Blog: All set for the new season Posted: Wed 31 Jul 2013 Author: David Lloyd David Lloyd, Supporters Liaison Officer Read the supporters liaison officer's latest blog. Last May, along with many fellow fans, I couldnât wait for the season to end. I didnât care if I never saw a ball kicked in anger again. But time away from football over the summer is great for recharging the batteries, and now Iâm raring to go and canât wait for the new season to start. On the pitch weâre going to see a lot of new players, and a new style of football. Off the pitch there will be a few changes too, as well as a return of some old favourite features. Hereâs some of the things you can expect to brighten up your matchday this season. The Community Park will be open as usual for weekend matchdays, with inflatables, competitions, tuck shop, clothing sales, music, etc. Scrumpy will be on hand too, and at around 2pm every Saturday matchday a couple of players will also be on hand to meet and greet and sign autographs. Weâve also worked with a local school to produce some new murals to brighten up the Family Stand. Our team of volunteer Ambassadors will be on hand to welcome you to Ashton Gate and answer any queries you might have. If you get into the stadium early, we will also be running our very popular Tweet From Your Seat feature again. To enter, you need to tweet a photo of yourself sitting in your seat, along with the stand, block and seat number, to @bcfctweets between 2pm and 2.15pm. We will choose winners at random and you will then be given an immediate upgrade to the Directors Box to watch the game in style. At around 2.30pm weâll also be continuing our popular First Cap scheme. One of our players will present a personally signed cap to a young fan making their first visit to Ashton Gate. Caps are strictly limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop me an e-mail if youâd like to be considered. Look out for other presentations around that time too. Before the game, and at half-time, our flagbearers will welcome the players onto the pitch. If your junior club or school would like to help form the guard of honour, or to take part in our half-time pitch parade, please contact Lesley Hardwell on 0117 963 0621 or e-mail her at [email protected]. The players will then come onto the pitch, led out by our mascots. There are two different mascot packages available. One is run by the Community Trust (contact Lesley Hardwell for details, as above), and there's also an enhanced package which also includes a full junior kit for the mascot, lunch in the restaurant for a family of four and a signed pennant presented by the man of the match. Contact Lisa Fillingham on 0117 963 0608 or e-mail her at [email protected]. At half-time we will also see the welcome return of one of our very popular half-time competitions 'Through My Belly - Win a Telly'. Each week, two competitors will try and see how many balls they can kick through Scrumpyâs belly in one minute. Weâll have a series of heats through the season, culminating in a grand final. The overall winner will win a brand new state-of-the art TV courtesy of PC World / Currys on Winterstoke Road. All contestants must be aged 14 or under. If youâd like to take part on Saturday, get in touch with me now at [email protected]. There will be four Blackthorn Days during the season, when we will be running a special half-time competition for over 18s. Watch out for more details.
