to donate £25,000 now with a further £25,000 next year in exchange for us retaining full control of the 50/50 Draw which would continue to provide the funding. Our offer was made to the Commercial Director of the Football Club who, at the time of writing, has not responded, though he is attempting to contact all of our volunteer matchday staff to hold a meeting with them tomorrow afternoon. Quite what his agenda is I don’t know, but I felt that you should all know that it was his decision to sell matchday programmes in house and his decision to take control of the 50/50 Draw and although I have seen instances of blame being laid at the door of the Supporters Club, this simply is not true. Jim Chappell, Chairman, BRSC. Interesting this puts blame on the club for Two Mile Hill closing, whilst the statement at the time of closure says merchandise and ticket sales were removed as a result of the store not being economically viable…but now they are suggesting a different version to fit their narrative? www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-supporters-club-shop-1026632“However, the cost of running and maintaining the shop far exceeds the revenue generated. With that in mind, tickets and merchandise sales will no longer be offered at Kingswood beyond the present season. The Football Club is bringing about changes that will facilitate all sales at The Memorial Stadium and online.” Think about this. The SC obtained mercandise from the FC at cost price to sell in a shop and any profit that was made went towards the cost of the shop rather than the FC, a shop that went to rack and ruin. It took TG to point that out and then stop supplying the shop with free merchandise for it to close, otherwise the SC would have bimbled along costing the club money and profit on merchandise to this day probably.
|
|
|
Post by jongas1 on Aug 17, 2021 9:19:35 GMT
Interesting this puts blame on the club for Two Mile Hill closing, whilst the statement at the time of closure says merchandise and ticket sales were removed as a result of the store not being economically viable…but now they are suggesting a different version to fit their narrative? www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-supporters-club-shop-1026632“However, the cost of running and maintaining the shop far exceeds the revenue generated. With that in mind, tickets and merchandise sales will no longer be offered at Kingswood beyond the present season. The Football Club is bringing about changes that will facilitate all sales at The Memorial Stadium and online.” Think about this. The SC obtained mercandise from the FC at cost price to sell in a shop and any profit that was made went towards the cost of the shop rather than the FC, a shop that went to rack and ruin. It took TG to point that out and then stop supplying the shop with free merchandise for it to close, otherwise the SC would have bimbled along costing the club money and profit on merchandise to this day probably. 100% agree.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 9:36:19 GMT
I’ve long thought (and suggested to relevant people) that the shares for the SC should be moved over to the community trust.
|
|
|
Post by gashead1981 on Aug 17, 2021 9:39:17 GMT
Why as a club are we going round the neighbourhood trying to find every pound we can grab?thought the quarters were self financed by wael?all so confusing.no idea who is right or wrong but both parties seems far removed from the fan base now. T G is a penny pincher tries to get money where ever he can, like said I arranged to purchase new toilet block for the Mem, but was then told club couldn't afford to pay for it to be connected so I didn't bother. But like someone said SC money is really the fans money and is there to be spent on the club not squirreled away, though I suppose ultimately it is SC decision what they spend that money on. Is it really the SC's decision though? If the money the SC generated was purely from SC members then I could well understand their point of view and their gripe. But it isnt. The money they generate is because the club allow them to operate free of charge within the stadium and the money is mostly generated from rank and file members (perhaps the SC could tell us a breakdown of how much SC members contribute on a match day vs non members). Its advertised that the money goes towards the academy and other areas of the club. That would indicate that every match day a deposit is made towards the club for the funds raised at that particular game, but that doesnt happen. The money is collected and stored in the SC account and then the SC decide when to hand it over to the club and how much it decides to give. That to me is dishonest for starters. If you are to advertise, on the basis of someones charity, why you are collecting money, then that money once collected should be handed over to the cause you are collecting for. If it isnt being handed over or is being held to ransom to make deals with the FC for continued goodwill or other things to be advantageous to the SC, then the SC, quite frankly, are taking advantage of the goodwill and charity of every fan that puts money into the bucket. So I can well understand why the club would be making a demand for that money, it isnt the SC's to keep and it becomes perfectly logical why the club will bring all opportunity to raise funds for the club, in whatever form this would take to ensure the club actually obtains those funds. If the SC want to go and raise finance from other areas that come from their own membership and away from match days and squirl it away or spend it on things they only want a say in buying then thats fair enough, but you cant have your cake and it eat it. As an example, look at the way Ash Belston has grown the memorial match. He manages to raise in one day what the SC do in 6 months with a bit of hard work, creativity and good communication.
|
|
|
Post by gashead1981 on Aug 17, 2021 9:40:47 GMT
I’ve long thought (and suggested to relevant people) that the shares for the SC should be moved over to the community trust. Ditto. And the CT to take on all activities of the SC. At least then you know it would be under the control of a great guy in Adam Tutton.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 9:45:53 GMT
T G is a penny pincher tries to get money where ever he can, like said I arranged to purchase new toilet block for the Mem, but was then told club couldn't afford to pay for it to be connected so I didn't bother. But like someone said SC money is really the fans money and is there to be spent on the club not squirreled away, though I suppose ultimately it is SC decision what they spend that money on. Is it really the SC's decision though? If the money the SC generated was purely from SC members then I could well understand their point of view and their gripe. But it isnt. The money they generate is because the club allow them to operate free of charge within the stadium and the money is mostly generated from rank and file members (perhaps the SC could tell us a breakdown of how much SC members contribute on a match day vs non members). Its advertised that the money goes towards the academy and other areas of the club. That would indicate that every match day a deposit is made towards the club for the funds raised at that particular game, but that doesnt happen. The money is collected and stored in the SC account and then the SC decide when to hand it over to the club and how much it decides to give. That to me is dishonest for starters. If you are to advertise, on the basis of someones charity, why you are collecting money, then that money once collected should be handed over to the cause you are collecting for. If it isnt being handed over or is being held to ransom to make deals with the FC for continued goodwill or other things to be advantageous to the SC, then the SC, quite frankly, are taking advantage of the goodwill and charity of every fan that puts money into the bucket. So I can well understand why the club would be making a demand for that money, it isnt the SC's to keep and it becomes perfectly logical why the club will bring all opportunity to raise funds for the club, in whatever form this would take to ensure the club actually obtains those funds. If the SC want to go and raise finance from other areas that come from their own membership and away from match days and squirl it away or spend it on things they only want a say in buying then thats fair enough, but you cant have your cake and it eat it. As an example, look at the way Ash Belston has grown the memorial match. He manages to raise in one day what the SC do in 6 months with a bit of hard work, creativity and good communication. In fairness it is a 4 month process to raise the funds but I do get your point, I do try and introduce new things every year that bump us up….currently we’ve raised £11,500 of our £20,000 target this year…..oh and spell my name right please 👀😂😂
|
|
|
Post by gashead1981 on Aug 17, 2021 10:02:30 GMT
Is it really the SC's decision though? If the money the SC generated was purely from SC members then I could well understand their point of view and their gripe. But it isnt. The money they generate is because the club allow them to operate free of charge within the stadium and the money is mostly generated from rank and file members (perhaps the SC could tell us a breakdown of how much SC members contribute on a match day vs non members). Its advertised that the money goes towards the academy and other areas of the club. That would indicate that every match day a deposit is made towards the club for the funds raised at that particular game, but that doesnt happen. The money is collected and stored in the SC account and then the SC decide when to hand it over to the club and how much it decides to give. That to me is dishonest for starters. If you are to advertise, on the basis of someones charity, why you are collecting money, then that money once collected should be handed over to the cause you are collecting for. If it isnt being handed over or is being held to ransom to make deals with the FC for continued goodwill or other things to be advantageous to the SC, then the SC, quite frankly, are taking advantage of the goodwill and charity of every fan that puts money into the bucket. So I can well understand why the club would be making a demand for that money, it isnt the SC's to keep and it becomes perfectly logical why the club will bring all opportunity to raise funds for the club, in whatever form this would take to ensure the club actually obtains those funds. If the SC want to go and raise finance from other areas that come from their own membership and away from match days and squirl it away or spend it on things they only want a say in buying then thats fair enough, but you cant have your cake and it eat it. As an example, look at the way Ash Belston has grown the memorial match. He manages to raise in one day what the SC do in 6 months with a bit of hard work, creativity and good communication. In fairness it is a 4 month process to raise the funds but I do get your point, I do try and introduce new things every year that bump us up….currently we’ve raised £11,500 of our £20,000 target this year…..oh and spell my name right please 👀😂😂 Yes I wasnt suggesting you rock up with jumpers for goalposts...!! And you do it alone using your network that you have built over the years. An actual club with many members should be able to arrange something similar, possibly bigger with more events than one person can manage which should generate double the money. Its this kind of creativity that the SC needs, Mr tosser Belsten!
|
|
|
Post by Antonio Fargas on Aug 17, 2021 10:08:03 GMT
With this money the Committee had intended to purchase spectator facilities and dugouts on a No.1 pitch, played on exclusively by the U-18’s and Development teams, for supporters who attend these matches. The equipment was to remain the property of the Supporters Club so that it could be transferred to another pitch if necessary. Informal discussions regarding this arrangement took place with the then Supporters Club Director and the Football Club, though no formal agreement was ever put in place. The Committee’s reaction to the Club’s demand for £50,000 was one of shock, as it came with no formal discussion taking place, simply a request to pay the money immediately. It should be said, at this point, that the money, if agreed, would go towards the specific items listed above, for the Bristol Rovers Training Ground, not a training ground owned by a third party. To the best of my knowledge neither the U-18 side or the Development side have yet played any matches at that venue. Having a look at this and their website, the SC is committed to donating all the 50-50 money to the academy, but have decided that they want to provide spectator equipment for a pitch only used for the academy at a location only owned by the club, and they want to keep ownership of that equipment. So if the training ground is not owned by the club (and it's owned by Dwane, or a similar holding company, isn't it?), no deal. If any other team plays on that pitch that the equipment is next to, no deal. If anyone else sits on the equipment, no deal. Also, 'for the supporters that attend these matches' istm basically means themselves. Doesn't seem especially magnanimous. I'm happy to buy anyone on here a new sofa, provided I choose which of your rooms it gets put in, no one else is allowed in that room, only I get to sit on it, and I still own it.
|
|
|
Post by straighouttabristol on Aug 17, 2021 10:09:26 GMT
The sc has been outdated for years from the outside looking in. Seems a bunch of old fans who think they’re above other fans and love to think they have power and seem to have heroes syndrome wanting to say they’ve helped saved the club or funded parts of it. Before the wael era loved to be the source of inside information and rumours.
I think they need a new chairman and a bit more youth brought into freshen it up and move with the times, they need to vote a representative for the board and then have peace talks and find a way to work with the club, as well as communicating with sc members of the ins and outs and asking the members where they want funds directed and any ideas on how to raise money and run the sc as it’s a members organisation who in reality the chairman works for.
|
|
|
Post by Tilly's Thighs on Aug 17, 2021 10:12:19 GMT
Is it really the SC's decision though? If the money the SC generated was purely from SC members then I could well understand their point of view and their gripe. But it isnt. The money they generate is because the club allow them to operate free of charge within the stadium and the money is mostly generated from rank and file members (perhaps the SC could tell us a breakdown of how much SC members contribute on a match day vs non members). Its advertised that the money goes towards the academy and other areas of the club. That would indicate that every match day a deposit is made towards the club for the funds raised at that particular game, but that doesnt happen. The money is collected and stored in the SC account and then the SC decide when to hand it over to the club and how much it decides to give. That to me is dishonest for starters. If you are to advertise, on the basis of someones charity, why you are collecting money, then that money once collected should be handed over to the cause you are collecting for. If it isnt being handed over or is being held to ransom to make deals with the FC for continued goodwill or other things to be advantageous to the SC, then the SC, quite frankly, are taking advantage of the goodwill and charity of every fan that puts money into the bucket. So I can well understand why the club would be making a demand for that money, it isnt the SC's to keep and it becomes perfectly logical why the club will bring all opportunity to raise funds for the club, in whatever form this would take to ensure the club actually obtains those funds. If the SC want to go and raise finance from other areas that come from their own membership and away from match days and squirl it away or spend it on things they only want a say in buying then thats fair enough, but you cant have your cake and it eat it. As an example, look at the way Ash Belston has grown the memorial match. He manages to raise in one day what the SC do in 6 months with a bit of hard work, creativity and good communication. In fairness it is a 4 month process to raise the funds but I do get your point, I do try and introduce new things every year that bump us up….currently we’ve raised £11,500 of our £20,000 target this year…..oh and spell my name right please 👀😂😂 Your energy and enthusiasm for what you're doing shines through when you engage with fans via social media, imagine what it could be like if we had a SC headed by people who had the same amount of imagination and vigour. The amount of funds you raise speaks volumes as to the success of your methods.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 10:45:22 GMT
In fairness it is a 4 month process to raise the funds but I do get your point, I do try and introduce new things every year that bump us up….currently we’ve raised £11,500 of our £20,000 target this year…..oh and spell my name right please 👀😂😂 Your energy and enthusiasm for what you're doing shines through when you engage with fans via social media, imagine what it could be like if we had a SC headed by people who had the same amount of imagination and vigour. The amount of funds you raise speaks volumes as to the success of your methods. Thank you Tilly, I had planned to stand for SC director but my partner fell into a bit of ill health (all is fine now). It’s a shame but maybe one for the future.
|
|
|
Post by BishopstonBRFC on Aug 17, 2021 11:18:46 GMT
Why as a club are we going round the neighbourhood trying to find every pound we can grab?thought the quarters were self financed by wael?all so confusing.no idea who is right or wrong but both parties seems far removed from the fan base now. T G is a penny pincher tries to get money where ever he can, like said I arranged to purchase new toilet block for the Mem, but was then told club couldn't afford to pay for it to be connected so I didn't bother. But like someone said SC money is really the fans money and is there to be spent on the club not squirreled away, though I suppose ultimately it is SC decision what they spend that money on. Where would this toilet block have gone?
|
|
|
Post by baggins on Aug 17, 2021 11:20:36 GMT
With this money the Committee had intended to purchase spectator facilities and dugouts on a No.1 pitch, played on exclusively by the U-18’s and Development teams, for supporters who attend these matches. The equipment was to remain the property of the Supporters Club so that it could be transferred to another pitch if necessary. Informal discussions regarding this arrangement took place with the then Supporters Club Director and the Football Club, though no formal agreement was ever put in place. The Committee’s reaction to the Club’s demand for £50,000 was one of shock, as it came with no formal discussion taking place, simply a request to pay the money immediately. It should be said, at this point, that the money, if agreed, would go towards the specific items listed above, for the Bristol Rovers Training Ground, not a training ground owned by a third party. To the best of my knowledge neither the U-18 side or the Development side have yet played any matches at that venue. Having a look at this and their website, the SC is committed to donating all the 50-50 money to the academy, but have decided that they want to provide spectator equipment for a pitch only used for the academy at a location only owned by the club, and they want to keep ownership of that equipment. So if the training ground is not owned by the club (and it's owned by Dwane, or a similar holding company, isn't it?), no deal. If any other team plays on that pitch that the equipment is next to, no deal. If anyone else sits on the equipment, no deal. Also, 'for the supporters that attend these matches' istm basically means themselves. Doesn't seem especially magnanimous. I'm happy to buy anyone on here a new sofa, provided I choose which of your rooms it gets put in, no one else is allowed in that room, only I get to sit on it, and I still own it. Done.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 11:21:28 GMT
I see all the match day volunteers who turn up for the meeting with TG today are invited into the match day restaurant and will be wined and dined at the game tonight.
|
|
|
Post by seanclevedongas on Aug 17, 2021 11:24:25 GMT
The sc has been outdated for years from the outside looking in. Seems a bunch of old fans who think they’re above other fans and love to think they have power and seem to have heroes syndrome wanting to say they’ve helped saved the club or funded parts of it. Before the wael era loved to be the source of inside information and rumours. I think they need a new chairman and a bit more youth brought into freshen it up and move with the times, they need to vote a representative for the board and then have peace talks and find a way to work with the club, as well as communicating with sc members of the ins and outs and asking the members where they want funds directed and any ideas on how to raise money and run the sc as it’s a members organisation who in reality the chairman works for. You are probably correct that it needs some input from younger fans but where are they? I have attended a number of SC meetings and Board Q&A's and the fast majority of people attending have been 40/50+ Brian Williams RIP used to be the main person challenging the SC and the BRFC board at Q&A's - not sure where that challenge will come from now?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 11:37:26 GMT
The sc has been outdated for years from the outside looking in. Seems a bunch of old fans who think they’re above other fans and love to think they have power and seem to have heroes syndrome wanting to say they’ve helped saved the club or funded parts of it. Before the wael era loved to be the source of inside information and rumours. I think they need a new chairman and a bit more youth brought into freshen it up and move with the times, they need to vote a representative for the board and then have peace talks and find a way to work with the club, as well as communicating with sc members of the ins and outs and asking the members where they want funds directed and any ideas on how to raise money and run the sc as it’s a members organisation who in reality the chairman works for. You are probably correct that it needs some input from younger fans but where are they? I have attended a number of SC meetings and Board Q&A's and the fast majority of people attending have been 40/50+ Brian Williams RIP used to be the main person challenging the SC and the BRFC board at Q&A's - not sure where that challenge will come from now? It’s chicken and egg though isn’t it. If you were 25 what would appeal to you about the SC?
|
|
|
Post by seanclevedongas on Aug 17, 2021 11:39:34 GMT
You are probably correct that it needs some input from younger fans but where are they? I have attended a number of SC meetings and Board Q&A's and the fast majority of people attending have been 40/50+ Brian Williams RIP used to be the main person challenging the SC and the BRFC board at Q&A's - not sure where that challenge will come from now? It’s chicken and egg though isn’t it. If you were 25 what would appeal to you about the SC? Spot on
|
|
|
Post by bluebiro on Aug 17, 2021 11:40:48 GMT
You are probably correct that it needs some input from younger fans but where are they? I have attended a number of SC meetings and Board Q&A's and the fast majority of people attending have been 40/50+ Brian Williams RIP used to be the main person challenging the SC and the BRFC board at Q&A's - not sure where that challenge will come from now? It’s chicken and egg though isn’t it. If you were 25 what would appeal to you about the SC? club Tie and gnome
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2021 11:41:26 GMT
It’s chicken and egg though isn’t it. If you were 25 what would appeal to you about the SC? club Tie and gnome I can buy both of them in the club shop. 😂
|
|