Supporters Club & Supporters Society

[comrade powell]

If you bought the matchday programme for the Staines match, you will have read the feature on the Society (P27)
Unfortunately the very last sentence contains an error...

Bath City is fortunate enough to have two supporters’ groups in the Supporters Club and the Supporters Society. However this does cause some confusion about the role of each! The main difference is simply that the Supporters Society owns a stake in the club’s shareholding, and our long-term goal is to achieve a community-owned Bath City FC.

Of course, the Supporters Club owns a stake in the club's shareholding as well (I'm in possession of the shares certificate!). This unfortunate mistake occurred when the piece was being edited for length by a member of our committee. But the fault is mine, as I should have spotted the error.

While there are many similarities between the Supporters Club and Supporters Society, it is important that people are aware of the different roles of the two organisations.

The main aim of the Society, which is Bath City FC's largest shareholder, is to achieve a club that is owned by supporters and run as an integral part of the local community. This means:

• Representing its member supporters
• Buying shares in the club as they become available
• Supporting the club financially, helping to raise the club's profile and building links between Bath City FC and the wider community

The Society has a representative on the club's Board (currently Shane Morgan), ensuring that the voice of its membership is heard on key matters. It helped to establish the Bath City Community Sports Foundation, whose excellent work resulted in Bath City becoming the Conference South 'Community Club of the Year' in 2014. The Society is developing a partnership with local businesses in support of the club and its community commitment.

While the Supporters Club also seek representation on the board of the club, this has yet to be granted, despite it putting over £100 000 into the club over the past decade. The committee works tirelessly along with many of its members in helping the club. Whether that be by selling Matchday draw tickets to helping out with ground maintenance; from running the Poplar Side teabar to organising fundraising events. With the exception of one season, the Supporters Club has funded virtually every team coach to away league fixtures for many years and tirelessly provides transport to these games for City fans.

While the Supporters Club is not directly involved in working in the community, members of its committee are also trustees of the Foundation and it has worked with charities such as Kits4Causes, Multiple Sclerosis and the British Lung Foundation.