Following weeks of positive talks between the Football Club and Supporters Club, we are delighted to announce a number of updates that signify the foundations of a new strong working relationship moving forward.
Firstly, we are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Supporters Club board representatives. Helen Wigmore and Stephen Lamble will both join the board with immediate effect and will act as the bridge between the supporters and the club to ensure that feedback is passed on and actions agreed to make continual improvements. We hope that you can all join us in welcoming both Helen and Stephen to their new roles.
Our next board meeting will take place in December so if you have any feedback that you would like Stephen or Helen to raise, please do not hesitate to contact them.
There is a focus on modernising the Supporters Club, to ensure that it is diverse and representative of the whole fanbase. This will involve working with community groups and charities to ensure that all supporters feel part of the Rovers family and that the message of inclusion is clear for all.
In addition, the Supporters Club are looking to hold more events at the stadium. We were all delighted to see the positive response to the recent Halloween party held in partnership with the Community Trust at the Mem. The supporters that attended will be the next generation of Rovers supporters and we look forward to many more events like this in the future.
We are also, all pleased to see the continuation of the 50:50 draws and the funds that are being raised to support the academy and the next generation of players coming through into the first team. We are thankful to all of the volunteers who continue to dedicate their time in order to support the club. There are still openings for additional volunteers so if any supporters are interesting in joining the team, please reach out to the Supporters Club.
Tom Gorringe, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol Rovers Football Club said,
“We’d like to go on record and thank David and his team for their efforts and understanding to help us re-build and redefine our relationship with the Supporters Club. We are delighted to welcome Helen and Stephen onto the board and I am sure they will both play a big part in helping ensure that fans voices are heard. It is my firm belief that success is only achieved by working together and I am excited what the future holds”.
To further cement the new era of our relationship, we are delighted to confirm that Club President Wael Al Qadi has agreed to cover the cost of Supporters Club coaches for our away game with Scunthorpe on December 18th. That means that supporters will be able to travel to and from the game free of charge. This can be purchased via the Supporters Club website HERE.
David Thomas, Chairman of the Supporters Club said;
“I am absolutely delighted to be able to be issue this joint statement with the Football Club. It has been well documented that the relationship between the club and the Supporters Club had been broken down for some time now and on behalf of the Supporters Club I would like to apologise for that. However, we are delighted that we have now been able to draw a line under the previous issues and build the foundations for a positive relationship moving forward. It was evident to me from day one that there was a real spirit on both sides to move forward together and I am extremely grateful for their extremely generous offer in providing free coach travel for our supporters to the game at Scunthorpe. Having a presence in the boardroom again was top of my wish list when I took over and I am pleased to say that both Helen and Stephen are ideal candidates for this demanding role and I wish them the best of luck."
Wael Al Qadi said,
“We are delighted to be working with the Supporters Club to be an organisation that represents the whole fanbase so that all supporters can have a voice and that their voice can be heard via the Supporters Club. Regardless of their background or opinion. As part of this new era, I am delighted to help to provide some free travel for our supporters making the long trip to Scunthorpe in December. We know that the festive period is an expensive time of year so hopefully this helps make it a little easier to support us on the road and get behind the team”
In order for the club to move forward, we all need to be pulling in the same direction. All supporters, staff and players want to see the club reach its full potential and the only way that is possible, is if we are all working together.
*Supporters are reminded that all bookings on these coaches are subject to the Supporters Club terms and conditions which include no drinking of alcohol on the coaches.