A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM BRIAN SEYMOUR-SMITH Dear Friend I am asking for your support to be returned as a Supporters Club Director on the Board of Bristol Rovers FC. Without doubt, my three years has been the toughest in our history. Relegation to the Conference and external delays over the new stadium has caused frustration, anger and disillusionment. However, I believe by pulling together as one, we can and will turn our fortunes around. I hope you share my optimism that Darrell is heading in the right direction with his new squad. With the help of the Supporters Club, we have made it clear that we will continue to do all we can to support Darrell on the field by constantly fundraising to ensure funds are available to share in his and our ambition to have a team in which we can all be proud and returns us straight back to the Football League. Your Supporters Club has played a major role in supporting youth development at this club. I also praise non supporters club members who have also helped to support our future. However, unless the 1st Team are winning matches, then there is a cascade of disillusionment from the top down. I will personally continue to do all I can to ensure funds are available to help Darrell bring the right quality and passionate players to this club. Players must be here for the right reasons â to win football matches for Bristol Rovers FC. Football is about results and an exciting and prosperous season is very long overdue! Fans: When I first came onto the board I felt there was a real divide between the directors and fans and with relegation, this relationship has been strained further. I have therefore worked strenuously to try to change this perception by actively presenting your views and suggestions to the Rovers board and get them acted on! This includes: ⢠Admission prices down â encouraged Kids for Quid ⢠Bar prices down â Happy hours before/ after games ⢠More youngsters attending matches â 100 children free admission from local schools every game ⢠Former players brought back to meet fans ⢠Celebrations of your £1m Share Scheme ⢠New TVâs in bars ⢠Encouraged further funding for playing staff at BRFC ⢠Regular supporters personal and social media contact ⢠Encouraged the introduction of new âopen forumsâ and supporters club forums to ensure fans have direct access to board members for Q and Aâs ⢠Taken up individual fans issues as and when requested ⢠Supported board on all aspects of delivering a new stadium Some may feel perhaps more could have been done to support the case of an individual member? Some, that by the closing down of the Fans Forum, doors have been closed to Box 1? Some that a Fans Director MUST report all issues back to supporters, even though confidentiality agreements have been signed. I will admit that I personally feel communication has been slow, leading to scepticism and misinformation - and yes this needs to improve! However, I have constantly made myself available for all supporters to contact me, either personally, by email, social media or by phone. However, I have always believed if you want answers ask directly. That is why I totally support my idea of open forums, so that you can get direct answers to direct questions from the decisions makers. I want more of these - monthly Forums in the Dribuild i.e. an evening with the manager and players. Quarterly Full Forum open meetings and the Chairmanâs pre-match Q and A sessions continue in the Bristol Room. Our challenge is to ensure this Supporters Club is at the forefront of helping Bristol Rovers get back into league football and, that we continue to play a significant role in the new stadium development. We need to attract a whole new generation to the Mem and ensure that when you, your family and friends come to a Rovers match, you go home with a smile on your face having witnessed an entire entertainment experience. I am doing all I can to help make that happen! There is so much more we can and will achieve together. Rovers we stand divided we fall! Yours in friendship Brian UTG!
Brian...I have always found you approachable and amenable; and I do believe that you do as much as you can under 'difficult' circumstances. However I believe that there is still much wrong with our club, and we may need to take the first available opportunity to show that change is needed on the board. There is a sad possibility that you could be a casualty in all this!
Brian, I hope you get the chance to have another term. We have met up a couple of times and talked numerous times and I have found you very approachable and I have felt that you have always given an honest answer especially with some hard questions. I think you deserve to have the chance to continue as you are. I think due to poor performances on the pitch over the last 4/5 years the fans have had enough and as a result, they will attack anyone who they can. And this has meant you have been a target to some. But im sure if all board members had to go through the same process as yourself going through a vote system to get re-elected, im sure most if not all would have a negative response from fans. So dont take it to heart. Its just unfortunate that the on pitch performances and off field performance from the board may make effect your chances! Hope is goes well for you Brian and good luck
Taken from the Supports Club site: http://bristolroverssc.co.uk/2014/08/03/election-news/ ELECTION OF ONE BRFC DIRECTOR by Bristol Rovers Supporters Club 2014/2015 Members. We have received two nominations for the one post:- ROD CHAPMAN and BRIAN SEYMOUR-SMITH The result of the election will be announced on Thursday 25th September 2014 at the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club AGM To vote in this election you must be a current 2014/2015 season member. HOW TO VOTE – Current season, 2014/2015 members, will receive a ballot card slip with their magazine mailing. For those who have yet to join this season, a ballot card slip will be issued with their new 2014/2015 membership card. Ballot boxes will be located at Pirate Leisure within the Memorial Stadium, and at the BRSC shop at 199 Two Mile Hill Road , Kingswood. On Home match days ballot boxes will be found in the Supporters Club Cabin and in the Bristol Room at The Memorial Stadium. 1. POSTAL VOTING Return your completed voting slip to: Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, 199 Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood, Bristol. BS15 1AZ Postal votes must be received by Tuesday 23rd September. 2. IN PERSON This can be done at the above locations until 4.00pm on Thursday 25th September 2014. 3. At the AGM Meeting itself. From 5.00pm until the start of the meeting at the Bristol Room within the Memorial Stadium. PLEASE MARK AN ‘X’ NEXT TO THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE.
