Chairman’s Report July 2025
Ahead of our AGM on 1st August it gives me great pleasure to present my Annual Report at the conclusion of yet another successful year for both organisations.
Our Annual Dinner was hosted by the Mercure Hotel Northwoods Grange for the first time. This was due to us needing to give sufficient notice to enable Gary Mabbutt to attend as guest speaker given his very busy schedule. The cricket club were not able to provide us with available dates until the County Cricket fixtures had been published. As you all know, due to Tottenham’s involvement in the Europa League Final Gary was unable to join us. He was most apologetic and promises he will do his very best to visit us some time in the future. In his absence we were delighted to welcome from Bristol Rovers Ritchie Bates, Director of Commerce and Finance and Ricky Martin, Director of Football. Both spoke of their support of the Association and of their appreciation of the work that we do on behalf of the Former Players. They also expressed a wish to work with us more closely in future and we look forward to a more positive, productive and co-operative relationship with them from now on.
We were also joined on the night by Geoff Twentyman who always supports our events whenever he is able. Geoff did his usual splendid job as auctioneer, the auction raising £1895 thanks to the generosity of our guest for which we are extremely grateful.
The Kendleshire was the venue of our Golf Day in June as ever. Played in glorious sunshine we were joined by a record number of Former Players including Ricky Lambert who travelled down from the Wirral specially to join us. Given the current economic climate the number of paying guests was lower than it would normally be. As a committee we will be looking at ways to increase the success of the event still further in the coming months but, nevertheless, all attending enjoyed a great day rounded off by a fabulous buffet and a few drinks.
The Blue Diamond Club held its usual three events in the calendar year, two at the Seat Unique Stadium and one at the Kendleshire. Our guest speakers at these events were Dawn Astle who gave a very moving account of the life of her father Jeff Astle and his struggles with dementia. Dawn works tirelessly for the Jeff Astle Foundation, in conjunction with the PFA, does fantastic work, not only to raise awareness of this disease, but to provide practical help and support to sufferers. For this she was recently awarded an M.B.E. and the FPA send her our warmest congratulations on this achievement. Dawn was also afforded the opportunity by the Supporters Club to present Bobby Gould with his cap. An initiative that we are fully behind and willing to help out whenever we can.
The aforementioned Geoff Twentyman and Ritchie Bates also joined us at the two lunches at the cricket ground and once more gave entertaining and enjoyable talks.
Full reports and a Gallery of all of these events can be found on our website. www.bristolroversfpa.org
Can I thank, as ever, my fellow committee members for their hard work this season, particularly Mo Bell without whom none of these events would run so smoothly. Sadly, for different reasons, Mo was unable to attend either the Dinner or the Golf Day this year. Mo, you were very much missed and we hope that you will be able to join us whenever these are held in the next 12 months.
Our accounts are kept in good order by treasurer Clive Farquhar, many thanks Clive.
Our website articles are written by that prolific contributor Keith Brookman. I don’t know how he does it but we are so appreciative Keith.
In closing I would like to think that, after a period where our relationship with the Football Club was causing me some concern about whether they wanted a Former Players Association, we are where we need to be. Our relationship with them is now first class, the media team advertise our events whenever we ask them to and publish those reports that Keith writes on their website, social media sites and in the monthly magazine. I look forward to forging even closer ties in the coming season and beyond.
To any Former Players reading this I send very best wishes and thank you for your ongoing support particularly if you have attended one of our Dinners or the Golf Day. We hope to see you at a future event.
Tony Mills
Chair BRFPA July 2025
