Minutes of AGM 2026
HELD ON TUESDAY 28TH JULY 2026 AT 11AM
AT THE HALL & WOODHOUSE, PORTISHEAD BS20 7FP
PRESENT: Tony Mills (TM) Chair
Billy Clark (BC) President
Clive Farquhar (CF) Treasurer – BRFPA
Alan Cavill (AC) Treasurer – BDC
Mo Bell Secretary – BRFPA/BDC
Keith Brookman (KB) Media – BRFPA/BDC
Roger Brinsford (RB) Consultant & Former Chair
WELCOME & MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM
TM welcomed everyone to this year’s AGM and briefly talked about the Report already circulated to members, although emphasised the disappointment over the cancellation of the annual Dinner for former players. Consequently, we were charged a cancellation fee of just over £1700. This to be discussed further under Item 6.
MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM – Approved by RB and seconded by CF
MATTERS ARISING – Covered in other Agenda items.
TREASURERS ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – BRFPA – CF explained the finer details and in addition showed that the accruals included covered the payment due to The Kendleshire for the Golf Day and receipt for the auctioned shirt at the same event arriving at the bank after year end.
Blue Diamond Club – AC had passed the end of year accounts to CF for audit, although everything was in order after a successful year, members enjoying the lunches and particularly the visit and tour of the football club’s training facility after an excellent lunch.
PROGRESS OF HOSPITALITY & MATCHDAY FOR FORMER PLAYERS
The scheme devised by KB and fully supported by the football club had been a success and Keith had sought to improve on this success after consultation with Ritchie Bates. As a further benefit for the club and it’s fans, it was proposed to form a group of former players to act as ambassadors, each one to sit with sponsors in hospitality with additional players mingling.
It was also proposed to purchase branded clothing to which BRFPA will donate funds towards the purchase price. Next season (27/28) discussion will include the possibility of paying former players an appearance fee.
KB also mentioned that David Hillier will support the Hospitality and Matchday project by passing on his experience as an ex Arsenal Ambassador.
REVIEW OF CANCELLED 2026 ANNUAL DINNER
Firstly, a huge disappointment for committee members due to lack of interest and commitment from former players, afterall the event is organised with no cost to former players. It also affected the funding we would normally donate to charities and/or help needed by former players. The cancellation fee amounted to over £1700, a large dent in the accounts.
The question arose of how to approach the next dinner invitation. The conclusion arrived at after considering options, that former players receive a notification signed by the BRFPA President Billy Clark. The content will be drafted by MB and TM, hoping for a more positive response.
Action: MB/TM/BC
MEMORY CLUB
KB outlined the purpose of this new project, where memorabilia will be displayed at a meeting proposed to take place once a month. It was hoped to gain the support of the football club inasmuch that a room would be required for this purpose. KB had previously met with Clive Marshall to discuss ideas and concluded there was merit in pursuing such a project with so many supporters able to contribute their memories too. TM had been kept up to date with progress.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE
Existing committee members were elected en bloc, proposed by RB and seconded by CF.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A former player had played golf at Thornbury at the invitation by Bristol City golf day organizers and asked if BRFPA would consider a change of venue in 2027. Everyone agreed that The Kendleshire staff had looked after us really well since our first event there and the price per head was still competitive compared with other golf clubs. There was no enthusiasm for change.
Before conclusion of business, RB wanted to record his praise for how far BRFPA had progressed and introduced many different projects since he chaired the organisation from inauguration 10 years ago. The committee thanked Roger for his comments and members appreciated his continued support. It’s continued success was also due to the support from the football club.
10 DATE OF NEXT AGM - TBA