Martin Powell’s chairman’s report reiterated that the Society’s key objective is for Bath City FC to become a community-run club. The community club project is paused at the moment as the other four major shareholders had previously indicated that they would not support it. However, the Society will maintain a dialogue with the club’s board and continue to explore ways for community ownership to succeed.
In 2014, the Society has supported the club financially by:
- Being members of the club’s pledge, which directly supports the playing budget
- Sponsoring the Farnborough match at the end of the 2013/14 season
- Sponsoring the club’s Community Day in March
- Sponsoring Adie Britton, director of football, for the 2014/15 season
The Society has raised income for these activities through members’ subscriptions, 100 Club donations, as well as donations from fundraising events such as a screening of Ken Loach’s film “Jimmy’s Hall”.
The Society purchased 4000 shares from an individual shareholder in 2014. This means the Society now possesses just under 139,000 shares in the club, 17.3% of the total shareholding.
The Society also wrote to the board to welcome the appointment of Paul Williams as the football club’s new chairman, agreed to contribute £1000 to assist the club in paying interest on former chairman Manda Rigby’s loans, and agreed that Geoff Todd’s loan be registered as a charge against the assets of the club.
Four motions related to the composition of the Society committee were approved:
- There are to be 12 members of the committee, including a representative from Bath City Youth FC (unanimous)
- Committee members should face re-election after three years (unanimous)
- Ideally, the same person will not serve consecutive terms (15 for, 1 against, 1 abstention)
- Shane Morgan should continue to serve as Board Rep until 2016 (unanimous)
The AGM also heard reports from the Treasurer (Colin Voutt), Board Rep (Shane Morgan), Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation (Steve Skinner, on behalf of Pete Sellwood),
Full minutes are available to Society members on request.